The Warlord and The Priestess

[4Chiri]

After just a few minutes an escort of silver knights, four of them, came to the door to take her to the archives in the university.


"Come along, milady, we'll take you right away."


The shuffled her out of her room and down, out into the city, which was crowded, hundreds of people preparing their stalls and decorating the streets. Some people were even too busy to notice her. The university was a large four story, sandstone building with a red shingled roof and tall steeples. It looked regal, as all students of history, astrology, mathematics and magic came here from all around the world to study, become part of the basilica or military.


The large wooden double doors were always open as the cold breeze brushed in. Inside, was a long red velvet carpet running the hall. It looked like a traditional school building inside with classrooms lining the walls, however, there were no students, as for the whole week they were all on break.


"right this way, milady," the knight spoke, and led her down a flight of stone stairs to a dimly, candlelit hallway. At the end was the archives room, a large library and display room of old trinkets, ancient maps and treasures dating back to the old age, when the apparent gods and their dragons roamed the world. Palme was here someplace..

 

[Morigan]

Melia headed down the dim hallway into the archive room.


"Hello?" She said tentatively as she looked around for Palme. She wandered along the shelves and walls slowly, careful not to disturb any of the artifacts or manuscripts as she passed by.

 

[4Chiri]

"Ah yes, just a moment!" an old voice called. Palme came from between a few bookshelves, carrying a stack of old books, dropping them roughly on a desk.


"Come, come sit!" he welcomed her and opened them up. "I'm honored you'd come visit me!" he smiled.


"How can I help you?"

 

[Morigan]

Melia smiled at the older man, then remembered he could not see her expression.


"I am told you have information regarding the BloodWell? Or, more specifically, hearing...voices...from it?" she trailed off uncertainly.

 

[4Chiri]

"Voices...from the bloodwell?" he thought for a moment, then shuffled through some books. "Hm..this book is about the history of it...not much about personal experiences....but it is...unclear."


More pages later.


"It says here...that some priestesses reported hearing a faint whisper while submerged, but never anything more than that." he sighed. "that's about it...unless you had some other details?"

 

[Morigan]

"Well..." she started hesitatingly. "Since the ritual there have been voices that appear right before I was attacked...and then again at night, but that time the voices were calmer than the first time, when an assassin tried to shoot me with a poisoned arrow."


If Palme didn't have any information then Melia was running out of options. What she had assumed was a normal part of being the Priestess was apparently abnormal, making her worry. If something was wrong with her, perhaps she would need to be relieved of her position.

 

[4Chiri]

"You mean....you're still hearing them?" he asked, his eyes going wide. "this......you'll have to go to Jedes....Mother Terrisa knows..more about the lingering effects..as she too once lingered in the bloodwell...though perhaps you should go be examined by a mage first?"


he paced.


"Nheir is our best doctor, you can find him in the palace...I doubt anything is wrong with you priestess, don't worry."

 

[Morigan]

"First they send me to you. now you are sending me somewhere else. Can't you explain anything to me? I need to understand what is happening." She began to pace the room as well, frustrated and worried. "I don't need to see a mage- I'm perfectly healthy. What is the big secret of the Well? I think as Priestess I ought to know." She began to cross and uncross her arms, uneasy with her situation.

 

[4Chiri]

"...I know you must be worried. it isn't fun being led around. But do you know of Raithus Tamixus? The first priestess there ever were?" he sighed


"They say the gods whispered their commands to her, speaking to her directly....she was able to hear them clearly..."


He raised his hands to try and calm her.


"but that was over 400 years ago...part of her blood is in that well...maybe it resonated with your own? maybe you...well...I don't want to say anything until we are sure. You should have a check up to be safe and visit Nheirs Clinic.."

 

[Morigan]

"Very well." Melia sighed. "But if he says I am well, shall I return here to discuss Raithus Taximus further?"


Melia went to the door to call for her escort once more. She had let the thought of attending the Festival tonight work it's way into her mind but now with these appointments and meetings...Well perhaps it is for the best. Maybe the gods have allowed this to prevent me from breaking the rules of the faith.

 

[4Chiri]

"If that's what you prefer." he stated. "the voices - as far as I'm aware - won't cause any harm, if nothing can be done, try to understand them or...ignore them." he said.

 

[Morigan]

"Very well," she said as she left with the escort heading to Nheir's offices. The soldier's escorted her through the city once more.

 

[4Chiri]

The offices were quite busy. People moving about, chattering and waiting. Nurses rushed around tending to emergencies and other neucanses.


"Ah! Priestess!" said one of the nurses once they entered.


"'Tis such an honour to meet you m'lady!" she bowed profusely. "I shall get the healer right away!" she said and rushed off.


Nheir was summoned from some depths of the clinic and immediately his face lit.


"Priestess! it is such an honor to have you in my clinic!" he smiled, then became rigid.


"....you aren't hurt are you?"

 

[Morigan]

"Thank you," Melia said with a gracious nod of her head. "No, I'm not hurt...at least I'm physically hurt..." she answered softly. "She stepped to the side and lowered her voice even further. "Perhaps we might discuss this in private?"

 

[4Chiri]

"oh!" he snapped, "of course milady right this way please, my apologies," he started and led her down the hall to his office and locked the door. guards right outside.


"I'm so distracted, it seems market week is the one week where everyone hurts themselves - ah, don't mind me...so tell me what's happened to you now?"

 

[Morigan]

Melia nodded patiently as he explained his distraction and then launched into her explanations of everything that had happened since the BloodWell ritual up until her meeting with Palme.


"And so, he suggested I come to you and make sure that everything was well with me physically."

 

[4Chiri]

"...I see..." he mumbled.


"I've seen records of one woman before you who complained of the same thing. The priestess Amicia who stepped down about fifteen years ago. She did the blood well ritual and..heard mumbles and voices...but never understanding them."


he paced.


"The only time this happened before her was Raithus. But she was born that way...apparently the voices were clear for her and she would portray them to the people as 'voices of the gods, orders from them to do their bidding."


he paced more..


"The prophets however believe this is all superstitious rubbish...and it should be shunned as a blemish upon priestesses."


he paced...more..


"...that may be why they're becoming agitated. Or why they attacked you like you said...perhaps the voices are real...? who knows...maybe you should try and understand them?"


he stopped.


"perhaps...it's all just theory though. as far as I can tell there's nothing wrong with you. the voices themselves are harmless however. But...if they can in a sense 'warn' you of danger...heed them."

 

[Morigan]

Melia felt some of her stress leave her as she was finally told some of what was happening.


"There is no particular reason that both Amicia and myself just started hearing them?" she asked. "And I'm already being attacked. This will probaly just put me in more danger if word gets out I suppose," she said sadly.


She supposed she would need to speak with Moganthe about this, at least until she found someone to replace him since he was so unhappy as her protector.

 

[4Chiri]

"yes....it's best if you keep this to yourself until you can at least understand what the voices are saying or what they actually mean." he bowed.


"I'm glad I could be of service. if you ever need anything, I'm here! Or in the university...or the palace gentry office.." he smiled.

 

[Morigan]

Melia thanked him for his time and returned with her escort to the Basilica. The day's light was fading quickly and the glow of the torches and lanterns from the Market Festival filled the air. She sent her escort back to their posts once more, and was alone again, lingering in the doorway staring towards the square. Faint music and voices floated on the evening breezes, tempting Melia to abandon her duties and head to the festival.


She jumped a bit when another Oracle approached from behind.


"Priestess? Do you need anything?" the Oracle asked.


Melia sighed and nodded. "Please send a message to Warlord Moganthe to meet with me here, as soon as he is able. Thank you," she said and turned to wait inside the grand foyer.

 

[4Chiri]

The oracle nodded and sped off.


a simple moment passed, until Moganthe strode through the door.


He wore a newer set of armor with fine belted clothes, of suede underneath. A long flourished cape of deep blue velvet and leather. He looked like he'd finally gotten some rest.


"You called for me, milady?" he kneeled.

 

[Morigan]

"Moganthe, you know that is unnecessary. Come with me, we have much to discuss," she said coolly. Her eyes raked over him as he knelt before her, he looked well-rested and it suited him immensely. Realizing the line of thought her mind had strayed to, she turned on her heel and headed towards on of the smaller private meeting rooms.

 

[4Chiri]

He followed obediently, slightly confused.


"Priestess....is something the matter?"

 

[Morigan]

Melia waited until they were both in the room and shut the door firmly behind them.


"You need not pretend with me- I heard what you and that merchant woman said about those of us devoted to the faith. If you had such a distaste for us, you need only have told me. I will ask to have someone else assigned to me, someone who does not chafe at the idea of being with 'robes' every day," she said in a hard, though quiet voice. "I had thought that-" she began, but then stopped abruptly. "Never mind, it doesn't matter. "

 

[4Chiri]

"oh..." he sighed deeply, and his face fell into a broken expression. again he went to his knees.


"Priestess...I'm sorry you had to hear such things from me...it was below me and I beg forgiveness...but understand me priestess, for I did not mean to insult you, I'd only meant those who would disrespect you, such as the bishops, the archs...Zegothan. I was angry at them for showing such disrespect and I meant not to recreate such dishonorable acts."


He said quietly.


"If you would wish me replaced, I understand. But know that it will never happen again."