> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ann-cudworth-writes.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Tapestry (part 6 of 9) - URL: https://www.ann-cudworth-writes.com/the-tapestry-part-6-of-9/ - Published: 2026-10-27T12:49:31.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-27T12:49:31.000Z - Author: Ann Cudworth # ## VESPERS- Twelve Hours After Dawn Alberic finished the bottle on his desk while echoes of sonorous chanting slipped into his office through an open window. In front of him was the cracked glass box. Once again, he poked at the Excision with his pen, heedless of the temporal radiation and the damage it caused to his body. Stefen took a step closer as Alberic shut the box and looked at him. The image of a larger, more dominant Codex flickered on the Excision. It had changed since Stefen had brought it to the Master Reader. Alberic’s lower face twisted as his jaw clenched. He stifled a sob and for a moment could not get a word out. “Efran was dear to me. He was clever, occasionally frustrated by our system, but I didn’t think he was capable of this.” “Efran’s death must have been painful,” said Stefen. “No wonder he overdosed on Absent.” Alberic tightened his grip on the empty goblet; spots of color appeared on his face. His light gray eyes flashed with anger. “One of the Elaran slags showed Efran where to cut, but who among them wants to destroy us?” Alberic wanted someone to blame, and Stefen let him talk. He knew the Elarans were involved, but not why. They saw the future. Perhaps they acted to save Faith. “Who should we punish?” Alberic asked. Stefen didn’t answer. Punishment wasn’t the solution. “My Commonplace Book contains only one instruction for this,” said Alberic. Alberic’s eyes sought the dusty alcove containing an ancient voice pipe in his office. It connected to Saint Elara’s monastery. With a careful touch, he turned the old valve. Alberic tapped on the pipe with a small hammer that hung from a chain on the wall, then cleared his throat. “Hello?” said Father Alberic. “Is anyone there?” “Order of Saint Elara’s monastery. This is Mother Oda.” “Blessings to you, Mother. It’s Father Alberic.” Stefen heard a soft snort through the funnel, and then a muffled cough. “By the weave, I never expected to hear from you, Alberic. What’s happened?” “Oda, I have terrible news.” During the long pause, Alberic’s shoulders stiffened. Mother Oda’s voice came, flat and mechanical. “How bad is it?” “We have an Excision.” They heard a thump and a prolonged silence from the pipe. Alberic whispered to Stefen. “Has she fainted?” Stefen shrugged. Alberic jumped when she replied. “I’ll meet you in the Shared Sanctum, one hour.” Prayer rose from St. Axion’s cathedral. Efran’s funeral mass had begun. Alberic looked toward the window. “Alberic, did you hear me?” asked Mother Oda. “Yes, yes. I will be there.” Father Alberic closed the pipe and passed his hands through the three-fold blessing- the Loom, the Code, and the Codex. “Let Faith protect us.” # --- The Tapestry (part 6 of 9) Previously in The Tapestry: Both monasteries are under threat, and they must find a way to work together. The Tapestry is a science fantasy featuring hidden truth, secret identity, and last-minute rescue. Set in a clockwork world, it follows Alyse as she as she uncovers a break in the tapestry that runs her world, and Stefen — who isn't quite who he seems — racing to stop her before it all comes apart. Ann Cudworth (also writing as A. C. Worth) is the author of short fiction in Metaphorosis Magazine, Exterus, and Sci-Fi Lampoon, and the anthologies Score—An SFF Anthology, Radicle, and Sages of Metaphorosis. She writes science fiction and urban fantasy, shaped by workshops at Odyssey Writing Workshop and the Sarah Lawrence Writing Institute, as well as Futurescapes and the Juniper Writing Institute. Copyright 2026 Ann Cudworth. All rights reserved. Read more at [https://www.acworthwriter.com/](https://www.acworthwriter.com/?ref=ann-cudworth-writes.com)