Summary
Vinsah wakes up well before dawn on the first of December, still in Coe's infirmary. He knows he dreamt of the lady in his dreams last night, but can't remember what was said. Soon, Coe awakes to check on Vinsah. He tells Vinsah that he will have to leave eventually, as he dislikes lying to others about his condition. Vinsah is still worried how the Ecclesia will react to his curse, but Coe gives him an ultimatum: either he leaves the infirmary, under his real identity or a new identity (with his new youth and loss of accent, he could pass as a local), or Coe will reveal his true condition. Vinsah briefly remembers a man in his dreams, who'd repeated the name "Elvmere" to him, to his dismay. Vinsah asks to wait until the new year, and Coe agrees on one condition: that he explore the Keep in morph form today, posing as a farmer from Jetta to the south. It is still early enough that no one will notice him coming from the infirmary if he leaves now.
And so, with spare clothes and some silvers, Vinsah spends the morning browsing the Keep's shops. The only pseudonym he can think of is "Elvmere", but he is scared to use it; thankfully, no one has asked his name yet. In the bakery, he enters a conversation with the apprentice Brennar about the Patriarch, exiting when Brennar notices him hogging the fireplace. At midday, another raccoon morph steps up, curious to see an unfamiliar raccoon morph at the Keep. He insists on giving him a tour, introduces himself as Rickkter, and asks for Vinsah's name. Vinsah stalls but finally says "Elvmere". He is startled to learn that it is Sathmoran; Rickkter also notes that he sounds educated for a farmer. Vinsah explains that his father taught him to read and write, mostly histories but sometimes stories by authors like Charles Matthias — a topic that halts Rickkter's questioning. As Vinsah finds out about what Rickkter does, Rickkter suggests "Elvmere" join the patrols, but Vinsah doesn't want to hurt people. Rickkter leads him to a clothing store, having noticed "Elvmere" shivering.
At the Deaf Mule, Vinsah explains his current plans: he'll move in from Jetta in a few weeks, or wait until spring if the weather is bad. Three Keepers enter and head to the pool tables: Murikeer, Charles Matthias, and Copernicus. Vinsah stares at Murikeer; the sight of him almost makes him remember his dream. Rickkter notices, and Vinsah pretends that he was staring at Charles. Barely hiding his disgust, Rickkter suggests he go talk to him. As Murikeer and Copernicus play, Vinsah talks to Charles about some of his favorite stories, before excusing himself to finish his supper. Rickkter then leaves for some business. From across the room, Zhypar watches the whole exchange.
Vinsah decides to buy a room at the Deaf Mule, planning to return to Coe's infirmary very early the next morning. He is annoyed that Rickkter introduced him as "Elvmere" to everyone in town. As the snow falls outside, he finally remembers something the man in his dreams had said: to trust him. Vinsah relaxes and contently falls asleep.
Characters
Main Characters:
- Vinsah: A de-aged raccoon morph, the bishop of Anaef. He had secluded himself in Coe's infirmary to all but Coe himself, unwilling to confront anyone with his curse, despite the people in his dreams telling him to join Metamor. He is persuaded to wander the Keep so that he can begin establishing a new identity. He meets Rickkter and Charles Matthias under the name "Elvmere".
- He was 53 years old before he was cursed (born 652 or 653 CR), but now barely looks 25. His waist is wider like a raccoon's, giving him an awkward gait. He has improved hearing and smell since he was a human. He has green eyes. His thumbs have moved slightly forward on his hand.
- He is barefoot, being unable to wear shoes — and presumably, unwilling to seek out shoes that will fit.
- He acquires a thick wool cloak, a jerkin, and some breeches from one of the Keep shops.
- He has conflicting feelings towards establishing a new identity — it would help him avoid the backlash from the Ecclesia, but he also greatly values the meaning in his old life. He has avoided magic and Lightbringers all his life.
- The importance of reading and writing was a major reason he joined the priesthood over 30 years ago.
- In Abaef, he was well-known to all. However, he enjoys being treated as an equal in Metamor, rather than a dignitary.
- He dreams of a unknown lady about once every 4 or 5 nights, and they are rarely more than a few minutes of subconscious whispers.
- Vinsah never saw snow before Metamor — apparently, not even in the mountains.
- He has been sneaking through the Keep for the past 2 weeks as a full raccoon.
- He buys a thick apple-flavor pastry from the bakery, and eats a stew with meat and potatoes at the Deaf Mule.
Supporting Characters:
- Coe: A raccoon morph, the Keep's physician. He dislikes lying about Vinsah's condition to people who mean well, and urges Vinsah towards leaving.
- He has hips closer to a human's than Vinsah.
- When he wakes up well before dawn, he wears an ankle-length robe pulled around his belly and tail, with a long V neckline.
- The spare clothes he gives Vinsah are a woolen jacket and a shirt and breeches. Though likely enough to survive the cold, they are not warm enough for someone unused to the cold.
- He is skilled at sensing people's moods via scent.
- Rickkter: A raccoon morph, a battle mage who dislikes Charles. Curious to see another raccoon morph in Metamor Keep, he introduces himself and gets to know "Elvmere".
- He wears a black cloak tightly wrapped around him.
Minor Characters:
- Brennar: A tabby cat morph, a farmer who several months ago became Gregor's apprentice. Vinsah has a short conversation with him, allowing him to test his cover story.
- He has dark-furred paws, a tan nose, and a long narrow tail.
- As a farmer, he loved winters, as it meant no hard work except for caring for the animals.
- Charles Matthias: A rat morph, former Headmaster of the Writer's Guild. He accompanies Copernicus and Murikeer to watch them play pool.
- His right arm is in a sling.
- He smells heavily of oil and greasework — perhaps a sign of what work the Long Scouts have given him.
- Murikeer Khannas: A skunk morph, a mage. He comes to the Deaf Mule to play with Copernicus.
- He wears a shirt and thick leggings.
Cameo:
- Gregor: A capybara morph, the Keep's baker. He has been sullen since the Patriarch's death.
- Copernicus: A lizard morph, the Keep's top billiards player.
- He has green scales and yellow eyes. He seems to be cold-blooded, though he claims he is not completely so.
- He is completely wrapped in thick clothing. He wears thick mittens, and a long scarf wrapped twice around his tail.
- The kangaroo in the Deaf Mule. He stares at most of the people in the Deaf Mule, especially Rickkter.
Important Mention:
- The woman in Vinsah's dreams. Vinsah is afraid of her, yet strangely comforted by her presence. She has been naming him Elvmere, without explaining why.
Referenced:
- Akabaieth: The former Patriarch, who died a few months ago.
- Eli: The Follower god.
- A mysterious man in Vinsah's dreams. He was unfamiliar to Vinsah, suggesting that he wasn't Murikeer.
- Phil: A rabbit morph, protector of Lorland, Crown Prince of Whales. He was married recently.
- Vinsah's father, who taught him the importance of learning to read and write.
- A Lothanasi girl, possibly a child morph, who works in a tailor shop.
Locations
- The rooms in Coe's infirmary do not have a hearth; Vinsah has been given warm quilts and candles.
- Most buildings in the Keep have hearths.
- The Keep's bakery has a parquet floor and a hearth.
- The clothing shop Rickkter takes "Elvmere" to is a low-set building with a brick chimney and an oak door.
- Vinsah's room at the Deaf Mule has only a bed, a small table, and a closet for his cloak.
- Jetta is a small farming village in the south of Metamor Valley, just south of the Iron Mines.
- Abaef lies on the edge of the Deserts of Dreaming; there is little vegetation, and it is too warm for snow. The houses there are dyed clay. There are irrigation canals leading to Yesulam, along which all of Abaef's few farms are.
Society
- It is unknown how the Ecclesia will react to one of their priests receiving the animal curse, but Vinsah suspects a harsh reaction.
- They consider suicide to be an unforgiveable sin.
- The people of Abaef wear light revealing clothing.
- Potatoes are a rare delicacy in Abaef, though apparently common in Metamor.
Chronology
- It has been over a month since Vinsah's chest healed (which suggests late October).
- For over 2 weeks (just before mid-November), Vinsah has been sneaking around as a full raccoon through the Keep.
- Today is December 1st, 706 CR, as explicitly mentioned by Vinsah. A fresh snowfall is outside; snowpiles and snowfigures are already set up outside. It doesn't seem to snow today, but it does snow tonight.
Story Connections
- The story of Akabaieth's dream of allowing Vinsah to stay in Metamor, his death and Vinsah's choice to stay in the infirmary, all happened in Liturgy of Blood.
- Phil's marriage happened in Nuptials.
- The tension between Charles, Rickkter, and the kangaroo Zhypar, as well as why Charles's arm is in a sling, are explained in Relic.
