The Order of Chaos didn’t have its own temples in Hazeldown, and in that way, they stole the hospitality of others. It was a tradition to make them so uncomfortable they’d kick you out. Abbot Violet Everdeen’s old bones knew she’d need to up her game as she stretched out, enjoying the roof of the sun temple. After a few months, the best she’d managed was whispers of warning and running at the signs of her approach.
“Blood and weeds, woman, put some clothing on!”
The growly yell didn’t come with any retreating footsteps, so she knew they were truly desperate as she stood up and stretched her wrinkly, loose skin that shook with every movement.
“Chaos doesn’t come with clothing! It’s naked and raw! The stuff your pappi and ma combined to make you. And you rejected it, Maxwell Bitterly, so don’t shield your eyes, if you want an answer to why it’s failing you now, you must look at me full on!”
When the former knight opened his eyes, Violet made sure to do a little dance.
“I forgot how awful you are. And if those bonds worked as you said they would, I might not have given in to the princess.”
“Lies, Sir Consort, it was your doubt about being Harmony’s agent of chaos that let her in, and even now you doubt.”
“Harm, saved me. I’m hers. That’s why I’m here talking to a madwoman. I can’t get enough chaos to summon her.” Max barked out, his eyes flashing pink.
“Not that. You doubt being a consort. Chaos is about contradictions. Embrace the madness of who you can be, and then you’ll get your magical spunk back.” Violet lectured. Youth these days have no backbone.
Violet changed her mind, maybe a little, as Maxwell charged her, his thick hand wrapping around her arm.
“Got you.”
“Ah, Saccerate. My master banished you years ago. Part of the issue is your spirit is drawing too much from you, boy.”
“Why aren’t you under my spell! Submit!”
Nothing Happened. Max shook her a little. Violet giggled slightly. Still nothing.
Maxwell let go, slumping to his knees in defeat. “I barely have the energy to use her to fend off the court vipers trying to influence my position as Rose’s consort. House White expects me to summon her as soon as I can, and I’m sure Harmony wants to know what is going on from wherever she chose to go to school. This was Saccerate’s idea, to wring secrets from you. Just tell me what I need to do.” He choked out, because with days of exhaustion and frustration came tears, and so the boy's spine disappeared again.
The Abbess shook her head and spat to the side. “Are you crying? There’s no crying. There’s no crying in chaos!” With a naked shove, she pushed him over. “Now stand up, strip naked, and grab your balls. We’re going to get kicked out of this temple and then deal with those court fungal growths. Then I’ll use my last few years to teach you all about the greatest game there is.”