St. Brudol's Cathedral

The following weeks were a time of much rejoicing. As always, Fulke tried to clamp down on any gregariousness, but his people's enthusiasm to have their beloved lady returned was too powerful. The city notables all came calling at Cobny to express well wishes and happiness. And wherever she went, the peons cheered for her. There was a song passing from tavern to tavern about how John Osteler had freed her physically from the arms of the grasping Cador the Thrake, and impaled the knave. According to those bards, Cador's gods had puffed him into smoke to save him from ****. The song was lazy, but Rachel clapped for the performers who brought it for her one morning when she was going to the cathedral, and prayed that they work hard to inject more drama into its telling. At least then it wouldn't be so boring, she thought.

Her trips to the cathedral were almost daily. Though in her father's court and to Sir Odo most of all, she constantly stressed how her body had not been impinged by the devil of Ughelor, she continued to go to the cathedral in the name of reclaiming the gods' love. The well to do's never argued with her logic. If she'd been blessed, she never would've been 'taken' to that place of eastern infamy. On many occasions her father went with her. Though Lord Fulke typically preferred to visit the gods only on Sundays, he knew he needed to appear supportive of his daughter's faithfulness. But today she was alone.

Judith took away her horse and was to wait outside. The hymns had already begun and Rachel rushed through the doors. She walked politely, but quickly, to the front of the cathedral, taking a place in the frontmost gilted pew that her ancestors had paid for during the building of the church. She knelt, clasping her hands together and her eyes shut. Even after the people had stopped singing and the bishop had begun to speak she remained there, only to rise when the sacred idols were brought out. She bowed constantly, sang quietly but in tones like a songbird, and lifted up her hands in praise when appropriate. Then, the service ended, and the people of Losk filed out. She waited at a distance from the bishop until the last of the supplicants were finished with their foolish question.

By the standards of bishops Lord Marhaw was quite young. She estimated he was only a few years older than her father, who had turned fifty two summers ago. There were still some black lines in his hair. Like many of the priestly lords of the cities, he put a cap over his head to hide that he didn't tonsure himself. Vanity was powerful, and a bishop was a politician before he was a pastor. Before coming to Losk, he'd been the abbot of a monastery near the capital, a position of great prestige. Losk was practically a demotion.

"Are you waiting to speak to me, my lady?" he said, one hand on the shoulder of a crippled mason who was tugging at his robes.

She twinkled angellically. "Only when you have the time, Your Grace!"

Marhaw extricated himself from the mason. One of the deacons led him off toward the poorhouse with promises of increased support. "It's always so good to see you, child. In the capital the ladies of the court neglect their faith. You and your father provide a good example for the people." He was skilled enough to never need to turn up his palm for the baron to put money into. He liked praise better. Rachel had, as she did every day, brought gold coins with her as her tribute.

"I learn so much from your sermons," Rachel said graciously. "It's a pleasure to be here every day." She saw Judith peeking into the double doors and nodded. Her maidservant advanced onto holy ground with an uneasy look. The idiotic girl couldn't act to save her life.

"So kind, and after so much hardship," said Marhaw. "An inspiration for us all. How can I serve you?"

Rachel's face colored just a touch. She spoke quietly. "It's about those... hardships, Your Grace. Is there a place we can speak in private? I want to make confession."

Marhaw's face hardened into a look of dedication. "Anything for you, child. I'll send one of the boys to clear my office. We won't be disturbed there."