First Sister Talavaria's Journal

First Sister Talavaria sat in her carriage, deep in thought, occasionally glancing out the window out of habit, until she caught the eye of Picorna, her personal servant. Sister Picorna, she corrected herself. It was still difficult to think of the young orphan as a full Sister. She leaned over, her eyes glittering, as she looked at the nervous girl.

"We're in this together," she said, mock-conspiratorially, "I've never been to Autumn Court before, either, at least not like this!"

Picorna grinned. "What will we do there?" she asked.

Talavaria flashed a smile at Sister Aide Nyllen, who smiled in return, enjoying the rapport the First Sister and her personal servant had.

"Well," she said, "We'll eat delicious foods, and wear pretty clothes, and go to the King's Ball and see all the nobles in their best finery! And of course we'll hold some ceremonies for all the people, and to bless the land."

The young girl smiled, soon lost in her imagination of what she would soon experience. The First Sister, too, let her thoughts wander back to what her mentors had said. She heard Brother Nipeh first. What people want to see in the leader of their church is that you lead. This does involve some display of power, and that, in turn, leads to the necessity of a display of wealth, although it need not be extravagant. More importantly, though, is that people see that you truly are in command. You must be careful to never give signs that you are indecisive or that your actions are directed by the advice of others. The people will have confidence in a First Sister who has confidence in herself.

Remember, dear. The voice of Sister Hendra broke through. It is not a matter of looking proper in the eyes of the people, but rather of performing your duties faithfully in the eyes of the spirits. Do not let matters of ceremony or the demands of people, no matter how important those people appear to be, distract you from your faith. The people will look to the example you set more than to any displays of wealth or power.

She knew to walk with her head high, to act as if she had complete confidence, but still she had agonized for hours over what to wear, asking of course the advice of her whole personal staff. Finally, and with much help, she had settled on rich rust-orange robes, for the fall of course, cinched around her waist with a golden cord, and a warm brown cape embroidered in golden thread. She wore her autumn ritual coronet of golden leaves, and carried her ceremonial staff. Her whole entourage was dressed in similar colors, the autumn colors of the Church, and she had to admit that they looked rather stunning, all together like this. Even the carriage horses had leaves on their bridles, and copper bells that announced their arrival.

The next time the First Sister peered out of the window, they were turning onto the main street. Throngs of people flooded the street, cheering and waving, craning their necks to see inside the carriage, and Talavaria grinned in spite of herself. She waved from the windows of the white carriage, making gestures of blessing over the people, until they were perhaps a half mile from the palace gates. Then, overcome with emotion, and almost before she knew what she was doing, she had flung open the carriage door, causing Brother Vinkul to stop the horses as quickly as he could. He peered down at her, eyes full of questions, but she only smiled and stepped out, waving at the crouds and blessing them. She began to walk along behind the carriage, her coronet sparkling on her head as she smiled at the people, until she felt a tug at her sleeve. It was Picorna, looking rather frightened. The First Sister bent down, and Picorna whispered, "Everyone says you should come back in." Talavaria put her arm around the girl, giving the crowd one last wave, and climbed back inside.

Her cheeks remained flushed with excitement until they arrived in the palace courtyard, where a rather large party was waiting to receive her.

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