The man that Kreet, Karl, and Brand knew as their Master was far more than a simple tutor to the three Acolytes. Because of the unique nature of the Clerical calling, he had to know as much about them as he could. He was their tutor, confidant and father figure - and they were his children. Since accepting the position of Master Cleric at the Monastery he had trained two other sets of Clerics. Some of his pupils were the pride of his life, while others were complete disappointments. He did not blame himself for those, nor took credit for the successes. That, he knew, lay with Pelor and the students themselves. The best he could do, was just to always do what he felt was right.

Yet he had no experience teaching female Acolytes, even less female kobold Acolytes. So when she came to him the following day, he tried his best to maintain his stoic demeanor at what she told him. It would do her no good, especially after overcoming her own embarrassment, to let her know just how helpless he felt in this situation. As she went on describing her innermost feelings for Brand, he decided it would be best to simply imagine she was a boy who was having similar feelings for someone else. That idea gave him some solid ground to base his advice on, much as he knew this development could easily derail both Kreet and Brand’s future as Clerics of Pelor. He sincerely hoped he could help guide Kreet through this successfully.

Finally the kobold had finished her confession and was looking at him for help.

“Kreet, I am a Cleric of Pelor. That entails me always to seek the best path to guide others down. But we do not know what the future will hold, and I may well misguide you here. I am fallible and just a man, Kreet. But I am also Brand’s Master of course, so I must also gauge my responses to his benefit as well. You must know, first, that a kiss is an expression of caring. It may or may not be one of romantic love. The kiss I gave you years ago was just that - intended to expression my sincere caring for you. I am honored that you would still remember it, but no more was intended. Brand cares for you too, perhaps even more deeply, but that kiss does not itself indicate anything more.”

The kobold looked away from him, obviously dejected and probably embarrassed, but she nodded as well. “I knew that,” she said as if assuring herself.

“Kreet, I’d hoped nothing like this would ever happen. You’ve been raised in the company of us humans nearly all your life. I’m no expert in kobold, or any other races’ psychology, but in my experience, I believe all sentient beings long for a special bond with others, usually a single Other. That’s not even necessarily related to biology either. Two people can become friends without ever becoming physically intimate. I’m afraid that’s the most you can hope for with Brand, Kreet. You know I speak to all three of you privately on a regular basis. Brand is a very driven student. He’s not as quick as Karl with spells, and he’s not as quick to catch on to new concepts as you are. He knows that, and has something of an inferiority complex you may not be aware of.”

“Brand?! But he’s the best of all of us at…” Kreet began, but the Cleric interrupted.

“It doesn’t matter what he is good at, Kreet. He sees what he is not the best at, and obsesses on it. He’s trying so, so hard. He loves both you and Karl deeply, but I don’t think he sees you in that special way.”

Kreet looked back up at him, tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m sorry Kreet, but my advice is this - keep these feelings to yourself. I know you want the best for Brand, as do I. I also want the best for you. Karl is the best student I’ve ever had in the magical realm, but we’ve lost him as a Cleric to love and nature. If you do not restrain yourself here, I will lose you too, I have no doubt, and probably Brand as well. Nature will do what it will do, and I know there’s only so much that willpower can control. Brand wants to become a Cleric so much. Let him have his dream, Kreet. You are both progressing so quickly now, it won’t be many more years.”

She nodded, wiping a tear from an eye. “Of course, Master,” she choked. “Life is… painful.”

The Cleric knelt to embrace her. “It is, Kreet. And yours is harder than anyone here knows, probably more than I even comprehend. But don’t despair of all hope. Time can change everything. I won’t propose to know how or in what manner your life will change, but I do promise you it will change. And for the better, no matter what you may feel now.”

Kreet stood up to go, and this time she planted her own kiss - as well as she could manage it - on the Cleric’s cheek. “I’m sorry I had to burden you with this, Master Cleric. I knew there wasn’t any good solution anyway, but it does feel better knowing someone understands.”

“I do understand, Kreet. I do not command you, you understand, but if you really care about him - as you do - you will let him complete his training, and yours as well. What happens then? Well… who knows what the future holds? Inter-species relationships aren’t unheard of. Why, all the half-elves running around can attest to that!”

She laughed, imagining what a half-kobold would look like, then rejecting the image. “Ew! Master, that’s a horrible thought.”

“Perhaps,” he said, walking her to the door. “But not all relationships must be procreative in nature either. I know it’s a radical thought, but you two could just be friends for life you know.”

The little kobold looked at him like he’d just uttered an incantation. She nodded and a smile stole over her face. “Friends for life. Yes, I could be that! Thank you Master!”

As the Master Cleric closed the door behind her, his face turned from a good-natured smile to a frown and he slumped perceptibly. Then he went to his prie-dieu and knelt.

“Good Pelor, please help me in this,” he prayed. “You know I’m lost here. Please help me to advise them correctly and as you would have it. I know you will guide them to your ultimate Good, but you know I’m lost in this matter!”

A voice in his head, which may have been the voice of Pelor or his own conscience gave him absolution. “As long as you do what you think is best, that is enough. That is all you can do.”