The Warlord and The Priestess

[Morigan]

Melia ascended into the carriage yet again, though with substantially fewer worries than when she was in this situation yesterday. "Greetings." She took the seat opposite her new handmaiden. "I will take a blanket, yes." The chill of the autumn morning had not gone unnoticed and even her robes were not keeping her warm at the moment.


"What is your name?" she asked the girl. Since the girl would be testing her food for poison among many other tasks, the least Melia could do was call her by name.


As the carriage slowly made its way to the palace, Melia could hear Moganthe's steady footfalls outside keeping pace.

 

[4Chiri]

The young girl shifted, but her face brightened.


"My name is Ithet, milady. But you don't need to call me such, you can just address me as your maiden."


There was still exited morning murmurs outside of the carriage as it passed the citizens of the city. They watched the carriage in awe, knowing who was inside.


"...Priestess, just to be clear, I am here to serve you and your commands. If you need absolutely anything, I will be honored to carry out any task you give." she said truthfully, full of confidence. She seemed proud to be a maiden. She peered out the window for a moment, "we're almost there."

 

[Morigan]

"Ithet." Melia repeated her name once to herself, committing it to memory. "I am aware of your duties, but it comforts me that you understand them as well. "


As the handmaiden informed her that they were approaching their destination, Melia straightened her robes, flicking a minuscule piece of lint from the blue fabric. The carriage came to a halt and she straightened her headdress and veil, making sure they were firmly attached. "I trust you understand that at the breakfast you must take care to follow all protocols, this must go smoothly. Anyway, we have arrived, please wait for Warlord Moganthe to open the door, then follow behind us."

 

[4Chiri]

"Yes ma'am." she nodded and straightened her modest dress. She looked like a normal serving girl. But wore a special brooch, matching the Priestess' ornate seal, printed on her robes.


The carriage soon stopped and Moganthe opened the door. The maiden fiddled with her fingers, a bit nervous. She'd never met the Emperor in person before. It was just as intimidating as meeting The Mother, or the Archbishop...leaders of all religious figures and all the capitols. The Emperor...trumped them all, his word was absolute and she must be careful that everything goes perfect.


The Marble Palace stood bright in the sun, glimmering, it's spires high in the air, nearly touching the clouds. The brilliant flags gently flowing in the breeze.


"Come along, ladies," Moganthe said. There was a long and wide staircase leading up to the throne room, just as they trekked the day before. And once inside, be led to the dining room.


Along the stair case was more knights, more guards...the priestess would never be without them.

 

[Morigan]

Moganthe ushered Melia and her new maid Ithet up the long staircase into the dining room. As they walked Melia made certain to keep a steady, graceful pace, her robes sweeping out around her. As Priestess, she would always appear dignified and worthy of her station, which meant no hurried walking or rushing about. The guards haunting her every step was another thing with which she must learn to live. Another sacrifice her divine duty called for.


As they arrived in the dining hall, Melia motioned for Ithet to stay near her side, as she would be seated next to her.

 

[4Chiri]

Lots of people stood around the table in their places. The Emperor stood at the far end and to his right were two Gentry Members and to the left, a mistress, and two more members.


The Emperor raised his hands in greeting.


"Priestess, we are honored to have you here at breakfast. I would love to introduce you to the Gentry, of whom you will be familiar with soon." he spoke and motioned his hand to the right.


"This is Nheir Istahn, you already met him," He said. "He's my personal councilman, doctor and teacher at the University."


Nheir bowed.


"This is Zegothan Har, my foreign relations advisor," he pointed. Zegothan, the same man from before who wore the green robes. He looked on with criticism.


"On this side, we have my Treasurer who watches the funds and conducts judgements when I am unavailable, her name is Cicca Vethis." he said.


An old woman, nodded with a grin. "A pleasure."


"Next to her is Naida Vethis, her daughter and my fiance," he said with a smile. She looked young with long black hair and blue eyes.


"Good Morning, Priestess."


"Finally, we have Palme Noss, he's the Historian and Headmaster of the University, he's very wise." The Emperor smiled.


Palme grinned, he was short, and had a crooked spine but had kind eyes.


"Now that, that is over with, everyone please be seated." he said and everyone sat at their places. They weren't to address the Priestess by her name, so there was no point to know. Moganthe was ordered to wait outside the dining room.


A butler came around and handed out menus. There was endless foods to choose from...

 

[Morigan]

Melia filed all the names away in her memory. She nodded to each as their name was said, inclining her head regally at each individual in turn. She sat when the Emperor told them too and motioned for her handmaiden to attend to her. Melia selected the most plain, simple foods from the menu. It would be unseemly for her, as Priestess, to indulge in rich and decadent foods. She also abstained from indulgent drink, choosing only water. She expected her handmaid to follow her example.


As the talk at the table resumed, Melia focused on observing those around her, her intelligent eyes soaking up as much as she could. This official breakfast after her installation as Priestess would be very significant and she did not want to get lost in the politics.

 

[4Chiri]

The maiden followed exactly, keeping her eyes low and serving the priestess after small sips and bites; deeming the food safe.


"Priestess, if you would, indulge us...how do you feel now that you are no longer an Oracle? I can't imagine having the responsibility of Imperial Priestess dons easy on you. It must be stressful." Cicca tapped her mouth with a cloth after a drink of wine. They didn't expect anything less than the priestess only taking the plainest foods, simply for sustenance.


Palme raised his hand, "I'm sure she will be fine Cicca, I've lived through three Priestesses already, they always fall into the motion of things. At first they're so rigid, but eventually they learn to relax a little, there's no harm in idle conversation." he smiled towards Melia.


The Emperor, whose name hadn't been said, as between Emperor and Priestess, they were only to call each other by their titles, as anything more would seem on a level beneath them both. He chuckled. "Our Priestess has a lot to think about, Palme...she's got business coming in from all corners of the Northmoor. The Province of Jedes has requested her presence, to speak at their Basilica, Dolcima City has requested her praisal at the BloodWell for proof of New birth, as is...protocol."


"Yes, every priestess has gone through these rites, not only that, she has to think about the Pilgrimage. Going to each Temple in our country for prayer, solidifying your stance?" Cicca cut in again.


"What about Melona? They've also sent a letter, that their Seer commune with our new priestess, to argue the gods." Nheir shivered.


The Vulsria - Melona war had just ended a few years ago...everyone was still wary of them.


"She's nothing to worry about, all of these things will be done, in time." Said the emperor with a kind glare, "besides, I will send Moganthe with her, to always be safe."

 

[Morigan]

Melia paused in her eating as the various dignitaries began to argue and discuss her own future and plans. Each time she was about to speak someone else jumped in with their opinion. She silently prayed to Ceru for forgiveness for feeling frustrated. When the Emperor settled the matter himself, Melia allowed herself a small smile- though it was unseen by everyone.


"Indeed," she said clearly. "I will proceed in accordance with Divine inspiration and the traditions of our people."


She hoped that would settle the matter among these politicians, but if not she would hold her own- in a spiritually correct way, of course.


Knowing Moganthe was required to wait outside and had no food, Melia felt a pang of guilt. She almost looked over her shoulder towards the door but she restrained herself and remained focused on the breakfast instead.

 

[4Chiri]

"Inspiring, no doubt," Naida spoke up, she looked down towards Melia with a condescending glare. "You're very young to be named Priestess...the last Priestess wasn't but near fifty, before she was named. How did you get Mother Dyona's attention?"


Palme scoffed, "No doubt she was a bright and obedient pupil, the gods know what they're doing, Naida." he corrected.


"Perhaps I...am not as....sure. But it is as you say, Palme." she spoke. "But how will you fare, going along that pilgrimage all alone...nearly you're entire life will be in solitude, is this what you really wanted?" she asked.


Nheir huffed, "Naida, you're in no place to question the Priestess, you're being rude."

 

[Morigan]

Melia turned to Naida slightly and thrust the weight of her position into her own stare. "We are all of us subject to the will of the gods, Naida. Mother Dyona did not question it, nor do I. Our mortal desires must be subject to our divine callings, not take precedence over them. The Architect lays the plans and we are but servants to them, carrying them out to the best of our mortal abilities- unless, of course, you have some other thought on the matters of Faith and Ascension?" Her voice was clear and strong, like crystal. Firm, but not harsh, assured yet not proud.


Melia waited silent and patient once again for a response, if there was to be one. Otherwise she would return to her breakfast.

 

[4Chiri]

Naida's face went a bit red, but The Emperor laughed with his hand on her shoulder.


"hah! You see Naida, if our Priestess is sure, then so am I!"


She was going to retort, but her mother, Cicca raised a hand to shush her, so the Emperor could continue to speak.


"Priestess, I have another wonder...Moganthe, er...the Warlord, your protector, has he been substantial? I chose him personally for the job, he was honored to do so. I hope he has performed well so far? Or should I relieve him of the duty and trade him for someone else?" he asked.

 

[Morigan]

At the Emperor's question Melia turned back towards him. "Warlord Moganthe has performed his duty admirably and exceptionally. There have been no incidents or issues with my safety and he follows appropriate protocol to the letter. I believe will shall be able to each fulfill our roles compatibly with little disruption."


Indeed, he will not even cross the rules of our society to respond to my idle conversation or look at me directly. He is the model of decorum and this is what my life will be until I die. Melia thought to herself.

 

[4Chiri]

He smiled. "Good! Everything is moving smoothly then.. if you should have any issues, do not hesitate to tell any of the gentry members or myself. We will see to his correction, personally and immediately." he said and breakfast resumed.


After about an hour of chatting politics, breakfast was over. The dining room doors were opened and standing there, was Moganthe, still facing outwards, still. Completely obedient, he bowed when the Priestess and her maiden came near.


"I am to take you to the basilica, milady, so that you may fetch whatever you require for our trip. We're going to Dolcima first so you may commune with the BloodWell." he explained. "It's a two day trip."


The maiden looked between both Moganthe and the Priestess. She was excited to go on a trip...


The BloodWell was a large well of blood, containing sacrificed blood from all the priestesses before her. All the way back to the first Priestess, Raithus Tamixus the II of The Province of Jedes. It was an honor. Once bathing in the blood, the priestess was then shown as ultimately pure, and would then donate a simple one cup of her own blood to the pool. Many years ago it was a very sacred act...now it was more of a symbolic thing, but still practiced the same as it was many years ago..over 400 years ago.


A two day trip through the cold plains, up further north where the snow always fell. The maiden, the Priestess and her guard. It would most likely be dangerous, as there were wild animals, bandits...other unsavoury characters. But apparently the Emperor trusted the Warlord's abilities so much, he felt comfortable sending him alone. It mattered little what the warlord himself thought about the trip yet. But apparently, he already packed victuals and other things he would need to take. A tent, tinder...blankets, and food.


All the Priestess needed to do was find proper clothes and whatever she wanted to bring with her to help keep her busy, maybe a book or something.


He motioned for them to follow close behind, re stuffing them in the carriage, and back towards the Basilica.

 

[Morigan]

"Very well, lead on Warlord. I must gather my belongings. " Though she did not look forward to the blood bathing ritual, she knew it was required and expected of her.


Melia turned to her handmaid solemnly, "This is a great honor for you, and I hope it will be very educational and edifying for you as well. Please bring only the essentials. I'm assuming we will be traveling as light as possible."


As they returned to the Basilica, Melia returned to her rooms to gather her few clothes and a heavy cloak. She also gathered her embroidery and a couple books to occupy her time while they traveled. She returned back to the foyer once more, collecting her handmaid as well before meeting Moganthe once again.


"I believe we are ready Warlord Moganthe," she said quietly.

 

[4Chiri]

He led you both to the carriage again. This time with one horse...armoured. it was his own. The maiden ithet opened the carriage door for the Priestess and after they were both settled, Moganthe bucked the horse and they were off.


They rode out of the city gates into the bright morning. they followed a dirt road leading out into the plains, as wide an open as the sky. The sky was clear, the air was cold and the ride would be long.


Ithet peeked out of the window after about three hours of riding and sighed.


"...I wonder if Moganthe-- I-I mean the Warlord has anything to occupy him..." she mumbled.


the city was no longer in sight, just rolling hills and patches of trees for miles all around. the road seemed to go on forever...


far in the east however was a large looking forboding forest..The Magyan, it was called...through it was the border to Melona. She shuddered.


it reminded her how close they really were to the enemy...

 

[Morigan]

Melia heard Ithet's mumbled musings and considered. "I do not know Ithet, but he takes his post most seriously. I doubt he would let his guard down, even for a moment." Melia too peeked out the window, though she attempted to be subtle about it. However difficult and lonely her own new path was, his was surely the equal. Assigned to be her protection until she died, his life was now consumed with heavy responsibilities and required constant vigilance. Surely he had plans, dreams, before he had been assigned to her. She sighed, knowing neither of them had much choice now. They were set on these paths, parallel to each other- never intersecting.


The woods outside the window provided no comfort, so Melia closed the curtains once more. "Come away from the window Ithet, let us leave the Warlord in peace." Melia turned back to her embroidery hoop, needle darting back and forth. Though she preferred to do her work with bare fingers, such was not allowed any longer. She would just have to grow accustomed to the gloves more permanently.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet sighed.


"...He must be very lonely." she sighed. "I heard he and our Emperor grew up together, friends since childhood. Their occupations keeping them close...whenever they have time, I'm sure they spend it together...do you have any friends?" she asked. She wasn't sure what was and wasn't appropriate to ask...but they were in private now, it should be okay.


"Perhaps I should speak to him later, to see how he's doing?"

 

[Morigan]

"That sounds quite pleasant actually. I can not afford to have friends as Priestess, less someone try to gain influence over me through such a relationship." She looked up from her needle work again to meet Ithet's gaze. "Do as you will, I am not here to monitor your every move. Perhaps he will be grateful for your concern. Our respective positions do not allow for such casual discussion, unfortunately. " A small sigh escaped Melia's lips before she could control herself.

 

[4Chiri]

Ithet thought for a moment.


"...I suppose...it won't bother you will it, if I speak to him?" she fiddled with her fingers. The sun began to set and the cold was biting, occasionally brushing through the curtain covered windows. periodically the horse would neigh and Moganthe would sooth it with his voice.


"there, there..." he mumbled. "not much longer until you rest."


His voice was quiet, as if he were trying not to be heard.


"He's probably a very sweet man," she whispered...to herself mostly. "I wonder if he's married or has a family.."

 

[Morigan]

Melia glanced sharply at Ithet. "As I said- do as you wish. But I trust you are not letting earthly desires cloud your mind..." she said a bit colder than she had meant to. For some reason she dared not examine more closely, Ithet's request irked Melia.


"And remember, his life is now bound to mine. Where I am, there he must be and I will not be able to stir out of doors without him by my side. Such a position would be cruel to a wife...to be ever separated from her husband..." Melia trailed off, her eyes clouding over for a moment.


What would be worse, to have a family you could never see or to know you can never have a family at all? she wondered to herself.

 

[4Chiri]

"I-I'm sorry...milady...I didn't mean to sound...I mean..." she stumbled. Slowly the carriage began to rumble over a rougher path, just for a moment.


Then it stopped.


They could hear the sound of Moganthe's heavy armor tapping and the groan of the saddle and horse as he demounted and came to the door, opening it.


"The sun is setting...it is dangerous to travel on the road at night...I will set up a tent for you ladies and a fire." he stated blankly and began to get busy, leaving the women to themselves.


Ithet jumped out holding the door for the priestess as Moganthe prepared their tent.


"Watch your step milady..." she sighed.


The horse turned and looked at them both, lazily chewing on some grain, sniffing the grass.


The sky was bright with stars and a streak of vibrant orange as the sun lowered behind the mountains in the west. Soon the Priestess' tent was set up and so was the fire. Moganthe stood there with the flames, looking out over the horizon and scanning a small map in his hand.


Ithet sighed and looked on to him, but back towards the Priestess, holding open the tent flap. Apparently he would sleep outside...or not sleep at all.


Inside the floor was layered with furs and warm blankets. The tent itself made of thick burlap and wool to keep out the breeze.

 

[Morigan]

Melia sighed as Ithet reacted to her harsh words. "Ceru forgive me, Ithet. I did not mean to be hard upon you, only to remind you of the realities of this life," she said gently.


Ithet assisted her from the carriage, helping her to not trip of her many robes, as they made their way to the tent. Moganthe appeared to have taken great care in making sure they would not be chilled in the late autumn night. Melia turned to look at him, but saw Ithet looking at her, so she quickly looked away. As Ithet prepared to help with the evening routine, Melia held up a finger quickly. "One moment, if you please," she said, taking one of the furs and exiting the tent silently.


Melia walked quietly to stand next to the Warlord, careful to not so much as brush their clothing together. She paused for a moment, then set the folded fur next to his feet and walked back to her tent without saying a word.


As she entered once more she turned to the handmaid. "We may now prepare to sleep," she said as she took her headdress and veil off and unbound her hair. Ithet finished helping her undress and shortly thereafter the two women lay down to sleep within the safety of the tent.

 

[4Chiri]

Moganthe slightly looked down at the blanket as the women settled into the tent, conflicting with himself if he should use it or not. It was quite cold; even though the fire was raging.


The night sounds were loud and echoing through the night. Occasionally the horse would whinny or neigh.


Ithet stirred and opened her eyes in the middle of the night, slightly cold. she sat up and crawled towards the flap of the tent and carefully peeked out at the Warlord, just barely opening it, just enough for her simple eyelashes.


He sat there at the fire, continually feeding it. The blanket still folded at his side.


She sighed, overcome with pity for the man. She looked back at the priestess and against her better judgement, slipped on her dress and slipped out of the tent. He immediately looked up at her and stood up.


"Is something the matter?" he asked.


"No...I was just having a hard time falling asleep..." she mumbled. "how close are we to Dolcima?" she asked.


He shifted in his place for a moment with a sigh. "...We should be there tomorrow night, milady." he said.


"Oh,"


She stood there awkwardly for a moment, trying to make smalltalk...and not doing so well. She hadn't planned what she would say when she actually went to speak with him.


"...Are you ...going to sleep?"


"No." he said blankly. "you should go back to bed, milady." he said. And with a slow nod, she did so.


Eventually, morning came.

 

[Morigan]

Melia awoke as the sun was rising, the morning still cold outside the tent. She shook Ithet awake as well.


"Come, I must make sure I am covered before Moganthe arrives to break down the tent," she said pulling her heavy robes around her and sliding on her gloves. "Please help me with the head covering." After they were both fully dressed for the day, Melia began folding the furs and blankets neatly and placing them back where they were to be stored. As she walked back near the fire she saw the blanket she had left for their protector- untouched and exactly where she had left it the previous night. Melia made a soft sigh and went to collect it and return it to it's place.


She walked near to where Moganthe stood and paused for a moment. "I hope the night did not pass too poorly for you, Warlord Moganthe. My handmaid and I value your sacrifice." She walked away as she finished speaking, assuming-like their previous encounters-he would not engage in small talk and pleasantries.