Education of a cleric, part IV
Sir Donal decided to resurrect the ancient custom of having a cleric attached to the household. And so Revered Son Dectine came to live with us. He was a young man, in his early twenties, with black hair and blue eyes, and he hailed from Sancrist. (Clerics of Solamnia were never sent to Solamnic households, although I didn't know it at the time.) Oh, he was a favorite with the ladies-in-waiting, many of whom thought his vow of celibacy a waste. Once I tartly pointed out that devoting one's love to the God of Good who created us all is hardly a waste, only to have Lady Fana retort that since I had to devote all of my love to the old man whom my parents had chosen, I didn't know what I was talking about.
Nonetheless, I was just as happy as the others for Revered Son Dectine's arrival, albeit for different reasons. I had been dreading my impending nuptials, and life was beginning to seem drear and meaningless. Now daily prayers and meditations were added to the routine of our day. I have always prayed, but the services led by Revered Son Dectine caused my soul to soar. In uniting my soul with the love of Paladine I was able to forget my troubles, at least for the moment.
The cleric was also our tutor in religious matters. Most of the squires, and not a few of the ladies-in -waiting, found the lessons tedious, but I took to them as a dragon to the sky. The lessons frequently turned into a spirited and good-natured debate between the Revered Son and myself. One lesson, though, turned discordant when Tanin Majere questioned why the High Clerist had not reinstituted the Kingpriestship. I found it a foolish question - after all, the Reign of Istar was marked with corruption and the near extermination of many cultures on Krynn, culminating in the Cataclysm - but Revered Son Dectine answered him gravely. He tried to explain that Her Excellency Crysania did not seek power, but only to share the peace of Paladine with Krynn, but Tanin cut him off. "It's because Crysania's weak," he sneered, to the shocked gasp of many assembled. "The whole Temple is populated by useless cowards who won't stand up to evil. When I think of the good that could be accomplished if the High Clerist would use her power to rally Solamnia to fight those villains who..."
"You mean, if Her Excellency would lead them in conquest," I coldly interrupted. "Lust for power is not strength."
"What would you know of it, lady? You with your soft life free of care and your devious ways..."
Lady Agnes appeared by the door. "Squire Tanin, I believe my husband wishes to speak with you." Tanin stood up and stalked out of the room. I found myself shaking. Everyone looked to the cleric, who appeared as shocked as they. He dismissed class, but caught my arm as I was leaving and asked to speak with me.
Nonetheless, I was just as happy as the others for Revered Son Dectine's arrival, albeit for different reasons. I had been dreading my impending nuptials, and life was beginning to seem drear and meaningless. Now daily prayers and meditations were added to the routine of our day. I have always prayed, but the services led by Revered Son Dectine caused my soul to soar. In uniting my soul with the love of Paladine I was able to forget my troubles, at least for the moment.
The cleric was also our tutor in religious matters. Most of the squires, and not a few of the ladies-in -waiting, found the lessons tedious, but I took to them as a dragon to the sky. The lessons frequently turned into a spirited and good-natured debate between the Revered Son and myself. One lesson, though, turned discordant when Tanin Majere questioned why the High Clerist had not reinstituted the Kingpriestship. I found it a foolish question - after all, the Reign of Istar was marked with corruption and the near extermination of many cultures on Krynn, culminating in the Cataclysm - but Revered Son Dectine answered him gravely. He tried to explain that Her Excellency Crysania did not seek power, but only to share the peace of Paladine with Krynn, but Tanin cut him off. "It's because Crysania's weak," he sneered, to the shocked gasp of many assembled. "The whole Temple is populated by useless cowards who won't stand up to evil. When I think of the good that could be accomplished if the High Clerist would use her power to rally Solamnia to fight those villains who..."
"You mean, if Her Excellency would lead them in conquest," I coldly interrupted. "Lust for power is not strength."
"What would you know of it, lady? You with your soft life free of care and your devious ways..."
Lady Agnes appeared by the door. "Squire Tanin, I believe my husband wishes to speak with you." Tanin stood up and stalked out of the room. I found myself shaking. Everyone looked to the cleric, who appeared as shocked as they. He dismissed class, but caught my arm as I was leaving and asked to speak with me.