Stone of Tears

Sister Verna put a comforting hand to Warren’s back. “she was lied to by the Sisters of the Dark. The Keeper filled her mind with lies. She heard the whispers of the darkness. The Keeper can make even the good listen to his whispers. You did a brave thing, Warren.”

“Then why do I feel so ashamed? I loved her, and I killed her.”

Richard simply held him as he wept.

Sister Verna pulled them back into the room. She made Richard bend over as she examined his head. Blood was dripping all over the floor.

“This must be tended to. I can’t fix this much damage.”

“I can,” Warren said. “I’m fair at healing. Let me do it.”

When Warren had finished, Sister Verna made Richard hold his head over the basin while she poured the ewer of water over him, washing off the blood. Warren sat on the edge of a chair, his head in his hands. Richard thought that he was going to need the basin.

Warren’s head came up when the Sister finished. “I figured out the rule you told me about. People will believe a lie because they want to believe it’s true, or because they are afraid it is. Just like Pasha believed a lie. Am I right?”

Richard smiled. “You are, Warren.”

Warren managed a weak smile. “sister Verna, can you take this collar off me?”

Sister Verna hesitated. “You would have to pass the test of pain, Warren.”

“Sister,” Richard said. “What do you think he just did?”

“What do you mean?”

The young wizards sent back through the valley are able to pass because they don’t have sufficient power to draw the spells to them, they are not full wizards. Zedd told me that wizards have to pass a test of pain.

“Over the millennia, the Sisters have convoluted that into making them endure physical pain. I think they’re wrong. I think the test Warren just passed is more pain than the Sisters could ever give. Am I right, Warren?”

He nodded, his face going white again. “Nothing they ever did hurt like this.”

“Sister, remember when I told you how I turned the blade white, and killed that woman by loving her? Maybe that, too, was a form of the test of pain. I know how much that hurt.”

She spread her hands in dismay. “do you really think that one with the gift must kill someone they love to pass the test? Richard, that can’t be.”

“No, Sister, they don’t have to kill someone they love. But they must prove they can make the right decision. They must prove they have what it takes to choose the greater good. Would one with the gift be a good servant to this Creator of yours, to the hope of life, if they could act only for selfish needs?

“Giving someone pain, as the Sisters do, doesn’t prove anything except that the victim does not die. Wouldn’t serving the light of life, and loving life, require that the person prove instead that of their own free will they would choose right, choose that light of life and love for all people?”

“Dear Creator,” she whispered, “have we had it wrong all this time?” Her hand covered her mouth a moment. “And we thought we were bringing the Creator’s Light to these boys.”

Sister Verna’s back straightened with resolve. She stood before Warren, putting her hands to the sides of his Rada’Han. As she stood with her eyes closed, her hands to the collar, there was a humming vibration in the air. After a moment, silence settled over the room, and then Richard heard a snapping sound. The Rada’Han cracked and fell away.

Warren looked positively giddy at the sight of the broken collar. Richard wished it could be that easy for him.

“What are you going to do now, Warren?” Richard asked. “Are you going to leave the palace?”

“Maybe. But I wish to study the books some more first, if the Sisters will allow it.”

“They will allow it,” Sister Verna said. “I will see to it.”

“Then, maybe I would like to travel to Aydindril, to the Wizard’s Keep, and study the books and prophecies you told me were kept there.”

“That sounds a wise plan, Warren. Sister, I must be going.”

“Warren,” she said, “why don’t you come along until I reach the valley? You are free, now.” She glanced to the balcony. “I think it would do you good to get away from here for a time, and think of other things. And I could use some help when we reach the valley, if Richard accomplishes what he thinks he will.”

“Really? I would like that.”

As the three of them lugged their gear toward the stables, three guards—Kevin, Walsh, and Bollesdun—spotted them and ran to catch up.

“We may have found them, Richard,” Kevin said.

“May have? What do you mean? Where are they?”

“Well, last night, the Lady Sefa set sail. We talked to people down at the docks who said they saw some women, maybe the Sisters, go aboard. Most agree they saw six women go aboard in the darkness, just before she sailed.”

“Sailed!” Richard groaned. “What’s the Lady Sefa?”

A ship. A big ship. They left with the tide late in the night. They have a good lead, and from what I hear, there isn’t a ship in port that can catch the Lady Sefa, or go as far to sea.”

“We can’t go after them, and do your other task,” Sister Verna said.