Lunch at the convent

By the time the girls were escorted up through the city to the convent, shown their room and unpacked their few possessions, it was time for the midday meal. A sour faced woman in her forties showed them where common room was and noted with disdain that they were having bread and cheese again for lunch.

"Don't expect much more than this Sisters" the way she said "Sisters" did not feel at all warm or sisterly. "We never get the good food like they do at the Holy Palace." Despite their guide's complaining, Winlay thought the food was fantastic. Yes, it was simple, but the bread was baked fresh that day and was light and sweet, and there were several different varieties of cheeses to choose from. Hard cheeses from northern Veertor, as well as creamy cheeses from the lowlands. There was even some green cheese imported from Cryn either brought back in one of the seasonal tithes from the southern continent or smuggled in through the Islands just southeast of Telnon. Along with the bread and cheese was a wide selection of tomatoes, greens and spiced oils to complete the meal.

Taking a pitcher of ale and a pair of mugs with them, the girls headed away from the heavy central tables to a small nook that looked over the busy harbor far below. Winlay ate in silence enjoying the best meal she had had since the farewell feast that her mother had insisted be thrown in her honor the night before she left for Telnon. Mika, on the other hand, kept Winlay amused with her imitation of the grim-faced Sister that had escorted them from their rooms. Several times Winlay laughed so loudly at Mika's antics that the two girls drew disapproving glances from other diners, but Mika could so perfectly mimic the woman's sour face and gloomy words that Winlay was hard pressed to maintain the proper decorum of the hall.

Winlay watched Mika with a combination of admiration and amusement, they had only met ten days before when Mika joined the Xeltan caravan as they slowly made their way south from village to village until finally arriving in Telnon. In just these few days Winlay felt she had made a friend for life. She was able to discuss with Mika the problems she had with her father as well as many of the other simple aspects of village life that she swore she'd never miss. Mika, like her, grew up in a small farming village and had an elder brother (now in the army), she told all sorts of stories along the way of the trouble her brother would get the two of them into. Although Winlay never did anything as wild as stealing the best apples from a neighbor's prized tree, or go bathing in the river in only undergarments Mika's stories reminded Winlay of her younger brother and sister and the fun she had with them.

"What did you think of Beldan?" Asks Mika suddenly changing the topic, and when Winlay didn't immediately answer Mika puffed out her cheeks and lowered her eyebrows "Sisters, ehem, you have the most important job, cough, of all in our family. It is to your, er, bosom that all sinners will come." Her imitation of the pompous priest was not quite as good as the imitation of the sour sister, but it made Winlay almost spit out her last swallow of ale.

"Shhhhh!" She whispered to Mika hoping that none of the nearby diners had heard her. "High Priest Beldan is Xelta's mouth. His words are Xelta's words." Winlay secretly found the High Priest's speech a little disturbing, but she would never dare doubt any man who held the office. The Oracle had the wisdom of Xelta, and he chose Beldan for the position, surely Xelta had his reasons for selecting Beldan for this role in these difficult times. The High Priest was the representative of the people, it was he that pleaded their case to the secular leaders of the land.

Now more than ever, the role of High Priest was critical, the lot of the common people of Veertor was getting harder. With the threat of the Cryn embargo of the sea lanes, Emperor Victor III had **** but to raise taxes. The emperor's envoy had explained this to the village elders and the local bishop who traveled with the representative led the entire village in a prayer meeting to pray for Cryn to see the beacon of reason. She knew that the Church of Xelta was active in the southern continent of Cryn as well as in Veertor, and that there was only one church for the whole planet, but she wished the rulers of Cryn would stop threatening Veertor, so the extra levies for the army could be returned. Winlay's mind whirled as she reviewed the current political situation and almost missed Mika's next words.

"We have to meet with him you know...in private." Mika continued "Sometime this week. He gives me the creeps."

"Mika!" Winlay hissed "How can you say that?"

"Well he does. I swear, when he was introduced to our group I felt his eyes roam over me like I was a heifer at a market." Winlay knew exactly what Mika meant, "And not just me, he licked his chops as he looked over the prettiest novices standing there - especially you Winlay."

Winlay felt herself blush and wasn't even sure why, but just then a gong sounded at the far end of the hall, and everyone rose and headed for the door.

"What are you going to do this afternoon?" She asked Mika, "I hear the library is marvelous, and I'd love to visit the gardens here."

"I'm going exploring," Mika told her with a grin "How about you?"