The group of women, with candles lit, began to circle Alania, being careful to keep the candles from going out. Feeling quite awkward, Alania fidgeted, trying to figure out what to do with her arms as the women made laps around her. Sister Rebba smiled reassuringly at her, speaking in a soft voice.

"Do not worry, dear. You just need to stand here so we may bless you." With that, Sister Rebba and the others closed their eyes and began chanting. Alania didn't recognize the language; it sounded like the soft caress of a favorite blanket in the winter, and it made her shoulders relax, which she didn't realize were so tense they were almost against her ears.

Was it just in Alania's mind, or did the flames on the candles seem to be... Brighter? Indeed, the whole shop seemed to fill with gentle light, illuminating the whole building in a warm, inviting glow.

The priestesses around her then stopped abruptly and turned to face the shop. Sister Rebba took out some of the herbs she brought, passing them out to the other priestesses. One by one, they slowly began burning the herbs in the flames of their candles. As the smoke billowed up from the candle, they all took a cardinal direction and used a large feather to waft the smoke around the room. Sister Rebba, when she made it to the northernmost point in the shop, turned around, looked up into the rafters, and began to speak in the common tongue.

"Oh, Great Mother, we ask you to bless this shop from the cold winds of the north and the blessed wisdom it brings. Envelop this space in your loving embrace and protect this space from harm."

Next, the priestess, at the easternmost point, lifted her candle to the sky, head bowed, and spoke, her words strong and confident.

"Oh, Great Mother, we ask you to bless this shop, like the new life of spring that you care for, bringing prosperity. Envelop this space in your loving embrace and protect this space from harm."

Then, the priestess in the southernmost point spread her arms wide as if inviting someone in for a warm embrace.

"Oh, Great Mother, we ask you to bless this shop with the strength and power flowing from the summer-laden south. Envelop this space in your loving embrace and protect this space from harm."

Finally, the last priestess in the westernmost point knelt, cradling her candle to her bosom, speaking in a quiet yet confident voice.

"Oh, Great Mother, we ask you to bless this shop with the bounty and power of introspection. Envelop this space in your loving embrace and protect this space from harm."

After the last priestess spoke, each reached their right hand into their pocket, retrieved a crystal, and blew on it before placing the crystals at their feet, out of the way to ensure they would not be disturbed. Alania watched in awe as an ethereal sparkle began from the crystals, enveloping the space before disappearing from view.

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The priestesses came back to surround Alania again, and their chanting began in earnest. The divine magic began to crackle in the small space. Alania could see tendrils of white light reaching toward the walls, floors, and ceilings. Everywhere they touched, the wood underneath glowed for a short moment, then the light spread and dissipated, leaving behind a rune that disappeared soon after.

The priestesses began to converge on her, taking step after careful step towards her. Feeling quite self-conscious again, Alania reminded herself that she didn't have to do anything and that these women were here to help her. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and forced herself to continue through her anxiety.

The priestesses' chanting began again as they bared down on Alania, and their eyes began to glow with a bright white light. Sister Rebba took out a bottle of clear liquid from her pouch. Uncorking the bottle, she put her finger over the opening and wet her index finger with the liquid. When they were within touching distance, Sister Rebba drew with the liquid on Alania's head, some rune, no doubt. When Sister Rebba stepped back, the priestesses lifted their right hands and pointed their fingers toward Alania.

Suddenly Alania began to rise, tender magic cradling her in love and support, and she gasped, surprised at the comfort she felt despite rising into the air. A glow began around her chest as the priestesses came to a crescendo, and Sister Rebba splashed her with the liquid as she rose. The glow grew blinding, making Alania squeeze her eyes shut against the light.

"Oh. Great Mother, bless this woman with your light. Keep her safe within your gentle embrace. So I say." Rebba repeated this thrice; then everything went quiet.

Alania carefully opened one eye as she felt herself begin to lower down to the ground. The priestesses smiled at her as her feet met the ground, and each snuffed out their candles.

"Nothing too crazy, like I said." Sister Rebba assured. Truthfully, it was a bit crazy to Alania, who could only do the most basic of magic, and even then, it was simply innate arcane magic. She could feel the divine magic done by these priestesses thrumming through the building, far more powerful than her silly trick of floating lights. She smiled weakly back at the women, trying to steady her voice.

"And now I am safe, right? I won't be affected by the curse?" Despite her attempt, there was still a quaver in her voice. Sister Rebba nodded, grabbing her big bag and bringing it around to each priestess so they could place their items safely back in.

"You will need to have us do another in a few months. You will know when you need to redo the spell. When it is time, come back to the temple, and we shall come out to perform the rites again." Tying the bag closed, Sister Rebba put the strap over her shoulder. "Do not let anyone move those crystals. They are what keep the cursed energy at bay. If they are removed, you will lose all of the power of the charm."

Alania took a mental note of this, though keeping them hidden wouldn't be hard; she would place them under the floorboards to keep prying eyes and greedy hands away.

"Thank you. All of you. I don't know what I would do without this." The priestesses smiled and began moving towards the door, but Sister Rebba stayed back. Once the other priestesses were out of earshot, she leaned down to Alania's level and whispered,

"This is only a temporary fix. You will never be truly safe until the curse on this building is completely banished. Keep your eyes open and come to us at the first sign of trouble. And start looking into the Curse Breakers before it's too late.

A chill ran down Alania's entire body, the warning making her heart race. What have I gotten into? She thought to herself. With a final smile, Sister Rebba took her leave, leaving Alania with ice-cold dread dripping down her spine.