Post by Solana on Mar 10, 2024 9:42:09 GMT -5
Chapter One- Dreams of Gold
Leo smiled to himself as he watched his little sister dig frantically through her trunk. Little Mauri, finally to be ordained as a priestess alongside her beloved Ronfar after all of this time.
The three apprentice priestess robes she owned were finally draped across her small bed for her inspection- a pure white, a pale green, and a simple brown.
Normally calm and unflappable, there were three main pillars in Mauri's life- her love for Ronfar, her love for her brother, and her love for their Goddess. Only something that affected one of those was enough to shake her.
"Come now, Mauri- after you are ordained, you are to receive a new robe. What does this one matter?" Leo finally asked.
"It's not that...." she muttered under her breath, then finally sighed. "Ronfar and I have awaited this day for so very long. I want him to be proud of me."
Ah, there it was. While his best friend and sister had walked down the same path, each had their strengths and weaknesses. Mauri was undoubtedly the stronger healer of the two, while Ronfar was the better orator and more comfortable in crowds. Mauri would have been happy to be ordained with the two of them and their mentor, Balse.
The Chosen had decided otherwise. After spending all but the last of their years studying in Pentagulia, new priests and priestesses were to be ordained in Azado's great shrine. There were ten candidates who were ready to be recognized in the eyes of Althena as dedicated servants for life.
Finally, Leo took pity on his sister. "Ronfar has always loved you in green," he reminded her, pointing to the pale green robe.
Mauri's face brightened. "You're right. Thank you, brother." She kissed his cheek in gratitude and shooed him out of her room so that she could get ready.
Mauri took a deep breath of the incense inside Azado's cathedral, feeling it calming her very spirit. The scent spoke to her of home as much as the wildflowers outside of Raculi did.
"Ronfar will be meeting you here?" Leo asked as they went to the side room where the priestly candidates would be waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Mauri nodded. "Jamil was asking Ronfar for some last-minute coaching. He seemed to be sure this time that he would fail."
Leo chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Not again. I've never known a priest who was so pessimistic. Next he'll be predicting the end of all the Chosen."
Mauri frowned at him. "Don't even joke about that. The darkness is always coming for Althena and her children, and our vows are to forever stand between them."
Leo sobered immediately, reaching out to adjust the lapel of his Corps dress uniform. "You are right, sister. Forgive me, this is a duty that should never be taken lightly."
"Forgiven. Thank you for being here for us today," Mauri said happily. With the two men she loved most by her side, how could she be anything other than confident?
"I wouldn't miss it for all of Lunar. I will be in the front row," Leo promised, then let Mauri go on alone to the side room while he took a seat in the front pew as promised.
Mauri smoothed down her green robe nervously, took another breath, then entered the side room. As promised, Ronfar had been waiting for her.
As long as they had loved each other, the sight of him could still be enough to take her breath away. He stood in front of the small statue of their Goddess, his hands folded neatly in front of him, a look of rapture and adoration in his eyes. For all his ribbing and joking around, this was the ultimate quest of his life.
Ronfar turned, and the rapture and adoration in his eyes were only enhanced by the love that came in when seeing her. Mauri felt the same, her knees going weak at the passion blazing in his expression.
He smiled as they rushed to each other, folding her tenderly in his arms and planting a gentle kiss on her head. "We finally did it, sugarplum. All of the studying and prayers and hard work has led to this day at last."
Mauri playfully pushed him back. "Not yet," she reminded him, shaking a finger. "We still have one more test to pass."
Ronfar grinned and rubbed the back of his head ruefully. "Always the voice of reason."
"Not always." Mauri giggled as she pulled Ronfar back for a deep kiss. He chuckled and held her close, hands cradling the back of her head.
A loud cough interrupted them. Jamil, the short and perpetually nervous candidate priest that Ronfar had taken under his wing was walking through the door with the other seven candidates.
"That guy's timing," Ronfar whispered with a grumble as Mauri tried to hide her smile. Ronfar grinned instead and traded arm clasps with Jamil. "We finally made it, bud. Way to prove everyone else wrong."
Two of the candidates who had heckled Jamil constantly suddenly found the floor of the shrine fascinating. One was a tall, stocky redhead while the other was a short, slender blonde. Both had considered Raculi a backwater that could not possibly have produced three priestly candidates. Ronfar and Mauri had swiftly proven them wrong, while Ronfar had been helping Jamil to catch up.
"Do you know where you'd like to be posted, Ronfar?" Jamil asked, turning his back on his bullies.
"Hmmm, that's a good question," Ronfar said slowly, glancing at Mauri. They had talked of it, knowing the slim possibility that they would be sent together. "If I can't get sent somewhere with Mauri, Larpa could be a fun challenge."
"Larpa?!" Jamil squeaked, "Ronfar, you're a prodigy! You or Mauri could be High Priest."
Ronfar burst out laughing. "Me? Please, if they ever gave me power like that, I'd be corrupted in a week."
"I think you'd be a very fine High Priest," Mauri protested.
Ronfar shook his head with a grin. "Nope, that's not what I want. Standing on ceremony all the time, only reading from books- no. I'll get my hands dirty working alongside people, healing and helping them out."
"Returning to your roots, dirt grubber?" asked the redhead.
Ronfar yawned and made a gesture that he had learned from some patients he had healed from a bar fight. He had refused to explain to Mauri exactly what it meant, but the redhead went pink with anger and shut her mouth. Mauri wasn't sure it was wise to do that in the shrine on the very day of their ordination, but Althena knew Ronfar's heart.
The three were still chatting of their future plans as clergy and hearing about Jamil's family back home when their mentor arrived. Balse, who had spent the last few years training them all, entered the room with the reassuring smile he was famous for. "Good afternoon, everyone. We have worked together for some time and are now at the end of the very first step. The rest of your lives will be a journey in serving the Goddess."
Murmurs of assent came from the candidates. They had rehearsed the ceremony last night and swiftly got into the order that had been predetermined. Mauri was eighth, just ahead of Ronfar and Jamil.
"Does everyone remember what to do? There is no shame in asking questions, now or ever," Balse assured them.
No one had any. Ronfar was as confident as could be, while Jamil was taking deep breaths and trying not to throw up. Mauri reminded herself to keep her eyes on Leo in the crowds.
"Very well. I will begin the ceremony and will call you when I'm ready for you. No matter what happens, Althena is with you today and always," Balse finished.
"Today and always," the candidates echoed. Balse ducked through the door into the main area of the shrine.
Surprisingly, Mauri even found Jamil's continued whispering of "You can do this, you can do this," soothing. There was silence, murmuring of vows, and then applause before the next candidate was called out.
Three times, there were groans instead of applause. Mauri felt Ronfar's hand take hers in a gentle squeeze. Every year there were candidates that were rejected. To come so close, and fail in the very last test...
No, she wouldn't let herself think like that. She had to trust in Althena and herself.
Finally, the young acolyte who had been fetching the candidates came for her. "Candidate Mauri, it's your turn."
Mauri had to smile. The acolyte was in his early teens, his chest thrust out in pride at being selected for this role in the ceremony. As she started to pass him, she got a strange nudge and instead reached out her hand to rest on his head for a minute. "Althena's blessings on you, younger brother, now and when it is your turn."
The acolyte looked up at her in wonder. Had the Goddess laid her blessing down through her? Was this a sign of her acceptance? There was only one way to know.
As she entered the main hall of the Shrine, she spotted Leo immediately. He was in the front row as promised, beaming at the sight of his little sister here to fulfill her dream at last. Then there was only Balse waiting for her, and she hurried her steps to him.
"Candidate Mauri, why have you come here?" he asked.
"I have come to ask the Goddess to accept me as her own priestess," Mauri answered.
"First you must be purified. By the air of the white dragon," Balse began, waving a large white fan that supposedly had a feather that had once belonged to the white dragon himself. "By the water of the blue," he continued, sprinkling her with water from the pools surrounding the blue dragon cave. "By the earth of the black and the fire of the red," he finished, lighting a stick of incense made from plants growing over the black dragon cave with a coal from the red dragon cave and waving it around her.
Mauri kept her eyes on the statue of the Goddess, her heart singing, yes! Yes! Yes! with every beat.
"Kneel for Althena's blessing, child," Balse instructed. Mauri dropped to her knees, her head down in humility. "May you be touched by her beauty and love in your quest to pass her blessings onto others." She was being sprinkled again, this time with rosewater made from roses grown at the Shrines. Each drop felt like a small kiss from the heavens.
"Now, make your vows," Balse instructed.
This was the hardest part of the ordination- writing and speaking vows from the heart. It was forbidden to seek aid or feedback of any kind- the words could come from the heart of the candidate alone. Leo and Ronfar had refused to enter rooms she would use to work on them to keep from influencing her in any way.
Mauri raised her eyes to the smiling, compassionate gaze of her Goddess. "Mother Althena, I beg you to hear me," she began. Her voice was calmer and stronger than she had thought it would be. "Let me bring healing where there is sickness, and love where there is strife. Let me carry your love and show all its beauty to your children. I beg you, let me be worthy of borrowing your blessings, to help be your hands and your voice to all of Lunar and perhaps even the Blue Star one day." She swallowed hard. "If not as your priestess, then let me find another, truer way to serve you."
Leo shut his eyes at this statement, while Balse's eyebrows shot up in astonishment. Murmurs arose in the Shrine's audience.
Mauri didn't waver. Yes, she wanted to be a priestess, and it would break her heart to be rejected. But it was about the service, the work among the people, that mattered more than fancy robes and books.
It took Balse a moment to recover his composure. "Ah, your vows have been made," he stammered, then shook his head. "Rise, Candidate Mauri, for the final test."
Mauri got to her feet and accepted the unbloomed rose that Balse gave to her. "You will now recite the last half of the Litany of Potential. Althena will display her desires for you, whether your service is as an anointed priestess or otherwise."
Mauri cupped the rosebud in her hands and began to chant. "Goddess Althena, Mother of Lunar and the Blue Star, I ask this of you- look inside me. See my heart, my soul, my strengths and my weaknesses. Show me your will, that all may behold it!"
The rose began to open, and Mauri held up her hands. The pink petals slowly lightened to a spotless white that was shining like a little star in her hands. Mauri gasped as happy tears trickled down her face. She was accepted as a priestess that would specialize in healing, as she had prayed.
Balse took the rose and placed it in a nearby basket, to be added to a bottle of anointing oil for next year's candidates. "Let all who stand here witness that the Goddess has accepted Mauri into her service. Welcome to the Chosen, dear sister," he declared. Cheers and applause rose from the audience. Leo was seen wiping away a few tears of his own.
Mauri's pale green apprentice robe was removed, leaving her in a cream-colored shift, and she was given a beautiful pale blue with the sigils of a priestess. The soft silk felt like a blessing as it settled around her body, and she felt like she was floating on a cloud. She smiled and bowed at everyone's good wishes for her and went to join the other new clergy.
She suddenly realized who was missing from the candidates. Neither of Jamil's bullies had been accepted, nor a young man who had been caught cheating on tests more than once. The three had been escorted out of the Shrine, never to be allowed to try again for the priesthood.
Any thoughts in that direction stopped as she saw Ronfar enter the main hall. He grinned and winked at her, not surprised at her acceptance, and didn't seem too worried about his own. Balse wore the same half proud, half exasperated look at his star pupil making his entrance as he usually did when teaching him.
At last it was time for his own vows. Mauri and Leo both leaned forward, curious as to what Ronfar had come up with.
He looked up at the statue with a bright smile. "Mother Althena, I have a lot to thank you for. These last years have taught me more than I could ever have guessed about beauty and love."
He paused and glanced over at Mauri pointedly. Mauri blushed but smiled back, honored by being included in his vows.
Ronfar turned his gaze back up to the statue. "But at the end of the day, that's what it's all about, right? Love. Love is the power of creation, love heals the heart and soul as recovery magic heals the body, and love brings your children together to accomplish amazing things." He then moved his gaze to the crowd. "But love is in the little things, too. Bringing over chicken soup when your neighbor is sick. Being there when someone is in pain, even without the right words. Bringing a daffodil you picked to your love just to see her smile."
The crowd murmured to each other, impressed with the vows. Mauri's heart was bursting with pride and joy as Ronfar shifted to face Balse. "That's what I want to do as a priest. Use recovery magic, my hands, my words, or even just being there to help bring more love into the world. Mother Althena, if it be your will, help me to do it."
Pride had won over the exasperation on Balse's face. "Rise, Candidate Ronfar, for the final test." He passed over another pink rosebud. "Recite the second half of the Litany of Potential, and we shall see what the Goddess wishes for you."
Ronfar chanted it swiftly and held out the rose. The petals began to shimmer as they opened and half darkened to a burgundy wine shade for orators while the other half turned a brilliant white. Gasps and applause rang out, for it was unheard of to have TWO colors appear on a rose.
"Let all see and know that the Goddess has accepted Ronfar into her service as a true priest. Welcome to the Chosen, brother," Balse said sincerely.
Ronfar bowed to the statue, and then to Balse. "Thanks to you and the grace of Althena." His brown apprentice robe was removed to be replaced with a bright orange robe embroidered with sigils. Smiling, Balse gestured for Ronfar to join the others.
Mauri threw her arms around Ronfar, forgetting that the ceremony wasn't over yet. "I'm so proud of you, and so honored."
"I have Leo and you to thank as well, love. Let's see how Jamil does," Ronfar replied. He held Mauri close as they watched their friend.
Jamil stood strong during the purifications, and his vows spoke of love in the form of friendship and support and the grace of Althena. When it was his turn to take the rosebud, Ronfar's grip on Mauri's hand tightened.
The rose opened up, and the petals turned a dazzling gold. The color of a teacher.
"What?! This can't... I can't...." Jamil stammered.
"You can and you will do well at this, Priest Jamil. We have seen how patient and wise you are with the acolytes. The Goddess isn't wrong," Balse admonished him.
Jamil looked at the statue again, and a look of determination filled his eyes. "Then I will have to prove her right."
Balse patted his shoulder proudly. "Indeed. Let all who see bear witness that Jamil has been accepted as a true priest by Althena herself. Welcome to the Chosen, brother."
Jamil's family was cheering loudly from behind Leo. The beastman had joined in, nodding sagely to Ronfar for his role. Ronfar himself was clapping wildly, as proud as he had been for his own declaration.
"Today we welcome seven new members of the Chosen. Please grant them your patience and wisdom even as we learn from theirs. May the Goddess bless us all!" Balse finished, his arms raised.
"May she bless us indeed," everyone responded as those in the crowd who hadn't been on their feet cheering Jamil rose now. Those in the back began making their way to the doors.
Mauri smiled and took Ronfar's hand. "We should go rejoin Leo-"
"Wait a minute, sugarplum. Please?" Ronfar asked.
A flash of alarm went through her. They had just passed their last test and achieved their greatest dream. Why did her beloved look so nervous? "What is it? Did something happen during your ordination?"
Ronfar shook his head, causing Mauri to relax a bit. "It's not that. It's just.... " he hesitated, then thrust his hand in a robe pocket. "We have to wait three years now. Three years before we can even think about..."
"Getting married," Mauri finished in a breath. This law of the Chosen was very clear. New priests and new soldiers of the Guard owed the Goddess three years. Three years of complete, dedicated service before getting married or having children.
"Yeah. Balse said that they even frown on engagements rings, so I thought... if you want to, we can do an... 'unofficial engagement'?" Ronfar finished nervously. He fished something out of his robe pocket and showed it to her.
It was a gold locket, engraved with one of the seals of Althena. Inside was a tiny, perfect portrait of the two of them. Ronfar was standing on one of the rocks just past Raculi's beach, Mauri's hand in his as she carefully stepped towards him.
"Ronfar, it's so beautiful. You and I together in the hand of Althena," Mauri whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I know it's a gamble to do this now before our three years, but I'm betting the whole pot on you. On us," Ronfar murmured.
Mauri laughed. "And my answer in three years will be the same as tonight- yes."
Ronfar whooped as he slipped the locket over Mauri's head, then pulled her tightly into a passionate kiss. Mauri's heart was singing as she kissed her beloved, her betrothed, with all the love that she possessed.
It felt like another ordination as the Goddess bathed them in her love. She could almost hear her laughing in delight.
From the lack of surprise on Leo's face as the lovebirds finally caught up to him, he had been in on Ronfar's plan. It was equally clear that he approved. He reached out and took them both in a group hug. "I'm so proud of you both. Althena has blessed us all."
"Especially with me as your younger brother-in-law in three years," Ronfar added, jostling Leo's shoulder.
Leo bared his teeth in a smile. "Yes, and as your elder brother, I must say this- if you ever hurt Mauri or make her cry, I will see you on the battlefield."
Ronfar laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "If I ever do, I'll let you have the first hit."
Mauri shivered suddenly. The sensitivity that helped her so greatly as a healer let her feel the truth behind both mens' words. Why could she almost see that day, as fire and smoke danced in the background of a room she couldn't make out-
"-ri? Mauri? I made a reservation at the Black Gull for us if you're hungry," Leo said loudly, obviously having tried to get her attention for some time.
Mauri blinked the image away. "Yes, please. We have a lot to celebrate today!"
"Everything all right, love?" Ronfar asked, recognizing her expression.
Mauri nodded, determined to wall that silly thought away. How could she think of fire and destruction on such a day, when she was beginning one dream of her life and ready to plan another? "It is," she answered, squeezing his hand. He squeezed back, dropping the subject.
It was a merry supper, filled with the start of wedding plans and guesses as to where they would be assigned. With her brother and her husband-to-be making her laugh and blush in turns, Mauri forgot her fears and instead looked forward to a blessed future.
The week after ordination kept all of the new priests and priestesses busy. There was packing, getting their new vestments, giving thanks to their teachers, and a day of fasting for a holiday commemorating the creation of the Chosen.
On the day that they received their first assignments, Ronfar threw his efforts into their last dinner together for a while. Leo would return to his service with the Corps while each of the new clergy had received envelopes with their first assignment. Ronfar had pleaded with Mauri that they eat first and open them together afterwards.
Mauri couldn't refuse. She carried the unopened gray envelope, a small box, and a tin containing some cookies she had found time to bake. Leo carried a few small bottles of sparkling juice for the meal. (With an early start and Ronfar and Mauri's first official days as clergy starting, no one wanted to be hungover.)
Delicious smells and slightly off-tune singing met the siblings as they made their way to Ronfar's quarters. He was adept at making tasty meals with limited tools and frugal ingredients, something many of the clergy in training had grown to appreciate (and pay for) along with his tutoring.
As for his singing... Mauri told herself that his spoken words were romantic enough.
Leo knocked briskly. "Come in, dinner is just about ready!" Ronfar hollered. "I hope you brought your appetites!"
Mauri gasped when she saw the feast spread out on the little table. Every dish was a specialty of Raculi. There were the harder wheat rolls preferred in the southern mountains. A bowl of salad with topped with edible wildflowers. A dish of veggie sauce was waiting to grace the fish that Ronfar was just finishing frying up.
"Where in Althena's name did you find ruby grouper?" Leo asked in astonishment.
Ronfar grinned and flipped the fish fillets onto three plates. "Jamil's family are fisherfolk," he reminded him. "They thought that we'd appreciate a taste of home as a thank you."
"They weren't wrong." Leo heaped the veggie sauce on his fish and took an enormous forkful, then closed his eyes in bliss. "Goddess, Ronfar, are you sure I can't conscript you to come cook for the Corps instead?"
Mauri giggled at the thought of Ronfar running the canteen for large groups of hungry soldiers. "Sorry, bud. You're the one who told me that we had to make sacrifices in our service to the Goddess," Ronfar answered with a straight face.
Leo took another huge bite. "In terms of training and study, yes. Have you TRIED the abomination they call 'lunch'?!" (Another forkful.) "Shameful. Absolutely shameful."
"I have tried to teach you how to cook, brother," Mauri reminded him.
"Wait, what? I haven't heard this story." Ronfar leaned forward eagerly.
Leo blushed. "That's because there's nothing to tell."
"Your face says otherwise, buddy," Ronfar pointed out, deftly avoiding the under the table kick that Leo aimed at him. He turned his puppy dog eyes on Mauri. "Please?"
Mauri never could resist that look. Ignoring Leo's shaking head, she told of the time they had gone fishing on the Minea Sea coast and tried to cook their catches over the fire. Leo had gotten impatient with using a tiny knife to clean the fish and had used his practice sword instead. His training master had been furious and had assigned him the task of cleaning and caring for his entire class's swords and armor for a month.
Leo countered with one where they pretended to be masked heroes of justice as children and he had tried to teach Mauri the rudiments of swordplay with sticks. (Then, as now, she preferred the bow that their father had taught her to use.) Ronfar brought up the story of trying to protect Mauri from monsters that were way too strong for him, but making a promise to become a man strong enough to protect her.
The rest of the meal was spent sharing favorite memories of Raculi and their training. Leo talked of training new recruits and the mishaps of being a squad leader. Mauri had a few stories she'd heard from patients, while Ronfar added a few of certain pranks he had talked Jamil into joining him on for some of his bullies.
With cups of sparkling juice downed and a round of cookies eaten, it was finally time to open the gray envelopes. Mauri saw how Ronfar's hands were shaking slightly on his. "Why don't you go first, love?" she suggested.
"Yeah. Let's see where I'm needed," Ronfar answered. Despite the delicious dinner, he looked like he was going to be sick. He cracked open his envelope and scanned the contents. "Zaback?" he mused. "They have miners to treat from accidents and also need a good orator. That could be okay."
Mauri followed suit. Her face fell as she read hers. "Zulan," she said quietly. "They're having a terrible winter and desperately need a priestess who specializes in healing."
Ronfar took Mauri's hand and squeezed it, and she squeezed back. Her other hand went to her engagement locket. Yes, they had known it was likely they would be separated, but to be so far...
Leo cleared his throat. "Both are worthy tasks, and both are suited to your own talents."
Ronfar let out a harsh breath. "We knew this was coming. It's what the Goddess' people need, not what we want."
"Married couples are posted together, sugarbuns. This isn't permanent," Mauri reminded him, trying to push down the lump in her throat.
"You will have at least a few more days together. The Corps will be delivering you all to your first assignments on the Dragonship Destiny," Leo announced proudly.
Mauri couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement over a chance to ride on the famous ship that Leo loved so much. Or to see her brother in action on that ship.
"This wouldn't happen to be a way to entice more people to join the Chosen, would it?" Ronfar asked with a smirk.
"I-" Leo flushed red as Ronfar and Mauri chuckled. The beastman quickly recovered. "Perhaps," he admitted, "But it is a great act of service, and a way to formally welcome you to your new duties."
"If it leads to a few more days together, I can't say no," Ronfar said happily.
"I'm looking forward to it, brother," Mauri agreed.
After cleaning up after dinner, Leo excused himself. He was pleading needing an early start for sword training the next day so he didn't get rusty while on leave from the Corps.
"Are we THAT obvious?" Ronfar murmured to Mauri as they drifted into Ronfar's bedroom.
Mauri took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "Yes. But Leo is a good big brother."
Ronfar grinned. "He is. In a few years, he'll be my big brother-in-law, too."
Mauri reached up with her free hand to caress the locket that rested over her heart before reaching into her pocket for the small box that rested there. "I have my own pre-engagement present for you, love." She took a seat on the bed, patting the spot next to her in invitation.
Ronfar didn't need any prodding. He accepted the small box and opened it curiously, then let out a low gasp.
Sitting inside was a pair of beautifully carved dice. They weren't quite ivory but appeared to be some kind of bone. He picked them up, noticing how they felt light yet strong. "They're amazing, but what are they made of?" He gave them a practice toss.
"Wyburn bone," Mauri answered. Ronfar turned to stare at her in shock. "You have always said that you wanted to protect me, Ronfar. You can heal yourself and are skilled in using a mace, but you still need something for a magical attack. These will call up fire in battle."
"So I'll be totally covered," Ronfar said happily. Yes, he could feel the faint hearts of fire inside each die.
"I've also heard that dice are more lucky when they are a gift, especially from one's beloved," Mauri added impishly.
"Mauri, I've been rolling double sixes since the day I met you," Ronfar said sincerely. He held up the dice. "Blow on them for me?"
"Of course." Mauri took his hand in hers and carefully blew on each die. Ronfar gave them a toss onto the bed, and they came up double sixes.
"I knew it. You're still my luck," Ronfar said with a grin. He reached out and kissed her thank you before tucking them safely into a pocket. Then his eyes traveled over to his and Mauri's first posts as official clergy, so far apart from each other, and he sighed.
Mauri felt his pain echoed in her own heart and placed her hand over his. "I know. We do what we do for the love of the Goddess and our people."
"Three years...." Ronfar shook his head, "How are we going to wait that long to be wed?"
Mauri took him in her arms. "But not yet, love. We don't have to depart until tomorrow."
At the burning look in her eyes, Ronfar felt an answering flame rise inside of him. "True. We'll just have to make the most of the time we have."
"Mmm-hmmm." Mauri reached out to quench the candle on her table before turning back to her love.
Leo smiled to himself as he watched his little sister dig frantically through her trunk. Little Mauri, finally to be ordained as a priestess alongside her beloved Ronfar after all of this time.
The three apprentice priestess robes she owned were finally draped across her small bed for her inspection- a pure white, a pale green, and a simple brown.
Normally calm and unflappable, there were three main pillars in Mauri's life- her love for Ronfar, her love for her brother, and her love for their Goddess. Only something that affected one of those was enough to shake her.
"Come now, Mauri- after you are ordained, you are to receive a new robe. What does this one matter?" Leo finally asked.
"It's not that...." she muttered under her breath, then finally sighed. "Ronfar and I have awaited this day for so very long. I want him to be proud of me."
Ah, there it was. While his best friend and sister had walked down the same path, each had their strengths and weaknesses. Mauri was undoubtedly the stronger healer of the two, while Ronfar was the better orator and more comfortable in crowds. Mauri would have been happy to be ordained with the two of them and their mentor, Balse.
The Chosen had decided otherwise. After spending all but the last of their years studying in Pentagulia, new priests and priestesses were to be ordained in Azado's great shrine. There were ten candidates who were ready to be recognized in the eyes of Althena as dedicated servants for life.
Finally, Leo took pity on his sister. "Ronfar has always loved you in green," he reminded her, pointing to the pale green robe.
Mauri's face brightened. "You're right. Thank you, brother." She kissed his cheek in gratitude and shooed him out of her room so that she could get ready.
Mauri took a deep breath of the incense inside Azado's cathedral, feeling it calming her very spirit. The scent spoke to her of home as much as the wildflowers outside of Raculi did.
"Ronfar will be meeting you here?" Leo asked as they went to the side room where the priestly candidates would be waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Mauri nodded. "Jamil was asking Ronfar for some last-minute coaching. He seemed to be sure this time that he would fail."
Leo chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Not again. I've never known a priest who was so pessimistic. Next he'll be predicting the end of all the Chosen."
Mauri frowned at him. "Don't even joke about that. The darkness is always coming for Althena and her children, and our vows are to forever stand between them."
Leo sobered immediately, reaching out to adjust the lapel of his Corps dress uniform. "You are right, sister. Forgive me, this is a duty that should never be taken lightly."
"Forgiven. Thank you for being here for us today," Mauri said happily. With the two men she loved most by her side, how could she be anything other than confident?
"I wouldn't miss it for all of Lunar. I will be in the front row," Leo promised, then let Mauri go on alone to the side room while he took a seat in the front pew as promised.
Mauri smoothed down her green robe nervously, took another breath, then entered the side room. As promised, Ronfar had been waiting for her.
As long as they had loved each other, the sight of him could still be enough to take her breath away. He stood in front of the small statue of their Goddess, his hands folded neatly in front of him, a look of rapture and adoration in his eyes. For all his ribbing and joking around, this was the ultimate quest of his life.
Ronfar turned, and the rapture and adoration in his eyes were only enhanced by the love that came in when seeing her. Mauri felt the same, her knees going weak at the passion blazing in his expression.
He smiled as they rushed to each other, folding her tenderly in his arms and planting a gentle kiss on her head. "We finally did it, sugarplum. All of the studying and prayers and hard work has led to this day at last."
Mauri playfully pushed him back. "Not yet," she reminded him, shaking a finger. "We still have one more test to pass."
Ronfar grinned and rubbed the back of his head ruefully. "Always the voice of reason."
"Not always." Mauri giggled as she pulled Ronfar back for a deep kiss. He chuckled and held her close, hands cradling the back of her head.
A loud cough interrupted them. Jamil, the short and perpetually nervous candidate priest that Ronfar had taken under his wing was walking through the door with the other seven candidates.
"That guy's timing," Ronfar whispered with a grumble as Mauri tried to hide her smile. Ronfar grinned instead and traded arm clasps with Jamil. "We finally made it, bud. Way to prove everyone else wrong."
Two of the candidates who had heckled Jamil constantly suddenly found the floor of the shrine fascinating. One was a tall, stocky redhead while the other was a short, slender blonde. Both had considered Raculi a backwater that could not possibly have produced three priestly candidates. Ronfar and Mauri had swiftly proven them wrong, while Ronfar had been helping Jamil to catch up.
"Do you know where you'd like to be posted, Ronfar?" Jamil asked, turning his back on his bullies.
"Hmmm, that's a good question," Ronfar said slowly, glancing at Mauri. They had talked of it, knowing the slim possibility that they would be sent together. "If I can't get sent somewhere with Mauri, Larpa could be a fun challenge."
"Larpa?!" Jamil squeaked, "Ronfar, you're a prodigy! You or Mauri could be High Priest."
Ronfar burst out laughing. "Me? Please, if they ever gave me power like that, I'd be corrupted in a week."
"I think you'd be a very fine High Priest," Mauri protested.
Ronfar shook his head with a grin. "Nope, that's not what I want. Standing on ceremony all the time, only reading from books- no. I'll get my hands dirty working alongside people, healing and helping them out."
"Returning to your roots, dirt grubber?" asked the redhead.
Ronfar yawned and made a gesture that he had learned from some patients he had healed from a bar fight. He had refused to explain to Mauri exactly what it meant, but the redhead went pink with anger and shut her mouth. Mauri wasn't sure it was wise to do that in the shrine on the very day of their ordination, but Althena knew Ronfar's heart.
The three were still chatting of their future plans as clergy and hearing about Jamil's family back home when their mentor arrived. Balse, who had spent the last few years training them all, entered the room with the reassuring smile he was famous for. "Good afternoon, everyone. We have worked together for some time and are now at the end of the very first step. The rest of your lives will be a journey in serving the Goddess."
Murmurs of assent came from the candidates. They had rehearsed the ceremony last night and swiftly got into the order that had been predetermined. Mauri was eighth, just ahead of Ronfar and Jamil.
"Does everyone remember what to do? There is no shame in asking questions, now or ever," Balse assured them.
No one had any. Ronfar was as confident as could be, while Jamil was taking deep breaths and trying not to throw up. Mauri reminded herself to keep her eyes on Leo in the crowds.
"Very well. I will begin the ceremony and will call you when I'm ready for you. No matter what happens, Althena is with you today and always," Balse finished.
"Today and always," the candidates echoed. Balse ducked through the door into the main area of the shrine.
Surprisingly, Mauri even found Jamil's continued whispering of "You can do this, you can do this," soothing. There was silence, murmuring of vows, and then applause before the next candidate was called out.
Three times, there were groans instead of applause. Mauri felt Ronfar's hand take hers in a gentle squeeze. Every year there were candidates that were rejected. To come so close, and fail in the very last test...
No, she wouldn't let herself think like that. She had to trust in Althena and herself.
Finally, the young acolyte who had been fetching the candidates came for her. "Candidate Mauri, it's your turn."
Mauri had to smile. The acolyte was in his early teens, his chest thrust out in pride at being selected for this role in the ceremony. As she started to pass him, she got a strange nudge and instead reached out her hand to rest on his head for a minute. "Althena's blessings on you, younger brother, now and when it is your turn."
The acolyte looked up at her in wonder. Had the Goddess laid her blessing down through her? Was this a sign of her acceptance? There was only one way to know.
As she entered the main hall of the Shrine, she spotted Leo immediately. He was in the front row as promised, beaming at the sight of his little sister here to fulfill her dream at last. Then there was only Balse waiting for her, and she hurried her steps to him.
"Candidate Mauri, why have you come here?" he asked.
"I have come to ask the Goddess to accept me as her own priestess," Mauri answered.
"First you must be purified. By the air of the white dragon," Balse began, waving a large white fan that supposedly had a feather that had once belonged to the white dragon himself. "By the water of the blue," he continued, sprinkling her with water from the pools surrounding the blue dragon cave. "By the earth of the black and the fire of the red," he finished, lighting a stick of incense made from plants growing over the black dragon cave with a coal from the red dragon cave and waving it around her.
Mauri kept her eyes on the statue of the Goddess, her heart singing, yes! Yes! Yes! with every beat.
"Kneel for Althena's blessing, child," Balse instructed. Mauri dropped to her knees, her head down in humility. "May you be touched by her beauty and love in your quest to pass her blessings onto others." She was being sprinkled again, this time with rosewater made from roses grown at the Shrines. Each drop felt like a small kiss from the heavens.
"Now, make your vows," Balse instructed.
This was the hardest part of the ordination- writing and speaking vows from the heart. It was forbidden to seek aid or feedback of any kind- the words could come from the heart of the candidate alone. Leo and Ronfar had refused to enter rooms she would use to work on them to keep from influencing her in any way.
Mauri raised her eyes to the smiling, compassionate gaze of her Goddess. "Mother Althena, I beg you to hear me," she began. Her voice was calmer and stronger than she had thought it would be. "Let me bring healing where there is sickness, and love where there is strife. Let me carry your love and show all its beauty to your children. I beg you, let me be worthy of borrowing your blessings, to help be your hands and your voice to all of Lunar and perhaps even the Blue Star one day." She swallowed hard. "If not as your priestess, then let me find another, truer way to serve you."
Leo shut his eyes at this statement, while Balse's eyebrows shot up in astonishment. Murmurs arose in the Shrine's audience.
Mauri didn't waver. Yes, she wanted to be a priestess, and it would break her heart to be rejected. But it was about the service, the work among the people, that mattered more than fancy robes and books.
It took Balse a moment to recover his composure. "Ah, your vows have been made," he stammered, then shook his head. "Rise, Candidate Mauri, for the final test."
Mauri got to her feet and accepted the unbloomed rose that Balse gave to her. "You will now recite the last half of the Litany of Potential. Althena will display her desires for you, whether your service is as an anointed priestess or otherwise."
Mauri cupped the rosebud in her hands and began to chant. "Goddess Althena, Mother of Lunar and the Blue Star, I ask this of you- look inside me. See my heart, my soul, my strengths and my weaknesses. Show me your will, that all may behold it!"
The rose began to open, and Mauri held up her hands. The pink petals slowly lightened to a spotless white that was shining like a little star in her hands. Mauri gasped as happy tears trickled down her face. She was accepted as a priestess that would specialize in healing, as she had prayed.
Balse took the rose and placed it in a nearby basket, to be added to a bottle of anointing oil for next year's candidates. "Let all who stand here witness that the Goddess has accepted Mauri into her service. Welcome to the Chosen, dear sister," he declared. Cheers and applause rose from the audience. Leo was seen wiping away a few tears of his own.
Mauri's pale green apprentice robe was removed, leaving her in a cream-colored shift, and she was given a beautiful pale blue with the sigils of a priestess. The soft silk felt like a blessing as it settled around her body, and she felt like she was floating on a cloud. She smiled and bowed at everyone's good wishes for her and went to join the other new clergy.
She suddenly realized who was missing from the candidates. Neither of Jamil's bullies had been accepted, nor a young man who had been caught cheating on tests more than once. The three had been escorted out of the Shrine, never to be allowed to try again for the priesthood.
Any thoughts in that direction stopped as she saw Ronfar enter the main hall. He grinned and winked at her, not surprised at her acceptance, and didn't seem too worried about his own. Balse wore the same half proud, half exasperated look at his star pupil making his entrance as he usually did when teaching him.
At last it was time for his own vows. Mauri and Leo both leaned forward, curious as to what Ronfar had come up with.
He looked up at the statue with a bright smile. "Mother Althena, I have a lot to thank you for. These last years have taught me more than I could ever have guessed about beauty and love."
He paused and glanced over at Mauri pointedly. Mauri blushed but smiled back, honored by being included in his vows.
Ronfar turned his gaze back up to the statue. "But at the end of the day, that's what it's all about, right? Love. Love is the power of creation, love heals the heart and soul as recovery magic heals the body, and love brings your children together to accomplish amazing things." He then moved his gaze to the crowd. "But love is in the little things, too. Bringing over chicken soup when your neighbor is sick. Being there when someone is in pain, even without the right words. Bringing a daffodil you picked to your love just to see her smile."
The crowd murmured to each other, impressed with the vows. Mauri's heart was bursting with pride and joy as Ronfar shifted to face Balse. "That's what I want to do as a priest. Use recovery magic, my hands, my words, or even just being there to help bring more love into the world. Mother Althena, if it be your will, help me to do it."
Pride had won over the exasperation on Balse's face. "Rise, Candidate Ronfar, for the final test." He passed over another pink rosebud. "Recite the second half of the Litany of Potential, and we shall see what the Goddess wishes for you."
Ronfar chanted it swiftly and held out the rose. The petals began to shimmer as they opened and half darkened to a burgundy wine shade for orators while the other half turned a brilliant white. Gasps and applause rang out, for it was unheard of to have TWO colors appear on a rose.
"Let all see and know that the Goddess has accepted Ronfar into her service as a true priest. Welcome to the Chosen, brother," Balse said sincerely.
Ronfar bowed to the statue, and then to Balse. "Thanks to you and the grace of Althena." His brown apprentice robe was removed to be replaced with a bright orange robe embroidered with sigils. Smiling, Balse gestured for Ronfar to join the others.
Mauri threw her arms around Ronfar, forgetting that the ceremony wasn't over yet. "I'm so proud of you, and so honored."
"I have Leo and you to thank as well, love. Let's see how Jamil does," Ronfar replied. He held Mauri close as they watched their friend.
Jamil stood strong during the purifications, and his vows spoke of love in the form of friendship and support and the grace of Althena. When it was his turn to take the rosebud, Ronfar's grip on Mauri's hand tightened.
The rose opened up, and the petals turned a dazzling gold. The color of a teacher.
"What?! This can't... I can't...." Jamil stammered.
"You can and you will do well at this, Priest Jamil. We have seen how patient and wise you are with the acolytes. The Goddess isn't wrong," Balse admonished him.
Jamil looked at the statue again, and a look of determination filled his eyes. "Then I will have to prove her right."
Balse patted his shoulder proudly. "Indeed. Let all who see bear witness that Jamil has been accepted as a true priest by Althena herself. Welcome to the Chosen, brother."
Jamil's family was cheering loudly from behind Leo. The beastman had joined in, nodding sagely to Ronfar for his role. Ronfar himself was clapping wildly, as proud as he had been for his own declaration.
"Today we welcome seven new members of the Chosen. Please grant them your patience and wisdom even as we learn from theirs. May the Goddess bless us all!" Balse finished, his arms raised.
"May she bless us indeed," everyone responded as those in the crowd who hadn't been on their feet cheering Jamil rose now. Those in the back began making their way to the doors.
Mauri smiled and took Ronfar's hand. "We should go rejoin Leo-"
"Wait a minute, sugarplum. Please?" Ronfar asked.
A flash of alarm went through her. They had just passed their last test and achieved their greatest dream. Why did her beloved look so nervous? "What is it? Did something happen during your ordination?"
Ronfar shook his head, causing Mauri to relax a bit. "It's not that. It's just.... " he hesitated, then thrust his hand in a robe pocket. "We have to wait three years now. Three years before we can even think about..."
"Getting married," Mauri finished in a breath. This law of the Chosen was very clear. New priests and new soldiers of the Guard owed the Goddess three years. Three years of complete, dedicated service before getting married or having children.
"Yeah. Balse said that they even frown on engagements rings, so I thought... if you want to, we can do an... 'unofficial engagement'?" Ronfar finished nervously. He fished something out of his robe pocket and showed it to her.
It was a gold locket, engraved with one of the seals of Althena. Inside was a tiny, perfect portrait of the two of them. Ronfar was standing on one of the rocks just past Raculi's beach, Mauri's hand in his as she carefully stepped towards him.
"Ronfar, it's so beautiful. You and I together in the hand of Althena," Mauri whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I know it's a gamble to do this now before our three years, but I'm betting the whole pot on you. On us," Ronfar murmured.
Mauri laughed. "And my answer in three years will be the same as tonight- yes."
Ronfar whooped as he slipped the locket over Mauri's head, then pulled her tightly into a passionate kiss. Mauri's heart was singing as she kissed her beloved, her betrothed, with all the love that she possessed.
It felt like another ordination as the Goddess bathed them in her love. She could almost hear her laughing in delight.
From the lack of surprise on Leo's face as the lovebirds finally caught up to him, he had been in on Ronfar's plan. It was equally clear that he approved. He reached out and took them both in a group hug. "I'm so proud of you both. Althena has blessed us all."
"Especially with me as your younger brother-in-law in three years," Ronfar added, jostling Leo's shoulder.
Leo bared his teeth in a smile. "Yes, and as your elder brother, I must say this- if you ever hurt Mauri or make her cry, I will see you on the battlefield."
Ronfar laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "If I ever do, I'll let you have the first hit."
Mauri shivered suddenly. The sensitivity that helped her so greatly as a healer let her feel the truth behind both mens' words. Why could she almost see that day, as fire and smoke danced in the background of a room she couldn't make out-
"-ri? Mauri? I made a reservation at the Black Gull for us if you're hungry," Leo said loudly, obviously having tried to get her attention for some time.
Mauri blinked the image away. "Yes, please. We have a lot to celebrate today!"
"Everything all right, love?" Ronfar asked, recognizing her expression.
Mauri nodded, determined to wall that silly thought away. How could she think of fire and destruction on such a day, when she was beginning one dream of her life and ready to plan another? "It is," she answered, squeezing his hand. He squeezed back, dropping the subject.
It was a merry supper, filled with the start of wedding plans and guesses as to where they would be assigned. With her brother and her husband-to-be making her laugh and blush in turns, Mauri forgot her fears and instead looked forward to a blessed future.
The week after ordination kept all of the new priests and priestesses busy. There was packing, getting their new vestments, giving thanks to their teachers, and a day of fasting for a holiday commemorating the creation of the Chosen.
On the day that they received their first assignments, Ronfar threw his efforts into their last dinner together for a while. Leo would return to his service with the Corps while each of the new clergy had received envelopes with their first assignment. Ronfar had pleaded with Mauri that they eat first and open them together afterwards.
Mauri couldn't refuse. She carried the unopened gray envelope, a small box, and a tin containing some cookies she had found time to bake. Leo carried a few small bottles of sparkling juice for the meal. (With an early start and Ronfar and Mauri's first official days as clergy starting, no one wanted to be hungover.)
Delicious smells and slightly off-tune singing met the siblings as they made their way to Ronfar's quarters. He was adept at making tasty meals with limited tools and frugal ingredients, something many of the clergy in training had grown to appreciate (and pay for) along with his tutoring.
As for his singing... Mauri told herself that his spoken words were romantic enough.
Leo knocked briskly. "Come in, dinner is just about ready!" Ronfar hollered. "I hope you brought your appetites!"
Mauri gasped when she saw the feast spread out on the little table. Every dish was a specialty of Raculi. There were the harder wheat rolls preferred in the southern mountains. A bowl of salad with topped with edible wildflowers. A dish of veggie sauce was waiting to grace the fish that Ronfar was just finishing frying up.
"Where in Althena's name did you find ruby grouper?" Leo asked in astonishment.
Ronfar grinned and flipped the fish fillets onto three plates. "Jamil's family are fisherfolk," he reminded him. "They thought that we'd appreciate a taste of home as a thank you."
"They weren't wrong." Leo heaped the veggie sauce on his fish and took an enormous forkful, then closed his eyes in bliss. "Goddess, Ronfar, are you sure I can't conscript you to come cook for the Corps instead?"
Mauri giggled at the thought of Ronfar running the canteen for large groups of hungry soldiers. "Sorry, bud. You're the one who told me that we had to make sacrifices in our service to the Goddess," Ronfar answered with a straight face.
Leo took another huge bite. "In terms of training and study, yes. Have you TRIED the abomination they call 'lunch'?!" (Another forkful.) "Shameful. Absolutely shameful."
"I have tried to teach you how to cook, brother," Mauri reminded him.
"Wait, what? I haven't heard this story." Ronfar leaned forward eagerly.
Leo blushed. "That's because there's nothing to tell."
"Your face says otherwise, buddy," Ronfar pointed out, deftly avoiding the under the table kick that Leo aimed at him. He turned his puppy dog eyes on Mauri. "Please?"
Mauri never could resist that look. Ignoring Leo's shaking head, she told of the time they had gone fishing on the Minea Sea coast and tried to cook their catches over the fire. Leo had gotten impatient with using a tiny knife to clean the fish and had used his practice sword instead. His training master had been furious and had assigned him the task of cleaning and caring for his entire class's swords and armor for a month.
Leo countered with one where they pretended to be masked heroes of justice as children and he had tried to teach Mauri the rudiments of swordplay with sticks. (Then, as now, she preferred the bow that their father had taught her to use.) Ronfar brought up the story of trying to protect Mauri from monsters that were way too strong for him, but making a promise to become a man strong enough to protect her.
The rest of the meal was spent sharing favorite memories of Raculi and their training. Leo talked of training new recruits and the mishaps of being a squad leader. Mauri had a few stories she'd heard from patients, while Ronfar added a few of certain pranks he had talked Jamil into joining him on for some of his bullies.
With cups of sparkling juice downed and a round of cookies eaten, it was finally time to open the gray envelopes. Mauri saw how Ronfar's hands were shaking slightly on his. "Why don't you go first, love?" she suggested.
"Yeah. Let's see where I'm needed," Ronfar answered. Despite the delicious dinner, he looked like he was going to be sick. He cracked open his envelope and scanned the contents. "Zaback?" he mused. "They have miners to treat from accidents and also need a good orator. That could be okay."
Mauri followed suit. Her face fell as she read hers. "Zulan," she said quietly. "They're having a terrible winter and desperately need a priestess who specializes in healing."
Ronfar took Mauri's hand and squeezed it, and she squeezed back. Her other hand went to her engagement locket. Yes, they had known it was likely they would be separated, but to be so far...
Leo cleared his throat. "Both are worthy tasks, and both are suited to your own talents."
Ronfar let out a harsh breath. "We knew this was coming. It's what the Goddess' people need, not what we want."
"Married couples are posted together, sugarbuns. This isn't permanent," Mauri reminded him, trying to push down the lump in her throat.
"You will have at least a few more days together. The Corps will be delivering you all to your first assignments on the Dragonship Destiny," Leo announced proudly.
Mauri couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement over a chance to ride on the famous ship that Leo loved so much. Or to see her brother in action on that ship.
"This wouldn't happen to be a way to entice more people to join the Chosen, would it?" Ronfar asked with a smirk.
"I-" Leo flushed red as Ronfar and Mauri chuckled. The beastman quickly recovered. "Perhaps," he admitted, "But it is a great act of service, and a way to formally welcome you to your new duties."
"If it leads to a few more days together, I can't say no," Ronfar said happily.
"I'm looking forward to it, brother," Mauri agreed.
After cleaning up after dinner, Leo excused himself. He was pleading needing an early start for sword training the next day so he didn't get rusty while on leave from the Corps.
"Are we THAT obvious?" Ronfar murmured to Mauri as they drifted into Ronfar's bedroom.
Mauri took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "Yes. But Leo is a good big brother."
Ronfar grinned. "He is. In a few years, he'll be my big brother-in-law, too."
Mauri reached up with her free hand to caress the locket that rested over her heart before reaching into her pocket for the small box that rested there. "I have my own pre-engagement present for you, love." She took a seat on the bed, patting the spot next to her in invitation.
Ronfar didn't need any prodding. He accepted the small box and opened it curiously, then let out a low gasp.
Sitting inside was a pair of beautifully carved dice. They weren't quite ivory but appeared to be some kind of bone. He picked them up, noticing how they felt light yet strong. "They're amazing, but what are they made of?" He gave them a practice toss.
"Wyburn bone," Mauri answered. Ronfar turned to stare at her in shock. "You have always said that you wanted to protect me, Ronfar. You can heal yourself and are skilled in using a mace, but you still need something for a magical attack. These will call up fire in battle."
"So I'll be totally covered," Ronfar said happily. Yes, he could feel the faint hearts of fire inside each die.
"I've also heard that dice are more lucky when they are a gift, especially from one's beloved," Mauri added impishly.
"Mauri, I've been rolling double sixes since the day I met you," Ronfar said sincerely. He held up the dice. "Blow on them for me?"
"Of course." Mauri took his hand in hers and carefully blew on each die. Ronfar gave them a toss onto the bed, and they came up double sixes.
"I knew it. You're still my luck," Ronfar said with a grin. He reached out and kissed her thank you before tucking them safely into a pocket. Then his eyes traveled over to his and Mauri's first posts as official clergy, so far apart from each other, and he sighed.
Mauri felt his pain echoed in her own heart and placed her hand over his. "I know. We do what we do for the love of the Goddess and our people."
"Three years...." Ronfar shook his head, "How are we going to wait that long to be wed?"
Mauri took him in her arms. "But not yet, love. We don't have to depart until tomorrow."
At the burning look in her eyes, Ronfar felt an answering flame rise inside of him. "True. We'll just have to make the most of the time we have."
"Mmm-hmmm." Mauri reached out to quench the candle on her table before turning back to her love.