And know that in her birth,

She made unto us a vow.

-The Gospel Accord to the Holy First Handmaiden

“You have many gifts and many talents, Brother Gardinal.” The Bishop whispered to Gardinal in short, terse words. “But luck and lying were never among them.” The slender man loomed over him as he spoke, and Gardinal stood his ground firm as the head of his order continued to berate him. “And you are no Sentinian priest, blessed with the Brother of Wealth’s luck. So now please, enlighten me to how precisely you came to garner an invitation to this… celebration.” He spoke the last as though he had thought of another word for it but would be demeaning to speak it.

Gardinal bristled, looking past the stern bishop to see Her Radiance, sitting on a throne of cushions next to the Ga’Na. Her Radiance looked so tiny there, next to the large red-skinned woman. Gardinal could feel his skin itching, feeling how close she was, how close to her light he was. He craved that light, needed it like he needed air. Shelezan cleared his throat, and Gardinal reluctantly returned his gaze to the man.

“It’s as I say, Your Grace. I met the Korek when Her Radiance was attacked at this bridegroom’s home. I guess that was enough to garner an invitation.” Gardinal set his jaw but tried to remain civil. No matter how much he resented the man before him, he was the head of the Ethinian order. The Bishop of Life was the highest authority in the Ethinian faith, and some would argue that Shelezan himself was the highest authority in the whole faith itself. The only people he knew of who might be able to overrule this man would be the Golden Hammer, and the King. Well, not including the Prophetess and Ethinia herself of course. Still, the old temple was punishment enough in Gardinal’s opinion. And, save some divine intervention, Father Shelezan could still very well send him off to the far reaches of the kingdom. Back to the Shaded Lands even, Pantheon forbid.

“I do not treat you as a fool Gardinal.” The Bishop seethed, his voice low like a hissing Shaded Lands viper. “So do not treat me as one.”

Gardinal met the man’s stare, tense as a taut rope, and swallowed. Looking away abashed, the rope snapped and Gardinal was left with the whiplash. The Bishop was right of course. And as much as Gardinal could pretend otherwise, he had come for the girl.

“I’m not lying.” Gardinal eventually grumbled, trying to save face. “But perhaps I had hoped to see Her Radiance once more.” Looking up at the bishop, Gardinal tried to put on a pleading look. “It’s been weeks Your Grace.” It wasn’t a very good look.

“And perhaps it should be many more weeks.” The bishop snapped back, digging the knife deeper into Gardinal. “Ever since returning to the temple, Her Radiance has hardly been herself and I have no doubt as to you and your… compatriots’ influence in this manner.” The bishop shook his head and sneered. “Now she rushes about the temple giving orders as if she is the Queen already.”

Gardinal raised a brow, but the last part was hardly even whispered. More for the bishop than for him it seemed.

“And don’t think I didn’t notice the boy, the one who skulks about at every Adoration.” The bishop continued, his tirade hardly over. “I’ve seen his grubby little face about here tonight. Yet another distraction Her Radiance does not need.”

Gardinal took his turn to shake his head. “That was not my doing, Your Grace. Lord Vallerian was the one who brought the boy tonight.” Well that wasn’t quite right, it was more so that Kriss had brought Vallerian than the other way around. But Gardinal doubted the Bishop would care for that distinction at the moment. Pulling his short cape tighter, a cool sensation brushing over him, Gardinal looked around. A breeze? None of the tents had rustled.

“Of course Count Vallerian would be in attendance as well.” The Bishop seemed to suffer as the words escaped his lips. “That matters little though, I can manage the insufferable lordling in time. As for you Brother Gardinal, if you wish to keep your vestments as they are I would warn you to stay away from…” The Bishop trailed off, his eyes twitching as he seemed to search the crowd for something. Gardinal followed the man’s gaze, trying to understand what had…

Gardinal felt it as well. A deep pit forming in his stomach followed by the cool chill of dread wrapping its slender fingers around him. A deep terrible darkness, like a flame nipping at his every sense, but as cold as the grave. He knew this sensation, and his own eyes now darted in every direction trying to get a sense of where it was coming from.

“No…” Gardinal began, his eyes widening with realization.

Before he could finish the sentence, an ear-piercing scream echoed out across Southshore. So shrill and violent that it brought the whole celebration to a sudden standstill. Gardinal and the bishop locked eyes, and without a word spoken everything was said.

Gardinal slipped his hammer out from its clip with a practiced hand and rushed across the short distance to the Prophetess. A small Korek boy was in his way but rushing headfirst Gardinal knocked the lad off his feet, reaching the Prophetess in heartbeats. Stepping up beside her cushioned seat, Gardinal spun and eyed the crowd, circling her with hammer at the ready. If anyone so much as thought of approaching now, they’d have his steel to deal with.

“Your Radiance.” The Bishop began from right behind. “Are you alright?”