“Mina!” they called out, chanting her name. “Mina! Mina!” Inside, the temple was shadowed and cool. The pale light of the sun, that seemed to have to work hard to shine through the stained glass windows, formed weak and watery patterns of blue, white, green, and red on the floor, criss-crossed with black bars. The altar had been covered with a cloth of white velvet. A single person knelt there. At the sound of their footfalls in the still temple, the girl raised her head and glanced over her shoulder.
“I am sorry to disturb you in your prayers, Mina,” said Galdar in a subdued voice that echoed eerily in the still temple, “but this is a matter of importance. I found this man in the prison cells. You may remember him. He—”
“Sir Gerard,” said Mina. Rising, she moved away from the altar, walked down the central aisle.
“Gerard uth Mondar. You brought that young Solamnic Knight to us. Odila was her name. She escaped.”
Gerard had his story all ready, but his tongue stuck firmly to the roof of his mouth. He had not thought he could ever forget those amber eyes, but he had forgotten the powerful spell they could cast over any person caught in their depths. He had the feeling that she knew all about him, knew everything he had done since they last parted, knew exactly why he was here. He could lie to her, but he would be wasting his time.
Still, he had to try, futile as it might be. He stumbled through his tale, thinking all the while that he sounded exactly like a guilty child lying to avoid the strap and the woodshed. Mina listened to him with grave attention. He ended by saying that he hoped that he would be permitted to serve her, since he understood that his former commander, Marshal Medan, had died in the battle of Qualinesti.
“You grieve for the Marshal and for the Queen Mother, Laurana,” said Mina. Gerard stared at her, dumbfounded.
She smiled, the amber eyes shone. “Do not grieve for them. They serve the One God in death as they both unwittingly served the One God in life. So do we all serve the One God, whether we will or no. The rewards are greater for those who serve the One God knowingly, however. Do you serve the One God, Gerard?”
Mina came nearer to him. He saw himself small and insignificant in her amber eyes, and he suddenly wanted very much to do something to make her proud of him, to win her favor. He could do so by swearing to serve the One God, yet in this, if in nothing else, he must speak the truth. He looked at the altar, and he listened to the stillness, and it was then he knew for a certainty that he was in the presence of a god and that this god saw through to his very heart.
“I ... I know so little of this One God,” he stammered evasively. “I cannot give you the answer you want, Lady. I am sorry.”
“Would you be willing to learn?” she asked him.
“Yes” was all he needed to say to remain in her service, yet the truth was that he didn’t want to know anything at all about this One God. Gerard had always done very well without the gods. He didn’t feel comfortable in the presence of this one.
He mumbled something unintelligible, even to himself. Mina seemed to hear what she wanted to hear from him, however. She smiled.
“Very well. I take you into my service, Gerard uth Mondar. The One God takes you into service, as well.”
At this, the minotaur made a disgruntled rumbling sound.
“Galdar thinks you are a spy,” said Mina. “He wants to kill you. If you are a spy, I have nothing to hide. I will tell you my plans freely. In two days time, an army of soldiers and Knights from Palanthas will join us, adding another five thousand to our number. With that army and the army of souls, we will march on Sanction. And we will take it. Then we will rule all of the northern part of Ansalon, well on our way to ruling all of this continent. Do you have any questions?” Gerard ventured a feeble protest. “Lady, I am not—”
Mina turned from him. “Open the doors, Galdar,” she ordered. “I will speak to the people now.” Glancing back at Gerard, she added, “You should stay to hear the sermon, Sir Gerard. You might find my words instructive.”
Gerard could do nothing but acquiesce. He glanced sidelong at Galdar, caught the minotaur glowering back at him. Clearly, Galdar knew him for what he was. Gerard must take care to keep out of the minotaur’s way. He supposed he should be thankful, for he’d accomplished his mission. He knew Mina’s plans—always provided she was telling the truth—and he had only to hang about for a couple of days to see if the army from Palanthas showed up to confirm it. His heart was no longer in his mission, however. Mina had killed his spirit, as effectively as she might have killed his body.
We fight against a god. What does it matter what we do?
Galdar flung wide the temple doors. The people streamed inside. Kneeling before Mina, they pleaded with her to touch them, to heal them, to heal their children, to take away their pain. Gerard kept an eye on Galdar. The minotaur watched a moment, then walked out. Gerard was about to sidle out the door when he saw a troop of Knights marching up the stairs. They had with them a prisoner, a Solamnic, to judge by the armor. The prisoner’s arms were bound with bowstrings, but she walked with her head held high, her face set in grim determination.
Gerard knew that face, knew the expression on that face. He groaned softly, swore vehemently, and hastily drew back into the deepest shadows, covering his face with his hands as though overcome by reverence.
“We captured this Solamnic trying to enter the city, Mina,” said one of the Knights.
“She’s a bold one,” said another. “Walked right in the front gate wearing her armor and carrying her sword.”
“Surrendered her sword without a fight,” added the first. “A fool and a coward, like all of them.”
“I am no coward,” said Odila with dignity. “I chose not to fight. I came here of my own accord.”
“Free her,” said Mina, and her voice was cold and stern. “She may be our enemy, but she is a Knight and deserves to be treated with dignity, not like a common thief!” Chastened, the Knights swiftly removed the bindings from Odila’s arms. Gerard had stepped into the shadows, afraid that if she looked around and saw him, she might give him away. He soon realized he could spare himself the worry. Odila had no eyes for anyone except Mina.
“Why have you come all this way and risked so much to see me, Odila?” Mina asked gently. Odila sank to her knees, clasped her hands.
“I want to serve the One God,” she said.
Mina bent down, kissed Odila on the forehead.
“The One God is pleased with you.”
Mina removed the medallion she wore on her breast, fastened the medallion around Odila’s neck.
“You are my cleric, Odila,” said Mina. “Rise and know the blessings of the One God.” Odila rose, her eyes shining with exaltation. Walking to the altar, she joined the other worshipers, knelt in prayer to the One God. Gerard, a bitter taste in his mouth, walked out.
“Now what in the Abyss do I do?” he wondered.
13
The Convert
Absorbed into the main body of the Dark Knights of Neraka, Gerard was assigned to patrol duty. Every day, he and his small band of soldiers marched through their assigned portion of Solanthus, keeping the populace in check. His task was not difficult. The Dark Knights under Mina’s command had acted swiftly to round up any members of the community who might have given them trouble. Gerard had seen most of them inside the prison.
As for the rest, the people of Solanthus appeared to be in a state of shock, stunned by the recent, disastrous turn of events. One day they were living in the only free city in Solamnia, and the next day their city was occupied by their most hated enemy. Too much had happened too quickly for them to comprehend. Given time, they might organize and become dangerous. Or they might not.