The Record of the Saints Caliber (91 page)

“They said you’d betray me, you know.” said Holy Father.

At that Nuriel lifted her head and looked up at him.

“But I proved them wrong, didn’t I?” He smiled softly upon her, and his whole face seemed to light up again.

“I would never betray you.” said Nuriel. And in that she hadn’t lied. Through everything, Holy Father’s love was the one thing she was certain of. It was the one thing that had let her carry on and persevere. The way she felt here in this chamber alone with him was proof of that. Holy Father was love. He loved her unconditionally.

He smiled warmly upon her. “I knew you were special, Nuriel. I’ve always known it.”

“Is… Is it true that you made them give me my Call to Guard?” asked Nuriel.

“Nuriel,” Holy Father turned back to the window, taking her hand back into his. The shadow from one of the great pillars fell half over his form as he stood there. Nuriel could see his face reflecting back in the window. “I am surrounded by dark whispers. At night, in the starless skies, I can see the coils of a black serpent unwind. Shadows move on me from all angles and omens of deceit and betrayal converge upon my very throne.” He turned to face her. “But light shines all the brighter in darkness. And upon a day the stars saw fit to send a little blessing down to me. I shall never forget that day the six Holy Mothers brought you to me. You were just a babe wrapped in white sheets and you looked up to me with those same eyes as you have now, golden yellow as the very sun. As golden as a new dawn.”

Admael smiled at Nuriel and put a warm, tender hand upon her cheek. “You smiled at me, and I smiled back. Do you remember that day? The day of your blessing to me?”

Nuriel held Admael’s hand on her cheek. She never wanted him to take it off. She closed her eyes. From the farthest corners of her mind a memory stirred. It was a strange memory. She had had it all her life, but could never be sure if it was real or imagined. She just remembered silver eyes like the moon upon her, and a bright smile. She remembered a warm touch that was so brief, so fleeting. It was a touch she had sought every day since. She thought she had felt it again that day she received her Call to Guard and Admael had hugged her. She had felt it again today, right now, with him. And now she knew that memory was real. That touch had existed. It had been the hand of Admael.

“I knew you were special the moment I saw you.” said Admael. “You were powerful. I could feel your Caliber even upon that day. But there was something else. It was the way you looked at me. You were different than the others. There was something special in you then. And it’s still in you now. You’re powerful and special and you’re loyal to me. Even now, as shadows draw in upon me, you shine like a star. You shine for me like you’re the last star in the sky. Nuriel, even I need a beacon.”

Nuriel drew herself into Admael, pressing herself against him, her head resting upon his chest. Her eyes were closed against the tears that fell from them. “They tried to lead me astray,” she sobbed. “They tried to turn me against you. I’m so sorry.”

“No,” said Admael. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You’ve come back to me. You see, you’re my blessing. I’ve spent a tireless age watching and waiting, and now, in our final hours, the Goddess has sent me my own blessing.”

Nuriel buried her face in her hands. “Please don’t say that,” said Nuriel through her tears. “I’ve done so many bad things. I… There’s so much I want to tell you.”

“Shh,” said Admael. “Don’t say anything. You are forgiven in all that you do.”

“But… I…”

Admael held Nuriel’s face in his soft, warm hands. He looked upon her with a tender smile. “This world grows darker by the day, Nuriel. I am surrounded by treachery. My own children plot and scheme against me. But you, Nuriel, you’ve come back to me. You’re all I have. Tell me that you will never walk astray from me, and all my love is yours for the taking.”

Nuriel’s hand went to her eyes. Tears rained down. “I would never.” she croaked.

“Oh Nuriel, my blessed little star, you are so brave and strong.” said Admael. He hugged her head back to his chest, and Nuriel found it so comforting to just rest her head there. “Do you understand why the Saints Caliber do what they do?”

Nuriel sniffed. “You mean, why we have to serve the Kings?”

Admael nodded. “We are Aeoria’s will, and it was her will that we serve the children of the earth. From that we cannot stray, not ever. This world was given to them by the Great Gods who fathered both Aeoria and her brother, Apollyon. Our charge was to keep it for them.”

“But…everything out there… It’s just so…
wrong
.”

“No,” said Holy Father. “It is as the children of this world will it. Only Aeoria can change their will, not us. To try and do otherwise is a sin of the highest caliber. We must serve the will of the children of this earth. If we want their will to change, then we must awaken the Goddess.”

“But, how do we do that?” asked Nuriel softly, her head still resting contently upon Admael’s chest. “We’re running out of time. What if the Age of Destruction comes to pass?”

“Then that will be the will of the children of this earth.” said Admael. “All we can do as Saints is fulfill their will, for that was our charge. If the Age of Destruction falls upon this earth, it will not be by our hand. We are only keepers of this world and the will of the people. But Sanctuary, this is
ours
, Nuriel. Look out there, at our city here in the clouds. Look at the beauty we have. This is
ours
, and it’s all we have. The rest of the world belongs to the children of the earth, but this is all for us. That is why it is important that we, as Saints, keep together. We are all we have. No matter what happens out there beyond our mountain, you will have Sanctuary and my love to return to, for it is my love that is upon you, not that of the Kings or their nobles or even their subjects. Remember that, Nuriel.”

Nuriel sniffled. She closed her eyes as she leaned against Holy Father, her head resting upon his chest. Nuriel liked that. She liked that Sanctuary was hers. It made sense, somehow. All the evil out in that world, it was not by their hands. That was the will of the Kings and their people. Sanctuary was beautiful. Holy Father’s love was real. And it was all hers. Nuriel knew that now. Her hands tightened around Admael’s robe as she lay upon him. They stood there like that for a time.

“I am told you wish to become one of the Eremitic Saints,” said Admael at last, still holding Nuriel’s head in his hands.

Nuriel stood up and looked upon Holy Father. “I… I do…”

“What’s the matter?” asked Holy Father. “You don’t sound so certain.”

“It’s…” began Nuriel. She looked down and bit her lip. She wanted to be an Eremitic Saint more than anything. But Karinael…

“I think I know.” said Holy Father. He placed a hand upon Nuriel’s shoulder. She looked up at him and he smiled faintly. “I saw your recommendation for Karinael.”

Nuriel exhaled and her eyes turned down.

“The Holy Few say she will betray me, you know.” said Holy Father.

Nuriel’s heart jumped and her stomach burned. She looked up at Admael.

He smiled brightly at her. “But I know better.” He patted her shoulder. “I think you already know this, but I accepted your recommendation and she was given her Call to Guard this morning.”

Nuriel looked down again. “She’s been assigned to Jerusa.”

Holy Father sighed and stroked a warm hand through Nuriel’s hair, brushing it from her eyes. “We are going to hold a special Call to Guard in two weeks.” he said. “For her and a couple others going to Jerusa. They are in great need of Saints there, I am told.”

Nuriel looked up at Admael. She wanted to say something—anything—but just couldn’t.

“Do not fear, Nuriel.” said Holy Father. He smiled faintly. “I do not believe Karinael will betray me. I have faith in your recommendation.” His smile brightened. “They said you would betray me too, but just look at you now.”

“Holy Father…” began Nuriel. She closed her eyes and squeezed a lone tear out. “I… I don’t think…”

Nuriel felt something slip into her hand. She looked at Holy Father.

“For all you’ve done for me, Nuriel, I have honored your wish.” He smiled warmly.

Nuriel looked down at the scroll he had slipped into her hand. She bit her lip. She couldn’t bring herself to open it.

“Go on,” he said brightly, with a smile. “Open it.”

Slowly, Nuriel unfurled it. Amidst the unintelligible scribbles she saw her stellaglyph drawn in red within a crimson triangle, the symbol of Eremiticy that so few ever received. Beneath it, she could see Admael’s signature. Her eyes closed and tears fell.

“I know it is what you’ve wanted.” he said. He wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’ve always wanted you to be happy, Nuriel. I want you to go out there and do what you must.”

Nuriel gripped the paper in her fist and it made an unpleasant crumpling sound. Her hand went to her eyes and tears fell. “I… I can’t take this.” she sobbed.

“My child,” said Holy Father, wrapping his arms around her. “I thought this is what you wanted?”

Nuriel shook her head, burying her face into Admael’s chest. “I can’t take this, not after what I’ve done.”

“Please, Nuriel, all is forgiven.”

“No… I…” began Nuriel. She looked up at Holy Father. “I… Let me apprentice Karinael.”

Admael’s face seemed to wither at that. “My child,” he said. “No. No. Please, Nuriel, I do not fear she will betray me. You have done quite enough. I want you to be happy now.”

Nuriel buried her head in her hands and wept.

“There, there, now.” he said, patting her back.

“Please,” she said at length. She sniffled and wiped at her cheeks and looked up at Admael. “I should be the one to apprentice her.”

“Are you certain you want this?” asked Admael. “Are you certain you wish to go back to Jerusa?”

Nuriel nodded but did not look at him. Nuriel wasn’t at all certain. She just knew she couldn’t leave Karinael alone in that kingdom. But there was something else, something more than that now. Could it be true that Karinael would betray Holy Father? Could her friend really betray Sanctuary? The Holy Few had told Admael the same about her and had been wrong.
No,
said a voice in her head.
They were very nearly right.

“Nuriel,” said Admael. “If that is your wish, then I grant it to you.”

Nuriel sniffed and nodded her head softly. “Thank you.” She felt his hand upon her shoulder. She looked up at him.

“Nuriel,” he said. “You’ll be here for me, won’t you?”

Nuriel sniffled and tucked her hair behind her ear. She looked at him. She didn’t quite know what he meant.

“When the shadows come for me.” he said. “I want you to be with me.”

Nuriel took his hand. “Father…”

“We both know the stars are few.” he said. “Omens of betrayal and treachery linger over my throne. Promise you’ll be with me at the end, Nuriel. Promise you won’t leave my side.”

“I would never let any harm come to you.” said Nuriel.

He smiled faintly. “I knew I could count on you, Nuriel.” He brushed her cheek with his hand. “You’re going to apprentice Karinael in Jerusa, but you’re going to be my personal Saint.”

Nuriel started. “W-What?”

He smiled at her. “You report to me and me only.” he said. “Once you have apprenticed Karinael, you’ll be mine directly. It will be our secret.”

Nuriel’s heart pounded in her chest. She wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you so much, Father. I’ll protect you, I swear.”

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

After meeting with Holy Father, Nuriel found both her body and mind aimlessly wandering the Holy Palace. There was an elation she felt now that she was certain where her loyalties laid. There was something soothing in knowing that her status in the Saints Caliber—her very status with Sanctuary—was no longer in doubt. But all that was but a momentary reprieve from the doubts and uncertainties that lingered upon the edges of her thoughts. A new fog threatened to envelop her road. It made the future obscure and shrouded in unnerving, gray bleakness. That bleakness was Karinael.

Nuriel exhaled and rubbed her hip-sack, feeling the small marble that was her Sanguinastrum through the soft leather. She had to go see Erygion. She knew he’d be in the Hall of Saints, for that was where the Sanguinastrums of all the Saints Caliber were kept, and as he was their guardian, that’s where he’d be.

It took Nuriel a while, but she finally found the section of the palace she was looking for. She was in a round atrium of ivory stone and massive pillars. Through the faceted ceiling of crystalline glass a hundred feet above, Nuriel could see a soaring and magnificent tower that disappeared into the cloud tops. Ahead of her were a set of massive star-metal doors, guarded by a pair of Holy Sentries in red, lacquered armor and crimson gowns. They wore bell-shaped helmets with black glass encompassing the entire front, hiding their faces. In their hands they held golden halberds. Based upon the stellaglyph of gold above the doors, Nuriel found herself before the gates leading to Erygion’s tower.

Nuriel approached, and to her surprise, the Holy Sentries moved aside from the doors and fell to a knee with their heads down and their halberds held at an angle before them. The doors swung outward and the heavily armored form of Saint Erygion the Standard Bearer came into view. He stood tall and straight with his arms crossed over his chest. His white cape draped over the shoulders of his black Star-Armor and he wore a bell-shaped helmet very similar to the ones the sentries wore, only his was star-metal and had no visor. He looked upon her with his blue, sapphire eyes.