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"Now," she said. "I came to tell Priest Ghale that you've been summoned." Her eyes flicked over my body. "Although you might want something a bit more suitable."
"Have time for me to stop by my room and change? I happen to have three physical classes in a row, so I dress for it."
The woman's lips curled slightly, and yes, her eyes dropped to my chest one more time. "Go. I'll clear everything with your instructor and then stop at your room."
With a grin, I leaned closer. "Did you just check me out, Priestess?"
"Go," she warned, but her cheeks were fighting a smile.
I honestly liked that woman. Sure, she was a few years older than my mother, but she sure didn't act like it. Saval also hadn't beenmyinstructor. She'd followed Nari's year through their acolyte training, and I'd met her for the first time on the day of my Choosing. Since then, she'd relaxed quite a bit, and while she wasn't as involved in Nari's life as Amerlee or Jamik, she handled a lot on the backside of things.
Like my request to have some of the newly-invented firearms approved for protection weapons. The things were notoriously expensive, but lethal. A weapon of last resort, and one most people could never afford. My family could, and I was not above asking for a few favors.
Still, the last time I'd seen the High Priest, I hadn't been in control of my body. Zeal had. He'd also stripped the man's god-marks from his skin with the tears that were supposed to put them on. According to Nari, not everything had vanished, which meant some were most likely tattoos. She'd seen them. I'd also seen his lack of lace. That meant we were threats.
But I could play politics as well as anyone in this temple. Jogging from the classroom to my personal room, I hurried in, wiped myself partially clean with a damp cloth, and found some clothes that looked more appropriate for a meeting with the High Priest. I was wiping at my chest again, removing the last traces of salt and sweat from my day, when a tap sounded on the door.
Impishly, I grabbed my shirt and answered it. Just like I'd expected, Saval was on the other side. One more time, her eyes dropped to my chest, and this time, she groaned, realizing what she'd done. Unfortunately, she still didn't blush.
"Did you want to step in, Priestess?" I asked.
"I most certainly do not," she told me. "Now put your shirt on."
"Figured you wanted to get onemorelook first," I teased.
"Boy, I will turn you over my leg and paddle your ass until it's red, and then give you to Eladehl to finish off. Trust me, I'm old enough to know all the tricks. Now put your shirt on, because the High Priest is waiting."
"Was just enjoying the ego boost," I assured her as I obeyed.
I was barely in the hall before she closed my door, grabbed my arm, and marched me toward the back of the temple. Her entire stance was meant to be intimidating, but the little chuckles that slipped out occasionally proved she thought the whole thing was as funny as I did. Of all Nari's mentors, I couldn't help but think that Saval might be my favorite. That said a lot, since Amerlee and Jamik were the other two.
"Ok," Saval said when we were out of the housing halls and heading toward the nave. "He's been sitting on this for almost two months now. Do not be surprised if he declines the request just to remind you that he's still in charge."
I nodded. "And if he does, can I reapply?"
"Why are you so determined to getguns, Talin?" she asked.
"Because from everything I've heard, Nari can use them. You and I both know that she's not going to lose her marks, and things are not going to get easier for her. The High Priest tried todrownher in that test, and I have a feeling he won't be the only person who thinks it's easier to just get rid of her. I mean, how hard would it be to set her up in an assignment, have it turn bad, and make sure she dies in the process, hm?"
She stopped, grabbing my arm to make me face her. "And the reason you're going to tellhim?"
"That my family has the power and influence to make sure that the Temple of Temptation is the first house of any god to carry the best weapons. We are here to set the standard, to prove that there is a benefit to giving in to what our patrons want most, and what better way to show that than with weapons which remind them that we are above them?"
Slowly, she nodded. "Play to his vanity. And when he asks you about interrupting the immersion test?"
"I don't remember anything from the moment that door closed, Priestess. One moment I was standing there, and the next I was waking up on the couch, being told something about speaking with the voice of Zeal." I smiled slyly.
She patted my arm. "Sounds to me like you understand this game well enough. Did Zeal help with this plan?"
"No, I actually thought this one up on my own." But I glanced at her again. "Why?"
"Because it sounds like him," she admitted. "He's been to see me a few times. Not really what I imagined of our god, but I think he'd approve of this."
"And hopefully tempt the High Priest to agree," I added.
"Use the power available," she said, sounding almost like she was quoting someone. "I suppose your father was right and you should've been the oldest. It's almost a waste to have your talents locked away in the temple."
"What?" I asked. "He said that?"
