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"Naturally," Maela said, taking over like she'd been made for this. "But I expect to have them before the Darkest Night. We will be attending this year, so you can always give them to me at that time."
"Or you could simply allow your husband to continue on as he has been," Kinen said. "Lady Ranndor, there's no reason for you to bother yourself with this. The temple and the barony have worked in harmony since Tath's ascension to the position of Baron."
"Yes," Maela agreed, "but my husband has more responsibilities than he expected. Don't worry, Priest Kinen, I am much more skilled with numbers and accounting than he is. I've also come to enjoy my visits to the temple. You should expect me to be a regular guest around here. The priests and priestesses have all been so welcoming!"
"The temple is not a social function," Kinen warned her.
"No, sir, it is not," Maela agreed. "That's why I've made a point of getting involved. This is a responsibility we both have to the god of our lands." Then she set her leather book on the table and opened to a page in the middle marked with a ribbon. "You see, I've been looking through the laws, and it seems that a lot of what we've been doing isn't exactly as written. Did you know that the temple should pass any additional funds to the barony's charities? Not all impoverished children are surrendered, and some require food, clothing, and education. Sadly, it seems we haven't had a donation recorded in seven years. Again, Tarben's health is likely responsible."
"It's tradition for communities to contribute to the charities on their own," Kinen explained. "Lady Ranndor, those laws are outdated and were written in a much simpler time. With the industrialization that's been - "
"So why were the laws not changed?" Maela asked. "Priest Kinen, I watched my husband's name be written into the Book of Rules. I've seen the pen move on its own. That's why I requested a current copy of the laws, because theyarekept up to date."
"That system is outdated," Kinen told her. "Tarben and I began making bylaws to supplement them, and - "
"Bylaws are not officially recognized by the Constitution of Calseth," Maela countered. "Sir, I'm not sure what agreements you had with the previous Barons of Temptation, but I am not them. I am a faithful woman, here to handle the responsibilities of the position I was granted by Zeal. We will be obeying the laws in this book..." She pushed it across the desk to him. "And if you'd like to keep that copy so you can refresh yourself, it might make this easier. Those are the rules I will enforce. If you cannot agree to that, the annual tithe next year will be adjusted to compensate for that."
"You can't do that!" Kinen roared, shoving to his feet.
I saw Maela flinch, but she used it to push herself up, hiding her initial reaction. "I can. I am the representative of the people of Temptation in Calseth. You are the representative of the Priests of Temptation. You will treat me as your equal, sir, and with the respect due my station."
"This is Tath Ranndor's responsibility," Kinen shot back, "not yours. Let him work with me."
Maela just pointed to the book. "If you'll notice the law I marked there? It says that the Baron and Baroness are assumed to be two halves of a whole. The law below it makes it clear that in the event that my husband is unable to participate for any reason, I should be treated as the legitimate leader of the civilian portion of Zeal's lands. The one after that says that division of labor in a household is to be determined by the family. Thus, since my husband is otherwise occupied, my family has decided that I will be the primary patron for the Temple of Temptation. I suggest you get used to seeing me, Priest Kinen."
With that, Maela looked at me and nodded. I pushed to my feet, struggling not to show how proud I was of her. Then Maela turned to leave. I fell in beside her, and Talin shadowed the pair of us like the guardian he was. Just as we were halfway across the room, Maela paused.
"Oh, and if you don't have copies of the last few years' financial records, we'll simply reevaluate everything on the numbers you get me at the end of the year. Make sure your paperwork is on time, Priest Kinen, because no funding will be given until such time as I can balance my own ledgers."
"And does a woman of your station even know how to do that?" Kinen asked.
Maela's smile turned proud. "Why, yes. It's something every girl of my station learns, sir. Otherwise, our households would fall apart. I understand that many businessmen think this is all just a game, but that's because most have a woman picking up after him. Hopefully, the temple isn't run like most noble houses. I look forward to seeing you prove me right. Good morning, High Priest. Thank you for seeing me."
And just like that, we were done. As soon as we were out of the office, Maela gasped with relief, but Talin caught her arm, looping it through his, and kept her walking. The woman was beaming with pride, but we knew there were too many ears around. Instead, we hauled her through the halls and to the one place we knew we could talk openly: our suite.
It wasn't until she was in my rooms before I realized that she'd never been here before. Maela looked around in awe, examining everything from the small kitchen area to the couches that were pushed together so we could all be close. But our entrance didn't go unnoticed. Wraythe was in the dining area, reading through his homework. Ela came out of the bedroom half dressed - with Anver following.
"Maela?" Ela asked. "So, is it done?"
Her eyes dropped down to his chest and Maela's cheeks turned pink. "It is, and you're barely dressed!"
Ela tugged his shirt closed and began buttoning it. "I wasn't expecting company. I also don't mind you looking." Then he looked at me, his eyes jumping to Talin next. "And?"
"Kinen's pissed, Maela's amazing, and Zeal has to be proud," I told him. "She walked in and took over. All this time, she's been so worried she wouldn't be able to do this, and the woman makes me want to drop my eyes and say, 'yes, ma'am.'"
"You were amazing," Talin told her.
"He barely pushed back!" Maela said. "I thought he'd scream more, but it was as if he was too stunned to know what to do."
Wraythe chuckled. "He probably was. Men like Kinen think that being small and delicate are the same as weak. They haven't yet figured out that strength comes from the inside, and even muscles like mine are useless without the will to drive them."
"Look at you," Anver teased. "When did you get so wise, Wraythe?"
"Been hanging out with people who talk to gods," Wraythe joked.
"And the book was a nice touch," I told Maela.
"Yeah..." she said. "I didn't exactly ask for it. It was delivered from the capitol with a letter saying I had. The ribbon was already on that page, marking the laws I cited about my place. I have a funny feeling that it was Zeal's reminder to me, giving me one last push."
"Sounds like it worked," Anver said. "So, how about you have a seat, Wraythe and I will make tea, and you three can tell us all about how we're friends with the Primary Patron of Temptation."
"Iamthe Primary Patron," Maela repeated, looking like she was still trying to believe it. "I am the Baroness of Temptation. I am my husband's equal!"
"And the kind of woman I want on my side," Ela said as he claimed the seat beside her. "So you know, you look beautiful when you take charge. It's like this fits you much better than being shy and quiet."
"We're not meek because we have to be," I told Maela. "We're meek only when it makes us stronger. Sometimes, the opposite is true."
"Yes, it is," Maela agreed. "I just needed a little temptation, it seems. Zeal gave it to me in the form of his priests. Thank you all. I promise I won't let you down."
