Lilah Read Online Free PDF Page B

spiritually
equipped to take care of you.’
    She also told me that Gertrude had again told
the other sisters that this must be kept secret. Should the Papacy ever get
wind of it there would be an inquisition and at such times their lives could be
in danger. Such healing practices were considered works of Lucifer and what
members of the order had witnessed was to be forgotten; otherwise, the
monastery itself might be thought to harbour devil worshipers. I sincerely
hoped that this would not be the case for although there were some like Sister Nora who did not seem to carry the will of God, most were
kindly and did not deserve penalty.
    Arianne offered to leave the monastery in place
of me. She had told Gertrude and other members of the small trial committee
that she was mostly to blame by encouraging the healings. Her requests proved
fruitless and I was glad of it. Arianne was meant to be here. Although I had
cured many of the sick, there were many more homeless and starving who she had
helped. Sister Gertrude also knew Arianne’s worth, but she would not go
unpunished either. She would be expected to show penance in the chapel and take
on extra duties. There would be no more missing prayer time. Not that Arianne
did that for selfish reasons. It was always her work that took precedence. She
would say: ‘Why should I spend so much time in prayer when I could be doing
something useful?’
    Arianne handed me a leather satchel inscribed
with her family name. Not having my own connections, she said that I could use
hers should anyone enquire as to my destination. She also said that such a
surname in the parts where I was heading would offer me some protection. ‘Many
are afraid of my father. Some will not dare to touch you if you are a cousin of
such a well-connected family. Those who would rob you will instead beg for
scraps and employment.’
    Inside the bag was enough food for days: bread,
cheese, dried pork strips and figs. Arianne gave me directions to her parents
with a final request: ‘ My parents will take you in and
give you work but I would like you to watch over my younger sisters. I want to
make sure they are well.’
    It was a strange thing to say since I knew that
Arianne’s parents were well-to-do and her sisters,
from what I gathered, would not be wanting for anything.
    ‘Also, should
you have to leave in a hurry there is a key hidden in one of the large vases on
the terrace that overlooks the rose gardens. Take it! It will unlock my
mother’s jewellery box. Inside are pieces of gold, silver, garnets and
sapphires that you can sell if you have to.’
    ‘I cannot steal from your parents.’
    ‘They will not even notice them gone. Trust
me.’
    ‘But …’
    ‘It could mean
the difference of life and death for you. You will have something to barter.’
    I wanted to protest but it was hard. When
Arianne set her mind to something she was both irresistible and daunting at the
same time. I nodded but I could not foresee any reason ahead needing such a
criminal act.
    The sisters were told not to visit me before I
left ; that I must be left in solitary to pray for my
past sins and the choices ahead. Though I struggled with the concept of healing
as a sin, I felt much remorse for raising a dead child.
    Most of the sisters distanced themselves from
me, afraid to be tainted by black magic. Only a handful of nuns crept in
secretly to wish me well. Some had tears, others told me to be brave. Their
tears gave me some strength.
    Late in the night I heard what could be
described as whispers through the thick stone walls .
These silent and very personal prayers of others within the monastery grew
louder over several hours causing me to toss and turn, and my attempt to block
out the sounds and vibrations with my hands was unsuccessful. Eventually, they
ceased and I assumed the occurrence was a result of the illness and the trauma
I had suffered. I was wrong. I would soon learn that the sound inside my head
was yet another