Secret Sacrament by Sherryl Jordan Page B

the centers of learning. Salverion led the way along one of the pillared stone porches bordering the courtyard. Morning sun poured through the open archways, and Gabriel saw the gardens set out in geometric patterns, with fountains and sundials. Along the inner walls of the porches were doors to the learning centers and cushioned seats where a few disciples sat studying in the sun. Above stretched the magnificent porch roofs, vaulted and carved.
    Some of the rooms were secret, closed to all save those who taught and studied there; but Gabriel saw the art and music rooms, the superb theater where musicians performed, and the recreationroom with its massive fireplace where, in the bitterest winter days, disciples and Masters relaxed and drank mulled wine. “It’s not all hard work here,” Salverion explained, with a smile. Then he took Gabriel to the healing rooms, where he met the other Masters of healing, and the other healer-priests.
    The Masters greeted him as if he were a son, enfolding him in their arms and welcoming him with words of blessing and affection. All the Masters were charismatic and memorable, but there was one with whom Gabriel felt a special affinity. He was Sheel Chandra, the Master of Mind-power and Healing Through Dreams. He was a tall dark-skinned man of about sixty, charming and compassionate, with an accent so heavy Gabriel could hardly understand him. But with Sheel Chandra he felt an instant, powerful kinship and trust.
    The only Master with whom Gabriel was not totally at ease was the Master of Surgery, Kes. Kes was one of the younger Masters, aristocratic and tall, and slightly reserved. He was the only Master Gabriel felt had expectations of him, and therefore with Kes he felt tense.
    Then he met the twenty-two other healer-priests, disciples of Salverion. They were all older than himself, some by several years, and fromdiverse parts of the Empire. Like the Masters, they greeted him with wholehearted warmth and affection, shaking his hand in the Navoran way. Many embraced him, and he found himself enfolded into a strong fellowship, wholly accepted and valued and loved. Afterward Salverion took him away to the quiet courtyard garden, where they sat in the sunlight to talk.
    â€œI hope you’ll be at home here,” Salverion said. “If ever you have a problem, I hope you feel you can talk with me. For you, I’m always available. And Ferron will explain anything you want to know. You won’t have to work too hard, this first week. Take time to look around the Great Library, and the orchards and vineyards. The Citadel is almost entirely self-sufficient; we make our own wine, grow all our own fruit and vegetables, keep bees, and grow grains for flour. You’ll like the estate, I think.
    â€œI have to go to the Navora Infirmary now. I don’t expect you to accompany me today. When you’re ready, Ferron will prepare you a light midday meal. Have this afternoon to yourself, and buy some furnishings for your apartment. If you’ve time, ask Ferron to take you to the stables, and choose a horse you feel comfortable with. You might have time for a riding lesson. Tomorrow you will come with me to the Infirmary for a fewhours. I have a tumor to remove. You’ll assist me.”
    They stood, and Salverion embraced him, briefly. “Please don’t look so alarmed about the surgery tomorrow,” the Master said. “You’re only helping. I won’t leave you loose and alone with a scalpel among my patients’ vital organs. Not for a long time yet.”

6
    T HE S ILKEN S NARE
    S WEATING AND FRETFUL , Gabriel tossed in his unfamiliar bed and tried to shake off the nightmares that troubled him. In his dreams he was trapped in white silk, beautiful and fine but wrapped tightly about him like a shroud, stifling him. He awoke breathless, drenched with sweat. His right shoulder ached from a fall from his horse, and he was thirsty and feverish. He threw