The Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff

Author:Maria Turtschaninoff [Maria Turtschaninoff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782691198
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Published: 2015-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

AFTER A FEW DAYS OF BRIGHT SUN my memories of darkness started to fade away and I could breathe again. I ceased to hear the Crone everywhere. I played and laughed as usual, took part in lessons and duties and went to the treasure chamber in the evenings to read. The only place where I felt uneasy was at the door to the crypt. I could feel the Crone’s power emanate from it and always ran past as fast as I could. Now I was more than happy to have Jai’s company. I was afraid of wandering around Knowledge House alone.

One morning after lessons Ennike, Jai and I were sitting by the well in the central courtyard as the servant to the Rose came walking past. She stopped and smiled at us. I always feel shy around her. The servant to the Rose is the only sister who does not wear a headscarf, and her long copper-brown hair tumbles down her back in thick, gleaming locks. Her large eyes are dark and full of warmth and her fair skin was already covered in freckles from the strong spring sun. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

Whoever acts as servant to the Rose gives up her own name, so I do not know what she was called before she became the Rose. It is another name for the Maiden, the part of the First Mother whose wisdom is to do with the beginning of life and the sacred powers of the female body. In many communities the Maiden is merely a representation of innocence, but at the Abbey we know better. All the deepest mysteries of femininity belong to the Maiden. She is the seed and the sprout. The Mother, Havva, is life and fruitfulness, and the Crone is death and destruction. The Rose walked over to us.

“I have no novice, as you know. Could you three help me with something? I need to polish the Temple’s sacred items before the summer rites, and some helping hands would be very welcome.”

“Naturally.” Ennike was on her feet at once. She did not seem to be as shy around the Rose as I was. Jai and I followed Ennike and the Rose up Eve Steps to the Temple of the Rose.

The door to the Temple of the Rose is the most beautiful one on the whole island. It is a double door, as tall as three women, and made of snow-white marble, with a rose pattern inlaid in red marble. We stopped in front of the door and I ran my fingers along its smooth surface. There was not a single join to be felt.

“Nobody does handicraft like this any more,” said the Rose.

“I wish there were a sister who knew this art, and that she could pass her knowledge on to me and me alone,” I said, stroking the glossy surface again. The Rose smiled.

“Sister O has told me about you, Maresi. She was certainly right.”

I felt myself turn bright red and quickly pulled my hand away.

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