“You don’t sound sure,” He retorted.

A frown fell across Manesc’s lips as he looked over his shoulder at Nethira. She’d picked back up the mask and was staring straight forward as she walked. She was looking through their backs, lost in her own thoughts. He could only imagine what types of fears were swirling around in her mind right now.

“She’ll be ok,” he repeated. She had to be.

The Coriast Temple and the Tilliana Temple were on opposite ends of the city center. It was only natural that two opposing gods be kept far apart. The summer sun beat down on them with the power of an enemy. Ror did her best to keep them cool. She was a Master of the Seasons of Emotion and could control the elements quite freely. However, something about the heat was unnatural and it still seemed to try and penetrate through Ror’s cool cloud.

The procession had drawn attention the closer they got to the Coriast Temple. The ‘rivalry’ between Cor and Tillia was no secret, so seeing an official entourage from Tillia approaching men of Cors was a sight, and people wanted to know why. They followed behind like strays hoping to catch a glimpse of food.

The Sun Palace lived up to its name. It was easily the grandest Temple in the city. Towering pillars of white and gold littered a lush courtyard. Fountains and pools decorated the lawn. The impeccable walkway with sun spirals carved into it lead them up to the Entryway where the Priests of the Coriast Temple waited. The men of the temple were adorned as finely as their temple. The gold and white robes and glittering sun medallions were a stark contrast to the humble black attire of the priests and priestesses of Tillia.

The High Priest, a middle-aged man of average stature, stepped forward.

“Priest of the Sun, thank you for welcoming us,” Shannon exchanged the formal greeting. Manesc was always quite happy when Ror knew herself well enough to keep herself out of situations where manner was required.

“Priest and Priestess of Magick and Shadow, Welcome,” He said. It was a fruitless greeting between three people who hated each other.

“We brought gifts of gold for the Temple, to show our thanks for your time and hospitality,” Shannon continued the script, directing the two priestesses who held the gifts forward. They exchanged hands with the same enthusiasm that the three exchanged greetings. After all, what were two small gold figures in comparison to what littered the Temple?

“Thank you for your gifts,” The high priest said, before training his eyes on the only thing that was left. The crystal-adorned young girl who he’d never seen before. “And this girl, is she perhaps the reason for your visit?” The High Priest asked. Manesc could feel the frustration wafting off the Hands like waves of heat.

“The Tiliana Temple offers this girl to Cors on behalf of Tillia,” Shannon said. His words were sharp and precise, piercing through the smug aura of the Coriast High Priest.

Manesc couldn’t help but think it looked like the priest wanted to laugh in response.

“We don’t really accept those sorts of offerings but, I suppose if it’s from the Tilliana Temple I’ll make an exception. She seems pretty enough to keep around,” He said.

“I think you misunderstand.”

All three of the inner circle turned at the sound of Nethira’s interjection. The girl was wrapped in a strange armor of attitude as she stepped out from under the umbrella. Without thinking the three of them parted to let her forward. Manesc could see her hands trembling as she folded them together. She met the High Priests gaze with an audacity that visibly upset him. “I do not offer myself to the Coriast Temple. I offer myself to Cors,” She said.

Surprise flooded across the faces of all the sun priests who had gathered outside to meet them. They were too shocked to see how shaken she was. Manesc smiled a bit at her bravery.

“He’s here, is he not? He walks amongst the temple men,” She said. There was a borrowed air about her. It unnerved the High Priest, especially since it was obvious they’d gone to great lengths to keep his presence away from the public. “Who would tell you such a thing?” He asked but he was quite clearly already on guard.

“Tillia,” She said. “I was sent by her.”