Vael took the scroll when we left the library. I felt excitement rise in my chest. I would finally know who Lemuete truly was. To me it seemed odd that a being partially responsible for the world’s creation would be forgotten. How did it happen? Or was the demon lying.

I had very little knowledge of demons. From what I understood they were a corruption of the natural world, but as to how they came to be, the legends differed. One thing was certain, they were all dangerous.

The school house for the noble scholars was a two-story brick building that sat half a mile north east of the Illustrious’s palace. There was a roofed garden path that led directly from the palace grounds to the private courtyard of the school.

Rain had begun to fall as we walked along the path. I was grateful for the cover as it fell heavily causing a mist to rise. “We must hurry, the damp may ruin the scroll,” Vael said taking my left hand in his right. He began to sprint down the path pulling me along with him. I looked over my shoulder and saw Neoma pick up her pace, her spear held out to the side.

She flashed me a quick smile which I returned.

When we reached the end of the path we were met with a wall of water from the runoff of the path’s roof. I frowned in annoyance.

“We will have to remove our Grace if we want to reach the building without changing,” I said.

“Or we can go back for an umbrella,” Neoma said.

Vael tucked the scroll inside of his robe.

Before I could react he swept me off of my, took a few steps back, then charged the water fall. He continued to sprint across the cobbled courtyard while breathing heavily. My body tingled as the water fell against my skin. As we reached the bottom step of the building he collapsed onto his knees while cradling me protectively. At the same time our tails formed.

A dark shape passed over our heads and I instinctively ducked. I heard a grunt and the sound of wood and steel against stone. I looked up to see Neoma crouched on the step above us, her tail formed as well.

I giggled. Soon the other two were laughing beside me as we awkwardly ascended the steps using our hands as support.

“That was crazy!” Neoma said.

“And yet you followed me,” Vael said.

“It’s my duty, Lord Cadfael,” she said bowing.

The doors opened suddenly behind her and we were greeted with the sour stare of man dressed in gray robes. He folded his arms and continued to look down his nose at us. “That is an unusual hair color for someone so young,” he said stiffly.

I touched my damp hair self-consciously.

“What brings you here?”

“I’m Lord Cadfael Kai, lord of North Hold. This is my bride-to-be, Sol Manolo. We’re here to find someone who can translate a scroll for us.”

The man’s eyebrows raised in interest and he looked at me once more. “I see… Please come in. The students are at study so please avoid any unnecessary noise.” He made a hand gesture and two maids passed him with umbrellas and towels to cover and dry us.

The wooden floor of the school was smooth and cool against the soles of my feet as we followed behind the gray-robed man. The hall we walked through was filled with statues and the muted murmurs of lectures. I wondered if Aur would one day attend a school such as this or if he would only have a tutor.

“I am Lord Sal Fen from Fair Hold. “I’m the third son of Lord Fen and so not expected to inherit his waters. I’ve decided to devote my life to the pursuit of knowledge forgotten and new.”

“It is nice to meet your acquaintance,” Vael said.

“We’ve heard stories about you, Lady Sol. Is it true that you have turned men to stone and escaped the influence of a demon?”

My voice caught in my throat for a moment. Had I become so infamous that even scholars knew of me?

“I’m sure some may have been exaggerated. I never turned anyone to stone, it was the Gentle God.”

“Interesting… our history is filled with stories of the gods intervening at their own whims. Even stories of changing the ones that they have saved such as our people, the Waterfolk.”

“What about champions of the gods?” I asked.

“There are a few legends, but it is not often that a mortal becomes a champion. Champions are different from demi-gods though they appear similar, and even different from those merely blessed.”

“How would someone know the difference?” Vael asked.

“I don’t know. The priests may be able to tell you.”

We were led into a small office where a short and balding man sat behind a desk covered in books and scrolls. He ignored us as he ran his fingers along the lines of text in front of him. It wasn't until Lord Sal cleared his throat for the fifth time that the man glanced up with unfocused yes.

"Hmm?" he murmured looking between us.

"Rine, this is Lord Cadfael Kai, lord of North Hold and his bride Lady Sol. They need a scroll translated."

"Oh, yes, of course," the man said before his eyes focused on my hair and then the scroll Vael had pulled out of his robes. He handed it to the older man. "Do you need the whole this translated or parts?"

"There is one illustration of the creation. Could you translate what is written below it?" Vael asked.

"Let me see..." Rine began studying the scroll and muttering sounds to himself. After a few minutes of this he looked up. "I figured it out. I says [ ]."

My ears began to ring loudly. I watched Lord Rine's lips move, but the sound did not reach my ears. He began to look frustrated as he suddenly stopped moving his lips. Alarmed I looked at Vael and saw the same confusion on his face. The ringing quickly faded.

"Was that a spell?" I asked.

"Were you not listening to what I said?" Lord Rine said in an irritated voice. "It's [ ]!" His lips continued to move, but the ringing filled my ears and drowned out the sound. "Lord Sal, is this some kind of joke?"

"Rine, I assure you it's no joke. You seem to have stumbled across a spell. When you invoke it we cannot hear you," Lord Sal said.

Lord Rine's eyes widened and he smiled widely. "This is amazing! Where did you get this scroll?" he said eagerly unraveling it.

"It was in the Illustrious's library," Vael replied. "Does this mean you can't help us?"

"Unfortunately so, but I can give you my notes on the alphabet and the sounds of the characters. Would that be enough?"

Vael smiled at Lord Rine and bowed. "Yes, it will be," he said.

I sighed. Would it be enough? Why was there a spell on the scroll? Was this being another god?

Lord Rine finished collecting his notes and handed it to Vael. "Please keep these notes safe. I don't have many copies. When you're done with them please return them. If you have trouble, any student of mine should be able to help."

"Thank you," I said.

Vael stored the notes and the scroll in his robe. "Thank you for your time. I'm sorry that this was such a bother for you," he said.

"Not at all. In fact I wonder if there are more scrolls like that one. Well, have a good day and enjoy the weather," Lord Rine said winking. We exited the room and were escorted by Lord Sal to the door.

"The maids can escort you to the garden path." He motioned to the two women waiting by the door. "Our school is always welcome to you Lord Cadfael, Lady Sol."

"Thank you, Lord Sal," Vael said. The maids opened their umbrellas and allowed us to step under them. They escorted us to the path, bowed and returned to the school. I sighed, not looking forward to more reading.

I woke up screaming on the morning of my trial. In the haze of my abrupt wakefulness I could still feel the phantom fingers tightening around my throat. Neoma sat up with me and wiped my brow with the cloth that she kept at my bedside table. She then handed me a glass of water which I drained completely.

“What did you see this time?” she whispered. I shook my head and massaged my throat with my free hand; I still felt pressure on my throat. I trembled and dropped the glass before covering my shoulders with my comforters. “Do you want me to draw the curtains?”

“Yes.”

The mattress shifted as Neoma stood to draw back the curtains. Pale morning light filled the room. I stared at the pink and yellow sky and wondered if my nightmares would keep me company all morning.

“The maids will be in here soon to dress you. Do you want them to fetch more water?”

“No, I’d rather take a hot bath.”

Neoma sat on the bed and hugged me. “Don’t worry. The day will only get better,” she said.

I hoped so.

Breakfast was filled with nervous chatter as the lords and ladies kept watch of me through the sides of their eyes. I stayed silent at picked at my food. My mouth felt dry no matter how many sips of water that I took. I would lift a piece of food to my lips, but the phantom pressure would return to my throat and it would constrict. I began hiding the food under my napkin, slipping it under when my father and Vael’s eyes were turned away.

I scanned my table for Lady Ai and didn’t see her. I looked at the other two tables that had been brought out for the other nobility that had come to visit for Festive. I didn’t recognize any of the new faces and briefly wondered what holds they came from.

Vael placed his hand on the small of my back and leaned into my ear. “Ai is still not feeling well. Her maids are taking care of her,” he whispered. I ground my teeth. Was it possible that she was avoiding me after our confrontation? I sighed; at least we had a break from her glares.

When the meal concluded Vael kissed me on my hand and then went to speak with his peers. Neoma quickly took his place with another female guard and they escorted me to my room. I undressed slowly and then put on a set of white robes over my Grace. I looked at myself in the mirror at my white hair and white robes then lifted the hem of my robes and looked at the pearly paint that had been applied to my nails.

There was a knock on the door and Neoma opened it to let Mari and Yolande into the room. They bowed to me. “Is my lady ready for us to begin?”

“Yes,” I said. I rolled up my sleeves to my shoulders and held out my hands. They set down their trays on a small table and opened two earthenware jars. They picked up thin paintbrushes and dipped them in the jars before turning to me.

The white paint was cool against my skin and the brushes tickled it as the women began to paint intricate designs of the moon, the waves and the lotus. They worked methodically, dipping the brush, applying a line or dot and then dipping it again. When they reached my elbows I delicately lifted the hem of my robes exposing my feet. The women knelt and began their work on my feet. I bit my lip as the brushes tickled my sensitive skin.

After two hours of standing the last dot was applied to my ankle and the women stood. “Thank you,” I said as they cleaned their brushes.

“You’re welcome my lady,” Mari said. The two bowed again and left my room. I looked at their work and sighed. As soon as I took a bath these paintings would be washed away.

“It’s almost noon. Are you ready to go my lady?” Neoma asked.

“Yes, I am.”

We descended the palace to the first floor where the Illustrious kept his court room. It was spacious to seat his lawmakers and an audience of two hundred. Only a quarter of the audience seats were filled when I peeked into the room, all of them dressed in white. I swallowed hard. A guard of the Illustrious approached us.

“When they’re ready they are going to call you in. Your father will escort you to your box as your representative of purity, Lady Ai and Lord Cadfael will stand in their boxes as your challenger. The Illustrious will then allow your guard to escort you to his physician for an examination in the next room. Any questions?” He said.

I shook my head as my throat constricted.

My father soon arrived and he took me by the arm. “My little starfish,” he said. “You look so beautiful today. I wish I could see you like this under better circumstances.”

“I love you Papa.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “Do you think Mama is proud of me?”

“Of course. When you go in there hold your head up high and do not doubt yourself. The Gentle God has blessed you.”

I heard the sharp sound of wood striking wood and jumped. The guard motioned to me and my father and we went through the archway into the court room. All eyes were on us as we tread down the center aisle. I searched for and met Vael’s eyes and shivered when I saw the sadness in them. I gave him a weak smile.

Lady Ai stood beside him. Her brow was glossy from sweat and she looked gray under her make-up. I wondered how sick she was. When our eyes met she gave me a small tender smile. Was she smiling because she wanted me dead or because she wanted to soothe my growing doubts?

I knew I was a virgin and I was certain that the Gentle God knew as well. The question was if the physician would lie about my condition just to see my head roll. I did not know this person.

My palms began to sweat and my stomach tightened into a small knot. I felt lightheaded. I should have eaten at breakfast, but I had been too nervous. I concentrated on breathing as the edges of my vision began to gray. How could I get through this? Would Vael be willing to cut off my head if the verdict was that I was not a virgin?

I resisted the urge to touch my neck.

We reached our box and stood within the half circle of fenced wood. A trumpet blared from behind us and the Illustrious and Illustria entered the room. Both were dressed in white robes with silver trim that shimmered in the light. The Illustria smiled at me as she took her seat at her husband’s right hand.

“You may sit,” the Illustrious said. A susurrus rose behind me as the nobles sat in their seats. “Lady Ai, you have challenged the virginity of Lady Sol, is that correct?”

“Yes Illustrious,” Ai said bowing.

“Lord Cadfael, you have agreed to be the executioner depending on the results of this trial, is that correct?”

“Yes Illustrious,” Vael said bowing. The Illustrious turned to me.

“Lady Sol, you stand accused of committing premarital unions. What say you of the matter?”

I bowed. “Illustrious, I am not guilty of this crime,” I replied.

“I understand that you are a champion of the Gentle God, but I hope that they can forgive us if it is proven that you are guilty. “ The Illustrious picked up his gavel and struck the wood of his armrest. I jumped at the sound. “Lord Physician, please step forward,” the Illustrious said. An old man stepped forward from the shadows and bowed to the Illustrious and Illustria.

“Yes Illustrious?”

“As a neutral party, Lord Physician, you have been appointed by my house to inspect Lady Sol and prove her innocence or guilt. Are you well and without coercive influence?”

“Yes Illustrious.”

“Then you may begin your examination. Guard, please escort Lady Sol.”

I was shaking as I stepped out of the box and met the physician. He bowed to me and smiled kindly. “We shall use my lord’s personal chambers outside of the court room. Please follow me.” He turned on his heel and opened the door that the Illustrious had entered. I stepped through the archway closely followed by Neoma. The chamber that we entered was small compared to the court room. There was an oak desk in the corner with a matching chair decorated with burgundy cushions with seed pearls sewn into the hem. In the center of the room was a long table able to seat ten comfortably. Each chair had a cushion that matched the desk chair.

A white sheet had been laid out on one end of the table and I grimaced as I looked at it. The physician motioned for me to sit on the covered part of the table and I obliged.

“How does this work? Do I lay back and spread me legs?”

“No child,” the physician said. “All you need to do is sit on the sheet.”

“Then what happens? Does it change colors if I’m a virgin? Do my tattoos disappear?” I heard my voice crack and swallowed hard.

“No, no. In my many years as a physician I have learned that proving the virginity of a woman is utter nonsense. I can only prove if they have recently have had sex. There doesn’t exist a special tool or mortal test that can prove it.”

“So how do you prove virginity?”

“By invoking the Beloved God with this mirror,” the physician said holding up an old mirror with cracked glass and rusted handle. “Please sit.”

I sat.

He pointed the mirror at me so that I could see my fractured reflection. I stared at it wondering what was supposed to happen when it began to glow with a dull red light. The Physician handed me the mirror and I continued to stare at the warped glass with black spots from where the reflective surface had chipped. The glass rippled like water and I nearly dropped the mirror.

The glow grew stronger and the broken glass healed itself until it was one solid piece.

“Say your name,” the physician said.

“What?” I said.

“Say my name into the mirror?”

My stomach squealed in protest as my nervousness grew. What was going to happen once I said it? Was I going to fail the test?

I closed my eyes and said, “Sol Manolo,” into the mirror. When nothing happened to me I opened my eyes and gasped. The mirror in my hand was no longer old and rusted, but was remade with a new iron handle that had been polished. The broken glass had reformed completely giving no hint that it had once been broken.

“You passed,” the physician said.

“What? That was it? I passed.”

“Yes, the mirror is supposed to break if you lie about your virginity.”

“Who made this?” I demanded.

“A clever blacksmith that had been tasked by the Beloved God to create a mirror of truth,” he said.

“That was incredible,” Neoma chimed in. “Are there many of these?”

The physician shook his head. “Unfortunately to my knowledge there is only one and I currently have possession of it. Other physicians are forced to use the more invasive and archaic method.”

“That’s so sad,” she said.

“Yes it is,” he said and then took the mirror from my hands and put it away. “Lady Sol, if you would follow me back into the court room?”

I slid off the table and smoothed out my robes. My stomach gurgled and I felt my face heat. Neoma looked concerned, but I waved her away. The physician opened the door and I followed him out with Neoma. The lords and ladies immediately hushed as I took my position in my box. The physician bowed to the Illustrious and Illustria.

“Illustrious, through my examination I have concluded that Lady Sol is in fact a virgin and can be wed to Lord Cadfael.”

I looked at Vael and Ai and saw a look of relief on both of their faces. I was surprised; it seemed that she meant it when she apologized.

The Illustrious banged his gavel. “Lords and Ladies, are there any objections to the physician’s findings?” The room went silent as everyone stilled. The Illustrious looked around the room twice then banged his gavel again. “Then I, as the Illustrious of Meridia, dismiss this trial and all accusations against Lady Sol. Lord Cadfael, you are free to marry your betrothed.”

Vael bowed. “Thank you, Sir.”

I bowed as well with my father. “We thank you Illustrious,” my father said. The assembly rose with the Illustrious and waited for him and the Illustria to leave the court room before exiting.

I turned to Vael and he crossed the distance between us to hold my hands. He smiled brightly and my heart skipped a beat. “I love you,” he said softly. I felt my cheeks heat and looked down at the floor.

“I-I love you too.”

“How touching. Are you going to kiss now?” Lady Ai said. I stiffened and whipped my head up to look at her. Her arms were crossed and she looked irritated and frail.

“Hello, Lady Ai.”

“Sol,” she said nodding her head in acknowledgement. “I’m glad that you passed your test.”

“I’m sure,” I replied stiffly.

She sighed and began to play with a strand of her black hair. She wound the strand around her index while keeping a loose grip on her fan. “I know that we are both new to this truce.”

“We’re in a truce?”

Her eyes rolled. “Yes, girl, were you dropped on your head?”

“No, but I’m certain you were,” I said through clenched teeth. Even though I was worried about her health it didn’t change the fact that she irritated me. I struggled to take a deep breath, then a second and then a third. “I apologize.”

“No, I deserved that after the way I’ve treated you. I should be apologizing to you; I’m sorry for insulting you.”

My jaw dropped and I quickly closed it. She had apologized to me? I thought that I must be dreaming. Maybe I was still in bed dreaming about passing my test and Lady Ai being nice to me. Was this a nightmare?

I felt a chill go down my spine. Vael must have sensed my distress because he pulled me close to his side and placed his arm about my waist.

“Ai, what do you want?” Vael said coolly. Lady Ai stared at him blankly then sighed.

“As I said before, I’m sorry for all of the trouble that I caused you. I had no right to interfere the way I did,” she said. She then looked directly at me. “I also want to say thank you for the gift you’ve given me.”

“Gift?” I said softly.

Ai placed her left hand on her belly. My eyes widened in understanding. She nodded and smiled.

“Thank you,” she said again.

“May I hug you?” I asked as tears filled my eyes.

“Huh…uh…yes?” Lady Ai said. I hugged her tightly. “Not so rough, I’m still nervous.”

“Yes, of course,” I said pulling away. “If you need anything…” I looked up at Vael and he nodded at me to continue. I looked her in the eyes. “If you or Lord Gidean need anything from us, let me know.”

“Thank you. I should be going though. Gidean has been fretting since we last spoke to the doctor,” Lady Ai said. She gave me a weak smile then approached Lord Gidean who was talking to another lord, but his eyes were tracking his wife.

“That was most odd,” Vael said as he placed he held out his arm to me. “I haven’t seen her that gentle since we were first married.” He lifted my right hand to his lips and kissed it.

“How long do you think this truce is going to last?” I asked.

“Don’t worry about that now, Sol,” my father said. “Just focus on being happy, after all you will be married soon.”

“You should listen to your father,” Vael said.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. It was easy to say ‘be happy’, but harder to be so. I felt relieved that my trial was over. Now I could focus on my wedding. I just hoped that nothing would go wrong.