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And there was a very cute boy that both Eladehl and I had definitely noticed. He was lean and graceful with the most unruly dark hair. It always seemed to flop in his face, teasing his cheekbones so he had to brush it back. That only showed off his amazingly sexy hands. Yeah, the two of us were staring. It was so bad that Wraythe had started picking on us about it.
"Go talk to him," he teased.
"Which one of us?" Eladehl asked.
Wraythe just lifted a brow. "Both? I mean, if you want to get his attention, I'm sure that would do it."
"No," I hissed, shaking my head. "You go, Eladehl. If he's not into guys, then I'll talk to him."
Priestess Bressa cleared her throat pointedly, and tipped her head towards the other side of the room where a young woman was wandering alone. I hadn't even seen her walk in. Then again, I only had eyes for the acolyte from Perception. This lady was also an excuse for me to get out of talking to the boy.
"I got this," I told them. "Yougo talk tohim." And I nudged Eladehl that way.
He stalled out, but I was already committed. Clasping my hands before me and putting on a kind smile, I moved to the woman's side. "Were you seeking something in the temple today?"
She turned to me - and paused. Her eyes widened, her breath caught, and she took half a step back. "Uh..." she said.
I'd already figured out that the color of my robes often got this reaction. It was as if people expected me to throw myself at them and start ripping away their clothes or something. Yes, part of our duties involved sex, but notallof them. Then again, it probably sounded wonderfully sensual to those who barely got a chance to sit down at the end of the day.
"I'm an acolyte," I told her. "Basically, a student-priest still in training. I'd be happy to direct you to the right person, if that would make you feel more comfortable?"
Letting out a sigh, she dropped her head. "I think you're actually who I need. I'm looking for the head Priest of Temptation. The high one, I mean."
"I'm afraid you won't find him in the Temple of All Gods. The High Priest can be found in the Temple of Temptation."
She swallowed. "I don't think I can go in there. I know it's allowed, but... I've heard things."
"Temptations are private sessions, and not for public display in most cases. Never for the unsuspecting. I assure you that the open areas of our temple are not much different from this one. Well, our statues are smaller."
That almost-joke seemed to make her relax a little. Enough that she reached over to clasp my hand. The woman looked to be about my age, and her clothes were just as nice, but something about her seemed older. Maybe more weary.
"You are going to be a wonderful priestess," she said politely. "My husband's family are your primary patrons, and I'd always dreaded the day I'd be asked to send a message for him, but you've made this a lot easier."
"Let me make it even easier, then." I lifted my arm toward where Priestess Bressa was standing. "This is my instructor for our internship. I'm sure she'd be happy to help you with anything you need."
Seeing my hand, the woman looked down at the one she’d clasped. "Are you the girl who speaks for the god? My husband said she's marked all the way up her arms, and yours are."
"It happened once," I said, guiding her across the room. "I was simply in the right place at the right time, and not foolish enough to resist."
But Priestess Bressa had seen me coming, and met us partway. "Can I help you, ma'am?"
"I'm Lady Ranndor, wife of Tath Ranndor. I was sent to speak to the High Priest of Temptation, but I honestly have no idea how to get in touch with him. My family are the primary patrons, and my husband's father, the Baron, has fallen ill. He has asked to see his son before he dies."
Priestess Bressa nodded at her sagely. "I would be happy to show you there myself." Then she looked at me. "At the end of the hour, have your class back in the room? I won't be gone as long as you think."
"Yes, Priestess," I said, simply because I didnotwant to make this poor woman's day any worse.
It might be her father-in-law who was on death's bed, but I had no idea how close she was to the man. I also wasn't sure how our temple was supposed to help her at all. The only thing I knew was that Baron Ranndor was the local lord who tithed directly to our god. Zeal wrote his laws, and the baron governed the land. Clearly, that was what she meant by a principal patron.
When I made it back to my friends, Eladehl still hadn't moved. Before I could ask what was stopping him, he canted his head to where Priestess Bressa had disappeared.
"What was that about?"
"Lady Ranndor wanting to talk to the High Priest because the Baron is dying," I whispered. "She said something about him wanting to see his son?" I was hoping he could give me a little more information.
"Yeah," Wraythe said, "They surrendered their, like, seventh son? Sixth? One of the younger ones. He's a year ahead of us."
"Oh, that sucks," Eladehl breathed. "We have two weeks until the end of the year. If he's a tenth year, he'll miss his Choosing."
