Thunder hurried down the stairs. Weasel, ran ahead. Satisfied the way was clear, the boy beckoned and they ran across the open space between the Great Hall and the House of Ways. Moments later, the tread of heavy feet announced the approach of a sizeable party.
Thunder squinted through a crack and watched as senior members of the Sisterhood of Rebirth advanced over the cobblestones with a vigour that reminded him of Imperial storm troopers intent on laying waste a tribal village. The ladies formed up before a shrine and started to wail.
Their hysteria was directed at a group of bronze figures representing the Holy Mother, the Good God and a baby. The trio had been put there by supporters of religious reforms initiated by the new Grand Master of the Duideth.
In the new order of things, the Good God was recognised as an earthly manifestation of the Lord Sun and had taken on a more loving, caring role than his predecessor. The baby was the product of his union with the goddess and represented the hopes and aspirations of humanity.
The infant was a great favourite with the local women and shrines to the trio were popping up all over the place. And, not just in the lands of the Catti. In Gorm, Galboreth and much further afield, metal smiths were working day and night to meet the demands of the new faith.
'Magdoor!'
The Senior Sister shrieked the battle name of the goddess.
'Bring down Thy wrath.'
Thunder had heard it all before. The sisters were never short of words when things didn't go their way. Weasel remained anxious.
'Is it true the Holy Mother assumes her fearful aspect and enters into the Senior Sister and works her purpose through her?' the boy asked.
Thunder saw the alarm on the boy's face.
'Well, my lad. You'll have to trust your own judgement on that. If you see the Senior Sister grow more horrible and fearsome than she usually is ... then you'll know there might be something in it.'
The gaunt-faced woman reached the end of her tirade and called on the goddess to enter into her. Weasel looked for a change and was unable to discern any. The woman remained as repulsive as ever. He watched as she raised her staff and took a swipe at the baby god.
The infant's bronze head detached from its body and bounced over the cobblestones. She scooped it up and strode towards them. Weasel guessed she knew they were there. People said she could see through walls so it wouldn't be surprising if she could see round corners.