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"First, stop that," I told him. "Our gods have already decided we're worthy. That's why they claimed us."
"What do you mean?" Edrik asked as we rounded the last corner and turned onto the grassy area that led to the festival. "How do they claim us?"
"The marks on our hands as children, Edrik." I chuckled because it was so obvious. "When we dip our hands, they choose. They bicker for control of us. I don't think their time runs the same as ours in their god-land - "
"Purlieu," Talin said. "That's what Zeal calls the realm they live on when not in our reality."
"So you see him too?" Edrik asked.
Talin's lips twisted in a knowing smirk. "Edrik, there are five heads on the snake at Nari's throat. There are five of us now with these indeterminate marks. Nari, myself, her partner, his guardian, and Zeal's best friend. Yes, Zeal calls a priest his best friend. We all see him, and so does half our temple now."
"Which is what we want for Savi," Edrik explained, steering me to the side, aiming for a large striped tent. "If you're not offended, I think we'll start our fun by getting the tedious bit out of the way?" Then he pushed aside the flap and gestured for me to step in.
Inside was a group of priests, a portable blackboard with a schedule written on it, and a middle-aged woman pushing her hair back from her face as if the stress of the day was already getting to her. At the sound of our entrance, she turned. Her eyes landed on us, moved from person to person, and then she smiled. Holding out her hand, she made her way over to meet me.
"Priestess Nariana?" she asked. "I'm Priestess Rebexa, of Perception. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
I took her hand. "Thanks. Edrik's just been filling me in. Let me introduce Talin, my guardian."
The woman's eyes shifted to him and he offered her his hand next. Talin didn't shake, though. Instead, he bowed over her fingers respectfully.
"High Priestess," he greeted her. "It's an honor."
"Spoken like a nobleman," she teased.
"He also has five Paths," Edrik said. "Sounds like everyone around her does."
Rebexa sucked in a little breath. "How interesting. Do you know how it happened?"
"Zeal had us lounge in the basin beneath his statue in the Temple of All Gods," I told her. "Priest Kinen hasn't exactly been made aware of the others, though. It wasn't an official immersion, so far as our temple sees it, thus their lace isn't recognized."
"How did you know Zeal wanted you to submerge yourself in the basin?" she asked, gesturing to a set of chairs in the corner for us to sit. "I'm curious how he communicates."
"He shows up," I said. "The gods literally walk among us. Not all of us can see them, but I inherited the ability. Those who believe - without doubt - can gain it. The trick seems to be to stop wondering if it's a trick, if there's some ulterior motive, or how it's being done. Just believe that you have an amazing goddess, that she's trying to do her best, but that the lack of faith makes it harder. You see, Rebexa..." I eased myself down into the chair across from her. "They're dying. They call it fading, and they define their lives as real or imagined. Alive or dead to us. The problem is that without true faith, they become intangible, and no one believes anymore."
"I do!" Rebexa insisted.
"She tries."
The answer came from a voice I'd heard before. Turning, I found Savi standing just inside the door flap, smiling at the pair of us. Talin turned to follow my gaze, then sighed. Clearly, he'd already figured out that we weren't alone.
"Is Savi here?" he asked.
"She just walked in," I admitted. "Would you like a chair, Savi?"
"That one will be fine," she said, pointing to a wooden one beside a small table.
I pointed to it, so Talin quickly grabbed the chair and moved it beside Rebexa. Edrik watched the ordeal with his brow furrowed, and the High Priestess of Perception's eyes were large with wonder. Once the chair was in place, Savi took it, turning her complete attention to me.
"We're stronger on the holidays. Today is my day, which means even more. Rebexa is a good woman. She's trying, but she's worried that you're playing some game in an attempt to get fame."
"I don't need fame," I countered.
"But many priests still chase it," Savi reminded me. "She's seen enough proof to want to believe, but she takes her responsibilities seriously. She's trying to look at all sides of this so she won't make our temple into a laughingstock. Unfortunately, that precaution is keeping her from seeing me."
I nodded and turned to Rebexa. "She says the care you're taking to protect your temple is causing doubts that keep you from seeing her - "
Savi broke in. "The precautions are good. They're sensible, and I applaud her for them. She can still do them while believing that I am real. Let her doubt her place, the future, and anything else. But I can't have her doubtingme."
