Thunder had seen a few heroes. Most were village champions who went after a few too many girls and got what they deserved at harvest time. The Sky Warrior was something different. There were even rumours that he'd seduced members of the sisterhood.
Thunder didn't believe that. Nor did he believe that the princess had shared his bed. Adrina hadn't denied the rumour. That wasn't surprising. She was telling people that the Holy Mother had entered into her. Since the Sky Warrior was meant to be the earthly embodiment of the Good God, it made sense they should get together.
***
Thunder entered the Head Master's chambers. The scene was depressing. A cobbler, wearing a leather apron, stood beside a low table. The queen's naked body was stretched out before him. The trunk was slit open from neck to groin and the contents removed. Thunder was reminded of a butcher's shop when a pig was being prepared for curing. There was little of the reverence that should accompany the embalming rites of a great and respected leader.
Tom stood beside the body pushing moss into cavities.
'It's not going as we think it should,' he said.
'What do you suggest?'
'I think we should call in an expert.'
'There's no one we can trust.'
'Then we shall have to do the best we can. The cobbler thinks we should concentrate on the head. He's done heads. They are fairly standard. It's whole bodies that present problems ... they're a specialist job.'
A feeling of gloom descended on Thunder.
'We've got to do all of it. I gave my undertaking to Her Majesty.'
'We could cut it into pieces and treat the bits separately,' the cobbler suggested. 'That way we're not likely to lose the lot. There should always be somewhat comes out right.'
'How about soda ash?' Tom said. 'That's good at breaking down fat. If we can get rid of the fat, the rest should be easy.'
'The head's where the soul light has its lodging,' the cobbler countered. 'Like I said ... that's the bit we should concentrate on.'
It pained Thunder to hear them talking about the old woman as if she was a side of ham or a salmon that was resisting smoking. Lack of sleep was getting to him. His inclination was to argue but there was sense in what the cobbler said. He stepped back from the table.
'Very well. Cut the head from the body and give it the full treatment. Her Majesty would not regard that as an act of disrespect. All the religious authorities agree that the head is where the soul resides. I don't think there's any doubt about that.'