Initiation (2)

Lyset’s belongings and bag were torn open. Except for her underclothes and one set of clothes, everything else was pushed aside. She immediately realized they were to be discarded.

Her beloved blue bunad—a traditional dress her grandmother had embroidered with reindeer, bears, wolves, and hawks—was crumpled carelessly with its white headscarf and apron.

“You can’t keep toys like these. You understand, don’t you?”

The owl and hawk carvings old Mr. Ibsen had whittled for her were tossed aside as well. Then Joanna’s hand reached for the small box tucked in the corner of her bag.

Joanna’s hand stretched toward the small box.

“No, not that!”

“What is it? Unless it’s something tied to faith, everything but one set of clothes must be discarded.”

Lyset swatted Joanna’s hand away and clutched the box tightly to her chest. Joanna, Adelin, and Iselin all gasped at her sudden defiance.

“Lyset! What are you doing?”

“This… I can’t give it up. I won’t throw it away.”

“Give it here. I’ll check what’s inside, then decide.”

“No!”

Her behavior unsettled them. If she faltered at this very first step, clearly she might not endure the strict convent life ahead.

“Lyset!”

“This is to remember my grandmother, who passed away.”

“Ah…”

Joanna’s hand hesitated.

She was a woman with a soft heart.

Even without Joanna’s empathy, anyone would know how deeply it would wound a twelve-year-old girl to lose such a keepsake.

Seeing Joanna’s wavering eyes, Lyset spoke the decisive words.

“I was raised by my grandmother. I delayed joining until she passed because I couldn’t leave her alone. I came here right after she died.”

“I-I see…”

Not only Joanna, but Adelin and Iselin’s eyes reddened as well.

In time, convent life would dull her grief, and she might no longer cling to the box’s meaning so fiercely.

Joanna swallowed hard.

“Then keep that box hidden well. Adelin, Iselin—take special care so it isn’t discovered during surprise inspections. The needed clothes and supplies will be sent from administration soon.”

“Yes, Sister Joanna.”

Adelin and Iselin both nodded.

After Joanna left, Adelin and Iselin crowded around Lyset.

“Oh my, the New Year initiation was long past—so they let you join mid-year? You’ll be with us starting today?”

“Yes. I’ve met the High Priest and just saw the Prioress. I’ll meet with her again after evening Mass.”

“I see. Where are you from?”

“I’m from Songdal Village, north of Yotun Mountain.”

The village was so small they didn’t recognize the name, but both nodded at hearing “north of Yotun Mountain.”

“We’re from Hardanger! Same village. We’ve been here nearly five years. Last year we finished our novitiate and became full sisters.”

Adelin chattered excitedly.

“Hardanger…?”

“You’ve never heard of the legend of Voeringfoss? That’s near where we lived. You can’t imagine how grand that waterfall is.”

“Ah… I see.”

Iselin, much quieter than Adelin, spoke softly.

“If you don’t follow orders here, it’s trouble. Just meditation, prayer, Scripture reading, Mass—that’s all. Almost nothing else is allowed. Walks are only near the convent.”

The two explained various rules. Too many for young Lyset to remember—but their last reassurance, “Just stick with us!”, gave her real comfort.

While they were sharing stories of their home and grumbling about convent life, the door suddenly swung open.

A nun with brown hair and sharp eyes stood there, carrying several habits and a bag of supplies.

“A new novice arrived, yes? Is this the girl?”

“Ah, Sister Roze! You’re back?”

“I’d just hung the laundry when I met Sister Joanna. She said a new nun had arrived and told me to fetch the supplies from administration.”

Roze set down the baggage and approached Lyset.

“Peace in the Lord. Hello, I’m Roze.”

“I’m Lyset, from Songdal Village.”

“I see. I was born inside this very fortress.”

At that moment, Adelin cut in slyly.

“Her father is Sir Morten, the Knight Commander~!”

“That wasn’t necessary to say.”

Roze frowned slightly, while Adelin pretended innocence.

“You’ve heard enough chatter—let’s get you changed first!”

Seeing Lyset’s hesitation, Roze took her to the space between wardrobe and wall, pulling down the curtain above.

“This is our little dressing room. Haha. If you can’t manage, just tell me—I’ll help.”

“I can manage!”

Lyset emerged dressed.

The habit was far too large for her small frame, its chest marked with the novice’s Nordelweiss emblem. While Iselin adjusted her attire, Roze quickly stitched up the dragging hem.

By the time her luggage was sorted and bed assigned, it was already dinner.

“After supper, Mass begins right away. Come with us!”

When the bell rang, everyone filed out.

The dark corridors filled as doors opened and nuns poured out. Many eyed little Lyset curiously—she was far younger and smaller than most. She glanced around too, but saw only a handful near her own age.

They whispered among themselves. Some novices, only one or two years in and still mischievous, smiled or waved discreetly at the lone newcomer.

The great procession moved toward the refectory.

Dinner was only soup of potatoes, oats, and lamb with bread, a few blueberries, and cheese—but to Lyset’s eyes and tongue, it seemed a splendid feast.

Seeing Lyset’s blushing smile, Adelin snickered, “Haha, how far out in the sticks did you live?” Roze shot her a sharp glare, and Adelin coughed awkwardly.

“Normally there’s at least this much, so don’t worry about meals. Make the sign of the cross, give thanks, and eat. Unnecessary talk is forbidden while eating.”

Following Roze’s guidance, they prayed and began eating.

The food tasted wonderful. But what suffocated Lyset was that in the vast refectory filled wall to wall with nuns, no one spoke a word.

Only the slurping of soup and the clatter of spoons against bowls broke the silence.

Afterward, they went to the grand chapel, taking seats for the daily post-dinner Mass.

“We rotate singing hymns. Our turn is in two weeks, so we’ll start rehearsals tomorrow.”

Roze whispered as she watched those robed for choir lined up front.

Once the Mass was held and concluded, the prioress called Lyset up and introduced her to all.

—“In the name of the Lord, welcome, and may obedience to the faith be eternal!”

The sight of countless nuns stretching out their hands toward Lyset and chanting in unison was nothing short of terrifying for her. Pale and shaken, she was steadied back down by Roze and Iselin.

After that, a brief initiation rite for Lyset began.

When Lyset knelt at the front, every nun in the great chapel filed past, laying a hand on her head and murmuring, “Welcome, Sister. May grace fill your path as a Holy Sister.” Some even whispered brief prayers.

Lyset accepted it all with a beaming smile.

Finally, the prioress and senior-ranking nuns embraced her and offered their blessings.

Salt, fir needles, and dried petals were scattered around her, and she was given a new Scripture, a rosary, and a crucifix.

When the rite ended and everyone dispersed, only Roze and Lyset remained, heading to the prioress’s office for an audience.

“The audience won’t take long. I’ll wait outside.”

“Thank you.”

Roze knocked, and an assistant nun opened the door, ushering Lyset in.

Stepping inside, Lyset saw a chamber smaller than High Priest Kraf’s office but no less imposing. A massive statue of the Holy Mother dominated the room.

The assistant nun seated Lyset across from the prioress at her desk.

The prioress studied the light shining in Lyset’s eyes for a while before speaking.

“Welcome as a novice nun, Lyset—no, Sister Lyset. Normally the initiation is held grandly at the New Year, but today’s rite was no less solemn.”

“Thank you, Mother Superior.”

With tea served by the assistant nun, the prioress smiled warmly.

“How was the meal? Our convent cannot offer extravagance, but we do care for taste and nutrition.”

“It was very good. Delicious.”

Since it truly had been tasty, Lyset answered brightly. The prioress chuckled, finding her charming.

“Your roommates have likely explained much already… What I wish to ask is about the service you’ll take on. Here, whether novice or full nun, each serves—according to her talents or where hands are needed.”

“Can I serve too? What kind of work can I do?”

“Dining hall, cleaning, laundry, assisting at Mass, serving at the Cathedral’s soup kitchen and infirmary, helping in the library or archives… There are many.”

“The library and archives…”

Lyset repeated softly. Seeing this, the prioress explained more firmly, as if to temper her.

“Do not imagine the library means idly reading books. It is heavy work—hauling volumes, shelving them properly, organizing, cleaning. Quite hard labor.”

“What is the archives?”

“The archives preserve everything—the records of spiritual battles fought in this land, accounts of spreading faith, records of punishing and expelling heretics, and correspondence between churches—all kept and cataloged here.”

Lyset’s eyes lit up.

“But it is a very guarded place. Our little novice nun will not likely set foot there.”

The prioress sipped her tea with a smile.

“I want to serve in the library and archives!”

The prioress gazed at her intently. Lyset met her eyes steadily.

“Very well. You may serve there. For now, you are young—your tasks will be simple cleaning and sorting. But serve faithfully.”

After a few more words, the audience ended.

Lyset’s life as a nun had truly begun.