Weathering Storms

by Taborri Walker

  “I’m sorry… the details I don’t understand at all, but what you’re trying to say is this whole thing is just too fantastic for words.” She had to stop the flow for if someone discovered these people were missing, all hell would break loose in the camp!

  “And how can you conceive of the ending when you are not the writer?” Beulah asked, and Sesha understood. “So let us plot, but quickly, including an excuse for your running off, child.”

  “That’s easy… nightmare. The wind was blowing pretty hard, I had a bad dream and ran in half-asleep fright.” That was good enough, and ideas were hurled about until at least basics were tended too. “Tomorrow is going to be quite a day,” Sesha was glad the men wouldn’t let her walk as they left the cellar. Her feet hurt again from the battering she’d given them, she was cold anyway and tired on all aspects.

  “T’will be a day changing all our lives I’m sure,” Nicodemus patted Sesha’s cheek as he turned to return to the men’s barracks. “Better this than what that madman hath plans for.”

  Beulah was early Sunday morning as the Reverend had had a thought. “Sesha doth not know how to behave in church. T’will be thy responsibility to ensure the lass doth behave with halidom.”

  “What be thy divine wisdom on that, husband?” Luckily Allway missed the sarcasm.

  “An’ thou shalt teach her an’ we do a child,” he was stern.

  “Children be trained first by practice in the home, then are brought to the Church when it be empty an’ taught more, finally joining the service at age 6, sitting between parents in the back aisles so any garboil may be dealt with on the spot. Woulds’t have Sesha learn 6 years of lessons in the time it takes from dressing till arrival?”

  “An’ thou shalt help Sesha be compatible, respectful an’ attent to my words.” With that he waved her away as if Beulah was a mere servant.

  “Shall have a few others to help,” saying it as she left helped make it a certainty. “Sarah and Darren, Nicodemus and Anna. Let thy Wardens know so they may occupy pews close enough an’ have leeway to help correct.” She didn’t hear his answer; why bother? He was not going to have the wonderful meeting he hoped to awe Sesha with.

  The girl was eager; she dressed faster than ever by skipping certain items of clothing like petticoats and undershirts. Sarah was giggling half from the shock of what she’d learned, half knowing this was the play they were devising. But… dressed she was and put in the chair. Even though clouds were only spotty the wind was blowing and was a bit chilly so a blanket was draped behind and over. But just before the door she started fussing.

  “No, no,” and got a foot down on the dirt to stop the forward motion. “No rr-ide in, wah-k.” Beulah stopped the chair and bent sideways to look at her just as Sarah and Darren arrived, arm-in-arm. “Pa-pa Dawwen… up, p’ease? Wanna wah-k inna turch.”

  “Fine, child… curl thy toes,” it was an easy way to lift Sesha from the reclining chair. She curled her toes down, the person lifting put a foot sideways over her feet. Taking both hands the lightweight girl was drawn up while she stiffened her back and there was no pain doing it. No hurt to her feet either, for the pressure was just enough to keep her from sliding, was all.

  “Now dearling,” Beulah laid the shawl over Sesha’s shoulders, “see all the women an’ how they wear smallish bonnets on the head? So must thou, for this is our way.” There was a momentary flash of distaste, like something sour in her mouth, and it was gone.

  “Ooh-kay,” Sesha sighed and ‘gave in.’ She really did not like the feel of anything on her head, and had a quick memory of being nose to nose with her paternal unit as he insisted on a head piece, for the home area had an unprecedented temperature drop and it was needed for warmth. Sesha pushed the thought away and drew in a deep breath. She really was afraid to go in now for every step, every moment brought her nearer to end game, over which she had no control.

  “Good lass,” Sarah approved and then Nicodemus arrived with a faint smile. Since Grace had died the man had gone very quiet and somber. Only the sight of Sesha and knowing part of the reason she was playing this ‘game’ was to rid them of this group of monsters lording over them was the only positive emotion he had.

  “Must behave child,” he pitched in. “Now, take mine arm with thy hand, Lady Beulah, th’ other an’ thou please… good. Walk careful, Sesha,” and then they were entering the church.

  “Oh,” it was a negative noise and Sesha really did feel instantly horrible. All the window shutters were shut except one, where faint sunshine was glowing on the pulpit. All about were candles, burning to give light but only in three places; the pulpit, the harpsichord and the cross symbol on the front of the pulpit. Sesha saw it now, how all the jewelry ‘donated’ by the people had been designed into a beautiful symbol, but it made no difference at the moment.

  Shni, you see this? Her tone was panicked

  Yes, but Sesh, she interrupted him.

  “L… light,” in her panic she spoke the word correctly and several heads swiveled her way, smiling to hear her speech improving. “Open… winnows,” Shni was making sure her words came out right. “Lah-ite! Need,”

  Beulah realized this was not part of the play, but a return of last night’s panic so she turned and tucked the girl in close. “Nene,” she hissed in Sesha’s ear and Sesha sagged against her, better. It had been Shni’s suggestion to set up a word in case something happened, a word that Sesha knew well, easy to say and he set it into her mind for an instant calm down. The word was almost identical to ‘no’ with a sharper connotation tacked on.

  “I know thou art frightened, Sesh, just hold me a moment and adjust. Peter has Philip set up the lighting so there will be no distraction, ‘specially during sermon. All are lit in the beginning then each set blown out so focus is shifted as Peter desires. Come now,” Sesha had lifted her head, “let us sit as are the other members.”

  Back into the plan, though, Sesha began ‘noticing’ others as they arrived, going to exclaim over the Sunday clothing before they sat so it took an extra ten minutes to steer the girl to the next-to-front pew between her and Nicodemus.

  Now a Monitor pulled the cover off the musical instrument, Amelia approached with sheet music in one hand, a mirrored lantern in the other and sat down. Sesha got ‘excited’ again.

  “P’ay! Oh, me, me!” Rising hastily, Sesha pushed her way past a ‘startled’ Beulah and hurried to the bench as she had done before. “I p’ay wif’ you,” that word was agreed to be ‘mastered’ along with a few others. “Same luh-ike b’foh?”

  “No, Miss Sesha,” she and the Monitor standing by her both said together. Looking up, she was relieved to see Japheth, the other young Monitor, not fully integrated into the plans.

  “Tis time for Miss Amelia to play for all of us.”

  “Buh-t yes’ady befores we p’ayed two, two. Was pr-etty! I p’ay too, we make p’wetty me-uh oo-zik,” that word was still a hard one.

  “Miss Sesha,” Amelia tried; she’d put the lantern in the right place and the music up in the order she was to play it, “on Sunday only one person doth make the music, and that be me now. All others sit and sing, which be thou as well.”

  “No! Wan’ pah-lay wif you,” and She put her hands on the keys, beginning to press them.

  Beulah got up at Japheth’s gesture and came up. “Come back to the pew child,” her tone was slightly chiding. “Amelia must play whilst thou listeneth an’ learn the songs words.”

  “Eh?” Sesha didn’t even look at her, she kept plunking with one hand, her other reaching for the music. In her peripheral vision she saw one of the crueler Monitors starting forward, but then Darren intervened.

  “Sesha, thou wilt stop acting as a bad child doth!” His stern voice and disapproving fatherly attitude made her jaw drop. “Come back to the seat now, young lady! If thou behavest as a young woman should, with quiet an’ attentive spirit, we shall ask the Reverend later if thou mayst play again.” He took Sesha’s arm and pulled ge
ntly. She came, eyes watering, sad look on her face and stayed where Darren put her. Gently, of course, but with intent. Then he rejoined Sarah and finally, almost a half-hour late, the service began.

  The first song was dolorous and Sesha stayed semi-pouting through the long piece. The next tune started as the congregation rose for this one, Nick helping the young woman to her feet.

  The air was a bit more sprightly and Sesha found herself bobbing her head, then tapping her hands on the bench in front of her, adding a kind of drum beat to it.

  Monitor Seth was leading the singing and seeing the girl, hearing the new sound, seeing the body moving in lascivious ways made him falter in his singing and arm movements and at that, Amelia faltered in her playing. Quickly Beulah put a hand over Sesha’s.

  “Sh, sweetheart. Just stand an’ listen, make no other noise an’ hold quiet.”

  “Eh? No --”

  “No.” Beulah interrupted firmly and Amelia picked up her playing as if nothing had occurred.

  The next song was slower and a simpler tune. Without thinking, Sesha began to whistle and her tone was pure and sweet. She added to the music with descants or alternate tunes that lent an unearthly air to the singing and this time the congregation stopped singing before Amelia stopped playing.

  “Lass,” Sarah leaned forward. “Tis not allowed, only the harpsichord an’ our voices. Must not whistle to the music. If not knowing the words, just listen.”

  “Bu’ b’fore here, alla people dan’z an’ sing an’ make,” she drummed on the bench again.

  “You are not at your home, I am sorry, Sesha,” Beulah took her face in both hands. “You are here, with us. And as such, if your Papa taught you rightly, you must do your best to follow our customs.”

  “Bu’… dunno ‘em,” she shrugged.

  “An’ we shall tell you as have been just must listen and obey, child. Yes?” And Sesha nodded. The congregation sat back down for Monitor Titus to give a prayer, thankfully not a long one but bad enough. Then they rose for another song

  Four more songs were sung; by the third one Sesha was tiring from standing so long. Her schedule had always been short periods of standing and walking, a little laying down and more sitting with some rising, but carefully monitored, all to help her gain strength without re-injuring her back. The Reverend had forgotten to let anyone know that Sesha could sit more and since he didn’t say, neither Sesha or her little group did anything about it. More things had to happen.

  The last song was slower, sweet, talking about coming before the Lord. From Beulah’s glance at her this song was supposed to make a point to her situation there.

  Suddenly the Most Holy Lord Reverend was at the pulpit, his left arm swinging as he blasted out the words.

  Comfort those who weep and mourn

  Let the time of joy return;

  Those that are cast down lift up ~

  His Holy Word thumped onto the lectern; he started to automatically scan the faces for those that lit up when he made his wonderful appearance.

  Sesha shrieked.

  It wasn’t a sound of delighted startling nor what most of the congregation made as it didn’t matter. Whenever the Reverend appeared, everyone gasped. Part of the issue was no one really knew exactly when he would appear and it kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

  This scream was terror and the young woman passed out, which cut off the rest of it. Beulah jumped, everyone gasped again and Nicodemus acted fast. A Monitor/Warden with his pole happened to be almost beside him and the man snatched it, jamming it under Sesha’s arms as her body went forward. Behind, Darren almost jumped over the pew in front of him – he stepped onto the seat, leaned forward and snatched Sesha’s dress back. Beulah got her senses and they set her back, Nick dropped the pole and helped lay her down.

  “What?” the Reverend roared, horribly startled and all noise halted suddenly.

  “Sesha did faint! Quickly, Sarah, I need a pillow, a glass of water an’ a wet cloth,” she turned again. “Anna sit here, hold Sesha’s legs on thy lap an’ hope she doth awaken soon,”

  “Why should she not?” Allway bellowed again.

  “T’was something awful, perchance. Need to take her to the Infirmary,”

  “Have the Leech fetched,” he countered.

  Beulah turned quickly and yelled despite what it could do to her. “Thou thyself hast banished the Physician from ever entering the church building! So if we would find out and care for the lass as you command,”

  “Send two lads to fetch the Leech, quickly!” but Allway didn’t leave the pulpit. Instead he spread his hands and began intoning a prayer, not too loud but enough to be heard.

  “Loosen her waistband, doth seem too tight,” Beulah murmured to Sarah who reached under.

  “Is…” she just popped the buttons loose and ran her hands around. “Is her belly a bit swollen?” it was a whisper but Monitor Hosea heard.

  “Swollen? What be swollen?” and Allway stopped his words.

  “Her belly. But why is unknown,” Beulah started.

  “Perchance with,” he started to say.

  “Child does regurgitate food on a daily basis and there not be problems?” the sharp voice at the door overpowered the running boys feet and the Reverend’s voice.

  “What be thou doing, woman? Come tend to the lass!”

  Despite the imperative order Florence stayed outside the doors. “Thou thyself dids’t ban me from the Church Building,” her words were almost exactly Beulah’s, “forever, was the word used. My blasphemous, hell-bent soul would not taint the Lord’s House!”

  “Needed now, come in, Leech!”

  “Say it for all the Congregation to hear, Man of God! Then shall I do it.”

  Allway snarled in hatred, then boomed “thou art forgiven, Lady Leech. Welcome art thou in God’s House and may He give thee the knowledge and skills needed.”

  Sesha let out a moan just as Florence reached her. While Beulah and the others told her the details, she pressed on Sesha’s stomach and whispered to the girl, who lifted her braceleted arm, so she put a hand over it. A moment later they were slowly sitting Sesha up after she sucked in her belly to get it buttoned.

  “Too much standing,” Florence started, then Sesha interrupted.

  Her eyes glittered in the light of the candle held close to see her as she saw the Reverend, still standing in his pulpit watching, waiting, and she cried out, as if having a revelation. “So zat is why you ‘ave the cur-tains there from your zan-choo-airy woom! Is so… alana! So i’cred’ble!” She clasped her hands together by her throat. “Now I unners’and why peoples zay ‘oo just wetrag, uh… a-ppear from nowheres! It is…vetrick!”

  That started murmuring about curtains and what else could this sanctuary be except a place to hide in? Many faces lost their looks of wonder and awe, and several turned to say things to those near them. Quite a few, Beulah noticed as she tried to calm the woman, were men, and some were Tower Guards she wasn’t sure about. Good. As Sesha collapsed back in her arms she took a quick glance at the alien woman, who barely wiggled her eyebrows at her and Florence.

  This murmuring and the loss of his secret necessitated the preacher to explain.

  “Yes, my dear Christian brothers -- and sisters,” he hastened to add, “I have a private room where Our God and I can commune. I see it as my refuge from the wiles of the world; my Cleft of the Rock where God Most Holy shows me his Glory. Oh my people, that you could hear what God and His Son Jesus share with me during my times in prayer in the Sanctuary!” Adding his tones of wonder and delight as he often did in preaching mode, he began to see faces relax and the talking stop, so he was able to return to preaching mode.

  While he was saying that, Florence was passing on what Shni told her about Sesha’s tummy.

  “Be coming down ill with our diseases. Her body is reaching place where it cannot keep her well much longer. Said he would explain more later, but is some worrisome. No more meat of any kind, even cooked juice
s for now.” The four heads nodded and Sesha was resettled, then Florence left the building.

  At the moment Allway put his mind back to what the sermon would be, the first doubts began to enter his head about the wisdom of showing Sesha one of his innermost secrets. The verses from the other day re-entered his head and he almost panicked. He had plans, and it seemed they might be in danger of falling apart because of a naïve, innocent pagan orphan who chanced to wash upon their shore.

  But he was able to begin the sermon as people calmed down and focused on him. It was normal habit that every time he read scripture, the congregation would stand to show respect for the Word. So The Most Holy Lord Reverend always prefaced his statements with “God’s Word states” or “Our Lord and Savior said” or “In His Word it is written” so that they knew when to rise. Sesha insisted on doing as they did, whispering loudly to Beulah that she had to do as they did.

  Her second “faint” happened about halfway through the sermon when upon rising yet again, just went down like a rock. The Monitor who’d moved to sit in the pew behind her grabbed the back of her dress as she pitched forward and eased her into Nicodemus’s arms, Florence was called for – she was sitting in Sesha’s chair outside just in case – then the women propped her legs back on Anna’s lap and washed her face.

  “Oh,” Sesha murmured as she came around several minutes later. For a minute all that came out of her mouth was her lilting language until Beulah patted her cheek and she opened her eyes to see eyes that held real worry looking at her.

  “I… so veh-ree sorry,” she was slowly sat up again, her hand on her forehead, holding her heavy head. “Eet was… veh-ree…” she flipped her fingers up and down, unable to say the right word.

  “Again, Peter, too much up and down.” Florence snapped, and he glowered.

  “All members will now stay seated during the reading of the Word, but raise their hands when I read God’s Most Holy Scriptures,” the Reverend growled and went on with the sermon, which lasted another hour more. By then Sesha was wilting openly and Darren forwent the chair, just carrying the girl to the Dining Hall. The midday meal was two hours late, thanks to the goings on.