Trials of the Hierophant: Vol. II of epic fantasy The Sundered Kingdoms Trilogy by Ethan Risso Read Free Book Online

been in Arlais for almost two seasons, and soon a third. Yet, he could hardly remember a time without the comfort of the wood surrounding him. Cærwyn and his childhood seemed so far now, swept away in the past. He wondered how his uncle fared and hoped his days were not filled with worry at his absence from court. No messenger came to Arlais from Cærwyn. A messenger from Helygen remained an infrequent enough occurrence that news of the outside world came to rely on scouts from the inner workings of the forest. In times past, such action would not have been necessary, but with the Lady Rhiannon gone and the world on the brink, information the scouts provided were of great import.
    Connor crossed his arms, ready to leave the rough cloth robe behind him at the end of the day. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. A somber tingle went up his spine. Though he would rejoin the others in a short time, never had he felt more alone. He thought of Gawain and where he must be and if he yet lived. He struggled with the bitterness he felt over what he sometimes saw as Gawain’s defection. Now that he was conscribed to the Goddess, there was no way to know when, or if, he would ever return. It was an unsettling thought. He let so few people get close to him. It was insufferable to think of never seeing Gawain again.
    “He has made his vows, in his own way.” Connor spoke aloud to the trees, to the Gods, to whomever could hear his wavered voice. “And now, I shall make mine.”
    The canopy of trees blocked out the sunlight and signaled the start of the ritual. All that was left for him to do was wait.
    “Connor.” The soft-spoken voice of the elderly priest, Orrin, crept up behind him.
    He bowed his head in acknowledgment.
    “Is it still your wish to stay here among us, young one?”
    “Yes, very much so,” Connor answered in the hushed voice of habit.
    “Then you mean to take your vows this night?”
    “I do.”
    For a moment, Connor found himself swept in the tides of matters which occurred, and his head swam. So few had returned to Arlais. It was true that there were still many, but compared to their numbers before the assault, they paled.
    “What shall you require of me?” Connor asked. Before this night, he had not been told the depths of what it meant to take vows.
    “You will pledge yourself to serve the God and Goddess in Their truest forms, which you shall come to know through your service. And to recognize as part of this service an allegiance to the High Priest and Priestess, as they are Their vessels in this plane.”
    Ceridwen, a vessel for the Goddess Herself. Connor still found it difficult to comprehend. Yet, he found it befitting that the woman who played mother to him as a child should now speak for the great mother of them all.
    He thought of the many things he would surrender in his service, and for but a moment he felt doubt in his heart. While Arlais had been all he ever longed for, now that he stood on the precipice before his decision, the uneasiness in his stomach grew. Excitement and fear warred within his gut, for he knew once he entered the fold of the priesthood, his destiny was no longer his own.
    “Child?”
    “I am ready.”
    “Come.” Orrin took his hand in guidance.
    Connor then noticed several other priests had entered into the clearing. Dark blue paint covered, but did not fully obscure, the faces of men he knew as friends. One priest came forward and lifted Connor’s hand as though it were as fragile as a new blossom in spring. Another, whom Connor recognized behind the mask of paint as Llewelyn, walked toward him with a small bowl in his hand.
    As Llewelyn dipped his finger into the concoction, Connor closed his eyes, able to smell the pungent aroma of herbs within the blue paint. His skin tingled as Llewelyn drew the symbols of their people upon Connor’s skin. He knew from Aife it was not the woad pigment which caused his skin to react, but the herbs and mushrooms crushed