Ari quickly composed herself and forced a smile. There was a whirlwind of thoughts in her head as her father's voice boomed out, "I know this is somewhat of a surprise to everyone. We can speak on it more as dinner is served."

  Ari jumped at the chance to leave as the maids entered with dinner trays. She bowed again to King Assur. "Excuse me for a minute while I change into appropriate attire."

  Assur chuckled and looked at Arellan while saying quietly, "Women here are always changing their clothes like this. Clothing is a large part of our customs. You probably noticed all of the dyed cloths in the markets on your way here."

  After Ari left the hall, she began half-running to her room. Her face was stern and Vida, who was right behind the princess, was afraid to ask what she was thinking. Inside of Ari's spacious room with the door slammed shut, Ari snapped out, "Please pick a dress. I need to speak to Athena."

  "Wait, Your Highness, I understand why you might be upset about the abrupt engagement but is this something that Athena can help with?" Vida asked, bewildered at the princess's actions.

  Ari thought for a moment, then sighed despondently. "I think I need to tell you why I was late coming back down the mountain." She took a deep breath and began as Vida cocked an eyebrow. "I was following a trail of blessed thistle and found some of it covered in blood, which was pretty annoying. But more annoying was that the trail led to a bloody man who was all but dead. And I happened to have picked up some witch hazel and feverfew earlier as well so the man was lucky. Strangely lucky. No, wait. Was this fated? Crap. Anyway, I took him to the emergency cottage and he was out like a light so I did manage to use a tiny-- TEENY tiny-- bit of... healing magic on him..." Ari trailed off as Vida's eyes lit up with imaginary flames of anger. "But in no way did I think he would be able-bodied enough to move for at least a few days! Uh, so, that guy happens to be... Prince Arellan." Ari flinched at her own words.

  Vida blinked a few times then rubbed her temples with one hand, the other placed on her hip. "Ari... please go consult Athena."

  "Yes, thank you..." Ari smirked sarcastically, grabbed her herb basket, and opened the thin double doors at the end of her room that led into the candle-lit shrine room. The table on the far end of the room was covered in loosely bound herbs, with a small brazier in the center. She set her basket at the end of the table, then picked small bunches of wormwood, bay leaf, peppermint, star anise, spearmint, marshmallow root, and mugwort. She lit them on fire in the small brazier, then sat on her knees in the lavish pillows on the floor and closed her eyes.

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  Moments later, she felt a warm hand lift her chin up and Ari opened her eyes to see the golden glow of the goddess Athena. "My beloved vessel, you are troubled," Athena's velvety voice flowed musically into Ari's head. The goddess's honey-colored hair floated softly behind her, although there was no breeze. Her draping white dress was adorned with a golden chest plate that matched the shining crown on her head, resembling a helmet. Athena's teal eyes gazed into Ari's like those of an affectionate mother, especially since Ari now had one teal eye and one golden eye.

  Ari smiled. "Is fate playing some sort of joke on me?" she asked Athena, chuckling softly in denial. "Why have I suddenly been betrothed to a prince of Otha, known particularly for its brutal army force? And why, ESPECIALLY, is that prince the man that I saved with magic just last night? I'm lucky that he did not recognize me."

  Athena waved her hand in front of her face and wrinkled her nose. "The fates must be cruel to inflict a marriage upon you, and THAT I am sorry for. However, although you were raised in this peaceful country, my little witch, the world out there needs your gifts. I am not surprised to see you have been called away from this pacifistic lifestyle." Athena stood up straight and lifted her chin proudly, continuing with, "And although I have always only been to you a guiding voice of reason, I am also a goddess of war. Therefor, I thoroughly believe that there is a warrior in you as well."

  Ari sighed. "As always, you are too wise. And think too much of me." She squinted and smiled slyly at the goddess who flashed a grin in return.

  "I think just enough of you. There are a finite number of witches in this world and even further limited number of witches who can connect to a god. To think that you would have these abilities for nothing would be ridiculous. Although I think that getting married is harebrained and I'd like to have some choice words with Hera and Aphrodite when I get the chance." Athena looked away, lost in agitated thought for a moment, then shook her head with a sigh. "Nevertheless, you've been granted a connection and great things are expected of you, whether you think you are capable or not."

  "I will... try not to let you down, Goddess," Ari replied, feeling slightly childish for reacting this way.

  Athena smiled at Ari fondly as the golden glow enveloped her entirely until she vanished. Ari's eyes snapped open as she adjusted her mind to reality.

  Although the interaction with Athena felt long to Ari, only a few short moments had passed since she lit the ritual herbs. Vida quickly helped Ari change into an extravagant dark coral-colored gown and switched jewelries, double-checking that her eyes were changed back to completely teal before they returned to the royal court.