She extended one arm, turning the hand and flexing its fingers as if to enjoy the movement. “The flesh is sweet.” She laughed softly. “I do not wonder that you cling to it. But as for Me, what do you suppose your puny efforts can do to help or harm? I have been here from the beginning and so long as the sun shines or the waters flow, I will remain. I am…” There was a terrible truth in that simple statement of being, and Caillean trembled.
“But our lives flow away like the waters and are gone—” Caillean said then. “How shall we pass what You have taught us to those who come after?”
The Goddess looked from her to Ardanos and back again.
“You already know the answer. In ages past your soul has sworn the oath, and so has hers. Let one of you go forth,” She cried. “Let one go forth to the Summer Country, there on the shores of the lake to establish a House of Maidens. There shall I be served, side by side with the priests of the Nazarene. So shall My wisdom survive the days that are coming!”
Almost at once the body of the priestess, which had been tight as a strung bow, was released; the arrow had flown, the message had been given. Eilan slumped back in the chair, and Caillean and Miellyn moved quickly to steady her. She was twitching and muttering, coming out of the trance.
Ardanos stood with head bowed, pondering the meaning of this Oracle and how he could use it. Countermand it he could not—nor would he, a pious man, wish to gainsay the direct word of the Goddess—but it was his privilege to interpret it. After a moment his head came up. He looked directly at Caillean, and it seemed to her that he smiled.
“The Goddess has spoken. Now let it be so. And this house shall be founded by the servant of the Goddess; it is you, Caillean, who will go forth to found the House of Maidens on the Tor.”
Caillean stared back at him. There was triumph in his pale eyes. To Ardanos, this decision of the Goddess was a fortuitous opportunity to achieve something he had long desired, to part her from Eilan.
He picked up the sprig of mistletoe and shook water over the limp body of the Priestess, and all other sound was lost in a mocking jangle of silver bells.
“For someone who has been out of harness for a few years, you seem to be keeping busy!” Gaius grinned at his father across the rolled parchments and stacked wax tablets that littered the table. Outside, a cold February wind was rattling branches that were just beginning to swell with sap. Indoors, the hypocaust warmed the tiled floors and charcoal burning in iron braziers fought the drafts. “I hope young Brutus appreciates all you are doing for him.”
“He appreciates my experience,” said Macellius, “and I appreciate his news. He’s very well connected, you know, related to half the ancient families of Rome. His father is an old friend of your patron Malleus, by the way.”
“Ah.” Gaius took another drink of hot spiced wine, beginning to understand. “And what does our Legate think of the Emperor’s current policies?”
“Frankly, his letters from Rome have him terrified. His term as Commander finishes at the end of this year, and he’s wondering how to get out of going home again! As members of the equestrian order, you and I have one advantage: we’re not required by law to reside in Rome. The Eternal City has been extremely unhealthy for senators this year, I am told.”
“Like Flavius Clemens?” Gaius asked grimly. No wonder the senators were uneasy. If Domitian’s own cousin had been executed, what were the rest of them going to do? “Did you ever hear anything more about what he was charged with?”
“The official accusation was atheism. But according to the rumors, the man was a Christian who refused to burn incense to the Emperor.”
“I’m sure our Dominus et Deus was highly insulted!”
Macellius smiled sourly. “The gods know those Christians are an exasperating lot, and when the government isn’t persecuting them they persecute each other. If Nero had only tried setting their different factions against each other in the arena he could have saved a fortune in lions—but the kind of adoration Domitian is demanding goes beyond all propriety!”