The Warlord and The Priestess

[Morigan]

"Moganthe, of course I don't want you to go!" Melia cried out softly. "I thought you disliked me because I am Priestess, and I thought you wanted to leave, to be reassigned with more typical 'warlord' duties...battles, and strategy, and scout reports and all that. I...I thought you had changed your mind about what you said a few nights ago," she averted her eyes in embarrassment at her admission. She couldn't believe she had so wrongly understood his intentions.

 

[4Chiri]

He stood up and shook his head apologetically.


"...I don't dislike you Priestess. It's a complete honour to work for you. I couldn't ask for a more meaningful position. I'm sorry I was unclear with my words...If I knew I wouldn't want to have this job I would've never agreed to take it."

 

[Morigan]

"Well then," she coughed a bit nervously, "I guess, umm, never mind. I am glad you don't wish to leave and I suppose there is nothing else to talk about really."


Melia moved towards the door to open it.

 

[4Chiri]

He turned.


"...priestess..." he mumbled, "was that really all you needed? Is there nothing else you would have of me?"

 

[Morigan]

Melia paused, her hand hovering above the door handle. Nothing else I may say...nothing else I should ask, she thought to herself.


Out loud she said only, "I had called you to assure you I would not keep you bound to me unwillingly, and now you say you choose to stay. I am...grateful." She stepped back from the door and looked up into his clear blue eyes. "And I find that I am relieved you do not wish to go."

 

[4Chiri]

He kept eye contact for a moment before speaking.


"...Then...I am glad I could at least bring you relief. I will try harder from now on." he bowed.


There was a sudden shock wave of noise coming from outside, a round of firecrackers had abruptly shattered the silence, sun was setting. The festivities were beginning. He moved to the window and peered out.


"I must go priestess...the Emperor is to make an appearance before the night is over and I must stand by his side. I trust you will stay inside the chapel until I retrieve you in the morning then?" he asked.

 

[Morigan]

Melia heard his question, but as she had not decided whether or not she was going to sneak out to the festival, she did not wish to lie to Moganthe. She said only, "Go, I would not wish to make you late for meeting the Emperor." She opened the door and headed back into the foyer.

 

[4Chiri]

He looked on, still in slight concern since she sounded different than usual, but without wasting anymore time he left to go meet the Emperor before he wasted any more time.


The foyer was mostly empty since all the Acolytes and Oracles had to go to sleep early, just as she used to do. The doors were shut and locked tight, though they weren't soundproof from the noises of the celebrations.

 

[Morigan]

Melia went up to her room silently. Once there she quickly removed her official robes and and cowl. She hesitated for a few minutes, before making her decision. She dressed in a simple pale blue dress, as she slipped it over her head she thought of the blue of Moganthe's eyes-piercing and watchful all the time. She smiled to herself as she wrapped a leather belt around her waist and unpinned her hair, letting it drape in blonde waves around her shoulders. She wrapped a plain navy blue cloak around herself and pulled the hood up over her head and slipped into the dark hallway silently.


She made her way downstairs and crept out of the Basilica unseen, heading towards the festival. As she arrived in the square the noise and liveliness of the people hit her like a wave. She hung back, keeping to the outside edge of the crowd observing everything around her.

 

[4Chiri]

The noise. The heat. The music and movement of the crowd. Their happiness seemed to spread all around them, people walked past without even giving her a second glance. Lights shined all around, stalls selling hot food, candies, trinkets, snacks, clothes, teas and other beverages were scattered all along the sides of the road.


There were other activities too, and games. Most of the buildings were closed off, except for the Inn and Tavern - The Pine Barrell.


Ithet stood with a small group of friends, all of them laughing and watching some sort of strength contest -- who could lift the heaviest items. Towards the middle of the square was a large blank area, which would be for the dances later on in the latest of night. Barely anyone would sleep this week.


The white palace in the distance glowed with bright fires on all its spires, lighting the marble to a luminescent perfection. The podium just exiting the courtyard was being prepared for when the Emperor was ready to make his rare public appearance.

 

[Morigan]

Melia continued to mill around the fringes of the festival, remaining completely unrecognized in the masses of people. She took note of the podium being setup for the Emperor's speech, which was coming up soon.


She purchased a cool cider drink from a burly man selling dozens of different types of beverages and sipped on it slowly as she took in all the sights that were normally forbidden for her. Different contests were going on all around her, shouting and laughing mingling in her ears. She walked by the many stalls selling baked goods and breathed in the delicious aromas emanating from them.


Eventually she saw Ithet among some other young people, all laughing together. Melia caught her eye and gave a small wave while no one else was paying attention, and signaled to her to keep her arrival a secret and not let on that she had seen her. She was glad her hand maid was having a great time, but couldn't help the twinge of sadness in her heart as she wondered what it would be like to be able to have close friends.


The evening seemed to pass quickly and before she knew it, it was time for the Emperor's speech. Melia slipped to the edge of the crowd, finding a good viewing point for the address.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet was able to give a discreet smile as everyone turned towards the podium at the sound of a large, deep bell.


After a few moments, the Emperor stepped through the iron barred gates of the courtyard, followed by an entire platoon of silver knights, Moganthe on his right, Zegothan on his left and his Fiance, Naida, hooked arm in arm.


He wore a slick, night blue suede jacket and a long black cloak. He wore his tall silvery crown, embedded with jewels. His hair, folded in the back, twice - as it usually trailed at his ankles - with a large golden looking clip of sorts. All a deep cerulean, his eyes a strange blue and red (sectoral heterochromia), though that wasn't all visible from where she stood. Naida, wore a long red ball gown and her long black, straight hair draped in curls around her shoulders and down her back.


Knights stood up on tall gate towers, with crossbows, keeping a close eye on everyone in the crowd.


"Imperial citizens of Aereth!" he began, the crowd quieted to a soft murmur. "Good evening! I am pleased to see so many of you here celebrating the beginning of winter with me. As you know, this has been a busy year for us, the signing of neutrality between us and Melona," he stated. The crowd cheered for a moment before he continued.


"The rebuilding of Agrith was a success, and was finished just this spring and finally has a new count!"


They cheered again.


"But most of all, we were blessed with a new priestess!"


To this the people cheered the loudest, calling and whistling. It took quite a moment to die down.


"As you all know, the war with Melona has ended, but as every good leader knows, with the end of one threat, comes another. It is my constant duty to keep all of my citizens safe, and not just in the city, but all across the country, from Linlyn in the east, to Vinegrave, in the west, and every province in between." he spoke, the people quieted again. "But we were visited by King Dusais of the Islands...there was further movement, a secret in the shadows that would try and destroy us once again. But I believe with the strength in our belief and our dedication to bettering our country we can withstand all foes and continue being the strongest force in all of the Northmoor." he said darkly.


Everyone paused...there was a slight air of trepidation. Was this a warning...a heed of danger? Maybe he was talking about the prophets...? No one was certain, but they all had faith in their unwavering leader.


"At the end of the week, I will be traveling to The Kingdom of Nonoc for a month to hold meetings with the kings of the other countries to decide what to do about this threat that grows in the southern regions. But...for now, this isn't a time to fear. It is time for celebration and good will between us all, family and friends!"


Again the cheering, "The dances will commence in four hours time, until then, enjoy the city!"


With that he finished and stepped down from the podium surrounded by cheering and calling. He was too, to explore the city, just for the day, walking around with his fiance, followed by Moganthe and a few knights. Perhaps...avoiding them would be best.

 

[Morigan]

Melia listened to the Emperor's speech with interest, though the mention of an outside threat was troublesome. Perhaps it was connected to the kidnapping attempts she had already faced...or the mention of dragon sightings. Whatever it was, she knew she had ascended to Priestess during a dangerous time. Perhaps she could figure out a way to listen to the voices, to understand their warnings...though that likely meant she would be in danger again if she heard them.


She shook her head to clear away the dark thoughts and turned her attention to enjoying the rest of the festival tonight. She disappeared into the crowd as everyone began moving again, though she was careful to stay away from the Emperor and his party. Melia just wanted to stay until she could see a few dances, and then she planned to return to the Basilica.

 

[4Chiri]

The celebrations continued far into the night until more horns sounded. It was time for the dances.


People all found partners and swung around together in movement with the music, even the emperor and his fiancé. Moganthe stood by himself watching over him protectively, turning down at least eight dances from young women.

 

[Morigan]

Melia continued to wander about in a mild shock at all the vendors and people crammed into such a crowded area. She couldn't keep the small smile off her face as she saw everyone laughing and having so much fun. Suddenly she turned a corner and saw Moganthe, standing stoic as ever. He seemed to be keeping watch over the Emperor and his fiancé as the couple danced in the midst of the city people. She watched him for a while, making sure to stay a fair distance away. As she watched she saw multiple young women walk up to him and act flirtatiously, though he didn't appear to be interested in any of them. Still, Melia felt a flare of white-hot jealousy within her chest. When the realization that she was jealous dawned on her, she was horrified. "Oh, no. This can't be," she said softly. unaware she had spoken her thoughts aloud, though no one near her cared. If she was jealous of other women...that would mean she had developed inappropriate affections. Melia cursed herself inwardly, berating herself for being so careless and foolish to allow such a thing to happen. She turned quickly on her heel, heading back towards the Basilica as fast as she could without making a scene.

 

[4Chiri]

When she returned to the basilica however, the doors had been locked. It was closed off until morning.


one of the Acolytes on watch peeked out the gable window.


"sorry miss, basilica is closed until morning." he said.


"Sorry, my friend is a little...er...tipsy!" called Ithet who suddenly took Melia's hand and tugged her into the crowd of dancing.


"I'm so glad you came!" she grinned and started dancing with Melia. "isn't this great?"

 

[Morigan]

"Well, since I'm locked out of the Basilica until morning...I'd say not as great as it was," Melia said worriedly. She stumbled a bit as Ithet pulled her into the dancing, as she did not know the steps.

 

[4Chiri]

"just relax!" Ithet smiled. "we can sneak you back in before anyone wakes up! an before Moganthe comes to retrieve you in the morning!"


she spun her around once again, stepping quickly with the crowd.


"There he is actually, I'm going to see if he will dance with me," Ithet blushed.


"Should I ask him?"

 

[Morigan]

Melia decided to take Ithet's advice and relax. There was no way to get back until morning, so she may as well enjoy this time while she had it. She spun again, her blonde hair spinning out around her and catching the reflections of the torches and lanterns. She laughed as she watched the dancer's feet, trying to learn the steps.


When Ithet asked her advice about dancing with Moganthe, she felt the jealousy flare within her again and stumbled slightly in the dance. Reminding herself that she had no business to feel that way she buried the feeling down inside her. "He hasn't danced all evening that I have seen, but it can't hurt to try," Melia told Ithet a bit uncertainly.

 

[4Chiri]

"or not," she huffed. "He doesn't like us anyway." she said with a hint of anger and resentment.


The dances continued for a while until the music slowed and people began to clear the square. It was time for couples to dance together, then the festival would be over.


"Do you want to watch the couples dance or should we go get a drink until it's over. Then we can hurry to the basilica." She smiled.

 

[Morigan]

"Oh, let's watch the couples dance! I'm sure it will be lovely," Melia said. "Then we can hurry back."

 

[4Chiri]

"stand here, I'll go get some warm tea," she said and sped off.


The music slowed to a peaceful sort of waltz and the first dancers were the royal couple.


Naida's long red dress flowed around both her and The Emperor as they danced, holding each other close.


Soon another couple joined the fray and another as soon the square was filled with slow dancing pairs.


Ithet came back with two small wooden cups of steaming sweet tea.


the night was frigid but the fun was distracting to it.


"Here you are, it's cold..." she sighed and glanced to Moganthe again, still turning down even the most beautiful lasses.


"....where are we going tomorrow anyway?" she asked.

 

[Morigan]

Melia took the tea and sipped slowly, her eyes darting between the dancing couples and Moganthe.


"You know, I've honestly forgotten. With all these meetings about the BloodWell, I can't remember where our next destination was going to be. Raxis, perhaps? Moganthe will know when he comes to collect us in the morning."


She turned back to watch the graceful pairs twirl around the square again. She frowned a bit as she realized that she would never be able to do such a thing.

 

[4Chiri]

"...Well are you going to dance with someone or are you just going to watch?" Ithet asked.


Even Nheir was dancing with his wife in the square too. Everyone was using these few days as time to unwind after a long year of hard work. Yet, it was just the beginning of how busy the priestess would soon be.

 

[Morigan]

"Ithet, you know no one is allowed to touch me," she said sadly. "But what about you? I will hold your tea, if you like."