Winter at the Benedictus Hospitalitus Motherhouse (open)

[Leyon Juddah]

In the First Cycle of Kalendryas
Very early in the morning of Solaria
The Season of Winter, Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Fourteenth Era Post Fractum

The Second Era of The Regency of Milo L'Evienne

A true Servant. That's what Leyon Juddah has become. No longer just an orphan trying to earn his right to stay at the Benedictus Hospitalitus Motherhouse, he now dons the black flowing garb of a Benedictus Servant.

He has tirelessly served as an errand boy to the Servants for more than an era now since he was brought into the Motherhouse. Sick and badly battered, the Servants nursed him back to a semblance of his former self. Now, in spite of himself, and in the midst of seemingly endless daily chores, he often catches himself laughing with not a care in the world.

Now Leyon was one of them. The Servants of the Benedictus Hospitalitus Motherhouse, who tirelessly and selflessly aid those who seek for shelter and food. Of course, Elder Servants are assigned to teach Theology and Law to the students. Still other Servants are assigned to roam about the city, dressed in their signature black flowing garbs, ready to act as arbiters in disputes. He cannot be assigned such ministry yet.

Leyon's duties, as it were, were not very different as those from before, but he couldn't complain. He now wore the Garb. His garb.

Sent to fetch a certain medicinal herb from the Merchantile District this early, Leyon walked briskly in the crisp morning air. He wrapped his arms around him to shield against the cold. Usually the Motherhouse's gardeners are able to grow and harvest their own medicinal herbs but it was winter and they were running short on supply.

On his way back he noticed most shoppes have opened. The brightening has begun. He was thankful when he reached the Motherhouse's gates, eager to step into the warmth inside. He stepped through the garden which slept because of the cold. From the soil he picked up the latest edition of the Divine News and brushed off the dirt from its pages.

Mother Superiour sat in one of the benches in the garden. This caught Leyon by surprise.

"Mother Superiour, you're out in the cold. Sorry, did I take too long with the errand?" Leyon asked.

"Come sit here beside me, Leyon," Mother Superiour said. Leyon obeyed. The bench faced the entrance gate and so their backs were toward the Motherhouse. "Look out there, Leyon. What do you see?"

"I see the street. I see the dawn breaking. I see the broken gate, and I will have that fixed today," he said.

"Behold the City of Diana. Behold the citizens of Diana, the prayerful, the devout, the proud, the fearful, the rich, the poor, the dark races. Behold, the children of the Gods. That's what we truly are. Children." She patted Leyon's hand reassuringly. "This means we are all brothers and sisters, everyone of us."

Leyon felt she was referring to the Schism of the Church, and the Reunification order of the Regent.

"The Herald has news about the gala of Empress Michelle but no word about the outcome of the meeting between the Regent L’Evienne and the Praesul Prelatus Jodus, though it's been so long," Leyon said. "I know the Motherhouse never takes sides in political or religious conflicts. We are taught to be the impartial center, only taking sides with what is just and right. But--"

"The suns shine on both weeds and flowers," Mother Superiour said. "The rains water both good seed and bad."

"Yes. You taught us that. But I'm just afraid of what the Church of Faith might think regarding our neutral stance. They might think us fair-weathered friends, now that The Regent declared them the One True Church."

"Our reason for existence, young man, is to attend to the welfare of all Allerians who seek solace within our doors. Against selfless benevolence there is no law. There is no reason to fear, child."

Leyon wanted to say more but at that moment, ever the slightest of snow fell all around them. Like feathers floating down from the sky, it made wet white speckles on his garb. Somehow, the snow had a calming effect on him, dispelling all thoughts, and he forgot what he was about to ask.

That was how the Winter greeted the Motherhouse.

[Thoth]

Middle of the Season

Leyon recieved a call from Mother superior asking him to come to her office at the noon hour.

When he arrived he found a simple lunch was laid out for what appeared to be four people. The mother superior was already there looking over some reports at a desk. One of the other guest was also sitting at a desk. It was also a female. A human in her late thrities by the look of it. She was quietly meditating her eyes opening only when their newsest arrival showed up.

[Leyon Juddah]

"Serale," Leyon said, with the slight customary bow the Servants were taught to do when there are visitors. He was just shoveling the snow off the flagstone path leading to the Motherhouse doors outside and his hands were a bit numb. He was glad he took time to clean them, though, before coming up. He didn't know there would be visitors.

Leyon noticed one of the guests who looked up at him as he entered. They all seemed deep in thought, and he wondered if he inadvertently interrupted their discussion when he came in. He also noticed several parchments laid out in front of the Mother Superiour and her guests. The dishes were yet unused, the food untouched, so Leyon wondered why he was summoned if not to clean up after them.

Leyon felt this has something to do with the discovery made at the hill a brightening ago. He turned to the Mother Superiour. "How may I be of service, please?" he said.

[Thoth]

The mother supperior nodded towards Leyon. "Please take a seat." She said indicating to the table. She stood up and motioned for the other man to join them. "Please Leyon. Tell me what you have felt about you time here?"