Teshuwah is our holy day. These people have come to worship Arman.
Here? This is a dwelling of people, not a god.
Arman has no temple besides his people.
Achan wrinkled his nose. The temple was people? That made no sense.
So many now filled the cottage that no surface remained bare. People stood along the walls, two deep in some places. Some men held children on their shoulders. The voices suddenly quieted, gazes drifting to the curtained doorway. Achan peeked out from under the table.
Trajen entered the room dressed in a white hooded cloak over a white tunic with the same brown trousers he always wore. He walked to the entrance of the house and faced the room. This position not only gave him space, it made him visible to everyone.
He lifted his arms high above his head. "And on the day called Teshuwah all who believe shall be gathered to one place, and the word of Arman will be spoken. Then we shall rise and pray. And when our prayers have been heard, we shall give praise and thanksgiving. Then we shall eat, for food brings nourishment to the body and celebration to the soul. We assemble on the Teshuwah because that's the day Arman wrought a change in the hearts of men. That's the day his son, Caan, rose from the tomb to give us Light.
"For he was murdered by men, put in a dark tomb, and on the day of the Sun, which gives light and life, appeared to King Willham and his men and taught them all these things."
A chorus of agreement, "So be it" and "May it be so," burst forth from the crowd. From somewhere Achan couldn't see, one of the twins said, "Bite bite, Mima," and the crowd chuckled.
Trajen closed his eyes, inciting a hush in the room again. "In the beginning was Caan, and Caan was with Arman, and Caan was Arman. Caan was with Arman in the beginning. In him was life, and that life was the Light of men. The Light shone in the Darkness, but Darkness did not understand it."
A man above Achan grunted in agreement.
"And in those days Er'Rets had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. The people forsook Arman to serve other gods. So Arman gave Er'Rets a king; his name was Echad Hadar. He came as a witness to testify concerning that Light, so that through the Light all men might believe."
Trajen paused. "But the people did evil in the eyes of Arman and Darkness began to push away the Light."
A chill raked up Achan's arms at the ultimate evil that had brought Darkness upon the land: killing Arman's chosen, his father.
"But Arman so loved his people that he gave his son, Caan, as a ransom for the transgressions of every man. He was buried in Noiz on the same day King Simal II breathed his last. Both men were buried that day. And to this day, the tomb of King Simal II remains sealed. But Caan's tomb did not remain sealed. Three days later, Arman opened Caan's tomb and raised him from the dead to sit at his right hand, a testament to what he longs to do in the life of men."
Achan had heard this tale many times over the years from Minstrel Harp in the Corner back in Sitna. It was a neat story, though he'd never heard it quite like this.
"King Willham believed, and through the power of Caan, took hold of the Darkness and pushed it back. The battle ceased for a time. But many a king has come and gone since then. Some have obeyed the call of Arman. Some have answered the call of Darkness. For many did not recognize Caan as the source of all Light."
Caan was the source of all light? Might Achan need his help, then, if he was to push back Darkness? And wouldn't his calling on Caan offend Arman?
"Though many did not recognize him-including his own Kinsman people-those who did receive him, those who believed in his power, he gave the right to become children of Arman-children not born of natural descent or a husband's will, but born of Arman.
"For we know that Arman is light; in him there is no Darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk with Darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk with the Light as Arman is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Caan, Arman's son, purifies us from all evil, even in this dark place."
People yelled out "Praise Arman" and "May it be so."
Trajen opened his eyes and scanned the room. "For this reason, I've not stopped petitioning for all of you that Arman will fill you with the knowledge of his will, so you may live a life worthy of Arman and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of Arman."
A chorus of agreement, "So be it," "May it be so," and "As it has been said," burst forth, only this time, the voices did not quiet. A woman's voice broke into an upbeat song. Almost every soul in the room quickly joined in, Sparrow included.
Er'Rets was lost in the darkness within.
The Light of the world is Caan!
Like sunshine at noonday his glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Caan!
No darkness have we who in Arman abide.
The Light of the world is Caan!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide.
The Light of the world is Caan!
Ye dwellers in Darkness with tar-blinded eyes.
The Light of the world is Caan!
Go, wash, at His bidding and light will arise.
The Light of the world is Caan!
No need of sunlight in Shamayim we're told.
The Light of the world is Caan!
For Caan is the Light in the city of gold.
The Light of the world is Caan!
The song ended in a heavy silence. Then a man started to sing from the table above.
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee.
Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see.
For Caan has brought Light that is free.
The people sang this twice, then, on the third time through, a clear woman's voice began a measure behind, leading several other women in a round. When the refrain finally ended, Trajen sang a phrase-nearly a chant. Everyone joined in.
"Sh'ma Er'Rets, Arman hu elohim, Arman hu echad, Arman hu shlosha be-echad."
The words were the old language like what Sir Gavin and the knights had said in Barthos' temple. How strange that so many would know this language. And what were they saying about Arman?
When the singing ended, Trajen said, "Some of you may have noticed a few unfamiliar faces this day. We often welcome new followers into our fold, but today our guests have been walking with Arman for many years. We have heard of the deceit in Sitna and knew in our hearts it was true. Our promised king is not the evil man we thought him to be, but a man who, like Caan himself, was made a servant for his people, scorned and beaten, until Arman pulled him into the Light where all could see the truth.
"We have with us this day Sir Gavin Lukos and his companions who are escorting the rightful heir to Er'Rets-the true Crown Prince, Gidon Hadar-north to safety. There they plan to raise support so the true king can return to Armonguard and proclaim Arman hu elohim, Arman hu echad, Arman hu shlosha be-echad, a truth so bright it will push back Darkness forever."
The crowd murmured. Achan shrank back against the wall under the table. He had expected an introduction, but who could live up to such words? He'd almost rather they strip him down and fawn over his birthmark.
Boot steps clunked across the floor. The voices hushed so suddenly, Achan couldn't help leaning forward to see what was happening. Just as he peeked out from under the table, a set of legs cast a shadow over his face. He glanced up to see Sir Gavin looking down into his eyes.
Achan's stomach rolled as he realized the crowd had been watching Sir Gavin.