Orn’s parents walked in silence to their room. Olivia had met them at Orn’s bedroom and said she would see him tucked in.

Orn’s father closed their bedroom door gently behind him, then slowly let out a deep breath. He turned to see his wife standing at the foot of their bed staring at the window. Her hands wrested on her shoulders as if holding herself against some unseen chill. Pushing aside his own concerns he walked to her and placed his arms around her.

She turned towards him and placed her head on his chest. “I… I am scared. I should be happy for him, but… Scared for him and, ... I cannot even look him in the eyes.” She shivered, “Maybe they are right. Maybe I am not fit to be a mother…”

“Stop that.” He squeezed her gently and kissed the top of her head, “You are a wonderful mother. You nearly tore Olrich apart when he suggested Orn leave because you want to protect him. And,” he stressed the word, “Orn loves you too. I saw his expression as you got upset. His goddess may have approved, but you are why he drove Olrich out. I am a little jealous. He barely spared me a glance.”

She shook her head rubbing it against him. “Easy for you to say. You never looked away. I nearly flinched.”

“I saw men like that after the siege. I do not know what he saw while winning the goddess’s favor, but I do know that the men who survived Wall recovered. It will take time.” He softly ran his hand over the back of her head, “It is still Orn. No matter what he has seen, he thinks the world of his mother. He will be back to staring at you with those blue eyes.”

She huffed, “He should not have to see battlefields, or goddesses. I am supposed ot keep him safe. He is…”

“Your baby? I know.” He replied gently, “They say a lot happens when a child gets their path. This was just a lot to take in at once. It will just take a bit; I am sure Orn will be back to normal in no time. He always is.”

He could not tell if the shrugging of her shoulders was a laugh or a sigh.

“I hope so. I am his mother I should know when he has done something bad. I should not feel like he is staring into my soul when I meet his eyes. Why does Orn never do things by halves?” Not expecting a response, she added, “Then his voice… when he was speaking to your cousin… at the end….”

Despite his best effort he felt himself shiver slightly. “That was different. I…” He felt her arms release her shoulders before wrapping around him.

“I was worried it was just me.” She muttered.

“No, love. The only one who did not flinch was Olivia.” He shook his head, “And she looked like a predator who was annoyed to realize something bigger wanted her prey.”

“That is a terrible thing to say about that sweet girl.” He could her a bit of amusement trying to push through her fears, “It is not wrong, but you should not say it.”

She squeezed him gently. Slowly releasing him, she pulled back a bit to look at him. “Should we be worried?”

He snorted, “For Orn? No, Olivia thinks of him as a little brother. She is family in all but blood. The worst she would ever do is dotingly pick on him.”

“That is not what I meant, and you know it.” She glared at him, but her expression softened, “I meant Orn, but I can tell you are as worried as I am.” She embraced him again. “You do not have eot try to be strong for me.”

I really do. It is the only think that keeps me from worrying. He kept the thoughts to himself though.

“… on the subject of our stubborn ward, I think we need to remind her of the need to keep a low profile. I know she hides it well, but few are kind to those of her path. Less are kind to those who do not follow the path given them…” Her voice trailed off.

He struggled to push down the anger he felt building whenever he remembered how she had been treated. Now is not the time. Clearing his throat and keeping his tone light he focused on making the conversation lighter. “I think that is part of why she enjoys being a maid so much. But you are correct we will speak to her later. I do not want her to out herself by doing something silly.”

“Yes,” His wife added flatly, “such as ending a priest. Even if he had it coming…”

….

[Sometime later, On the road]

Olrich shivered as he trudged down the path. His breathing was ragged and a sharp pain stabbed at the side of his chest. The leaves on the path crunched loudly with each leaden step.

His eyes focused on the path in the deepening gloom, but his mind kept replaying Orn’s pathday ceremony and the events that followed. I did what I was supposed to. He got his path and even found favor with a Goddess!

His thoughts were interrupted when he stumbled over a root. Olrich quickly caught his footing and kept moving. He wanted to rest, but Orn’s words ran again through his mind. Spurred on by the words echoing in his mind he felt his feet moving faster.

He gradually regained control of himself and settled back into the pace he thought he could maintain. Looking at the worn road ahead of him, he hoped the clouds would open for some moonlight to get through. Cursing the dark, he stared down at the path trying to avoid tripping over anything else.

This left his mind free to go back to those events. No matter how he tried to focus on the path his mind insisted on finding where he went wrong. He continued playing the events over and over in his mind. Each time he felt he did everything felt right. Then would come to the moment where Orn stood and faced him.

Olrich shivered and heard his mentor’s words from so long ago. “How will you know? Well, if you should ever meet someone claiming they spoke to a goddess, look in their eyes.” Olrich remembered his objections from the time and found them foolish. His mentor was right. I barely met them, but I knew. No child should have eyes like that… Olrich shook his head to push the image away.

“The goddesses do nothing without reason. I will complete my penance. It will teach me what I did not understand.” Olrich nodded to himself, his words fading into the dark trees. “I will serve them better for it.”