Orn’s parents pulled the two other chairs up to his. Leaning forward in her chair, his mother tussled his hair. “You scared us really badly. After your dream a few days ago, we were worried the goddesses would make you a prophet, and you would be taken away. Then you knelt at the shrine, all the figures started to glow…” She shook her head, “we knew the goddesses had something special planned for you.”
His father cut in at this point, “We even discussed trying to convince you to choose another path if it was offered to you. But we thought it so unlikely that you actually caught their attention that we decide against it.”
“I am glad we did not try to affect your path. Being chosen as a knight will make you stronger. Though I have never heard of a knight swearing to a goddess.” She looked at her husband who shook his head.
“I have not heard of it either, but knights of noble families get to train at home before going to the academy. So, you will be here with us and that is what matters.”
Orn looked at his parents and noticed the tension on their faces. His mother had hidden it well, but he could see dark rings where her tears removed her make up. Has she been sleeping at all? I did not know they were so worried.
Their eyes met and, as if hearing his thoughts, quickly turned toward her husband. “Yes, but we are also a bit confused as well. Who is the Goddess of Will? I do not remember hearing that aspect of one of the great goddesses.”
His father only shrugged, “We can ask Olrich when he is done with his sermon.”
“So we have a while then?” Orn’s mother replied rolling her eyes, eliciting a chuckle from Orn and his father.
“Yes, and since we have a while,” his parents grabbed each other’s hands, and both looked at Orn. “Orn would you mind telling us what happened?”
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Orn had enough time to open his mouth when they heard a knock at the door.
All three turned to see Olivia opening the door, to reveal a red-faced Olrich. “It is not locked. If you want to enter you need only knock at the door and announce your presence. If you do not knock you might be mistaken for an eavesdropper.”
Olivia’s voice dripped with sarcasm, despite maintaining her neutral expression. Olrich straightened and stepped past Olivia. Clearing his throat he entered the room, “Do not dare presume my intentions maid, I was catching my breath. Cousin you need to discipline your staff better. But on to more impressive matters.” Smiling widely the priest opened his arms. “Congratulations on your path cousin or should I say brother? A knight swearing to serve the goddesses is not an everyday occurrence. Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?” Orn asked watching his cousin suspiciously.
“To go to the capital. You must go to the main branch of the temple. As the priest who presided over your path it is only right, I present you to give your oath to the goddess in her temple. There you will live in her halls with her other servants…”
“He will do no such thing!” Orn’s mother snapped standing up. “Orn is staying right here.”
Olrich ignored Orn’s mother and turned to Orn’s father. “These outbursts are unseemly cousin; you are the master here.” He stressed the word “Surely you realize the need to send him to grow with the other goddesses’ servants.”
Orn’s father met his cousin’s gaze evenly. “Yes, I am the master here. Orn is a knight. He will learn here, then at the academy. Just as I did and as every other knight does.”
Olrich paled a bit, but refused to give in. “Orn is not just a knight! Orn has chosen to serve a goddess. On his pathday no less. Surely, he belongs in her halls.”
With each word from Olrich the situation was deteriorating. Orn’s mother was almost shaking in anger, while his father had stood and was glaring daggers at his cousin. However, the figure that had Orn the most concerned was Olivia.
From the corner of his eye, he caught glint of something slipping into her hand from her sleeve. Worse the sandy haired maid’s lifeless expression had finally changed. The corners of her mouth were lifting slightly, as she contemplated a point between the priest’s shoulder blades.