His Dark Moon, Her Sacrifice

Chapter 7

The High Cathedral of the Faith stood nestled in the wooded hills on the city's outskirts, the most revered seat of seer ship in all the realm.

Ismerie had not set foot here since the day she had left to make her home with Leontis.

She had stayed away, afraid to meet the eyes of her master and her fellow disciples, afraid of the disappointment she knew she would see there.

Yet the moment she stepped through the gates, a senior member of the order sweeping the courtyard froze where he stood.

Ismerie twisted her fingers nervously and spoke softly, "Brother."

In an instant, his face lit up with pure joy, and he called out loud. "Our little sister has come home!"

Within the Faith, all disciples, man or woman, addressed one another simply as brother and sister.

Minutes later, a crowd of them had gathered around her, asking about her well-being as though no time at all had passed.

Tears pricked at Ismerie's eyes.

One of the brothers saw at once how worn and frail she looked and asked gravely, "Has Leontis wronged you? Tell us plainly... every one of us stands with you."

Had Leontis wronged her? For so long, he had given her everything... laid the whole world at her feet. Those old memories stung like a thousand fine needles.

Her voice shook. "Once... he was everything to me. He was always so good to me."

It was that very gentleness that made his betrayal so unbearable.

Not wanting to burden them further, she asked, "Is our master still in seclusion?"

A younger brother answered, "He has withdrawn to the northern mountains for prayer. We do not know when he will return."

Ismerie had been the only direct disciple of Master Anselm, the High Seer of the Faith.

All her life, her master and her brothers had sheltered her, giving her a childhood of peace and warmth.

Now she did not even know where he was. A heavy weight of regret settled on her heart.

"I was willful," she whispered. "I wasted all that was given to me."

Her brothers drew close and comforted her. "He has never once blamed you. Do not carry this guilt alone. You have come back at last. Go light a candle before the Blessed Mother, ask the stars to guide your path."

Half an hour later, in the great prayer hall, clad once more in her pure white seer's robes, Ismerie knelt before the statue of the Blessed Mother, a lit candle in her hands, and bowed her head in prayer.

"Your unworthy servant, Ismerie, asks only that you show me the way."

She set the candle gently on the altar, and at that very instant, thunder crashed so loudly it shook the hall.

Her candle went out in a breath.

Ismerie froze, her heart turning to ice. Before she could move, voices rose from the courtyard, sharp and angry.

"The chosen seer of the Faith, too narrow-hearted to spare even an unborn child! What a disgrace to the order!"

She hurried outside and saw Lady Thornecroft standing before the crowd, her face twisted with malice.

Dressed in plain mourning gray, Lady Thornecroft dropped to her knees the moment she saw Ismerie, weeping aloud.

"Seer Ismerie, all of this was my doing! I urged Leontis to take a second wife! I only sought to secure the Thornecroft line! If you are angry, turn your wrath on me... do not harm my grandchild!"

Worshipers and passersby drew close, murmuring among themselves.

"She cannot bear children herself, and now she would curse another's baby... it is cruel."

"If a keeper of the sacred arts would do such a thing, how can we trust the Faith at all?"

"To make her own mother-in-law kneel in the dust... what kind of heart has she?"

Every word drove deeper than a blade.

Her brothers stepped forward, speaking urgently to the crowd.

"She would never do this! You have been misled!"

But no one listened. The shouts only grew louder. Some cast down their candles, crying that they would report the Faith to the Council of the Realm.

Ismerie looked on, her heart tearing apart.

She had been back less than an hour, and the home that had raised her was already being dragged into ruin by the Thornecrofts.

They had given her everything. She would not let her own heartbreak destroy the Faith's honor.

She forced back her tears, stepped forward, and spoke clearly, so all could hear. "Lady Thornecroft, I will do what is needed to save this child. When it is done, I will accept the Faith's highest penalty to prove my innocence and shield this holy place... But on one condition, I ask for a full and final end to my marriage to Leontis. We part ways forever."

There was nothing left to save. She owed him a debt of life, and she would repay it with her own. One forbidden rite, one life given... and then, at last, she would be free.

She turned to the crowd and declared, "From this day forth, I, Ismerie Thornecroft, have no bond with the Thornecroft family."

Lady Thornecroft's eyes flashed with triumph. A maid helped her to her feet.

"You have sworn it, you cannot take it back!"

Her brothers cried out in alarm. "Sister.... do not do this! Do not be rash!"

The Faith's highest penalty was no empty threat. The Lash of Atonement was woven of iron wire and sharpened thorns. One strike would tear skin and flesh to the bone. Only those who had broken the most sacred vows were ever made to bear it.

But Ismerie's mind was set. Though their hearts ached for her, her brothers honored her choice and brought forth the lash.

Ismerie knelt in the open street before the cathedral while crowds gathered all around.

The first stroke a bit deep. Blood seeped instantly through her white robes.

The second dragged and tore, as though it would rend her very soul asunder.

Lady Thornecroft watched, her anger turning to cold satisfaction. Slowly, the murmurs of the crowd shifted.

"She would bear this pain rather than deny it... perhaps she was never the villain they claimed."

"The Faith has always stood for us. She would not bring shame upon it."

Through the blinding pain, Ismerie found a flicker of peace. When the last blow fell, she was left pale and bleeding, barely able to lift a finger.

Yet she forced out one last breath. "Brothers... draw up the papers... end this union..."

And then a voice rang out from the back of the crowd, sharp with rage.

"I forbid it."