Completely oblivious to the man sitting opposite her, she gazed out the window of the moving carriage, lost in thought. Her mind was still occupied by last night's events. I am wasting my time here; I should have first assigned the mission of shadowing Petasius… she thought.
A sound from the man sitting opposite her interrupted her tiring thoughts. His tone was calm, yet his words carried a sign of concern."Leisel, you have been distracted by your own thoughts since we entered the carriage. I know what's on your mind, but you really shouldn't trouble yourself too much, especially when there is not much you can do in the current state of the case. Let Mystes gather information while you calm your thoughts until she reports to us again, okay?"
Waiting for Mystes's report? What if it's too late by then? she thought, but nodded and replied,"Yes, my prince. Your words carry truth; there is not much I can do right now."
He smiled softly."Exactly. Now, focus on where we are going and what we are doing."
She nodded again and closed her eyes to ease her mind.
With a sudden halt, the royal carriage stopped. When she stepped down, she was welcomed by the magnificent sight of the "Basilica of Eternal Tears"[1]. Why was it called that? Because it looked as if its stones were melting, like the cathedral itself was weeping black tears over the city.
This magnificent building had been built almost a century ago. It was the second most beautiful architectural landmark in the kingdom, right after the Royal Palace. Rising like a charred skeleton, the cathedral's twin spires clawed at the sky. Its façade was a chaotic tapestry of melting stone and jagged arches, twisting organically as if the masonry were alive, a monstrous, towering fusion of rigid order and wild, eldritch growth that wept eternal shadows over the city.
She raised her head and looked at this magnificent building she had seen countless times before. She had always loved it. She turned her attention back to the prince, who had also come out of the carriage, and smiled as his eyes landed on the magnificent cathedral.
The Cathedral Provost was expecting him in front of the gates. He had deep wrinkles on his pale face, cold blue eyes, and stringy white hair. Clad in dark robes, his right hand was solid stone. He looked at the prince and spoke in a respectful and dutiful manner as he bowed."Prince-Abbot, you honour us with your presence. I received your letter about the preparations for the upcoming Autumn Equinox. We have been waiting for your arrival to discuss your plans for this year's celebration."
The Prince's smile softened."Raise your head, Michael, and thank you for waiting for me. Let us go inside and talk about the plans I had in mind and your thoughts on them."
The man raised his head and returned the Prince's gentle smile with a slight smile of his own. Then he turned his attention to Leisel with a short bow, not the deep bow he gave Adam but a small bow out of courtesy."My lady, you are here as well, I see. We haven't seen you since your last visit last month. I hope everything has been well for you since then."
Leisel's face softened slightly as Michael bowed."Thank you, your reverence. I have been busy with assignments lately, and my latest travel to the south has kept me away, I'm afraid. I shall come to visit as often as I can."
He smiled slightly once again and led them inside.
The nave was a blinding expanse of polished alabaster, rising in curves like a frozen hymn. Sunbeams pierced clear crystal, creating a sanctuary of absolute, sterile perfection. Yet the stone felt disturbingly warm, like fevered skin, and the intricate white carvings resembled bleached bones struggling to break through the masonry.
The monks and nuns bowed as their Prince-Abbot walked alongside the Dompropst. Their excitement was palpable because of the arrival of their prince.
As Adam stopped in front of the altar, he and Michael began discussing the decorations, the budget assigned for the event, and the citywide preparations. The last two topics—budget and citywide preparations—were the council's duty to determine, and as the Prince-Abbot, Adam could arrange any budget he wanted as long as he convinced the council. That was something easy for him, considering his charm and position.
"I thank you, His Majesty. Thanks to you, the cathedral and our beautiful city will once again feel the deep love and protection our God and His blessed King and Prince provide for us," Michael said, thanking the Prince with a bow.
"Raise your head, Michael. Religion is what's keeping our people feeling safe and sane in these harsh times…"
Michael raised his head and looked at his prince with genuine respect and slight affection.
"Then we shall make the preparations as you requested… Will you be staying for the lectures and give our monks one of your lessons? There are some new monks who would desperately want to listen to you personally and benefit from your wisdom… If you have time, of course."
Adam smiled softly, and after a moment of thinking he replied with a nod,"Yes, Michael. I have enough time for a morning lesson."
He then turned his attention to Leisel."Leisel, do you wish to accompany us?"
Leisel, even though she was too tired to understand the deep topics of the lecture, did not turn the invitation down."Yes, my Prince. I shall follow you and listen to you teach the young monks."
Adam nodded and smiled, turning his attention back to Michael."Then, let's go. Lead the way."
Michael nodded, and alongside the monks they reached a room assigned for the education of monks and nuns, which was big enough for twenty people to sit and learn.
As the monks entered the room, their excitement increased at the sight of their Prince. Receiving a direct lesson from the Prince himself was a privilege they wouldn't forget for the rest of their lives.
He stood right behind the lectern, his eyes roamed over the room for a moment before he started his lecture.
"The Almighty hath forged us all as celestial fires," he recited, his voice taking on a rhythmic, poetic cadence. "That in the deepest void we might shine solitary, needing no other beacon in the dark."
He paused beside a young novice, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy looked as if he might faint from the honor. "Yet, alas, not every spirit stewards well this flame. Some wane. They grow cold. They turn to heavy stone, bereft of the brilliance they once did claim."
He looked up, his golden eyes scanning the room, landing briefly on Leisel, who stood by the door, her hand resting on her sword hilt. "What course, then, for the lightless? For those who have become cold and lost?"
The room was silent. Adam let the silence stretch. Then, a soft smile graced his lips. "They cling to he who burns."
He walked back to the front, turning to face them all. "The Empire believes the fire is dying. They believe they must throw bodies onto the pyre to keep the sun warm. They spill blood because they think the light is hungry." He shook his head slowly. "They are wrong. The Light is not hungry. The Light simply is."
He raised a hand, and for a moment, the sunlight in the room seemed to bend, gathering around his palm. It was as if the air itself was brightening at his command. "The demons... they are the cancer of magic. They are what happens when the light is twisted, when it is consumed rather than embraced."
He looked at the novice again. "For the truth lies not in faith of mortal flesh, but in the Idea, that Light which never fades. Yet..." Adam's expression softened, a hint of sadness touching his eyes. "'Tis easier far to grasp a brother's hand than clutch a formless thought within the mind; Else God, in wisdom, would have cast the Book down uncarried, sans the Prophet, to mankind."
He leaned forward against the lectern. "Do not try to be the fuel, my brothers. Do not burn yourselves out for a momentary spark. Be the stone that does not melt. Be the glass that does not break. That is how we survive. That is how we win."
He straightened up, the lesson finished. "The Light be with you."
"And with your spirit, Your Highness," the monks chorused.
[1] Basilika der Ewigen Tränen