01 Shamans Crossing by Hobb Robin

Author:Hobb, Robin [Robin, Hobb,]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-04-10T16:37:06.496000+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN A Ride in the Park A servant tapped at my door before dawn. Both Spink and I attended the daybreak service with my uncle in the chapel on his estate. Epiny and Purissa were also there, in the womens alcove. I glanced over at them once, only to surprise Epiny in the midst of an immense yawn that she had not bothered to cover. My uncle chose the readings for the men; they focused on duty, valour, and being steadfast. I suspected he chose them with Spink and me in mind. I prayed with an earnestness that I had not had since I was a boy, asking the good god to be with me at all times. As my aunt had still not returned, Epiny did the womens readings. They seemed very short and I could not detect any common thread in what she chose. One had to do with not wasting her husbands resources frivolously. The next was something about refraining from gossip about her betters. And the last was the horrendous section from Punishments on the afterlife fate of wayward and harlotrous daughters. This moved Spink to a choking fit that left him gasping for air. After the common services, Spink and I retired with my uncle and the serving men of the household for meditation. The chamber for this was adjacent to one of his hot houses and very pleasant. It was more comfortable than the austere room we used at home on Sixday, and despite my good nights sleep, several times I nearly drowsed off. At home and at the Academy, the Necessary Tasks that the Writ permitted always followed services and meditation on the Sabbath. To my delight, and Spinks, the Sixday at my uncles house proved to be a day of relaxation. At my uncles house, even the servants had an easy time of it. We had a simple cold luncheon, during which my uncle attempted to keep the conversation quiet and pious. Only Purissa repeatedly asking him if the mimes that performed in the city were evil and offensive to the good god marred it. I saw Spink and Epiny exchange a smile and knew that she had primed the child for that question. After our meal my uncle advised Spink and me to enjoy the library and do our studying, if we were so inclined. I was, and I brought out my books. Spink seized the opportunity to have Epiny guide him through my fathers journals to the sections that mentioned his father. She seemed to have an excellent memory and found the entries quickly. Out of curiosity, I joined them for a time, but soon wearied of reading over Spinks shoulder as Epiny pointed out passages. I went back to my schoolwork and rapidly completed two of my assignments. Dinner that evening was again simple, for the sake of our serving folk my uncle said, but once more, far better than anything we had eaten at the Academy. Only

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