Teylin rose slowly out of his meditative trance as he sensed the outer door to his chambers opening. Without haste he released himself from the dream-like state and waited until reality settled more solidly around him before opening his eyes. The Councilor walked into the sunroom at that moment, taking a seat without saying a word to Teylin or offering him a hand up. With an inward sigh, Teylin rose from his seat on the floor and waited for the Councilor to speak first.
Councilor Farris shuffled through a few of the papers he carried with him before selecting on and finally turning his attention to Teylin.
"Your Most Holy Grace." The title was about as far from reverent as the Councilor could get without being outright rude. "It is once again time for the Council of Elders to meet. This year it falls to Illyn to be the host."
The Councilor's voice dripped with mockery at the yearly congregation of priests. Ideally it was a time when all the High Priests of the Sacred Gods met to discuss affairs of the world and seek guidance from Teylin, the highest of the Priest and supposedly wisest of them all. In reality it meant another gathering where people refused to look at him, ignored anything he tried to say, and just generally made a fuss over him.
The Councilor continued over Teylin's thoughts. "Travel arrangements have already been made. You will be traveling covertly by ship from here directly to the docks of Illyn."
As with all things in Teylin's life, he was told what to do and expected to be completely obedient. The Councilor had controlled his life from the moment he left his mother's arms as a newborn. Teylin had no say in what he did, what he ate, anything. His every breath outside this chamber was strictly regulated, and even here he had to be on best behavior during the Councilor's visits.
"Six bodyguards will accompany you. It will take about a week to get there, you will stay for one day of the conference, and then return here. Two attendants are going to be sent with you to ensure that the sanctity of Your Most Graciousness remain intact."
Everything that came in contact with Teylin had to be doubly cleansed and purified. His meals must be balanced perfectly for his continued good health and checked so that no impurities enter his system.
"Your traveling robes are being prepared as we speak. You will be leaving for the conference in two days' time. I hope that will be sufficient enough time for you to make yourself ready."
The last was delivered with a sarcastic smile. The Councilor knew as well as Teylin that he wouldn't be allowed to lift a finger to help with any preparations. It all depended on the servants to gather the simple baggage Teylin would need.
"Well, if you have no further need of me, I will wish you a good night." With a mocking smile, the Councilor walked out the room.
Teylin waited until he heard the outer doors shut before he let out a long sigh. He really had to wonder whether this type of existence was what Raased wanted for his High Priest. It was times like this that made him believe that the rumors circulating on the streets really were true. Raased must be sleeping eternally if he let the boy he chose as his earthly voice be kept in silence.
***** Two days into the sea journey and Teylin was already on the verge of cursing like one of the sailors who manned the vessel. Of course he would do no such thing. He could just imagine the fits it would send his attendants into if they heard even a single foul word drop from his delicate mouth. So he kept his tongue still as he settled onto the floor, about the only place in the large cabin that was was remotely comfortable in his traveling robes. Said robes were the source of his current ire. He hated them with a passion. They were designed to cover nearly every inch of his body and yet remain inconspicuous. Well, as inconspicuous as a figure dressed from head to toe in spotless white could be. Really, the things people think of to insure his purity stupefied him sometimes. He could barely move under all the layers of fabric and they caught on the arms of all the chairs in the cabin. He was able to remove some of the layers now that his attendants had left to start preparations on his dinner, but it was only a short relief from the annoying fabrics.
With a sigh, Teylin started into his afternoon prayers. He gently moved into a meditative trance, envisioning himself in front of the Temple Sanctum's fountain as he would physically be if he were still at the Temple complex. About halfway through his prayers, a jumble of loud noises trickled into his awareness. Blinking rapidly, Teylin forced himself out of the trance in time to see the cabin doors crash open. A body flew through the doors, landing barely a foot in front of him. Teylin only had time to take in the fact that the man was dead and that he had been one of Teylin's bodyguards before several unknown men swarmed through the open doorway. He half-rose in surprise but he didn't even make it to his knees before a quick blow to the back of his head sent slumping to the floor.
Previous | Back | Next