Festival of Storms by Avery Lockland

Author:Avery Lockland [Lockland, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636764672
Publisher: New Degree Press
Published: 2021-07-21T20:00:00+00:00

8

History

It was a simple idea, so much so that Alison and Jacob were both utterly perplexed when it was suggested to them, but as they sat together with Henry, James, and Eliza and she uttered the words, everything clicked.

“You can read, so you could always visit the archives,” Eliza said casually, in response to their fruitless attempts to find the Harlaown family. “I mean, the Church Records Committee keeps all kinds of information about everyone, including all the birth and title records. They probably have lots of stuff on the Harlaowns.”

“Of course!” Jacob replied, slapping his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“I hate to interrupt but the Cathedral library is restricted to high-ranking clergy,” James pointed out.

Alison shrugged. “Technically, I am high ranking in the clergy. I should be able to get to it no problem.”

“Why don’t you just ask your husband? He should be able to find out anything you want,” Eliza asked.

Alison hesitated for a second but decided on honesty. “I don’t think he wants me to meet the other families. I don’t know why, but he seemed adamant about it. Either way, he won’t help us, and I have to meet them. I just have to.”

Eliza nodded. “You’ll want to talk to them alone, I imagine. I know I can’t help you much there, but I can keep an eye on Henry for you.”

“Thank you,” Alison replied.

“I can’t come?” Henry whined.

“Tell you what, little Master,” Jacob said, catching his attention. “Why don’t you show your auntie Eliza and Uncle James our special little toy at your mom’s house? I bet they can keep a secret. Who knows, you might get it running by the time we’re done!”

“What’s this?” James asked.

“Something we’d rather the Church not find out about. It’s not dangerous; it’s just an Old World artifact,” Alison said.

With Henry in capable hands, Alison and Jacob walked to the Cathedral district. To the direct west was a massive L-shaped vestry building with hundreds of apartments for lower-level clergy members. Eight stories tall, the building was still completely dwarfed by the sheer scale of the Cathedral.

Alison was unhappy about having to wear a casual flowing dress and found the wispy fabric irritating, but she knew it was essential—to walk through the affluent heart of Tormid in dirty pants and a sleeveless shirt would invite watchful eyes. But among the rich and powerful, Alison blended in quite effectively. Even Jacob wore a crisp collared shirt and black pants, though he kept his ragged scarf around his neck.

They passed through a tunnel that went beneath the vestry building to the other side and found themselves in the shadow of the Cathedral. The archives, a massive library, were inside, accessible through the ornate doors that they faced.

Though not particularly pious, as Alison took in the massive gray bricks that extended up taller than even the walls and the huge stained-glass windows that were bigger than her entire house, she could think of no other explanation for the architectural masterpiece than divine intervention.

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