Chapter 1:
The Saint of Parnacorta
WELCOME! A big, big, big welcome to Her Holiness, Saint Philia!
“Huh?”
I’d been driven in a horse-drawn carriage to a checkpoint, where I went through immigration procedures. After that, I transferred to another carriage that was equipped for mountain crossing. At last, I reached the capital of the kingdom of Parnacorta, which spanned a vast basin.
I’d been ordered to begin my work as a saint in the capital. I changed into my robes and entered the church, nervous about my first job in a new kingdom.
A large banner hung from the ceiling. I read it, then reread it. Surely there was something wrong with my vision.
Welcome! A big, big, big welcome to Her Holiness, Saint Philia!
No, that was definitely what the banner said. But why? Parnacorta had spent a fortune to buy me, so I expected to be put to work at once handling monsters. This was like…like…
“Greetings, Saint Philia.” A middle-aged man with dark hair, glasses, and a pointed red hat bowed deeply. As he rose, I saw he was smiling from ear to ear. “Thank you so much for coming from your doubtless beloved kingdom to save Parnacorta! I am Bishop Bjorn, the head of this church. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
Behind him stood a crowd, apparently of church officials. I noticed tables piled with an array of delicious-looking food.
I spoke hesitantly. “Is this…a party?”
“Of course! It’s not much, but a welcome party was the least we could do for you, Saint Philia. I made the cake myself.”
“A…a welcome party? But what exactly…”
“Come now, everyone’s been looking forward to your arrival. Have a drink!” Bishop Bjorn handed me a glass and launched into a toast.
I automatically accepted the drink, still baffled. “Excuse me, I came here because I was told there was work to do…”
“Yes, and your job for today is to attend your welcome party! Everyone’s so glad that you’re here. The food here is from a nearby restaurant called The Hungry Wolf; the owner wanted you to have a taste of local cuisine. How is it? We planned a reception for this evening, but if you’re tired, we can call it off. We can always celebrate more later!” The bishop bowed again.
I was overcome with embarrassment. “Please raise your head. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never attended a party like this…”
That wasn’t strictly true. I’d been to a few parties, but never one where I was the guest of honor. The engagement party for Prince Julius and myself had, of course, been called off. Besides, I didn’t do well at parties. I wasn’t sociable; I never knew what to talk about. As Prince Julius said, I was dull. In festive situations, I just wound up feeling out of place.
As I was lost in these thoughts, the welcome party began. I sighed to myself. Time to be a wallflower…
“Hey! How’s the salad? Good, right?”
As I was nibbling at my salad, a handsome blond man struck up a conversation with me. He must be one of the church’s associates, I decided.
Before I could respond, he continued. “I grew all those vegetables myself! It wasn’t easy with the drought we’ve been having this year.”
He was a farmer? So the guests weren’t just church officials.
“Is that so?” I said. “Give me two or three days, and I can increase the rainfall here.” Controlling the weather used to be difficult for me, but I’d slowly gotten the hang of it.
“Wow, really? It’s true what they say. Saints really are something else, huh? In that case, I’ll work twice as hard to get the crops ready!”
“You seem to be having quite the lively conversation, Prince Osvalt,” Bishop Bjorn remarked.
Wait… Prince Osvalt? As I recalled, that was the name of Parnacorta’s second-eldest prince.
I had to ask. “Bishop Bjorn…is this man His Highness, Prince Osvalt?”
“It is as you say, my lady.”
✦ ✦ ✦
His Highness beamed in response. “Nice meeting you! I’ll be counting on you, Saint Philia.”
It was the first day of my new life in Parnacorta, and my welcome party was already proving a surprise in more ways than one.