Post by Solana on Apr 19, 2024 18:54:57 GMT -5
Chapter Nine- Crushed Petals
"No! Why do I have to drink a yucky potion instead of getting magic like the others?!"
The patient was a young boy of nine who had some monster bites on his arm. His parents had taken care of the monster themselves after the attack, and his mom was glaring at Mauri for subjecting her boy to something strong-tasting.
Learning to heal effectively involved far more than just learning spells and studying the body. Mauri smiled sweetly at the boy. "You're pretty tough, you know that? There are a lot of adults that wouldn't be able to handle an injury like that."
The boy gaped for a moment, then grinned. His parents looked mollified as well. "I'm the toughest, just like my parents!"
"Exactly!" Mauri agreed, then leaned in a bit and lowered her voice. "That's why you get an herbal remedy. We only have so many people who can use magic, and they need to take care of those who are more badly injured and aren't as strong as you are. We knew right away that you were tough and didn't need more than this." She offered the potion again.
The boy took it and chugged it down quickly to prove her right. He coughed a few times but got his breath back quickly. The bites on his arm dwindled down to almost nothing, as if he had had two weeks of healing. Mauri smiled and turned her attention to the parents. "I would keep that wrapped for another day to be on the safe side. Please come back if you have any questions or see anything unusual develop."
The boy's mom actually returned her smile. "My thanks to you and Althena. I'll drop off a donation on the way out." Mauri bowed slightly in gratitude.
The boy took a moment to flex his bicep to Mauri, grinning as she praised it, then turned around and followed his parents out of the Shrine.
"Hey, she only gave him herbs. Is that...?" one of the priestesses whispered.
"Shhhh! Don't look at her. We don't need to lose our blessing, too," another whispered back, and they both giggled under their breath.
Mauri was too tired to even react to their taunts. Their robes were too clean and pretty for them to have done some of the tasks she had, including amputating an arm that had been crushed by a fallen building or delivering a baby that had come three weeks early due to the stress. It had been embarrassing to have to talk some of her colleagues through the spells she needed instead of casting them herself, but the job got done. She wiped the sweat off of her forehead with a clean towel and went to check for more patients.
To her relief, the anteroom of the Shrine was empty. Mauri took the opportunity to finally sit on one of the chairs there and leaned her head back against the wall, intending to just rest her eyes a bit.
The smell of food woke her up. Mauri was startled to see Balse standing nearby, a mischievous smile on his face and a tray of food in his hand. She tried to think of something to say that wouldn't sound like an excuse.
"Do not concern yourself with explanations, daughter. You fought valiantly both in Azado's streets and in the sickroom. I would be upset if you had not taken the opportunity to rest when you needed it," he said kindly, handing her the tray. Mauri's stomach growled a welcome to the bowl of stew and cup of tea that sat on the tray.
"Thank you, Balse. How are things in the city?" she asked, picking up the spoon.
Balse took the chair next to her, sighing in relief. She hoped he had gotten some rest, too, as he had fought and healed as well. "Leo and his Corps were a blessing. Azado is safe, much of the damage has been repaired, and we might have lost many more lives."
Mauri had to ask. "How many lives were lost in this attack?"
"Only ten, but that is ten too many," Balse replied grimly. A true healer's answer.
Mauri sipped some tea, trying to think on how to phrase her words. She finally just set down her cup and decided to say it. "Balse, I came back to the shrine and saw Ronfar before the attack started. He tried to warn me before-"
Balse shook his head. "It won't matter."
"What?!"
"The guilds of Azado have voted unanimously on the funds for the new shrine and statue that the Chosen have planned. Sir Leo and his men are being lauded as heroes and have countless people signing up to be recruits. Whatever was intended, the Chosen has received what they wanted," Balse finished. He fished an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her.
Mauri opened it curiously, seeing the rose and Blue Star seal of the high Chosen.
To the Priestess Mauri,
We apologize that your situation has been in limbo, but the high Chosen have come to a decision regarding your future with us at last. As you might imagine, we have been very busy with the Goddess being returned to us.
You are summoned to Pentagulia to meet with us and the Goddess herself as soon as possible. As Sir Leo and Priest Ronfar are in Azado, you are to travel together.
It is requested that you appear in your ordination robe for your audience with us.
By Althena's Light,
High Priestess Lauryl
Lauryl had written this, and it was as cold as her presence had been. Mauri was finally going to get some answers, but she suspected that she wouldn't like them.
"There's nothing here about Ronfar's changes. Nothing about the follow-up from the plague," Mauri commented sadly.
"If anything, my dear, they are happy about it. I believe that anything you would try to say would come off as contradicting the Goddess or trying to lessen your own punishment," Balse said quietly.
Mauri sighed and got to her feet. "I knew this day was coming. I will accept my punishment for pulling a bow on the High Priestess. But this situation with Ronfar-"
"Choose your words carefully, Mauri. Watch and listen very closely in Pentagulia before you pick your course," Balse interrupted.
Mauri hugged Balse tightly, feeling like he was one of the few remaining links to any hopes she had at this point. Balse held on as long as she wanted, and she wasn't sure if the tears wetting her shoulders were his or hers.
Leo and Ronfar had gotten similar letters, but theirs were far more optimistic. "Brought before the Goddess herself!" Ronfar said gleefully, "Who would imagine such an honor?!"
Leo was trying to stay humble in front of his men but he had been wearing a hint of a silly grin as well. "I must polish my best armor, sharpen my sword, press my dress uniform. Should I add a cape, do you think?"
"I think a cape would suit you well, Sir Leo!" Smythe insisted. He was still a little down about what he saw as his failure in Azado, but had perked right up about Leo's upcoming audience with the high Chosen and Althena herself.
Mauri said nothing but kept stitching at a few loose seams on her robe. It had been damaged the night of the failed healing but was at least washed.
Mauri had tried countless times to have a chat with Leo in private, but he'd been busy with getting himself, his men, and the Destiny prepared for a grand arrival in Pentagulia. Even Smythe, who had been shyly waiting on her ever since she had shot the corpse crusher when he had been injured, had been unable to help her out.
Ronfar was acting as he had since his cure, speaking eagerly of the new shrine to be built in Azado with a giant statue of the Goddess. He had not acknowledged the ten lives lost in the attack or his (probable?) role in it.
Ronfar was barely acknowledging Mauri herself beyond asking if the red silk robe he had been commanded to wear made him look regal or gaudy. Mauri personally thought he looked ridiculous in it, but blandly commented on how it flattered his coloring and added a regal stance to his posture. He'd missed the slight sarcasm in her tone and flounced off, seemingly pleased.
Mauri tried to keep herself busy to prevent worrying about her audience. She gave health exams to the guards and even assisted in cooking the evening meal. Several of the guards began calling her "Lady Mauri" and asking if she would possibly consider staying on with them. Smythe was far from her only admirer. It was sweet, if unthinkable, but it was nice to feel needed and she felt like a true priestess for the first time in a long time again.
As expected, Ronfar had asked for separate guestrooms. Smythe was discreet and asked no questions as he led her to the room she had occupied on the way to Raculi. "I believe you'll find things to your satisfaction, Lady Mauri. But if you require anything, please ask," he said politely as he set down her trunk.
Mauri looked around, but Ronfar was still chatting with Leo on the deck and there were no more guards around. "Smythe, may I ask you a question? In confidence?"
Smythe looked a little puzzled but nodded slowly. "You may. There are things I can't answer, milady, but I will if I can."
"You know more than you admit, and you see everything. My brother uses you as a scout for a reason, yes?" Mauri asked.
Smythe didn't even blink. "Yes. "
"What do you think about Ronfar and his sermons lately? What do the people in the cities you've visited think?" Mauri asked quietly.
Panic flared up in Smythe's eyes, which answered her question. She couldn't heal anymore, but her sensitivity told her that his heart rate and breathing rate had sped up considerably. He looked off to the side, plainly struggling between his loyalty to Leo and the Chosen and his gratitude to her for helping to save his life.
"No, forgive me for putting you in a cruel place. Do not answer," Mauri said instead.
Relief filled his body instead. "I... thank you for your understanding, milady. I have seen the scared reactions of the people, and it's not my place to comment on the rightness or wrongness of them. It is not my place to comment on my personal feelings about them," Smythe replied, deftly answering her questions with plausible deniability.
"My brother is truly fortunate to have you at his side," Mauri said warmly, "Please continue looking after him for me."
Smythe threw her the same salute that he gave to Leo. "As you command, lady. Althena give you a peaceful rest."
"May she bless your sword and keep you safe," Mauri replied. Smythe smiled shyly at her and bolted before having to answer anything else.
Mauri carefully set up her small statue of the goddess and lit a stick of incense before doing her evening prayers. It took much longer than usual, but she did eventually feel the loosening of her sorrows and Althena's peace sink into her heart.
This mother's love, the healing of hurts and the bringing of peace, this is her gift that I mean to bring to the world. Regardless of how tomorrow's audience goes, I will follow my vows and serve the way I feel in my heart.
"Pentagulia straight ahead! Docking in approximately twenty minutes!" Smythe announced through Mauri's closed door early the next morning.
Mauri was almost ready anyway. Her ordination robe had been mended and cleaned to look almost brand-new. Her hair was up in an elegant twist secured with a silver comb that had belonged to her mother instead of a utilitarian bun or tied back. Lastly, she dabbed a bit of violet perfume behind her ears and on her wrists, hoping it might spark memories of her last birthday that Ronfar had helped make so special.
She went up to the Destiny's deck to join Leo and Ronfar and get a view of the holy city as they approached. Leo looked dashing in a spotless white Corps uniform. Smythe had been right- the added cape did suit him. He also was constantly adjusting his position, clearly trying to find where to stand so that the cape billowed magnificently back from him while trying not to make it obvious that that's what he was doing. Mauri had a difficult time holding back her giggles. "You look like a dragonmaster out of legend, brother," she said instead.
Leo blushed, caught out of his posing, and came to give her a hug. "You look like our mother. Our parents would be proud of both of us, I believe."
"Leo, about that night in Azado-" Mauri tried.
"It looks like everyone's ready!" Ronfar announced, coming up on the deck to join them. He was wearing a red silk robe embroidered heavily in gold thread. Bits of garnet and onyx sparkled at borders of the robe on the cuffs and hem. There was even a hammered bronze circlet on his head in lieu of the cotton bandannas he liked to wear when healing. The whole ensemble had probably cost as much as a family made in three months in Raculi.
"Where on Lunar did you get that?!" Leo asked in astonishment. He pointed at the circlet. "And why?!"
Ronfar ran a fond hand over the robe, making the gems sparkle. "The high Chosen actually sent this to me. I'm to speak more instead of healing, so they said I needed to start dressing the part. I can't represent the Goddess so well in my usual clothes, don't you think?"
Leo opened his mouth before looking at Mauri helplessly. Mauri just shrugged. Luckily for her, healers weren't meant to 'dress the part' and cheaper, easy to clean clothes were their uniform. She was wearing one of her cotton peasant dresses from Raculi under her ordination robe.
"We're almost there! Prepare to dock!" yelled the helmsman, saving the siblings a need to respond to Ronfar's new threads.
Leo raised a hand, and Smythe and the squad leaders instantly appeared around him. "You all did well to get the Destiny cleaned and repaired to enter Pentagulia to see the Goddess. For that, you have my gratitude." The men smiled at each other. "You will also have three bottles of Meribian rum at supper tonight from my personal collection. The good ones." The men cheered at this, with a few high fiving each other.
Leo smiled and looked over the men thoughtfully. "Mason, you are to man the Destiny during our audience. Smythe, you will escort us to the main shrine."
"Yes, sir!" both men exclaimed in unison.
To Leo's pride, the Destiny docked smoothly without even a bump. He led the way down the steps on the side, followed by Ronfar, and Smythe offered his hand to help Mauri down in a most gentlemanly manner. It made Mauri smile despite the pit in her stomach.
Their arrival had not gone unnoticed. One of hers and Ronfar's instructors, the High Priest Darnel, was waiting to greet them. He smiled warmly at Leo and Ronfar, but his smile was a bit forced as he spotted Mauri. Mauri ignored it, greeting him as respectfully as she had always done in his class.
"Welcome, everyone. The Goddess herself awaits you, along with the rest of the high Chosen. Do any of you require anything or a bit of time before your audience?" he asked.
Leo glanced back, but everyone shook their heads. "No, we are prepared to meet the Goddess. Please lead the way, if you will."
"Very good, it's not respectful to keep her waiting. This way." Darnel turned swiftly and began leading them towards the Great Shrine at the back of the holy city.
As they ascended the stairs, Mauri felt the pit in her stomach seeming to grow. There were far more clergy here than had ever been during her training, and quite a few of them looked away rather than meeting her gaze. Even former friends and instructors, though they were giving awed smiles to Leo and Ronfar.
"Courage, lady. Althena knows our hearts," Smythe whispered. He, too, had noticed the silent shunning that Mauri was receiving. His face wore the perfect blank expression of a loyal servant, though his arm that Mauri's hand rested on was trembling in anger.
"I made a decision, and I will accept the ramifications of it," Mauri murmured. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "But thank you."
Darnel shot a quick glare at them, but both of them were looking straight ahead and keeping up, so he said nothing and continued on.
"The four towers have banners on them now, do you see?" Leo asked. "The colors of the four dragons?"
"Well spotted, Sir Leo. I believe the implications of that will become clear shortly," Darnel replied, smug at his knowledge.
Mauri waited expectantly, but Ronfar said nothing. The old Ronfar would have tried to wheedle at least a hint out of him using his best disarming smile and would possibly have found out something. Then Leo would have chided him for it and they would have spent the rest of the walk trying to guess what it meant.
Leo turned around when he heard Mauri's sigh of disappointment, a question in his eyes. Mauri shook her head, and he shrugged and continued after the High Priest.
When they entered the Great Shrine, everyone gasped in surprise. It was much larger and grander than it had been before. Beautiful gold leaf had been added to freshly painted murals on the walls. Vases of roses were sitting on silk runners on tables, every crimson bloom vibrant and perfect. Clouds of exotic and expensive incense hung in the air, competing with the roses to overwhelm the senses. The floors were a brilliant marble, polished to a mirror shine.
"This is-" Mauri was almost speechless, aghast at the luxury and cost of her surroundings. What had happened to the homey, welcoming Shrine that had invited in one and all?
Darnel straightened a bit in pride. "This is the home of the Goddess. The donations of the people have been instrumental in making this as fitting an earthly home as possible." His smile twisted a bit. "Not that our mortal hands could hope to make it worthy."
"Indeed, we could not," Leo said tightly. His expression said that they shouldn't try, that donations would be better used elsewhere, but he kept that thought to himself. While Raculi had been able to feed its people, the priesthood there had had to make do with homemade wildflower incense, roughly embroidered robes, and meeting in the homes of people. And our faith was never the less for it.
Only Ronfar looked pleased with the changes. "It's only right that we honor Althena with our very best to honor everything she has done for us. Anything less would be stealing."
Darnel nodded approvingly. "I'm glad that you understand at least. Come." He pushed open the giant double doors, carved of fragrant sandalwood, that led to the audience chamber.
If anything, the scent of incense was even stronger here. Mauri's eyes started watering, and she was grateful for Smythe's arm as they walked the length of the crimson silk rug. The high Chosen were clustered around the back of the chamber, all watching expectantly. The High Priestess Lauryl looked disapproving and as sour as a lemon as she met Mauri's gaze.
To Mauri's surprise, their group wasn't the only one involved in this audience. A tall, unsmiling man in a blue martial arts uniform was standing to the right, surrounded by a small group of students that looked as expressionless as their master. To the left was a shorter, squat man wrapped in voluminous black mage's robes and wearing a peaked hat. Three mages flanked him and were staring at the richness of the audience chamber in open envy.
"It might be best to introduce everyone before Althena herself arrives," Darnel announced. He pointed to the martial artist. "Master Lunn, the greatest martial artist Horam has ever seen."
If anything, Lunn looked bored. He gave a brief nod to everyone, not deigning to speak.
Darnel looked a little surprised at Lunn's abruptness but didn't comment. He gestured to the mage. "The great mage Borgan, who has been working tirelessly on a new magical city to help protect our Goddess."
"Neo-Vane will be a jewel in the crown of the Chosen, even finer than Pentagulia one day," Borgan said proudly.
To Mauri's shock, Ronfar let out a derisive snort. "Is that what all those diamonds in Zaback are going towards? Pity."
"Excuse me?" Borgan repeated angrily, taking a step towards the priest. His mages were watching, hands clenching their staffs.
Ronfar waved a hand towards the audience hall. "The best of the best should go to the Goddess, bucko. Everyone knows that. Not to some wannabe relic of the past in the corner of the world."
"Ronfar, this is not the time-" Leo began angrily. Mauri tried to take Ronfar's arm, but he shook it off.
Borgan sneered in reply, slamming the butt of his mage's staff on the floor. "You just stay in your pretty sanctuary, hymn singer. Leave the actual work of protecting the world to those of us who can handle it."
"Hey, if you wanna go-" Ronfar began, reaching in a pocket for his dice.
"Enough!" Darnel snarled. He glared at both men. "The Goddess will be here soon, and you're ready to brawl like schoolchildren. Mind your place!"
Ronfar bowed his head immediately. "My apologies."
Darnel glared at Borgan, who reluctantly lowered his head. "I am sorry."
"If you ever disparage the priesthood again, Master Borgan, you will lose all of our support. For everything," Darnel snapped. Borgan squeaked and lowered his head even lower.
Darnel sighed and pointed to Leo and Ronfar. "We also have Sir Leo of the Corps, who is currently the deputy captain of the Dragonship Destiny, and Priest Ronfar, who has been a wonder in bringing in more of Althena's children to the Chosen. I hope that we can all work together."
Mauri waited, but Darnel was clearly finished and had turned to face the steps to wait for Althena. Leo cleared his throat. "It pleases me to introduce my sister the Priestess Mauri and Senior Corporal Smythe. Mauri was recently instrumental in saving Zulan from a hideous monster that was poisoning their water, and personally saved the life of my right-hand man during the recent attack in Azado."
"Right, she shot the monster that was going to gut me!" Smythe said proudly.
Lunn and Borgan didn't even give nods of acknowledgment, following Darnel's snub. Mauri's face burned red in embarrassment. Balse could teach you peacocks a thing or two about humility. He might not dress like it or give himself airs but hear him speak about the Goddess or cast recovery magic and you know he's a High Priest.
"She comes!" a voice called. An acolyte in a plain white robe came dashing out of the anteroom. He quickly bowed to the high Chosen and took a place behind them.
The clergy, Leo, and Smythe all took a knee and bowed their heads, while the mages and martial artists gave a deep bow. It was only after the whisper of silks and a gentle command to rise that they stood and got their first look at the human incarnation of the Goddess Althena.
She was beautiful, yes, and greatly resembled the statues and paintings that Mauri had prayed and healed under for years. Althena wore countless layers of fine silk robes thickly embroidered and sparkling with diamonds and other expensive gems. A tall hat sat like a crown on her twilight waves of hair, and a golden staff rested in her right hand. She certainly looked like a goddess.
But....
... she didn't feel like one.
Mauri got no sense of the love, peace, and compassion she always felt when tapping into Althena's power to help others or during her deepest prayers. Instead, she felt waves of smugness, vanity, and self-satisfaction. Althena's smile reminded her of how Ronfar's looked now- charming on the surface, but with no depth or laughter echoing in the eyes. What is going on? Why does everything about this feel so wrong?
"Welcome, my children. I owe the deepest thanks to the high Chosen for safeguarding our beautiful Lunar in my absence for so very long," Althena began, her voice pure song. Leo and Ronfar were standing in awe, clearly dazzled.
Darnel bowed. "It was our privilege as well as our duty, Holy Mother."
Althena beamed at him. "So it was. But we have dark days coming ahead and we need to be ready. I'm sure you have already guessed, but I have called you here for a very special reason. To select the Four Heroes that will be our greatest safeguard in the time to come." She pointed to Leo first. "Sir Leo, please come forward."
Leo looked like he was going to faint. Ronfar gave him a nudge to start walking while Mauri smiled at him and stood ready to catch him if need be. Leo managed to step forward before falling to both knees. He drew his blade and laid it at the Goddess' feet, then bowed his head in supplication. "M-m-my G-Goddess..." he stammered, causing Mauri and Ronfar to stare at him in shock.
"Yes, my son?" Althena prodded him gently.
Leo looked up, tears in his eyes. "I wanted to thank you for saving my best friend's life."
Althena laughed sweetly, not mockingly, and glanced at the assembled Chosen. "You see? The first thing Leo does is give thanks, not to ask for anything." She smiled down at Leo, who met her gaze adoringly. "Sir Leo, you have served us well for a long time. You have saved the lives of many of my children, most recently in Azado. In recognition of your faith and loyalty, I wish to make you my White Knight."
Leo gasped, then bowed his head again. "I am not worthy, but I will serve you as well as I may."
One of the Chosen handed Althena a pure white sword, likely fashioned of platinum. She accepted it, then held the hilt out to Leo. "I know you will be faithful. In addition to this sword, I grant you the use of the Destiny as its true captain. Your men will no longer be merely a Corps, but Althena's Guard. Ward my children well in the time to come, Lord Leo!"
Applause rang out as Leo rose and accepted the sword, with Mauri clapping the loudest and tearing up in joy. He smiled as he examined the white blade quickly, noting the keen edge and workmanship. "May I never disappoint you, Holy Mother. In your name, I will serve as your sword and shield between every danger and every one of your children." He bowed once more and rejoined Ronfar, Mauri, and Smythe, beaming with pride and happiness.
"Master Lunn, please step forward," Althena called.
The martial artist obeyed, bowing deeply, his face still expressionless. "Holy Mother."
"I have heard of your prowess from the city of Horam. Your humility and discipline will be an excellent example to my children. In addition to becoming my Blue Karate Master, I give you the governorship of Meribia to watch over," Althena announced. She gave Lunn a golden key, likely to the unoccupied mansion in the city.
"In appreciation for all you have done for me, I will continue to serve," Lunn answered. More applause rang out before Lunn rejoined his students.
"Master Borgan, please come up," Althena called.
Borgan shuffled up to the Goddess, then slowly bowed. Mauri didn't like his expression- the word 'slimy' was the first that came to mind, and he stared at the Goddess as if wondering how to get anything he could out of her. "Beloved Mother?"
"The state of magic in this world has been a disgrace for a thousand years. Vane has failed us, and you have stepped up to take on a monumental challenge. In recognition of your vision and your dedication, you will be my Black Wizard and receive our full support to make Neo-Vane as grand as the Vane of old," Althena declared.
Polite applause rang out as Borgan licked his lips and smiled. "We will continue to make an elite city for the finest and most elite magicians to serve you well, Goddess." He bowed once more and returned to his group of mages.
"Priest Ronfar, come before me," Althena said. Ronfar stepped forward. His head was held high, with just a bit of a saucy tilt to it. He went to a kneel slowly, but kept his eyes fixed on the Goddess instead of bowing his head. "Holy Goddess, I await your will."
Instead of looking disconcerted, Althena smiled in satisfaction as she stepped forward to Ronfar. She gently caressed his hair, for all of Lunar like a lover instead of a deity receiving a supplicant, and Ronfar leaned into it slightly.
Mauri was seething under her mask of serenity. Even Leo looked uncomfortable as he put a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"My priest, whom I have blessed with two gifts instead of the one and have pulled back from death. You have paid my gifts back with untold faithfulness and dedication," Althena was practically cooing.
Ronfar's gaze was rapt. "I live only to serve you, Holy Mother."
"So you have proved. I wish you to continue to do so as my Red Priest. Travel to all corners of Lunar and bring my light to all of my children, under the banner of the high Chosen," Althena ordered.
Ronfar finally bowed his head. "I shall, to the greatest of my abilities, forsaking any and all that would get in my way."
The applause was considerably lighter than for the others. Mauri was wondering what Ronfar had meant by that, but he didn't meet her eyes as he came back to stand by Leo.
Althena raised her arms in benediction. "My Chosen, and to all of my children, I give you my new Four Heroes. In token of their dedication and the sacrifices that will be asked of them all, I expect that you grant them the respect and assistance deserving of their stations. This is my will."
Everyone bowed again, and there was more applause. Leo looked proud and a bit bashful yet, Lunn looked like he was ready to leave any time, Borgan was smiling in self-satisfaction, and Ronfar had a gaze of calculation on his face.
Suddenly, Althena's gaze shifted to Mauri. "Priestess Mauri, I ask you to step forward."
Mauri's heart was in her throat, but she obeyed and came to kneel in front of the Goddess. Leo had taken a step forward to back her up, but Mauri motioned for him to stay where he was. No matter her punishment, she didn't want Leo's reputation sullied by her own failures.
"Mauri, child, look up at me," Althena said kindly. Mauri obeyed, staying on her knees. Althena's expression twisted into a frown. "My daughter, what were you thinking? Threatening a high priestess to get your way? Running away from your duties in Zulan?"
"I didn't run away-" Mauri began.
"Silence!" Althena thundered, and Mauri stopped. The Goddess' expression had turned angry. "You would contradict the Goddess that you swore your vows and unquestioned obedience to? This is why your gifts were lost, my dear. You are not worthy to wield my power."
Ronfar's taunting words came back to her. "Or do you believe that it was an accident that you lost your healing powers after threatening the High Priestess?"
"Please, Holy Mother, I did what I did out of love. My behavior was unacceptable, but I didn't want Ronfar to die," Mauri begged.
"Your own disobedience is what nearly cost your loved one his life," Althena pointed out. Mauri cringed, hearing her own worst fears being confirmed in public. By her own Goddess, no less!
Leo looked ready to open his mouth, but Mauri shook her head again. He had tried to talk her out of her stubborness and she would not allow him to fall with her.
"There are some things that are beyond the pale, daughter. Someone with such poor judgment cannot be trusted. You are to be defrocked and banished from Pentagulia, effective immediately," Althena ordered. She gazed at Ronfar. "Do you have any objections, my priest?"
Mauri turned to Ronfar with desperation in her eyes, but Ronfar stared only at the Goddess. "No. Turning against the Chosen is unforgivable. It is turning against you and breaking our holy vows."
"Well said," Althena almost purred, then turned back to Mauri. "Take off that robe. It is a mockery for you to wear it at this point."
"No!" Mauri screamed and threw herself onto the floor in a full prostration. "Please, don't do this. This has been my life's work, my heart's dream to work alongside Ronfar. Anything else, I beg of you!"
"Ronfar, she seems to be having trouble hearing my wishes. Would you assist her?" Althena asked with a smirk.
"Yes, Holy Mother," Ronfar replied coolly.
Mauri rose up on her knees and stared at her beloved approaching. There was no pity, no guilt, no feeling in those eyes. "Ronfar, please. Something's wrong here, don't you see? This is all wrong, and it has been since your cure was-mph!"
Mauri touched her throat as her words were cut off. A mute spell! But who...?
She first glanced at Borgan and his mages, but they were ignoring everything. Lunn and his students weren't likely to have cast it, none of the Chosen had moved, but someone else had...
Smythe was ducking back behind Leo, looking very guilty. He mouthed an apology to Mauri but did not remove the spell.
Mauri shut her eyes against a flood of tears as she got to her feet and began removing her ordination robe. She was angry, but knew that Smythe was trying to save her in his own way. Balse had warned her as well to take the lay of the land, and she hadn't listened.
Mauri nodded to Smythe, a silent promise that she would behave. His fingers twitched, removing the spell. Mauri folded her robe neatly and handed it to Ronfar, though she considered throwing it at his face. The way that Ronfar was ignoring her, throwing her to the wolves. Cutting off her hand would have been less painful than this!
"Lord Leo, please take her away. Mauri is not fit to be in my holy city any longer. This audience is over," Althena said with a clap.
Everyone bowed again, and Leo came to take Mauri's arm in resignation. "I'm so sorry, sister," Leo whispered.
Mauri glanced back once more towards Ronfar, but he was caressing his silk robe and smirking at the Goddess. He didn't seem to notice her departure at all, and that hurt more than being defrocked.
She had lost almost everything in one meeting.
If anything, the stares got even worse after they had left the Shrine. Clearly, Mauri's defrocking was to be a surprise only to their group. Whispers and subtle pointing had joined the stares, although no one dared when Leo cast an angry gaze in their direction.
Smythe had hesitated, but then offered Mauri his arm again to escort her. Mauri recognized it as a symbol of his support and to advertise that she had not been put in irons. She accepted it, and Smythe had sighed in relief. Mauri kept her head high, feeling the comforting weight of her mother's comb in her hair and walking as proudly as if her simple dress was a holiday robe fit for a High Priestess. The stares had cut down considerably after this.
The group was quiet until they had left the Holy City and made it to the deck of the Destiny. Only then did Leo turn an angry glare at Smythe. "Don't think I didn't notice you casting magic on my sister. By what right did you do that?!"
Smythe straightened up. "I will not apologize, Sir-Lord Leo, and I would do it again. I was afraid that they would ask for Lady Mauri's life if she kept on in the same vein."
Leo snarled in frustration, unable to deny that possibility. Instead he turned to Mauri. "What should I do to punish this act?"
Mauri shook her head sadly. "Nothing. Smythe possibly saved my life and was repaying me for helping him in Azado. He is a good and loyal man who was only thinking of my wellbeing."
Leo sighed and rubbed the back of his head as if to ward off a headache. "Fine, but do not make me remember this, Smythe. You have my gratitude for acting to save my sister, but you overstepped."
Smythe bowed, still not apologetic. "Understood, sir. Should I go check our supplies before we leave Pentagulia?"
"Yes, do that," Leo answered distractedly. Smythe bowed again and took off.
"Leo, I need you to listen to me now. It's about that night in Azado," Mauri began, and explained about seeing Ronfar, what he had said, and how she had felt the change in him.
Leo looked like he was going to be sick. "You're certain? You're certain that he insinuated being involved with that beast?!"
"He straight out said that he didn't expect me to forgive him," Mauri repeated.
"Oh, Goddess," Leo muttered, then sat down hard on the first step on the deck.
Mauri sat next to him but left him some space. "I'm so sorry to ruin your day. This should have been a happy one for all of us."
"I'd give it all up in a minute and serve here as a cabin boy if it would give you your proper place back," Leo insisted. He fingered the hilt of his new sword. "But that would just make things worse."
"It would, but I thank you," Mauri said. She leaned back with a sigh. "I have no idea how to help Ronfar now. Even Balse is being watched, and I won't have access to Pentagulia's libraries anymore."
Leo was quiet for a long time, staring into space as his men ran around making preparations to depart. Mauri waited, letting him sort out what he needed to say in his mind.
When it finally came, she wished that it hadn't. "I don't think there's anything to be done."
"What?!" Mauri was certain she'd misheard.
"The Goddess herself approves of this version of Ronfar, Mauri," Leo pointed out tiredly. "Balse told you that the Chosen got what they wanted in Azado, regardless of how the monsters got there and by whose hand. You've been defrocked and have lost your healing. I truly believe that you would be putting yourself in danger to continue with this."
Mauri couldn't believe it. "But Ronfar-"
"-has chosen the Goddess," Leo interrupted.
"But it wasn't him, not the real him!" Mauri argued. "He told me that he would love me always. If we could just figure out-"
"How?! Mauri, at the end of the day, I'm no priest and I'm only an amateur at earth magic thanks to the Goddess' grace. My usual strategy involves hitting the bad thing with my sword before it attacks someone!" Leo exploded. Mauri cringed, but Leo continued. "I do not mean to wound you, sister, but even if you were to continue this route, how would you do it? With the high Chosen and Althena working against you, the one High Priest who would be an ally already in trouble, and being defrocked, what can you possibly do?!"
The words pierced Mauri's heart, because she honestly had no idea. No directions, no one to ask, nowhere to go to investigate.
They had lost.
"Leo... I never thanked you properly for all of your help in Raculi," she said instead.
Leo blinked at the change in subject, then softened. "You are welcome. I think it's time we get you home."
"No. I can't, it would be too painful to be there now after all that's happened," Mauri protested.
"Very well. Where do you wish to go? As the Destiny is now under my command, I can bring you anywhere," Leo offered.
Mauri thought about it, but no easy answers came to mind. "No matter for now- we still need to visit Raculi first to pick up your things. Take your time and think over where would bring you peace," Leo assured her.
Peace, that's exactly what I need right now. A bit of time alone with my Goddess to think and decide where I need to be. "Thanks, Leo. I'm going to go do some devotions in my cabin for now. I promise I'll help cook the evening meal for the men," Mauri said.
Leo nodded and got back to his feet as Mauri did the same. "They will welcome it, as will I, but do not feel beholden if you need more quiet time."
Mauri nodded and headed for the staircase that led to the interior of the Destiny.
No less than three guards checked on her wellbeing on her way to her cabin. Mauri had politely thanked them for their courtesy but couldn't deny that closing her door to make a space for herself was a relief.
Her best thinking was often done after a session of prayers. Mauri grabbed a stick of the Azado rose incense she used when she needed to do serious pondering and lit it.
After a few seconds, it smelt cloying and thick instead of like heavenly flowers. She coughed and extinguished the stick, then opened the small porthole window to get some fresh air in. The pure sea breeze chased out the incense aroma in seconds.
Instead, Mauri tried one of her homemade incense sticks, made from the same flowers from home that she used in her shampoos and lotions.
Much better. This one felt friendly and familiar, like a hug from Josam or a Raculi-style fish dish.
Mauri knelt in front of the small statue of the Goddess that had traveled with her everywhere, originally belonging to her mother who had also been a priestess. Mauri bowed in homage, closing her eyes and sounding the first prayer.
"Mother of Love, Mother of Beauty, you who hear every cry of help and soothe every fear of every child, I beg you to enter my heart now. I am lost, and afraid for my beloved and my own future," she began.
Mauri continued with the ritual phrases, something she could have done in her sleep. She pronounced everything carefully, and from the heart. Never before when calling out like this had she felt such need.
"What should I do? Where should I go? Is Ronfar still able to be saved?" Mauri begged.
Silence reigned for quite some time. Mauri couldn't even hear the engines of the Destiny or the soldiers getting things ready- her cabin could have been in a pocket universe of silence and waiting and a faint scent of flowers.
As a trained priestess, Mauri was used to long prayers and meditations. She could wait forever if she had to.
Outside of her window, there were two gulls flying together. One suddenly made a dive to the water to snatch a fish while the other kept going.
So that is how it must be. I must take another path for myself. But where?
Mauri had roots and friends in Raculi and Azado, but it would be too painful to live surrounded by constant memories of what she had been and what she had lost.
Zulan? She had made many friends and happy memories there, but it would be difficult to remember every patient she had healed there and trying to fill in the gaps with herbs like Leyla.
No, what she needed was somewhere brand new. Somewhere where the Chosen didn't have a strong presence and where no one would know or care about her past. Somewhere she could be of real help and do some penance for her many mistakes.
Suddenly, Mauri knew exactly where she had to go.
"Larpa?!" Leo almost screamed. "Out of all the places you could go, why the hell would you pick that Goddess-forsaken den of thieves and misfits?!"
Smythe coughed and looked down at his feet. "Larpa is my hometown, Lord Leo."
Leo had the grace to look embarrassed. "My apologies, Smythe, it slipped my mind. That was out of line."
"What do you think of it, Smythe?" Mauri asked, partly out of curiosity and partly to save her brother from shoving his foot farther in his mouth.
"It's not an easy town to live in, but the people there have no love for the Chosen. Your talents would be welcome," Smythe answered honestly.
"Would she be safe?" Leo asked cautiously.
Smythe took his time answering. His first thought was that anyone who survived Leo as a brother and managed to keep Ronfar in line would be fine, but he valued his life. "Most of the gamblers have more bark than bite. Lady Mauri's experience in handling difficult patients would be plenty to make them back off. Her expertise in archery would derail anyone else," he said instead.
Mauri flushed a little. "I am no longer a priestess, Smythe. You do not have to keep referring to me as 'Lady Mauri'."
Smythe met her gaze strongly as he shook his head. "Althena may have taken your robe, lady, but she cannot take away who and what you are at the fiber of your being. Lord Leo and I would be no less the warriors for losing our blades."
"Indeed," Leo agreed. He looked mollified after hearing Smythe's description. "This is your will, Mauri? To Larpa?"
"It is," Mauri replied strongly. It was odd, that there was such a sudden feeling of rightness behind this decision.
"To Larpa after a brief halt in Raculi, then. Smythe, I'm detaching you from your current duties to assist Mauri in whatever way you two think is best," Leo ordered.
Smythe saluted him. "Yes, Lord Leo. With Raculi still recovering from the plague, we should make a stop for certain supplies in Dalton on the way."
"We shall. Notify the helmsman of his orders and we'll be on our way," Leo decided.
A stab of fear hit Mauri's heart at how fast this was all going, but she had to hold the faith. The loving Goddess she had given her vows to- not the brazen hussy in Pentagulia- wanted her in Larpa, she was sure of it.
Mauri's hand reached out and gripped the locket that hung over her heart. She would do her penance in exile and try to find some peace and purpose. She would hold memories of her love close.
Maybe, just maybe, she would one day find the answers she desperately sought.
"No! Why do I have to drink a yucky potion instead of getting magic like the others?!"
The patient was a young boy of nine who had some monster bites on his arm. His parents had taken care of the monster themselves after the attack, and his mom was glaring at Mauri for subjecting her boy to something strong-tasting.
Learning to heal effectively involved far more than just learning spells and studying the body. Mauri smiled sweetly at the boy. "You're pretty tough, you know that? There are a lot of adults that wouldn't be able to handle an injury like that."
The boy gaped for a moment, then grinned. His parents looked mollified as well. "I'm the toughest, just like my parents!"
"Exactly!" Mauri agreed, then leaned in a bit and lowered her voice. "That's why you get an herbal remedy. We only have so many people who can use magic, and they need to take care of those who are more badly injured and aren't as strong as you are. We knew right away that you were tough and didn't need more than this." She offered the potion again.
The boy took it and chugged it down quickly to prove her right. He coughed a few times but got his breath back quickly. The bites on his arm dwindled down to almost nothing, as if he had had two weeks of healing. Mauri smiled and turned her attention to the parents. "I would keep that wrapped for another day to be on the safe side. Please come back if you have any questions or see anything unusual develop."
The boy's mom actually returned her smile. "My thanks to you and Althena. I'll drop off a donation on the way out." Mauri bowed slightly in gratitude.
The boy took a moment to flex his bicep to Mauri, grinning as she praised it, then turned around and followed his parents out of the Shrine.
"Hey, she only gave him herbs. Is that...?" one of the priestesses whispered.
"Shhhh! Don't look at her. We don't need to lose our blessing, too," another whispered back, and they both giggled under their breath.
Mauri was too tired to even react to their taunts. Their robes were too clean and pretty for them to have done some of the tasks she had, including amputating an arm that had been crushed by a fallen building or delivering a baby that had come three weeks early due to the stress. It had been embarrassing to have to talk some of her colleagues through the spells she needed instead of casting them herself, but the job got done. She wiped the sweat off of her forehead with a clean towel and went to check for more patients.
To her relief, the anteroom of the Shrine was empty. Mauri took the opportunity to finally sit on one of the chairs there and leaned her head back against the wall, intending to just rest her eyes a bit.
The smell of food woke her up. Mauri was startled to see Balse standing nearby, a mischievous smile on his face and a tray of food in his hand. She tried to think of something to say that wouldn't sound like an excuse.
"Do not concern yourself with explanations, daughter. You fought valiantly both in Azado's streets and in the sickroom. I would be upset if you had not taken the opportunity to rest when you needed it," he said kindly, handing her the tray. Mauri's stomach growled a welcome to the bowl of stew and cup of tea that sat on the tray.
"Thank you, Balse. How are things in the city?" she asked, picking up the spoon.
Balse took the chair next to her, sighing in relief. She hoped he had gotten some rest, too, as he had fought and healed as well. "Leo and his Corps were a blessing. Azado is safe, much of the damage has been repaired, and we might have lost many more lives."
Mauri had to ask. "How many lives were lost in this attack?"
"Only ten, but that is ten too many," Balse replied grimly. A true healer's answer.
Mauri sipped some tea, trying to think on how to phrase her words. She finally just set down her cup and decided to say it. "Balse, I came back to the shrine and saw Ronfar before the attack started. He tried to warn me before-"
Balse shook his head. "It won't matter."
"What?!"
"The guilds of Azado have voted unanimously on the funds for the new shrine and statue that the Chosen have planned. Sir Leo and his men are being lauded as heroes and have countless people signing up to be recruits. Whatever was intended, the Chosen has received what they wanted," Balse finished. He fished an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her.
Mauri opened it curiously, seeing the rose and Blue Star seal of the high Chosen.
To the Priestess Mauri,
We apologize that your situation has been in limbo, but the high Chosen have come to a decision regarding your future with us at last. As you might imagine, we have been very busy with the Goddess being returned to us.
You are summoned to Pentagulia to meet with us and the Goddess herself as soon as possible. As Sir Leo and Priest Ronfar are in Azado, you are to travel together.
It is requested that you appear in your ordination robe for your audience with us.
By Althena's Light,
High Priestess Lauryl
Lauryl had written this, and it was as cold as her presence had been. Mauri was finally going to get some answers, but she suspected that she wouldn't like them.
"There's nothing here about Ronfar's changes. Nothing about the follow-up from the plague," Mauri commented sadly.
"If anything, my dear, they are happy about it. I believe that anything you would try to say would come off as contradicting the Goddess or trying to lessen your own punishment," Balse said quietly.
Mauri sighed and got to her feet. "I knew this day was coming. I will accept my punishment for pulling a bow on the High Priestess. But this situation with Ronfar-"
"Choose your words carefully, Mauri. Watch and listen very closely in Pentagulia before you pick your course," Balse interrupted.
Mauri hugged Balse tightly, feeling like he was one of the few remaining links to any hopes she had at this point. Balse held on as long as she wanted, and she wasn't sure if the tears wetting her shoulders were his or hers.
Leo and Ronfar had gotten similar letters, but theirs were far more optimistic. "Brought before the Goddess herself!" Ronfar said gleefully, "Who would imagine such an honor?!"
Leo was trying to stay humble in front of his men but he had been wearing a hint of a silly grin as well. "I must polish my best armor, sharpen my sword, press my dress uniform. Should I add a cape, do you think?"
"I think a cape would suit you well, Sir Leo!" Smythe insisted. He was still a little down about what he saw as his failure in Azado, but had perked right up about Leo's upcoming audience with the high Chosen and Althena herself.
Mauri said nothing but kept stitching at a few loose seams on her robe. It had been damaged the night of the failed healing but was at least washed.
Mauri had tried countless times to have a chat with Leo in private, but he'd been busy with getting himself, his men, and the Destiny prepared for a grand arrival in Pentagulia. Even Smythe, who had been shyly waiting on her ever since she had shot the corpse crusher when he had been injured, had been unable to help her out.
Ronfar was acting as he had since his cure, speaking eagerly of the new shrine to be built in Azado with a giant statue of the Goddess. He had not acknowledged the ten lives lost in the attack or his (probable?) role in it.
Ronfar was barely acknowledging Mauri herself beyond asking if the red silk robe he had been commanded to wear made him look regal or gaudy. Mauri personally thought he looked ridiculous in it, but blandly commented on how it flattered his coloring and added a regal stance to his posture. He'd missed the slight sarcasm in her tone and flounced off, seemingly pleased.
Mauri tried to keep herself busy to prevent worrying about her audience. She gave health exams to the guards and even assisted in cooking the evening meal. Several of the guards began calling her "Lady Mauri" and asking if she would possibly consider staying on with them. Smythe was far from her only admirer. It was sweet, if unthinkable, but it was nice to feel needed and she felt like a true priestess for the first time in a long time again.
As expected, Ronfar had asked for separate guestrooms. Smythe was discreet and asked no questions as he led her to the room she had occupied on the way to Raculi. "I believe you'll find things to your satisfaction, Lady Mauri. But if you require anything, please ask," he said politely as he set down her trunk.
Mauri looked around, but Ronfar was still chatting with Leo on the deck and there were no more guards around. "Smythe, may I ask you a question? In confidence?"
Smythe looked a little puzzled but nodded slowly. "You may. There are things I can't answer, milady, but I will if I can."
"You know more than you admit, and you see everything. My brother uses you as a scout for a reason, yes?" Mauri asked.
Smythe didn't even blink. "Yes. "
"What do you think about Ronfar and his sermons lately? What do the people in the cities you've visited think?" Mauri asked quietly.
Panic flared up in Smythe's eyes, which answered her question. She couldn't heal anymore, but her sensitivity told her that his heart rate and breathing rate had sped up considerably. He looked off to the side, plainly struggling between his loyalty to Leo and the Chosen and his gratitude to her for helping to save his life.
"No, forgive me for putting you in a cruel place. Do not answer," Mauri said instead.
Relief filled his body instead. "I... thank you for your understanding, milady. I have seen the scared reactions of the people, and it's not my place to comment on the rightness or wrongness of them. It is not my place to comment on my personal feelings about them," Smythe replied, deftly answering her questions with plausible deniability.
"My brother is truly fortunate to have you at his side," Mauri said warmly, "Please continue looking after him for me."
Smythe threw her the same salute that he gave to Leo. "As you command, lady. Althena give you a peaceful rest."
"May she bless your sword and keep you safe," Mauri replied. Smythe smiled shyly at her and bolted before having to answer anything else.
Mauri carefully set up her small statue of the goddess and lit a stick of incense before doing her evening prayers. It took much longer than usual, but she did eventually feel the loosening of her sorrows and Althena's peace sink into her heart.
This mother's love, the healing of hurts and the bringing of peace, this is her gift that I mean to bring to the world. Regardless of how tomorrow's audience goes, I will follow my vows and serve the way I feel in my heart.
"Pentagulia straight ahead! Docking in approximately twenty minutes!" Smythe announced through Mauri's closed door early the next morning.
Mauri was almost ready anyway. Her ordination robe had been mended and cleaned to look almost brand-new. Her hair was up in an elegant twist secured with a silver comb that had belonged to her mother instead of a utilitarian bun or tied back. Lastly, she dabbed a bit of violet perfume behind her ears and on her wrists, hoping it might spark memories of her last birthday that Ronfar had helped make so special.
She went up to the Destiny's deck to join Leo and Ronfar and get a view of the holy city as they approached. Leo looked dashing in a spotless white Corps uniform. Smythe had been right- the added cape did suit him. He also was constantly adjusting his position, clearly trying to find where to stand so that the cape billowed magnificently back from him while trying not to make it obvious that that's what he was doing. Mauri had a difficult time holding back her giggles. "You look like a dragonmaster out of legend, brother," she said instead.
Leo blushed, caught out of his posing, and came to give her a hug. "You look like our mother. Our parents would be proud of both of us, I believe."
"Leo, about that night in Azado-" Mauri tried.
"It looks like everyone's ready!" Ronfar announced, coming up on the deck to join them. He was wearing a red silk robe embroidered heavily in gold thread. Bits of garnet and onyx sparkled at borders of the robe on the cuffs and hem. There was even a hammered bronze circlet on his head in lieu of the cotton bandannas he liked to wear when healing. The whole ensemble had probably cost as much as a family made in three months in Raculi.
"Where on Lunar did you get that?!" Leo asked in astonishment. He pointed at the circlet. "And why?!"
Ronfar ran a fond hand over the robe, making the gems sparkle. "The high Chosen actually sent this to me. I'm to speak more instead of healing, so they said I needed to start dressing the part. I can't represent the Goddess so well in my usual clothes, don't you think?"
Leo opened his mouth before looking at Mauri helplessly. Mauri just shrugged. Luckily for her, healers weren't meant to 'dress the part' and cheaper, easy to clean clothes were their uniform. She was wearing one of her cotton peasant dresses from Raculi under her ordination robe.
"We're almost there! Prepare to dock!" yelled the helmsman, saving the siblings a need to respond to Ronfar's new threads.
Leo raised a hand, and Smythe and the squad leaders instantly appeared around him. "You all did well to get the Destiny cleaned and repaired to enter Pentagulia to see the Goddess. For that, you have my gratitude." The men smiled at each other. "You will also have three bottles of Meribian rum at supper tonight from my personal collection. The good ones." The men cheered at this, with a few high fiving each other.
Leo smiled and looked over the men thoughtfully. "Mason, you are to man the Destiny during our audience. Smythe, you will escort us to the main shrine."
"Yes, sir!" both men exclaimed in unison.
To Leo's pride, the Destiny docked smoothly without even a bump. He led the way down the steps on the side, followed by Ronfar, and Smythe offered his hand to help Mauri down in a most gentlemanly manner. It made Mauri smile despite the pit in her stomach.
Their arrival had not gone unnoticed. One of hers and Ronfar's instructors, the High Priest Darnel, was waiting to greet them. He smiled warmly at Leo and Ronfar, but his smile was a bit forced as he spotted Mauri. Mauri ignored it, greeting him as respectfully as she had always done in his class.
"Welcome, everyone. The Goddess herself awaits you, along with the rest of the high Chosen. Do any of you require anything or a bit of time before your audience?" he asked.
Leo glanced back, but everyone shook their heads. "No, we are prepared to meet the Goddess. Please lead the way, if you will."
"Very good, it's not respectful to keep her waiting. This way." Darnel turned swiftly and began leading them towards the Great Shrine at the back of the holy city.
As they ascended the stairs, Mauri felt the pit in her stomach seeming to grow. There were far more clergy here than had ever been during her training, and quite a few of them looked away rather than meeting her gaze. Even former friends and instructors, though they were giving awed smiles to Leo and Ronfar.
"Courage, lady. Althena knows our hearts," Smythe whispered. He, too, had noticed the silent shunning that Mauri was receiving. His face wore the perfect blank expression of a loyal servant, though his arm that Mauri's hand rested on was trembling in anger.
"I made a decision, and I will accept the ramifications of it," Mauri murmured. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "But thank you."
Darnel shot a quick glare at them, but both of them were looking straight ahead and keeping up, so he said nothing and continued on.
"The four towers have banners on them now, do you see?" Leo asked. "The colors of the four dragons?"
"Well spotted, Sir Leo. I believe the implications of that will become clear shortly," Darnel replied, smug at his knowledge.
Mauri waited expectantly, but Ronfar said nothing. The old Ronfar would have tried to wheedle at least a hint out of him using his best disarming smile and would possibly have found out something. Then Leo would have chided him for it and they would have spent the rest of the walk trying to guess what it meant.
Leo turned around when he heard Mauri's sigh of disappointment, a question in his eyes. Mauri shook her head, and he shrugged and continued after the High Priest.
When they entered the Great Shrine, everyone gasped in surprise. It was much larger and grander than it had been before. Beautiful gold leaf had been added to freshly painted murals on the walls. Vases of roses were sitting on silk runners on tables, every crimson bloom vibrant and perfect. Clouds of exotic and expensive incense hung in the air, competing with the roses to overwhelm the senses. The floors were a brilliant marble, polished to a mirror shine.
"This is-" Mauri was almost speechless, aghast at the luxury and cost of her surroundings. What had happened to the homey, welcoming Shrine that had invited in one and all?
Darnel straightened a bit in pride. "This is the home of the Goddess. The donations of the people have been instrumental in making this as fitting an earthly home as possible." His smile twisted a bit. "Not that our mortal hands could hope to make it worthy."
"Indeed, we could not," Leo said tightly. His expression said that they shouldn't try, that donations would be better used elsewhere, but he kept that thought to himself. While Raculi had been able to feed its people, the priesthood there had had to make do with homemade wildflower incense, roughly embroidered robes, and meeting in the homes of people. And our faith was never the less for it.
Only Ronfar looked pleased with the changes. "It's only right that we honor Althena with our very best to honor everything she has done for us. Anything less would be stealing."
Darnel nodded approvingly. "I'm glad that you understand at least. Come." He pushed open the giant double doors, carved of fragrant sandalwood, that led to the audience chamber.
If anything, the scent of incense was even stronger here. Mauri's eyes started watering, and she was grateful for Smythe's arm as they walked the length of the crimson silk rug. The high Chosen were clustered around the back of the chamber, all watching expectantly. The High Priestess Lauryl looked disapproving and as sour as a lemon as she met Mauri's gaze.
To Mauri's surprise, their group wasn't the only one involved in this audience. A tall, unsmiling man in a blue martial arts uniform was standing to the right, surrounded by a small group of students that looked as expressionless as their master. To the left was a shorter, squat man wrapped in voluminous black mage's robes and wearing a peaked hat. Three mages flanked him and were staring at the richness of the audience chamber in open envy.
"It might be best to introduce everyone before Althena herself arrives," Darnel announced. He pointed to the martial artist. "Master Lunn, the greatest martial artist Horam has ever seen."
If anything, Lunn looked bored. He gave a brief nod to everyone, not deigning to speak.
Darnel looked a little surprised at Lunn's abruptness but didn't comment. He gestured to the mage. "The great mage Borgan, who has been working tirelessly on a new magical city to help protect our Goddess."
"Neo-Vane will be a jewel in the crown of the Chosen, even finer than Pentagulia one day," Borgan said proudly.
To Mauri's shock, Ronfar let out a derisive snort. "Is that what all those diamonds in Zaback are going towards? Pity."
"Excuse me?" Borgan repeated angrily, taking a step towards the priest. His mages were watching, hands clenching their staffs.
Ronfar waved a hand towards the audience hall. "The best of the best should go to the Goddess, bucko. Everyone knows that. Not to some wannabe relic of the past in the corner of the world."
"Ronfar, this is not the time-" Leo began angrily. Mauri tried to take Ronfar's arm, but he shook it off.
Borgan sneered in reply, slamming the butt of his mage's staff on the floor. "You just stay in your pretty sanctuary, hymn singer. Leave the actual work of protecting the world to those of us who can handle it."
"Hey, if you wanna go-" Ronfar began, reaching in a pocket for his dice.
"Enough!" Darnel snarled. He glared at both men. "The Goddess will be here soon, and you're ready to brawl like schoolchildren. Mind your place!"
Ronfar bowed his head immediately. "My apologies."
Darnel glared at Borgan, who reluctantly lowered his head. "I am sorry."
"If you ever disparage the priesthood again, Master Borgan, you will lose all of our support. For everything," Darnel snapped. Borgan squeaked and lowered his head even lower.
Darnel sighed and pointed to Leo and Ronfar. "We also have Sir Leo of the Corps, who is currently the deputy captain of the Dragonship Destiny, and Priest Ronfar, who has been a wonder in bringing in more of Althena's children to the Chosen. I hope that we can all work together."
Mauri waited, but Darnel was clearly finished and had turned to face the steps to wait for Althena. Leo cleared his throat. "It pleases me to introduce my sister the Priestess Mauri and Senior Corporal Smythe. Mauri was recently instrumental in saving Zulan from a hideous monster that was poisoning their water, and personally saved the life of my right-hand man during the recent attack in Azado."
"Right, she shot the monster that was going to gut me!" Smythe said proudly.
Lunn and Borgan didn't even give nods of acknowledgment, following Darnel's snub. Mauri's face burned red in embarrassment. Balse could teach you peacocks a thing or two about humility. He might not dress like it or give himself airs but hear him speak about the Goddess or cast recovery magic and you know he's a High Priest.
"She comes!" a voice called. An acolyte in a plain white robe came dashing out of the anteroom. He quickly bowed to the high Chosen and took a place behind them.
The clergy, Leo, and Smythe all took a knee and bowed their heads, while the mages and martial artists gave a deep bow. It was only after the whisper of silks and a gentle command to rise that they stood and got their first look at the human incarnation of the Goddess Althena.
She was beautiful, yes, and greatly resembled the statues and paintings that Mauri had prayed and healed under for years. Althena wore countless layers of fine silk robes thickly embroidered and sparkling with diamonds and other expensive gems. A tall hat sat like a crown on her twilight waves of hair, and a golden staff rested in her right hand. She certainly looked like a goddess.
But....
... she didn't feel like one.
Mauri got no sense of the love, peace, and compassion she always felt when tapping into Althena's power to help others or during her deepest prayers. Instead, she felt waves of smugness, vanity, and self-satisfaction. Althena's smile reminded her of how Ronfar's looked now- charming on the surface, but with no depth or laughter echoing in the eyes. What is going on? Why does everything about this feel so wrong?
"Welcome, my children. I owe the deepest thanks to the high Chosen for safeguarding our beautiful Lunar in my absence for so very long," Althena began, her voice pure song. Leo and Ronfar were standing in awe, clearly dazzled.
Darnel bowed. "It was our privilege as well as our duty, Holy Mother."
Althena beamed at him. "So it was. But we have dark days coming ahead and we need to be ready. I'm sure you have already guessed, but I have called you here for a very special reason. To select the Four Heroes that will be our greatest safeguard in the time to come." She pointed to Leo first. "Sir Leo, please come forward."
Leo looked like he was going to faint. Ronfar gave him a nudge to start walking while Mauri smiled at him and stood ready to catch him if need be. Leo managed to step forward before falling to both knees. He drew his blade and laid it at the Goddess' feet, then bowed his head in supplication. "M-m-my G-Goddess..." he stammered, causing Mauri and Ronfar to stare at him in shock.
"Yes, my son?" Althena prodded him gently.
Leo looked up, tears in his eyes. "I wanted to thank you for saving my best friend's life."
Althena laughed sweetly, not mockingly, and glanced at the assembled Chosen. "You see? The first thing Leo does is give thanks, not to ask for anything." She smiled down at Leo, who met her gaze adoringly. "Sir Leo, you have served us well for a long time. You have saved the lives of many of my children, most recently in Azado. In recognition of your faith and loyalty, I wish to make you my White Knight."
Leo gasped, then bowed his head again. "I am not worthy, but I will serve you as well as I may."
One of the Chosen handed Althena a pure white sword, likely fashioned of platinum. She accepted it, then held the hilt out to Leo. "I know you will be faithful. In addition to this sword, I grant you the use of the Destiny as its true captain. Your men will no longer be merely a Corps, but Althena's Guard. Ward my children well in the time to come, Lord Leo!"
Applause rang out as Leo rose and accepted the sword, with Mauri clapping the loudest and tearing up in joy. He smiled as he examined the white blade quickly, noting the keen edge and workmanship. "May I never disappoint you, Holy Mother. In your name, I will serve as your sword and shield between every danger and every one of your children." He bowed once more and rejoined Ronfar, Mauri, and Smythe, beaming with pride and happiness.
"Master Lunn, please step forward," Althena called.
The martial artist obeyed, bowing deeply, his face still expressionless. "Holy Mother."
"I have heard of your prowess from the city of Horam. Your humility and discipline will be an excellent example to my children. In addition to becoming my Blue Karate Master, I give you the governorship of Meribia to watch over," Althena announced. She gave Lunn a golden key, likely to the unoccupied mansion in the city.
"In appreciation for all you have done for me, I will continue to serve," Lunn answered. More applause rang out before Lunn rejoined his students.
"Master Borgan, please come up," Althena called.
Borgan shuffled up to the Goddess, then slowly bowed. Mauri didn't like his expression- the word 'slimy' was the first that came to mind, and he stared at the Goddess as if wondering how to get anything he could out of her. "Beloved Mother?"
"The state of magic in this world has been a disgrace for a thousand years. Vane has failed us, and you have stepped up to take on a monumental challenge. In recognition of your vision and your dedication, you will be my Black Wizard and receive our full support to make Neo-Vane as grand as the Vane of old," Althena declared.
Polite applause rang out as Borgan licked his lips and smiled. "We will continue to make an elite city for the finest and most elite magicians to serve you well, Goddess." He bowed once more and returned to his group of mages.
"Priest Ronfar, come before me," Althena said. Ronfar stepped forward. His head was held high, with just a bit of a saucy tilt to it. He went to a kneel slowly, but kept his eyes fixed on the Goddess instead of bowing his head. "Holy Goddess, I await your will."
Instead of looking disconcerted, Althena smiled in satisfaction as she stepped forward to Ronfar. She gently caressed his hair, for all of Lunar like a lover instead of a deity receiving a supplicant, and Ronfar leaned into it slightly.
Mauri was seething under her mask of serenity. Even Leo looked uncomfortable as he put a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"My priest, whom I have blessed with two gifts instead of the one and have pulled back from death. You have paid my gifts back with untold faithfulness and dedication," Althena was practically cooing.
Ronfar's gaze was rapt. "I live only to serve you, Holy Mother."
"So you have proved. I wish you to continue to do so as my Red Priest. Travel to all corners of Lunar and bring my light to all of my children, under the banner of the high Chosen," Althena ordered.
Ronfar finally bowed his head. "I shall, to the greatest of my abilities, forsaking any and all that would get in my way."
The applause was considerably lighter than for the others. Mauri was wondering what Ronfar had meant by that, but he didn't meet her eyes as he came back to stand by Leo.
Althena raised her arms in benediction. "My Chosen, and to all of my children, I give you my new Four Heroes. In token of their dedication and the sacrifices that will be asked of them all, I expect that you grant them the respect and assistance deserving of their stations. This is my will."
Everyone bowed again, and there was more applause. Leo looked proud and a bit bashful yet, Lunn looked like he was ready to leave any time, Borgan was smiling in self-satisfaction, and Ronfar had a gaze of calculation on his face.
Suddenly, Althena's gaze shifted to Mauri. "Priestess Mauri, I ask you to step forward."
Mauri's heart was in her throat, but she obeyed and came to kneel in front of the Goddess. Leo had taken a step forward to back her up, but Mauri motioned for him to stay where he was. No matter her punishment, she didn't want Leo's reputation sullied by her own failures.
"Mauri, child, look up at me," Althena said kindly. Mauri obeyed, staying on her knees. Althena's expression twisted into a frown. "My daughter, what were you thinking? Threatening a high priestess to get your way? Running away from your duties in Zulan?"
"I didn't run away-" Mauri began.
"Silence!" Althena thundered, and Mauri stopped. The Goddess' expression had turned angry. "You would contradict the Goddess that you swore your vows and unquestioned obedience to? This is why your gifts were lost, my dear. You are not worthy to wield my power."
Ronfar's taunting words came back to her. "Or do you believe that it was an accident that you lost your healing powers after threatening the High Priestess?"
"Please, Holy Mother, I did what I did out of love. My behavior was unacceptable, but I didn't want Ronfar to die," Mauri begged.
"Your own disobedience is what nearly cost your loved one his life," Althena pointed out. Mauri cringed, hearing her own worst fears being confirmed in public. By her own Goddess, no less!
Leo looked ready to open his mouth, but Mauri shook her head again. He had tried to talk her out of her stubborness and she would not allow him to fall with her.
"There are some things that are beyond the pale, daughter. Someone with such poor judgment cannot be trusted. You are to be defrocked and banished from Pentagulia, effective immediately," Althena ordered. She gazed at Ronfar. "Do you have any objections, my priest?"
Mauri turned to Ronfar with desperation in her eyes, but Ronfar stared only at the Goddess. "No. Turning against the Chosen is unforgivable. It is turning against you and breaking our holy vows."
"Well said," Althena almost purred, then turned back to Mauri. "Take off that robe. It is a mockery for you to wear it at this point."
"No!" Mauri screamed and threw herself onto the floor in a full prostration. "Please, don't do this. This has been my life's work, my heart's dream to work alongside Ronfar. Anything else, I beg of you!"
"Ronfar, she seems to be having trouble hearing my wishes. Would you assist her?" Althena asked with a smirk.
"Yes, Holy Mother," Ronfar replied coolly.
Mauri rose up on her knees and stared at her beloved approaching. There was no pity, no guilt, no feeling in those eyes. "Ronfar, please. Something's wrong here, don't you see? This is all wrong, and it has been since your cure was-mph!"
Mauri touched her throat as her words were cut off. A mute spell! But who...?
She first glanced at Borgan and his mages, but they were ignoring everything. Lunn and his students weren't likely to have cast it, none of the Chosen had moved, but someone else had...
Smythe was ducking back behind Leo, looking very guilty. He mouthed an apology to Mauri but did not remove the spell.
Mauri shut her eyes against a flood of tears as she got to her feet and began removing her ordination robe. She was angry, but knew that Smythe was trying to save her in his own way. Balse had warned her as well to take the lay of the land, and she hadn't listened.
Mauri nodded to Smythe, a silent promise that she would behave. His fingers twitched, removing the spell. Mauri folded her robe neatly and handed it to Ronfar, though she considered throwing it at his face. The way that Ronfar was ignoring her, throwing her to the wolves. Cutting off her hand would have been less painful than this!
"Lord Leo, please take her away. Mauri is not fit to be in my holy city any longer. This audience is over," Althena said with a clap.
Everyone bowed again, and Leo came to take Mauri's arm in resignation. "I'm so sorry, sister," Leo whispered.
Mauri glanced back once more towards Ronfar, but he was caressing his silk robe and smirking at the Goddess. He didn't seem to notice her departure at all, and that hurt more than being defrocked.
She had lost almost everything in one meeting.
If anything, the stares got even worse after they had left the Shrine. Clearly, Mauri's defrocking was to be a surprise only to their group. Whispers and subtle pointing had joined the stares, although no one dared when Leo cast an angry gaze in their direction.
Smythe had hesitated, but then offered Mauri his arm again to escort her. Mauri recognized it as a symbol of his support and to advertise that she had not been put in irons. She accepted it, and Smythe had sighed in relief. Mauri kept her head high, feeling the comforting weight of her mother's comb in her hair and walking as proudly as if her simple dress was a holiday robe fit for a High Priestess. The stares had cut down considerably after this.
The group was quiet until they had left the Holy City and made it to the deck of the Destiny. Only then did Leo turn an angry glare at Smythe. "Don't think I didn't notice you casting magic on my sister. By what right did you do that?!"
Smythe straightened up. "I will not apologize, Sir-Lord Leo, and I would do it again. I was afraid that they would ask for Lady Mauri's life if she kept on in the same vein."
Leo snarled in frustration, unable to deny that possibility. Instead he turned to Mauri. "What should I do to punish this act?"
Mauri shook her head sadly. "Nothing. Smythe possibly saved my life and was repaying me for helping him in Azado. He is a good and loyal man who was only thinking of my wellbeing."
Leo sighed and rubbed the back of his head as if to ward off a headache. "Fine, but do not make me remember this, Smythe. You have my gratitude for acting to save my sister, but you overstepped."
Smythe bowed, still not apologetic. "Understood, sir. Should I go check our supplies before we leave Pentagulia?"
"Yes, do that," Leo answered distractedly. Smythe bowed again and took off.
"Leo, I need you to listen to me now. It's about that night in Azado," Mauri began, and explained about seeing Ronfar, what he had said, and how she had felt the change in him.
Leo looked like he was going to be sick. "You're certain? You're certain that he insinuated being involved with that beast?!"
"He straight out said that he didn't expect me to forgive him," Mauri repeated.
"Oh, Goddess," Leo muttered, then sat down hard on the first step on the deck.
Mauri sat next to him but left him some space. "I'm so sorry to ruin your day. This should have been a happy one for all of us."
"I'd give it all up in a minute and serve here as a cabin boy if it would give you your proper place back," Leo insisted. He fingered the hilt of his new sword. "But that would just make things worse."
"It would, but I thank you," Mauri said. She leaned back with a sigh. "I have no idea how to help Ronfar now. Even Balse is being watched, and I won't have access to Pentagulia's libraries anymore."
Leo was quiet for a long time, staring into space as his men ran around making preparations to depart. Mauri waited, letting him sort out what he needed to say in his mind.
When it finally came, she wished that it hadn't. "I don't think there's anything to be done."
"What?!" Mauri was certain she'd misheard.
"The Goddess herself approves of this version of Ronfar, Mauri," Leo pointed out tiredly. "Balse told you that the Chosen got what they wanted in Azado, regardless of how the monsters got there and by whose hand. You've been defrocked and have lost your healing. I truly believe that you would be putting yourself in danger to continue with this."
Mauri couldn't believe it. "But Ronfar-"
"-has chosen the Goddess," Leo interrupted.
"But it wasn't him, not the real him!" Mauri argued. "He told me that he would love me always. If we could just figure out-"
"How?! Mauri, at the end of the day, I'm no priest and I'm only an amateur at earth magic thanks to the Goddess' grace. My usual strategy involves hitting the bad thing with my sword before it attacks someone!" Leo exploded. Mauri cringed, but Leo continued. "I do not mean to wound you, sister, but even if you were to continue this route, how would you do it? With the high Chosen and Althena working against you, the one High Priest who would be an ally already in trouble, and being defrocked, what can you possibly do?!"
The words pierced Mauri's heart, because she honestly had no idea. No directions, no one to ask, nowhere to go to investigate.
They had lost.
"Leo... I never thanked you properly for all of your help in Raculi," she said instead.
Leo blinked at the change in subject, then softened. "You are welcome. I think it's time we get you home."
"No. I can't, it would be too painful to be there now after all that's happened," Mauri protested.
"Very well. Where do you wish to go? As the Destiny is now under my command, I can bring you anywhere," Leo offered.
Mauri thought about it, but no easy answers came to mind. "No matter for now- we still need to visit Raculi first to pick up your things. Take your time and think over where would bring you peace," Leo assured her.
Peace, that's exactly what I need right now. A bit of time alone with my Goddess to think and decide where I need to be. "Thanks, Leo. I'm going to go do some devotions in my cabin for now. I promise I'll help cook the evening meal for the men," Mauri said.
Leo nodded and got back to his feet as Mauri did the same. "They will welcome it, as will I, but do not feel beholden if you need more quiet time."
Mauri nodded and headed for the staircase that led to the interior of the Destiny.
No less than three guards checked on her wellbeing on her way to her cabin. Mauri had politely thanked them for their courtesy but couldn't deny that closing her door to make a space for herself was a relief.
Her best thinking was often done after a session of prayers. Mauri grabbed a stick of the Azado rose incense she used when she needed to do serious pondering and lit it.
After a few seconds, it smelt cloying and thick instead of like heavenly flowers. She coughed and extinguished the stick, then opened the small porthole window to get some fresh air in. The pure sea breeze chased out the incense aroma in seconds.
Instead, Mauri tried one of her homemade incense sticks, made from the same flowers from home that she used in her shampoos and lotions.
Much better. This one felt friendly and familiar, like a hug from Josam or a Raculi-style fish dish.
Mauri knelt in front of the small statue of the Goddess that had traveled with her everywhere, originally belonging to her mother who had also been a priestess. Mauri bowed in homage, closing her eyes and sounding the first prayer.
"Mother of Love, Mother of Beauty, you who hear every cry of help and soothe every fear of every child, I beg you to enter my heart now. I am lost, and afraid for my beloved and my own future," she began.
Mauri continued with the ritual phrases, something she could have done in her sleep. She pronounced everything carefully, and from the heart. Never before when calling out like this had she felt such need.
"What should I do? Where should I go? Is Ronfar still able to be saved?" Mauri begged.
Silence reigned for quite some time. Mauri couldn't even hear the engines of the Destiny or the soldiers getting things ready- her cabin could have been in a pocket universe of silence and waiting and a faint scent of flowers.
As a trained priestess, Mauri was used to long prayers and meditations. She could wait forever if she had to.
Outside of her window, there were two gulls flying together. One suddenly made a dive to the water to snatch a fish while the other kept going.
So that is how it must be. I must take another path for myself. But where?
Mauri had roots and friends in Raculi and Azado, but it would be too painful to live surrounded by constant memories of what she had been and what she had lost.
Zulan? She had made many friends and happy memories there, but it would be difficult to remember every patient she had healed there and trying to fill in the gaps with herbs like Leyla.
No, what she needed was somewhere brand new. Somewhere where the Chosen didn't have a strong presence and where no one would know or care about her past. Somewhere she could be of real help and do some penance for her many mistakes.
Suddenly, Mauri knew exactly where she had to go.
"Larpa?!" Leo almost screamed. "Out of all the places you could go, why the hell would you pick that Goddess-forsaken den of thieves and misfits?!"
Smythe coughed and looked down at his feet. "Larpa is my hometown, Lord Leo."
Leo had the grace to look embarrassed. "My apologies, Smythe, it slipped my mind. That was out of line."
"What do you think of it, Smythe?" Mauri asked, partly out of curiosity and partly to save her brother from shoving his foot farther in his mouth.
"It's not an easy town to live in, but the people there have no love for the Chosen. Your talents would be welcome," Smythe answered honestly.
"Would she be safe?" Leo asked cautiously.
Smythe took his time answering. His first thought was that anyone who survived Leo as a brother and managed to keep Ronfar in line would be fine, but he valued his life. "Most of the gamblers have more bark than bite. Lady Mauri's experience in handling difficult patients would be plenty to make them back off. Her expertise in archery would derail anyone else," he said instead.
Mauri flushed a little. "I am no longer a priestess, Smythe. You do not have to keep referring to me as 'Lady Mauri'."
Smythe met her gaze strongly as he shook his head. "Althena may have taken your robe, lady, but she cannot take away who and what you are at the fiber of your being. Lord Leo and I would be no less the warriors for losing our blades."
"Indeed," Leo agreed. He looked mollified after hearing Smythe's description. "This is your will, Mauri? To Larpa?"
"It is," Mauri replied strongly. It was odd, that there was such a sudden feeling of rightness behind this decision.
"To Larpa after a brief halt in Raculi, then. Smythe, I'm detaching you from your current duties to assist Mauri in whatever way you two think is best," Leo ordered.
Smythe saluted him. "Yes, Lord Leo. With Raculi still recovering from the plague, we should make a stop for certain supplies in Dalton on the way."
"We shall. Notify the helmsman of his orders and we'll be on our way," Leo decided.
A stab of fear hit Mauri's heart at how fast this was all going, but she had to hold the faith. The loving Goddess she had given her vows to- not the brazen hussy in Pentagulia- wanted her in Larpa, she was sure of it.
Mauri's hand reached out and gripped the locket that hung over her heart. She would do her penance in exile and try to find some peace and purpose. She would hold memories of her love close.
Maybe, just maybe, she would one day find the answers she desperately sought.