The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood, #2)

by Jeff Wheeler

We all face difficulties, but they should not become our core. We grieve, we suffer, we weep. Challenges are experiences that help us to grow, like the winds that help strengthen the roots of the apple trees in the Cider Orchard. Storms are always temporary and should never distract us from the beautiful days that were before or will come after. Do not become so fixed on a single injustice that you can no longer remember others may be suffering near you. Like the healing of the body when it is ill, the healing of the heart requires patience.

There was a certain petulance to youth, she realized. She had been exposed to it before from her stepmother, Lady Deorwynn, and her stepsisters, but she had expected something different in an abbey. It baffled her that people who studied the Medium and knew how sensitive it was to thoughts and desires could be so callous in their treatment of one another.

Because of . . . what I am. Will the Medium reject me because of it? My heart tells me it will not. But there are those little crumbs of fear that linger in the pan.” She picked a little crumb out of her treacle to emphasize the point. “We can only do our best to clean our inner vessels. To make ourselves worthy to receive the Medium’s will and power.

What is the good of dragging up sufferings that are over, of being unhappy now just because you were then?

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. A single word, spoken in enmity, can scar a heart for a lifetime.

“Some people think it is a surrender of a bitter kind. That it is restricting to constantly stifle your thoughts and bridle your passions. My father explained it to me differently, through a story about his ancestor Colvin Price, who had a great love of horses and a deep respect for the dangers of the Bearden Muir. When he and Lia were wandering the swamp together, the Cruciger orb led them to the safest paths. When they lost the power of the orb, they wandered aimlessly. Some people demand the freedom to stumble into ditches. I prefer following a guide to the safest road, even if it is through a swamp.”

“That is the purpose of a Privy Council, my dear. I have found the practice to be most helpful. Before I seek to understand the Medium’s will, I seek the advice of others whose opinions I deeply respect. After I have listened to that counsel, I form my own opinion on the matter. Then I bring that opinion to the Medium for further direction.

“It is fit that we challenge all ideas,” the Aldermaston said. “Do not be offended. Intelligent men can disagree on the interpretation of the facts at hand.

“Our greatest pain in this life often comes from those who should love us the most. Prepare yourself to accept the maston oaths. I have no doubt that you will tame the Leerings inside the abbey. The hardest thing you will ever be asked to tame is your own heart.” Maia felt a burning sensation in her chest at his words. It was like a feeling of heat, but it was also a feeling of grief and of love—as if she could sense the true feelings the Aldermaston held for her. This was how a father should feel toward his daughter.

Mastons learn that a peaceful conscience invites relief from anguish, sorrow, guilt, and shame. It provides a foundation for joy. It is of immeasurable worth. It is also incredibly rare.

Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.

Belief and character are intermixed. Following the Medium’s whispers over time will forge a strong character that can be called upon in times of desperate need. Character is not developed in moments of temptation and trial. That is when it is intended to be used.

“Is it so hard to understand, Suzenne? We see it among the Ciphers. These are girls the Medium has trusted to learn and engrave. Yet despite all the tomes they have read and the principles they have been taught, for some the words remain only on aurichalcum . . . they do not enter the heart.” Maia smoothed some of her own hair over her shoulder. “The Medium only has imperfect people to do its will. I am afraid that has always been the case. I can only hope it will accept me as one of them.”

She understood most of the principles the Aldermaston taught her about the second life, and how, in order to tame the Medium, she needed to first let herself be tamed by it. That was a concept that most struggled with, and she could see why. She knew people assumed that surrendering their will to something else was a lessening of themselves, but in Muirwood she had realized it was quite the opposite. The more she gave, the stronger she became.

As mastons, we must always remember why we are here on this earth during the second life. It is not to be endlessly entertained by minstrels and dancing or to be in constant pursuit of base desires. We are here to be tested, to be tried so that we can receive all the Gifts the Medium has in store for us. Some of these Gifts will be discovered in this life; others will come to us beyond the Apse Veil.

We must never give up what we most want in life for something we think we want now. All things received begin with a thought. Therefore, we must be cautious what we allow ourselves to think.