The Warlord and The Priestess

[Morigan]

"Well, I will pray we are that lucky. But if not, two days is not so terrible. It could be worse...we could be seriously injured or dead," she said somberly. She finished collecting wood and spied a flat, light colored rock lying nearby. She picked it up and asked, "Is this flint? Will it help strike a spark?"

 

[4Chiri]

He looked at it and nodded, "Yes, that should work..." he said but paused.


Ithet came and took the rock from Melia's hand and gladly placed it in Moganthe's. "Here you go, sir."


He knelt down with a long exhale and began to strike the flint, creating a burst of sparks until the feed caught and flames erupted throughout the sticks. Now that there was warmth...all that mattered now was surviving the hunger pains until they either caught something, or reached the city.


He then removed his armor and tunic, laying them in the grass near the flames to dry, he turned his back to the women and stared out towards the horizon.


"If you need to wash or dry your clothes, I will keep faced away." he said.

 

[Morigan]

"very well," Melia said, grateful for the fire. She headed to the lake's edge to wash herself as best she could in the frigid water. As she left her clothes by the fire to dry she slipped into the chilly lake, a small gasp escaping at the shock of the cold on her skin. She quickly scrubbed her hair and skin and exited the lake. She redressed in her shift, but her heavy robes needed longer to dry. While she sat by the fire waiting, she combed throug her hair with her fingers, encouraging the heat to dry it as well.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet did the same once Melia had finished and sat by the fire in her smallclothes, curled up tight with her knees to her chest.


Moganthe continued to sit away from them with his back to the fire, silently staring out into the dark plains.

 

[Morigan]

Eventually her clothes were dry and warm, and Melia quickly redressed, encouraging Ithet to do the same.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet nodded and swiftly put her dress back on, helping Melia with her cowl. She then lie down in the grass and sighed.


"Might as well get some sleep..."

 

[Morigan]

Melia agreed, and laid down as well, her face turned towards the warmth of the fire. After a while she drifted off into sleep.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet stirred after a while and sat up. Moganthe still sat where he was, staring off. Looking back towards Melia she sighed and moved over to him.


"...are you okay, Moganthe?" she asked. He turned and glanced at her for a moment and looked back out towards the night sky. "I'm alright," he whispered.


"You?"


"...I'm fine...just...I was scared for you." she admitted and came closer to him, she touched his face and examined an old scar on his lip.


"Please be more careful," she sighed, staring into his blue eyes. He stared back, quite confused and moved away from her.


"I'll try." he said, with distance. She came close again and grabbed his face.


"I don't know what I'd do if you were hurt again Moganthe," she said, "I can't stand seeing you constantly risk your life like this,"


She slowly leaned forward and kissed him.

 

[Morigan]

Melia had been woken by the voices near her, but laid still trying to go back to sleep. She couldn't help but overhear Ithet's words and the sudden silence caused her to peer out from her mostly closed eyelids. She saw Ithet kiss Moganthe and it took all her self-control to remain still and silent. Jealousy surged within her, but she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out everything she had heard and seen.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet broke away from Moganthe slowly after realising he didn't react. she stared up at him with pleading eyes but he simply turned away.


"...you should go back to sleep maiden." he said.


His distance cut deep into her heart, and with anger she turned away from him and went back next to the priestess to sleep.


In the morning Moganthe snuffed out the flames and got dressed. Looking all around at the morning he stretched.


"Ladies, time to wake. The sooner we leave the quicker we can get back to a warm bed."

 

[Morigan]

Melia stirred at Moganthe's words and stood slowly, arranging her disheveled robes as best she could. When Ithet was awake as well, the two women stood ready to follow his lead and get back to civilization.

 

[4Chiri]

it was only about an hour before they reached the road to the city.


from there would be the long part of the walk, unless they were lucky enough to meet a wagon or merchant on the road.


"Warlord, what will we do once we reach the city?" Ithet asked. Moganthe took in a breath,


"Report to everyone what's been happening, restock then continue the pilgrimage."

 

[Morigan]

Melia nodded silently. As they continued along the road she tried to process what she had seen last night. It was clear Ithet was pursuing Moganthe, but it seemed he was not interested in her. Melia tried to ignore the little flare of hope inside her when she had realized Moganthe was not interested in her handmaiden.


After a moment Melia realized it did not make a difference either way, since she was never going to be able to admit her own feelings. She grew sad once more, and tried to focus on something else. She looked around her, taking in all the scenery of the forest and main road on which they traveled.

 

[4Chiri]

Eventually the sun began to set once more. The night was colder than it had been now that they were further north. Moganthe's pace had slowed significantly; but with a strike of luck, a merchant's wagon could be seen in the distance, coming towards them. It was rather small, nearly just room for two more and a wagon full of glass wear and fine dining plates.


Moganthe waved his hands as the merchant slowed to a stop.


"By all things holy!" he huffed "P-priestess?"


"Let the priestess and the hand-maiden ride your wagon," Moganthe demanded. The Merchant nodded and scooted over. Moganthe grabbed Ithet's waist and lifted her onto the wagon so she could help up the priestess.


"I'll walk."he said.

 

[Morigan]

Melia nodded sadly. She knew Moganthe needed to rest, but she also knew he would never take one of their spots even if they pleaded with him.


As the night crept up on them the rode the wagon towards the city, with Moganthe walking beside them. She was grateful for the rest but guilty about making him walk. She turned to the merchant, "how close are we to the city?"

 

[4Chiri]

"Just another hour milady, walking like that would've taken you until tomorrow." he chuckled.


Ithet looked down to Moganthe with a flick of anger, and quickly looked away from him. Perhaps she'd just have to try harder...he was a warlord after all.


The hour passed slowly and the spires of the city could be seen up the road. The towering stone walls and the horrible looking garrison, guarded by the SilverKnights.


Immediately they were surrounded by guards and Oracles, the Priestess shuffled away in a bustle of worrisome squabbling. Ithet along with her and Moganthe taken to the barracks.


"Oh my lady!"


"Are you alright!?"


"The mother was so worried!"


"We haven't recieved a letter!"


"What happened to your clothes?"


"Are you sick?"


"Do you need to sleep milady?"


The oracles chattered, shuffling the priestess and Ithet to the Basilica to meet up with Mother Dyona.

 

[Morigan]

Melia allowed herself to be whisked off with Ithet. She cast one lsat glance over her shoulder at Moganthe but he was being led to the barracks.


"We are alright now, but I will need clean clothes please, and Warlord Moganthe will likely give a complete report in the barracks. Ithet and I will need food and rest, and please make sure food is sent to the barracks as well," she said exhaustedly.

 

[4Chiri]

"Of course milady!"


Soon they were shoved into the Basilica, Mother Dyona stood from one of the benches and quickly examined the ladies.


"Start a warm bath and prepare some food!" she called, Oracles whisked in every which direction and Ithet hurried off to care for herself.


"What in the world happened to you two!? Where is the Warlord!?" she snapped and quickly calmed herself. "I received the letter from your handmaid. I don't appreciate you being put in such peril! A Basilisk!? For what reason did you come close to such an atrocity?"

 

[Morigan]

"To do my duty, and restore the Temple." She looked around wearily, too tired to argue or snap back at the bossy tone from the older woman. "It wasn't ideal, but it all worked out in the end. I was not injured, nor was Ithet, and riots in the city were prevented. "


She turned and motioned for Ithet to go ahead and head to her room to bathe and eat, she didn't have to stand around waiting on Melia now that they were back in the Basilica.

 

[4Chiri]

"I know but..." the Mother sighed and looked down for a moment as Ithet ran off someplace to wash off all the caked on grit - and avoid the conversation. "There's something else your handmaiden wrote in the letter..that concerns me. Considering you and the Warlord."

 

[Morigan]

Melia glanced up sharply. "And what would that be?" she asked.

 

[4Chiri]

She paced a bit as the room became empty and quiet.


"Ithet says she's worried about the way he's been treating you. She says he gives you too much unwanted attention, and that he even


gave you a gift - a flower? was it...she said after you rejected the gift he became distant and even began ignoring your wishes..." she took in a slow breath and folded her hands.


"...this deserves my attention, priestess. It's a serious matter, if true."

 

[Morigan]

Melia sighed and shook her head slowly. "I fear this is not a reflection on myself or the Warlord," she said carefully. "I believe that Ithet has developed a bit of a crush on him. So perhaps this is where that comes from. I will tell you he has never ignored my wishes, or hers for that matter. He always follows his duty to the letter."

 

[4Chiri]

"I see." she sighed. "You should have more control over her Priestess, though she is not as restricted, she should better conduct herself. I expect you to give her a lecture."


After a few moments of silence she smiled. "I'm glad to see you're alright, and you did a marvelous job restoring the temple. You were very brave and the people of Kenwyte would prefer no one else to be priestess. They also send thanks in regard to clearing out the basilisk." she paced more.


"I'll have to warn the emperor of the threats that have been growing in the south. But next you must travel to linlyn on the east coast. I trust you will have a better time in the warmer weather yes? Until then, let me keep you no longer, you have things to do I'm sure." she bowed.

 

[Morigan]

Melia sighed, she would have to talk to Ithet. She wasn't sure why she had made hings out to sound so bad in her letter, other than jealousy. Though the more she thought about it, she couldn't figure out what there possibly was to be jealous of...she wasn't the one who had kissed him, after all.


Shaking her head sadly she went up to her room to bathe and change into clean clothes.