Alessandra and Archbishop of Life

Clutching her rescued dress to her chest, Alessandra peaked over Nice Duchess Helga’s shoulder. She wasn’t Mean Duchess Helga anymore since she had made Mean Lady give her dress back. She stuck her tongue out at Mean Lady. The Mean Lady SMILED at her. That wasn’t what she wanted; she wanted her to say something or to do something and get in trouble again. She decided it wasn’t worth the trouble to try anything else. She was confused and very tired and just wanted to rest. She listened to what Beard Man said while laying her head on Nice Duchess Helga’s shoulder. She had never been held like this; it was nice.

“Now that this crisis is solved, can we leave? The scouts I have watching the Guild report that Inquisitors are gathering,” Bearded Man said.

“Yes,” Nice Duchess Helga said.

“Good, I’ll clear up any loose ends here and make my way over later,” Mean Lady said.

“Oh, but I just got here; I wanted to try the food. It seems to have made quite an impression on the Little Miss,” a wrinkly lady who hadn’t yet been introduced said with a chuckle.

“Priestess…..” Beard Man started to say, but the wrinkly lady, eeerrr Priestess, cut him off, “I know, I know you young ones are always in a hurry,” the Priestess said. “I can chat with the young miss and Duchess while we scurry about.”

With that, Beard Man turned and led the group out of the room, downstairs, and out to a carriage. Alessandra liked being carried; it made her feel safe, something she rarely felt. She was also a bit nervous, though she wasn’t sure why. Beard Man and Nice Duchess Helga were worried about something, making her nervous. She wished she knew what was worrying them. She probably couldn’t help, and she admitted to herself probably wouldn’t understand, but she was confused and didn’t like it. She felt the weird pressure and warmth in her chest again.

The Priestess looked at her as they made their way to the carriages and spoke, “Calm down a bit, little miss. The Duke knows what’s going on and will keep you safe. Take a deep breath and count to three.”

Alessandra felt Nice Duchess Helga jerk but ignored it as she did what the Priestess told her to do. She always did what Priestess told her to do; they gave her food and clothes, and she felt the pressure ease. So she did it again and felt the pressure go away.

“Relax, Duchess, let’s get inside and gone before the Guild arrives; I begin to see why your husband chose this course,” the Priestess said. Alessandra noticed the Priestess’s fingers move in a weird way.

The inside of the carriage was really nice. It was painted a bright yellow that Alessandra liked. The seat that Nice Duchess Helga put her on was a tough but soft material she had never felt before. The Priestess got in after her and the Duchess, and she heard Beard Man yell something at the driver, and the carriage took off.

“Is Beard Man not coming with us?” Alessandra asked.

“No, he’s taking a different route. And I’ve told you before his name is Jerome,” Nice Duchess Helga said.

“Beard Man?” the Priestess said. “A worthy nickname. In any case, let’s get down to business. How much does she know about what’s going on, Duchess?” asked the Priestess.

“Not much; she had a rough morning and was panicking when she awoke. Every time I started to calm her down, something else set her off. We asked you to come because of her reaction to Life Mages. We hoped you and the Fluffy Priest, that should be waiting at the townhouse, can help explain what is going on,” Nice Duchess Lady said.

“Explain what? I thought you just wanted to give me love and shelter?” Alessandra said.

The Priestess was smiling now. Alessandra wondered why but wanted an answer. She thought Nice Duchess Helga had already explained what was going on; Beard Man and Nice Duchess Helga wanted to give her love and shelter. She still didn’t believe them, but she would stay as long as they gave her food and pretty clothes. She looked to Nice Duchess Helga for an answer.

“That is what I said, and I am glad you were listening, but there is more happening than just what I have explained. Now please, do not interrupt for a bit. We might answer a question before you ask it,” Nice Duchess Helga said.

“Okay,” Alessandra huffed. Adults were always telling her to be quiet.

****

Octavia, Archbishop of the Goddess of Life and Family, had been intrigued when a high-ranking Magister came to her temple seeking a Priestess to watch over a new Death Mage. She had just so happened to be leading by example and cleaning the sanctuary and was about to send an Under Priest despite her curiosity when the Magister explained that he was asking because the new mage in question was a little girl terrified of Life Mages. An untrained Death Mage, filled with terror, could overpower a Mage’s or Under Priest’s power, killing many. This she could not allow. With the Blessings of her Goddess, she was far more powerful than any Life Mage in the city. Turning down his donation offer, she followed his directions to the inn where the child was being kept. When she arrived, Duke Halrond had introduced himself, and she quickly decided not to correct his assumption that she was just a Priestess, wanting to see what was going on without her rank getting in the way.

The Duke had quickly explained that the child was exceptionally gifted, with more mana and gifts than most, and shared his theory that she might be God Touched and that he didn’t want to turn her over to the Guild because she was a street mouse, extremally scarred by living in the slums. He had plans to adopt her to keep her out of the Guild’s clutches and because he felt he could provide the love she needed to recover. She didn’t ask about training; Halrond’s Guild rivaled the Capital’s in producing skilled mages. On a personal and theological level, she approved of his plan. When she had felt the child’s power start to rise, she realized that even she would need help and had sent a message to her High Priest to choose two Priestess, trained as Caretakers, with strong Blessings to meet her at the Halrond’s castle.

The child had eased some of her fears of another noble power grab with a simple question. With her answer and attitude to the child, the Duchess had eased them even more. Now it was time to see if first impressions were correct. She called on one of her Blessings to detect falsehoods and started asking her questions.

“I have two questions to start with, one as a priestess and one as a mother. Firstly, though, I haven’t been properly introduced to you two. My name is Priestess Octavia; what are yours?” she asked.

“OH! I guess we did skip that in the rush to leave,” Duchess Helga said. “I am Duchess Helga Halrond; pleased to meet you, Priestess Octavia. Now introduce yourself, sweety.”

“My name is Alessandra, Priestess Octavia; I don’t have any fanciness in front of my name or a second name; do I have to say Priestess Octavia every time or just Priestess?” Alessandra said in a rush.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Alessandra. Yes, Priestess is all right if no other Priestess’ are around,” she said with a smile at the unmistakable sign of relaxation with how rushed the sentence was. It was clear that Alessandra was nervous; the rush showed that, but she felt safe enough that she let it show.

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“Now that introductions are out of the way, I’ll move on to my questions. Alessandra, it is very important not to interrupt while the Duchess answers, do you understand?” Alessandra nodded and covered her mouth with her hands; she continued, “Duchess, I’m asking this in my role as a Priestess of the Family Goddess. Do you understand what that means?” the Duchess nodded, so she continued, “Without taking your husbands wishes into consideration, do you want to adopt this child, and please explain your answer?”

The Duchess looked a bit taken aback at the bluntness of the question. She glanced at Alessandra, who seemed very confused and cute with her hands pressed to her mouth, and glared at the Priestess. Crossing her arms, she took a moment to collect herself.

“Should you be asking that in front of Alessandra?” the Duchess spat out.

“Very much so; she NEEDS to hear this,” she said. She wasn’t sure what to make of her response yet. Was she trying to hide an ulterior motive, or was she just uncomfortable speaking about this in front of Alessandra? Her answer would reveal much.

“Very well, Priestess,” the Duchess responded. “If you allow, I will start with a bit of background.” At her nod, she continued, “Halrond is the wealthiest Duchy in the Kingdom. Of course, we have our poor and slums, but they are closer to the area where we just were than what the Slums and The Wet have been described to me as. I have seen the poor before; I even work at a soup kitchen I fund, so I know that being poor is hard. In the twenty-five years I have been in Halrond, I have never met anyone as poorly clothed or fed as Alessandra, other than newly arrived refugees, that is.” Uncrossing her arms, she leaned forward a bit. “This made me feel for her and want to help, but I was not yet convinced of the need to adopt her. After a meal and some conversation with her, I was coming around to the idea. When she collapsed and vomited in sheer terror at the sight of a Life Mage, my heart broke.” She paused to take a calming breath; she continued. “I have to protect her from anyone who would take advantage of her,” she slammed a fist into her hand emphatically at this. “There is only one way I know of to do that with her being a Mage and being away from my territory and power base, which is to adopt her. Even so, after seeing her terror at the sight of a Life Mage, my answer would be the same if she had no talent. Yes, I want to adopt her. I want to protect her from those that would take advantage of her gifts. I want to shield her from those who have terrorized her with the threat of torture for petty crimes. I want and love her for who she is and who she is to become. Whether or not she develops her talent beyond basic control, I want her to have a choice in how she lives her life.” Taking a deep, calming breath, she continued, “Does that answer you, Priestess?”

“Yes, it does. I can tell you that after fifty years in clergy and countless adoption interviews, few nobles have not included the financial and social advantages the child would gain in their answers. Fewer still have not pontificated on their beneficence in raising someone to the nobility. I am pleased with your answer,” she answered, smiling at the Duchess. Noticing suspicious wetness in the Duchess’ eyes, she pulled a handkerchief out of a pocket and handed it over. She looked at Alessandra and noticed that her hands were no longer covering her mouth and that she was staring at the Duchess with wide eyes.

“Do you have anything to say to the Duchess, Alessandra?” she asked. The girl nodded vigorously. “Then go ahead.”

“Don’t be sad, Helga….err, Nice Duchess Helga, I’m better off than others. I didn’t understand most of what you said or why you’re sad, but I’m happy you want to protect me,” Alessandra said. She fidgeted in her seat a bit and then blurted out, “What does adopt mean? If you do it to me, will it hurt me?”

Both women, already looking at Alessandra, continued to stare at her, each for her own reason. The Duchess because Alessandra didn’t know what it meant to adopt someone, already having mostly gotten used to her ignorance and suspicion. Octavia was shocked because she thought that adoption hurt. Octavia was beginning to understand how this girl had started to steal the Duchess’ heart so quickly; if she immediately jumped to the conclusion something unknown would hurt her, she must have been more love-starved and beaten down than most street kids.

****

Alessandra was getting even more confused than she had been. She wasn’t sure why Nice Duchess Helga and the Priestess were staring at her. Nice Duchess Helga had said A LOT. She didn’t understand what a Duchess was, but, apparently, it was a BIG DEAL to be one, or why one would want to work in a soup kitchen or why she would be sad when she wasn’t the one scared of the Evil Nasty Life Mages. She was happy that Nice Duchess Helga wanted to protect her; that made her even nicer. She wanted to make her feel better but wasn’t sure how. When Seth had been around, and she felt bad after being beaten or not getting food for a day or two, he would hug her, so she decided that was what she would do. She stood on the seat and grabbed Nice Duchess Helga in a hug. Sad Duchess Helga froze for a few seconds and hugged her back. IT DIDN’T WORK! Now she was crying more! She tried to remember what Seth would say to her when he hugged her or what the whores would say to one that had been beaten or not paid for whatever it was they did. She hugged Sad Duchess Helga tighter.

“It will be ok. Things will get better; he won’t beat you again. If he does, I’ll shank him,” Alessandra said.

Good, she stopped crying. UH OH. Her mouth was opening and closing rapidly again. I must have said something bad again.

“Uhm, did I say something bad again, Duchess Helga?” Alessandra asked. Mad Duchess Helga’s mouth kept opening and closing, and her cheeks were turning red.

“I believe you have said several things that are bad, Alessandra. BREATHE, DUCHESS, BREATHE!” Priestess Octavia said. She started moving her fingers, and a glow appeared around Mad Duchess Helga. “This is a first. I’ve never had to cast Calm for a conniption on an adult before. I think it would be best if you moved over here for a bit Alessandra. I will try to explain why what you said was bad.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Alessandra said and moved over. She looked a little scared as she sat down beside the Priestess. “Priestess, do you think Duchess Helga will beat me or send me to the Life Mages for making her mad?”

Priestess Olivia looked at Alessandra for any sign that she was making a joke about being beaten or sent to the Life Mages. Not finding any, she gathered the girl onto her lap and hugged her.

“I don’t think she’s mad, dear; you just gave her a bit of a shock. She won’t beat you or send you to the Life Mages. She was shocked because you said her husband beat her and that you would ‘shank’ him.” Looking into her face, the Priestess asked, “Have you seen Duke Halrond beat her?” Alessandra shook her head. “So why did you say that he wouldn’t do it again.”

“That’s what the whores usually say when giving someone a hug,” Alessandra said.

“Well, Alessandra, you shouldn’t repeat everything you hear. I assume that’s why you said you would shank him?” Priestess Octavia asked. At Alessandra’s nod, she asked, “Do you know what shank means?”

“YES! It means you stab someone in the back. It’s better if they bleed a lot 'cause that means they’re probably gonna die, and you can take their clothes and money,” Alessandra said excitedly.

“Well, I’m glad you know what that means. You know it’s bad to kill, right?” the Priestess said in a voice that even Alessandra could tell was too calm. Her face was very pale, Alessandra thought.

“It’s bad to kill friends and people who haven’t hurt you, but it’s ok to kill people who hurt you. Seth and the beggars told me so, though I haven’t got to shank anyone yet, I’m still too little; they always did it for me,” Alessandra said.

“That’s a relief,” the Priestess said.

The Shocked? Duchess Helga finally blinked and looked at Alessandra and the Priestess. She took a deep breath and let it out. She smoothed her dress, set her hands in her lap, and spoke, “I assure you, Priestess Octavia, that Jerome has never laid a hand on me and that a murder will not be necessary. I can also assure you that Alessandra and I will be having a long talk about appropriate actions later.”

“I have talked to her already, Duchess, though I can foresee many more talks brought on by shock in your future. I can assure you that I believe you when you say you are not a battered spouse. I think it’s best if we move on to my other question before we get to your townhouse?” Priestess Octavia said. At a curt nod from Duchess Helga, the Priestess continued, “As a mother, I must ask, why did you buy her a new dress but no shoes?”

Shocked? Duchess Helga blinked at the Priestess a few times before pointing at Alessandra, asking, “Have you seen how filthy she is? You can go without stockings and shoes, but do you want to try dragging a naked child through the city!? Even as a noble, I would not want to try. I can easily afford the expense, but why waste clothing that another needs and will be replaced with better in a few hours?”

Priestess Octavia looked at her now filthy robes where Alessandra’s arms and legs were rubbing against them. She looked at the Duchess’ filthy dress and said, “Point taken.”