--Ira’s Perspective—

“And you gained a level?” Ira confirmed, looking down at the orphan.

Nova nodded. She was a good kid, about 13 or so, with dark, glossy hair and a boundless imagination. A born storyteller, really, but a bit flighty because of it. Her big, green eyes looked up at Ira with perfect sincerity.

Ira shifted her feet anxiously. “You’re certain.”

They were in the orchard, the other orphans running about, washing away the boredom of the recent winter. Green buds had formed on the branches of the apple trees, and the cherry trees already had the beginning of blossoms.

Nova nodded again, looking her dead in the eyes. Believed her own words, at least. Nova always looked at her hands when she was lying.

“Right.” Ira said. “Don’t go back, but don’t worry, either. This…” She paused, considering the implications. Based on her description, and the way she’d leveled up so quickly (although how quickly was up for debate, the girl hadn’t even checked her status till the morning after), it could only be a dungeon. They were the only place that had both monsters and bonuses to leveling, although Nova’s fanciful descriptions muddled the account somewhat. “This could be a good thing, little magpie. But don’t go spreading it around.”

Nova looked at her hands. “Yes.”

“Oh?” A lie. But about what?

Someone started a game of tag, which dashed through the orchard, bringing more and more children into its lighthearted scramble.

Nova gulped. “Oh what?”

“What are you lying about, Nova?”

“Huh?” The girl looked up, surprise quickly morphing into a scowl. “How do you always know?”

Ira smirked. “You turn bright orange all over when you lie. From the tips of your toes to the last hair on your head.”

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“Liar.” Nova squinted at her. “I don’t turn orange.”

“How do you know you don’t? Have you ever seen yourself lie?”

“I—” Nova paused, “That doesn’t mean I turn orange.”

Ira shook her head in mock seriousness. “You really should see it. It’s like someone’s covered you in orange peels.” She poked her, trying to look thoughtful. “Makes me wonder what else changes, hm? Maybe instead of oranges for Christmas, we can have you tell a lie and feast—”

“Ira!” Nova huffed, “Quit messing with me!”

The paladin laughed. “I really had you for a minute there.”

“You didn’t.” Nova flopped down on a boulder, attempting to look sullen.

Ira sat beside her. “Nova. What are you lying about?”

A robin was nesting in their biggest cherry tree, unaware that the children would soon be bothering it out. The tree was a favorite for climbing.

It was for the best, as they’d have to drive the birds away from their fruit during harvest and the growing season, anyhow.

“I might have told the other kids already.” Nova finally admits.

Ira winced. “Who, exactly?”

“So, I told Felix first—”

“You told Felix?” Ira swore under her breath. Of all the orphans she could have told…

Felix, Nova’s best friend, was incredibly smart and, unlike Nova, quite practical. Unfortunately, he was also a massive troublemaker, throwing himself into danger just for the thrill of it. Ira thought he’d make a good paladin someday, but only if she could keep him alive until then.

“Well,” Nova tugged at her sleeves anxiously. “Yes. It’s a really cool grotto, you know? And then Felix told Septimius—who said I should tell you.”

Ira sighed. “Thank Nox you did.”

“I was going to tell you eventually! I just didn’t want you to know that I, that I ran away.” She blushed, embarrassed.

“Nova, if you hadn’t run away, you’d likely be dead. And if you had survived, I would have grounded you for months.”

The kid scuffed her foot in the grass unhappily. Her clothes were getting a bit ragged, now—all the orphan’s clothes were. And she was skinny, all of them were too skinny, just by a hair… If only their sect had more power, their gods more respect—

Ira clenched her fist. A dungeon had practically fallen into their laps; one of the very sources of the new sect’s power. They would have respect. She would make sure of it.

“Ira?” Nova bit her lip. “I know it was dangerous—I’ll always run, when I need to.”

Ira sighed, shaking off her stray thoughts. “I know, little magpie. And I’ll talk with Felix, too.”

“Okay.” Nova got up, eyes straying towards the game of tag, which had devolved a bit; now resembling something like a group wrestling match. Felix was in the thick of it, and likely the origin, too.

Ira put a hand on her shoulder. “Nova. Promise me you won’t go back to that place, alright? Monsters aren’t to be trifled with.”

“I know, I know,” Nova brushed her hand off her shoulder, eyes sparkling with some idea.

Ira watched her run towards the tangle of children, anxiety brewing in her stomach. Finally, she turned and trotted towards Nox’s temple. The high priest would have to be informed, then a meeting called between the two temples.

Change was coming, not just to their sect, but to the whole Scoop.