"Let us pray."
Felek closed his eyes as Brother Ofim began the prayer. He rarely actually prayed when asked to like this. Truth be told, what you were supposed to do while the Monk droned on wasn't exactly clear. Should Felek focus on his words? Mentally repeat them? He didn't know.
So, Felek let his mind wander.
He liked Mass. Liked the sense of oneness before God. The sense of one congregation basking under the love of Jesus. He also liked the new, shorter sermons. His Grace's influence, no doubt. Felek had heard the King talk with the various Brothers regarding services. There were more, now, allowing more of those in the small lakeside city to attend. Most went, although it was by no means compulsory. To fit those extra sermons in, they had to be shortened. Felek kind of suspected that was His Grace's whole goal. He also thought those services not attended by the King were longer, but that was just a feeling he had from the few times he had gone to one of those. It wasn't like you could keep track of time while sitting there.
Ruta's image floated before his closed eyes. She had worn his necklace that Sunday morning, replacing the silver cross which usually hung between her breasts. It was almost like wearing his ring. They were... promised to each other, now. She was his, he was hers. Yes, they had been friends since forever, together every day, yet... yet, he felt like singing. Like standing up before the Kingdom, before God and Jesus, telling all of their love.
Well, wasn't that what a wedding was?
When would be the question. They were old enough, yes. Felek did not yet have an official position with the Palace beyond servant to the King, but James would assign him something. His Grace had certainly been grooming him for some position, tutors and scholars pounding knowledge into the boy's head. He would serve the Kingdom, buy some home, move in with Ruta...
"In the name of the Father, the Mother, and the Son. Amen."
Felek raised his head. He had managed to ignore the entire prayer. That was talent.
****
"Mother asked me to ask you if you would join our family for dinner."
Felek could not help but chuckle as he and Ruta walked among the throng exiting the cathedral. That the woman had not made the request in person did not surprise him. Felek had been near His Grace, for one. While Ruta's mother fawned over the King in ways both amusing and irritating, there obviously was not much love between the two. Hell, she did not like Felek much, either. Only his position as brother to the Queen made him an acceptable match for her daughter. Which was fine with him. His years with the King had taught him much about diplomacy, so handling a grumpy in-law should not be too much of a problem. It wasn't like she would be living with them.
He'd see to that.
"Sure. Unless His Grace suddenly needs me, I don't see why not."
"Good." She took his arm as they reached the bottom steps. "Does he need you now?"
"No." His eyes flicked to his left. His Grace and his sister had stopped, talking with Commander Kosciuszko and his wife. "No, I'm free today."
"Felek!"
The cry came from off to the side, away from the milling worshipers. Issa stood in the grass beside a pine tree near the edge of the church grounds, right arm raised. Ruta squeezed his arm.
"He wasn't in church, was he?" Her voice was skeptical. Felek chuckled.
"Doubt it." He raised his own arm in reply, steering the two of them off the path towards their friend. "This may mean," he added, "that I will be needed. If Issa is here, Chief Ajani probably is as well."
"Felek, my friend!" The Kikker teen grabbed both his arms, squeezing tight. "And Ruta!" Releasing Felek, he took the girl's right hand, lifting it to his mouth. His large tongue flicked out, lightly touching her fingers. Giggling, Ruta curtsied.
"And a pleasant Sunday to you, too, Issa."
"Come to convert?" Felek asked. "You missed mass, but I'm sure Brother Ofim has a few minutes to spare if you'd like to be baptized."
It was a joke, of course. Converting others was not something that was done. Never had been. At first, because the beastly races surrounding the Poles were not fit to mingle with, let alone serve the Lord God. As ties had grown closer between those Kikker living near the Poles, however, His Grace had gone the extra step of forbidding it. Something about a bad history of such practices. As Felek watched his friend, he was startled to see embarrassment at his words. Issa bowed his head, hands clenched together by his waist. Felek reached out, clasping his shoulder.
"Hey. What is it?"
"Felek. Ruta. Does the Polish God Jesus... heal?"
The two teens looked at each other. Ruta placed her hand on the Kikker's other shoulder.
"In the stories, yes. Jesus healed the sick in his time among us."
"So..." Issa licked his large lips, eyes raising to look between the two humans. "If I prayed to this Jesus, joined his temple, would he heal someone?"
"Who?" Ruta asked.
"Adanya's young." Issa looked down at the ground again. "Word from her arrived by ship yesterday. Her son is sick again. He will not live. Chief Ajani cried all night." His gaze again met theirs. "If betraying the spirits of our people will save the boy and girl, I will gladly follow your Gods. Just tell me how."
"Oh, Issa!" Ruta stepped forward, wrapping her slender arms around the splotchy brown teen. Felek just shook his head.
"It... I'm sorry, Issa. It doesn't really work like that."
"It doesn't?" His yellow eyes blinked. "You said your God healed."
"In the stories, yes," Ruta said, pulling back a bit. "And we pray for God and Mother Mary and Jesus to heal those in need. But... praying does not make it happen. God does not work that way."
"But..." Felek saw tears pool in the corner of his friend's eyes. "There is no other help for them! No medicine, no magic. Your Gods are their only hope!"
Felek caught Ruta's gaze. She looked devastated. He felt like shit himself. Jesus did not work like that, yet... why didn't he? Why wouldn't Jesus come down and heal the sick, as he had done in the holy books? He had met Bogdi's children countless times. Played with them. Word of each death had hurt him in ways he could not express.
Ruta's hand suddenly caught his, her other taking Issa's. She backed up, pulling them.
"Come on. Let's try."
****
Ruta led them around the side of the cathedral, down one of the irregular stone paths. Felek knew where she was taking Issa. He should have thought of it himself. The trio walked among the flower beds and fruit trees, the two males flanking the blonde. Felek could still hear the murmur of people from the front steps, but slowly it faded. The sound of wind in the trees, of birds, replaced it. The sounds of... well, God.
The statue was carved from wood, set on a flat rock in the center of a small pool. Bright paint, freshly applied that spring, almost seemed to shine in the noon sun. Ruta brought them to a stop.
"This is Mary," she told Issa. "Through her, God created his only Son. After Jesus died for our sins, Mary was carried up into heaven to sit beside Father and Son. I often pray to her."
"She looks... sad."
Felek looked closer at the statue, trying to see her as Issa did. It was the eyes. There was something about those blue and white eyes which spoke of sorrow. Of loss. Ruta took a half step towards the pool.
"She saw her son tortured. Nailed to a cross and left to die. You'd be sad, too." Turning to Issa, she took his hand again. "Kneel down."
Ruta knelt down on the smooth stone, gently pulling Issa. Awkwardly, he got down beside her, knees not quite built for that position. Felek knelt on the other side of her, letting his Love take the lead. She was more religious than he, more... spiritual. Perhaps even more loving, because of it. Certainly, it was part of what made him love her. Looking up into the face of the Mother of the Messiah, Ruta spoke.
"Oh, Lady Mary, most holy of all women. Our friend comes to you in his hour of need. Not his need, for he is not selfish, or self-centered. Issa comes because the children of our friends are sick. Are dying. Lady Mary, please help them. Help little James and Zuza get well. Help them to grow up healthy, and strong. We beg you. In the name of the Father, The Mother, and The Son, Amen."
Felek crossed himself, hands making the motion over his chest without his mind even aware of the action. He saw Issa make the same gestures. Closing his eyes, Felek sent his own prayer up to the heavens.
"God, please help them. Amen."
****
There was a knock at the door.
Felek sat up in his bed. He had not yet been asleep. Hell, he had not even gotten around to his evening rubbing of his cock, without which a good sleep was never even really possible. The knock was not one of emergency. The door would have immediately opened, the Kingdom's problems much more important than privacy or politeness.
Another knock. A bit louder, yet seemingly still soft enough not to get the attention of others. Interesting. Tossing off the light sheet, not bothering with a light, Felek bent down to grab his pants from their home on the floor. He stood, pulling them up, working the buttons as he started towards the door. He grabbed the handle just as a third knock started.
Ruta's face appeared as he pulled the door open. Startled, he opened it wider. She stood in the hall dressed in just a light nightgown, body tantalizingly visible as the dim lamp behind her shone through the fabric. Her eyes were wide, hair mussed as if she, too, had been in bed. The bird necklace still hung between her breasts.
"Felek! I saw her!"
He blinked, eyes adjusting to both the dim light and her presence. One hand reached up to unconsciously run through his hair.
"Saw who? Is there something wrong?" He saw a guard standing behind her. He was amused, not worried. Probably believed this was going to be some sort of romantic meeting. Felek could tell that was not the case, as much as his cock was interpreting things otherwise.
"Mary!" Ruta slid past him, body brushing his as he quickly opened the door further to give her room. His eyes met those of the guard, hoping his confusion at all this was evident to the man. Light burst into being behind him. Turning, Felek saw Ruta had lit the lamp on his nightstand. Guard forgotten, he closed the door.
"What's going on?"
"I had a vision! A holy vision! Oh, Felek, I saw her! I saw the Mother Mary! She came to me! Told me we could save the children!"
He blinked.
"What?"
She moved to him, arms wrapping around his bare upper body, head resting on his shoulder. Thinking became even harder as he could feel her bare body under fabric which might as well not be there. He swore he could even feel two points which had to be her nipples.
"Oh, Felek... we can do it! We can save them!"
Talk of God was not conductive to sexual activity, at least not for Felek. Hands going to her shoulders, he gently pushed her away. Not far enough that her breasts lost contact with his skin, as he wasn't an idiot. Her eyes rose to meet his. Felek tried to gather his thoughts.
"OK. Tell me. Was this some kind of dream?"
"No!" she said, shaking her head. Her blonde hair was loose, braid disassembled for the night. "I was laying on my bed, thinking about Bogdi's poor kids, praying to God and Mary. I grabbed the cross I always wear, and I suddenly felt Her! I felt the Mother Mary come down to me! Then I saw Her! I SAW Her, Felek! She was right there, at the foot of the bed! She was so BEAUTIFUL! I mean, like a goddess! She had blonde hair, like the sun! Her gown was blue, flowing to the floor! It bared both her shoulders and breasts, but she was not nude! No, she was clothed in the Holy Spirit! I could feel the cross in my hands getting warm! Vibrating!"
Something clicked in his mind. Felek looked down between them. Between her breasts. Looking back into her eyes, he raised one finger, placing it gently on her lips. She paused, eyes questioning.
"Ruta... you're not wearing your cross."
Now confusion flowed across her face.
"Yes I am. I wore it to Mass. I always wear it to Mass. And I didn't take it off." Both of them looked down.
The silver bird hung from her neck.
"But..." Her eyes came back to his. "But, I felt it! Felt HER! It was Mary! Mary, and this was her symbol! Her symbol the cross! Felek, I swear, I saw her!"
He pulled her to him, arms wrapping around her body. She trembled against him.
"You saw someone, Ruta. I believe you."
"I did see her!"
"I know. But it may not have been Mary." He blinked. "You said she was topless?"
"Yes..." Her trembling stopped.
"Mother Mary. Wife of God. Topless."
"... yes." He felt her take a deep breath. "No. No, Mary wouldn't have her boobs out like that."
"I don't think Mary has boobs. Breasts, yes, but not boobs."
Her body shook in laughter. They pulled apart.
"Yes," Ruta said, grinning, "no son of God would drink from mere boobs!" Her expression fell. "But, then, who did I see?"
****
"I AM sorry, Your Grace. I just felt this could not wait."
Felek tried to read his King's mood as he sat before his desk, Ruta beside him. King James was annoyed, yes. That much was painfully obvious. Felek even had the horrible thought that he had interrupted His Grace in the middle of being intimate with Ewa. His sister had mentioned, jokingly, about wanting to stay far ahead of Shanna in the baby department. There were some things a King should not have interrupted if you wanted to stay in his good graces.
James let out a sigh, turning the silver bird over in his hands. He held it up, letting the lamp light catch on its wings.
"I believe you, Felek. Don't worry. I'm glad you didn't wait." Closing his eyes, he put a hand to his forehead. "OK, not glad, no. I'm just not completely pissed."
"I'll take it," Felek said. James chuckled. He turned to Ruta.
"You saw a woman at the foot of your bed. Was she transparent? Like a ghost?"
"I... don't know. She glowed. Sort of. The room was dark." Ruta took Felek's hand. "I know it sounds crazy..."
"I am well used to crazy, my Lady." There was a knock at the office door. "Ah, good."
The door opened. Queen Catty, last of the Elven royal line, slowly entered the room. She was nude. Felek was not shocked at this, the green skinned Elf not seeming to share Human concepts of modesty. Still, he found his eyes dropping to the patch of red hair above her sex, before swiftly rising to the Queen's face. She, too, was annoyed, those black eyes with their white pupils focused squarely on the two teens, sensing they were responsible for her summoning. James rose behind the desk.
"Thank you for coming, Your Majesty."
"I knew you would not wake me unless it was serious." Felek winced. He quickly stood, rushing to the side of the room, grabbing another of the finely carved chairs. He brought it over, placing it on the same side of the desk as His Grace. James nodded his thanks, taking hold of the seat back.
"Sit, Catty. We still have two more to wait for."
"Is this more about that letter?" she asked, taking her place on the blue cushioned chair. "If so, please send for Far. I did not wish to wake him, but..."
"No, I don't think so. But..."
The door opened again. Chief Ajani strolled in. He, too, was nude, brown blotchy skin not at all attractive to Felek. Behind him came Brother Ofim, thankfully fully clothed in the brown robes of a man of God. Felek set up chairs for them as greetings were exchanged. He then returned to his seat, Ruta taking his hand immediately. The King, seated again, leaned forward, hands clasped on the desk.
"My friends. I have woken you this evening as something has happened. Something which I think we should take seriously. Ruta?"
Felek squeezed Ruta's hand. She stood, drawing him up with her, stepping away from her chair to face the assembled. Felek was glad they had taken the time to put real clothes on, as this was probably nerve-wracking enough for her without being in an all but transparent gown. She took a deep breath.
"Tonight, while praying for Adanya's and Bogdi's children, I saw the Lady Mary appear before me."
The only one who reacted was the Monk. He rose, slowly, hand going to his bald head, scratching as he looked to the King.
"Your Grace, if you have dragged me out of my cell for this..." His eyes flicked to Ruta. "Hallucination..."
"It is no such thing," Ruta interrupted. She stepped forward, releasing Felek's hand. "I saw her. A blonde woman with a flowing blue gown. She told me she heard my prayers, and that she could save the children."
"Whatever it was," Queen Catty said, "it obviously wasn't one of your Gods."
"Was it one of yours?" Ajani asked, yellow eyes blinking. She scoffed.
"Our Gods are no more in this world than theirs are."
Felek blinked. No more than... Brother Ofim was looking down at the Elf with naked contempt, fists clenched.
"Lady." He spoke the word as if it was the most vile insult. "I ask you to not speak of matters you do not know."
King James held up his hand, silencing him.
"What do you mean, Catty?"
"I mean," she said, voice confused, "when we came to this world, our Gods stayed behind with our people. So it was for us, and so it was for you. For the Gods to abandon the rest of their followers to be with a handful of Elves or Poles would be silly." She blinked, looking up at the Monk. "You actually thought your Gods were here?"
"Of course they're here!" Brother Ofim whirled to face the King. "I have had enough of this. Excuse me, Your Grace!"
Felek thought the King would stop him. Would, at the very least, demand an apology. James just let him storm out.
"He knows," the Queen said, shaking her head. "He knows, but does not believe."
"But..." Ruta looked lost. Felek took her hand again. "But we pray to God all the time! To God, to Jesus, to Mary..."
"There is no Mary."
Ruta whirled to the King.
"Your Grace!"
"OK," he qualified, motioning her to sit, "there was a Mary, mother of Jesus. But..." He paused. Sensing what the King wanted, Felek sat, pulling Ruta down beside him. "Ruta. The Church, where I am from, where your ancestors came from, does not worship Mary as a God. As a Saint, yes, some sects of Christians do. One Saint among thousands, humans elevated for their service to God. But, not AS a God. Not as someone sitting with Jesus beside the Holy Throne."
"But..."
"Then what did she see?" Ajani asked. "Not an Elvish god, obviously. Not one of our Spirits. She said she could help my Grandchildren?"
"...Yes." Ruta slowly nodded. "Yes. She said that if we had faith, true faith, she would heal them."
"How?" King James asked.
"We have to bring the children to her. To a place called Lake Bled.”