Leyon's duties in the Benedictus Hospitalitus Motherhouse (open)

[Leyon Juddah]

Second Cycle of Melora
Seventh Candlemark in the Brightening of Aslanica
The Winter of Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Reign of Arabella
Paradigm: The Eclipse of the Sun

One can always tell what candlemark it is in the Benedictus Hospitalitus Motherhouse. The crystalline dome welcomes in the light from the suns, and itself reveals to one with understanding the weather at work in the heavens.

At almost candlemark seven, Leyon has completed scrubbing clean the right wing of the Motherhouse. The Servants' wing has always been easiest to maintain, and this because the Servants themselves are disciplined and conscientious in their use of the rooms; keeping their own rooms clean as if it were their own household, treating each other like true brothers and sisters.

Leyon looked up through the crystalline dome of the Central Tower and breathed a sigh of relief. His arms were tired from all that scrubbing, and the brightening has just begun. In only a few moments, those who greeted the dawn in prayer and quiet contemplation in the Motherhouse Chapel will be spilling out its doors, ready to attend to their own duties or begin their studies.

Leyon knew he would next troop towards there for his duties, sweeping the carpeted floors, refreshing candles and petals and keeping each prayer cubicle clean for the next devotee.

This was his schedule for Aslanica. Tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow it's the scullery. He would either be asked to peel potatoes, or wash utensils, or fetch fresh water. He loved fetching water from the spring at the back of the Motherhouse. He loved its sound.

Leyon massaged his arms, easing out the tiredness, preparing himself for the task ahead of him. One of the suns was giving the sky a brilliant morning hue, and he certainly felt grateful that only one of the suns was eclipsed, and that Telath still has light.

Any denizen of Diana would say "Praise be to Aslan" or "We give thanks to Aetheria." Leyon wouldn't. He has lost his faith in the Gods, but he knew full well to keep that quiet while he's in Diana. Why, just yesterday, he heard solemn whispers among scholars conversing in the garden. "If not for the Gods' protection we would have been showered by those meteorites." And, "Indeed! I pity Nexus Prime. I heard they got it bad."

He would have listened more had it not been for the sound of the bell calling everyone to early supper.

In spite of his sad life, Leyon did feel grateful to be here, in the Motherhouse, among the Servants. There was a sense of service, of purpose to his life he has never had before. And sometimes, Leyon was happy to admit even to himself, the music in him returned. Sometimes, when alone, he begins to sing again. Many darkenings he sung himself to sleep, making up the verses and the melodies as he goes.

White, the marbles giving light
As the doors open left and right
We see, dark shadows given life

To all, the House is open
To nurse each hurt
And bind the wound
And fill the mind with lessons sound

What luck has come to me
That I find myself within these walls
Safe, and sound, and free.
Yes, wonderfully, truthfully, free.

The sound of padded footsteps coming from the South Wing roused Leyon from his song. The Chapel is being emptied of its devotees. With a sigh, Leyon braced himself for another morning of carpet scrubbing.

[Leyon Juddah]

The small chapel inside the Motherhouse is beautiful in its splendid simplicity. The walls are of purest white, as the candles are that surround the place. The carpet is of richest red, and one is given the impression that he is treading on roses' petals when he walks across the chapel. Leyon always thought this is the reason the faithful here moved ever so carefully, ever so lightfootedly.

The fragrance of a potpourri of flowers still hung in the air, and the floor is littered with petals. It is the custom of the Motherhouse to shower flowers on the faithful as they pray. This is a symbol of the showers of blessings that come down from Aetheria in answer to their petitions.

Leyon began to sweep these petals away. Afterwards, his task would be to replenish the flowers in the reservoirs for the coming devotees who are scheduled to pray after lunch. He is also to wipe each icon of the Aetherian Gods, keeping them dust and spot free. Sometimes, forgetful worshipers drop earings, or Golden crowns, or rings all around the chapel. When Leyon finds any, he adds them to the treasury.

Leyon got out a clean rug and began polishing the colored glass doors of the chapel. When the suns come in and filter through these doors, the whole chapel is lit with the heavenliest of illuminations, and many are moved to weeping at these brilliant moments of inspiration. It was therefore his primary duty to keep them clean and spotless.

Quietly, a Benedictus Servant approached Leyon. "Serale," said he.

"Serale, sir," Leyon replied.

"Leyon, I need you to pay the Governor a visit. He is a dear friend to the Motherhouse, and you shall have no worries about his person. You are to hand him this letter, the contents of which I will need to have you memorized and recited to him. I will show you the letter in a moment, but first, you must know exactly to whom this letter is meant to be sent to." The Servant pulled out the letter from inside his robe. The name of the addressee, skillfully stenciled on the envelope, made Leyon smile.

"Sir Roland Moonstar," Leyon said. "Yes, I know him."

[Leyon Juddah]

First Cycle of Cryxatum
First Candlemark after Dawn in the Brightening of Solaria
Spring, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, The Thirteenth Era Port Fractum
The First Era of The Regency of Milo L'Evienne

Spring! Leyon had waited for the seasons to turn since he arrived at the Motherhouse in the past winter. Often, he had gazed outside the window of his room in the Motherhouse, watching the bleak sky and the occasional snowfall before falling asleep, snug in his covers.

Now it's here. Spring. The breeze already carry warmth with which it began to embrace Diana, and, as if it has life of its own, the Motherhouse seemed to shiver off the snow that has coated its walls and roofs.

Early in the morning today Leyon set out towards the Motherhouse's garden, which spreads out in front of the house and extends all around it. A thinning sheet of snow still covered the ground; and from somewhere out back Leyon heard the sound of water flowing. The brook is singing to welcome the Spring.

The ground was wet and glistening in the sunslight. Leyon found a small spot in the lot and sat on the wet soil. He proceeded to dig up a sizable hole. After a good few moment's worth of digging he whispered, satisfied, "There, that's good enough."

From his belt he drew out the short, rusty dagger that was his father's, the only keepsake he brought with himself when he escaped from his old home in Zinn'Sunn. He gave it one long look and then buried it unceremoniously into the hole. He pushed all the dirt back until all it was was only a small mound of soil. He thought of putting a rock on it but then decided against it.

Clapping his hands together to shake off the dirt, he said, "Well, that's that. Time to bury the past and embrace the moment." He looked up. The suns were shining brightly in the heavens. In a few moments, it would be high noon.

"Spring is here," sighed Leyon, "which means, springtime duties."

* * *

"Herald!" a small voice called out from the streets. Leyon hurriedly got up and rushed towards the gates.

"Heraaald!" Leyon called to the hobbit who delivered editions each brightening to the citizens of Diana, at least, to those who subscribed to the official newspaper of the Empire. The hobbit approaced the gates where Leyon stood. "Serale. One please," Leyon said. The hobbit handed him a copy.

"Spring's here," the hobbit said. "A good time for carrot tea."

Leyon nodded. "Thank you, sir. A merry journey today!"

"Merry journey," the hobbit said. He waved and left.

Leyon glanced at the front page of the Herald. "New Nation Discovered..." He proceeded to read the rest of the article, his eyebrows furrowed in absorbed wonderment. "N'danosh... God with no name... Hm... I wonder how the Church of the Faith will react to this."

Carefully, Leyon folded up the newspaper again, making sure it has no appearance that it had been opened and read beforehand. He went into the Motherhouse to deliver the newspaper to Mother Superior's desk.

[Leyon Juddah]

First Cycle of Cryxatum
Late in the Afternoon in the Brightening of Aslanica
Spring, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, The Thirteenth Era Port Fractum
The First Era of The Regency of Milo L'Evienne

Countless candles light the meditation room in the Benedictus Hospitalitus Motherhouse. The doors shut out any noise from outside. Here, the Benedictus servants take a break from all the work and study of the brightening to sit together in absolute and noble quietness, to meditate on the teachings of Ioannes, Diana and Aslan, and to listen to Mother Superiour herself.

Leyon Juddah sat among his fellow servants, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. A few moments later, chimes were heard, signalling the end of their meditation session. Leyon felt both relaxed and alert, ready to hear from the Mother Superiour.

Mother Superiour walked towards the front. Many candles lit the small podium where she will be delivering her message, revealing the deep creases on her face and her easy, weak smile. When she reached the podium, she faced the servants and raised her hands towards them in benediction.

She spoke. "It is always a pleasure to sit with you, my brothers and sisters, as we pause from our brightening's work and reflect upon the blessings of Aetheria. This period of rest, of nonwork, is necessary. Without the proper inner work of meditation, we cannot aspire to do the outer work of helping our brothers and sisters in need.

"I agree. There is much work to be done. There are many who are hungry and poor, needing food and nourishment. There are those who seek nourishment of another kind: that of the nourishment for the mind and soul. There are broken spirits in need of mending, of kind words, of direction. There are those who seek instruction in Theology and Law, the order of the heavens and the order of government. We cannot give these to them if we do not come into contact with the Source of all Wisdom, Aetheria. This is why we pray. This is why we sit together to meditate. We regain the energy lost from a whole brightening's work so we can face the darkening with renewed strength. I thank you all for keeping up with the practice.

"Some of you may have heard about the discovery of a new nation outside of Alleria. You may have heard they worship a god different from ours, a god with no name. Do not let these disturb us from our work. Our religion is to help those who are in need. This shall remain as long as the Benedictus Hospitalitus Servanthood stands. We have weathered the Schism of the Church. We will remain true to our calling in the presence or absence of our governors. We work as if Aetheria itself has its eye on us. This shall be our dedication.

"The Spring has come. A new beginning flowers for us all. The brooks sing, the ice has broken. And we, Servants of Diana, Servants of Aetheria, we continue to selflessly do our work. We meditate to consolidate our energy. We consolidate our energy so we can share it. And thus, we shall." With a gesture of her hands, the doors open by themselves and light from outside steal into the room. All the candles blew out their flames, their light no longer needed.

"Thus, we shall," said Mother Superiour. All the Servants echoed the benediction before leaving the room in a single file, ready to commence their duties for the darkening.

[Leyon Juddah]

Early in the Darkening of Aslanica

After meditations, Leyon Juddah timidly approached Mother Superiour. He had been mustering the courage to ask her a favor, and the last thing the young Kemite would want now is to chicken out. Leyon took a deep breath. Tonight he resolved to ask Mother Superiour if he could begin his training in Theology. Either that, or Law. "Yes," he said to himself, "Tonight, I'll ask her."

Formal education. Leyon desired nothing more and thought about nothing else but that these past cycles.

As he neared Mother Superiour, a stooped elderly Dorin who walked with gingerly steps, she turned to him and said not without a smile, "Leyon. Just the Servant I want to see."

"Ma'am?" Leyon answered quickly.

"After supper tonight, I would be up in my office. I shall compose a letter to Lady Aerienne Sarista. The contents of the letter will be both friendly and very, very important to my heart. I shall like to choose my words carefully. I would like to tell her things that have been in my heart since her return to the City. Please, instruct all your Brother and Sister Servants to refrain from knocking at my door during the few candlemarks following supper. If they need any business, they must consult with the Elder Servants. They should be able to instruct or guide you as to any matter that may arise. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Madam Superiour," replied Leyon. Mother Superiour resumed her gingerly walk towards the kitchens to check with the cooks. Leyon bit his lip.

"And Leyon?" she turned to him again.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"After breakfast tomorrow, and if the Elder Servants have no other duties to ask of you in the early brightening, I would need you to deliver the letter to Lady Aerienne Sarista's office. If you can leave it with any of her people, I shall be satisfied. You need not deliver the letter to her personally. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Mother Superiour," replied Leyon.

Mother Superiour walked away. Leyon stood where he was. Towards the end of the hallway, Mother Superiour called to him again.

"Yes, Ma'am?" he replied, hurrying towards where she stood.

"Leyon, if you would need instructions as to where you should properly drop my letter to Lady Aerienne, consult with Clarissa. I'm sure she must know."

"Yes, Mother Superiour," replied Leyon, this time looking rather forlorn.

"Well, that is all. Thank you." Mother Superiour walked past the stairway and entered another wing.

"Oh, well. Maybe tomorrow," Leyon consoled himself. "Maybe tomorrow I could really get to ask her."

"Leyon?" Mother Superiour called again from somewhere down the hallway leading to the kitchens.

"Yes, Mother Superiour?" Leyon responded, half-running towards her.

"You may start training in Theology or Law, whichever you may show some inclination to. When next cycle comes, I shall ask one of the Elder Servants to test your aptitude in each, and I will be advised which class would be better to enrol you in. That is all."

To say Leyon was not shocked at all would be to disobey the Benedictus practice of Noble Speech and Honesty. Leyon couldn't let a word out. He was...happy. Yes, that's the word! Happy.

"Thank you, Mother Superiour," Leyon whispered long after the elderly Dorin disappeared into the kitchens.