Petal remained lethargic the next day, hanging over Braelin’s back rather than walking beside him.

At breakfast, the waste hounds Snip and Snap sat at the gardener’s feet, whining and jumping up to lick the tendrils hanging further down.

“What’s wrong with it?” Milli asked, joining them once again.

“Petal was conflicted about staying with me or returning to Milve,” Braelin replied, patting tendrils on his shoulder, “So it had Jurao split it in half so it could do both.”

Milli smiled, “Ah – poor thing, but sometimes I wish I could do the same, ha!”

“So now there are two crushferns?” Festi snorted, “Well, it did look smaller today…”

“I wonder if they’ll be exactly the same or develop different personalities,” Jouvi mused, “With such different masters, that is.”

“Petal certainly isn’t as mischievous with Braelin as it was with Milve,” Milli agreed, “So I’d say it’s a possibility. Ah, here, your highness – the sachet I mentioned yesterday.”

Jurao accepted the small packet, “Thank you.”

The process of acclimating the hounds sounded rather simple – Jurao would carry a sachet all the kennel trainers carried in Sciekles’s Temple for a few weeks so they would associate him with that smell. Meanwhile, he and Milli would have joint training sessions, where she would teach him the commands for the hounds until they listened to him without her aid. Lastly, she would leave them in his care for longer and longer stretches of time. Time consuming, but simple.

Conversation moved to more casual discussion of official business as usual, and Jurao went to work in his office without much more thought on the subject.

Today, he and Braelin planned to have the midday meal on the back veranda with Owren, Beneford, and Meir’ril – Ayelma and Malson were joining an infantry unit on a long ride, as he had also elected to learn how to ride a hornhound as a former avid rider. Nevve had declined to join, as she only did so sporadically in any case.

He was not surprised to see Exkla and Milve joining them – as they were common additions – nor to see High Priestess Milli in attendance with her waste hounds.

Though there were two more attendees he was not familiar with.

“I can at least understand a Beloved of Iescula, your grace!” one stated at Milve, “But just any human!?”

“That sounds familiar,” Owren observed dryly.

Milve sighed, face dark with blush, “I do recall.”

“What’s this,” Jurao asked, finding a seat next to his partner.

“Good afternoon, your highness,” Milli chuckled and waved at the pair standing just outside the veranda, “These are two of Milve’s acolytes, Senior Priestis Denos and Acolyte Sculos.”

It was Sculos who had been complaining – a young arcane demon man with yellow hair done in wide, short locs that made him resemble the flower of his namesake, especially with his pale green skin and darker green slash-like markings. His twitching tail ended in a puff of fur that also resembled a sculos flower, his golden eyes still blazing as he paused to bow, “Your highness.”

Denos was a bear beastly demon with bright red skin and white angular markings, fos long, curly white hair flowing down past fos shoulders – Jurao imagined fos name stemmed from how it made fos resemble a Hangman Willow’s coloration, as changing one’s name was common practice amongst priesti. Fos bowed as well, “Good afternoon, your highness.”

The other crushfern was resting in Milve’s lap, the man himself petting it idly, “I do apologize for the imposition, your highness.”

“I can understand their concern, when your dismissal was so sudden,” Jurao said, finding human fare was their meal, “Your work, Owren.”

“’Tis,” Owren sniffed, “Since I have so much free time, and someone wants to learn.”

Milve’s face darkened a touch more, tail twitching behind him.

“At least until the soil for human crops gets in,” Beneford chuckled, patting the priest’s knee comfortingly, “Then he’ll be complaining about not having enough free time.”

Sculos’s face also darkened at the gesture – but was cut off from responding to it by Denos clapping a hand over the young man’s mouth.

“We’ll leave you to your meal,” the senior priestis said, and inclined fos head, “Thank you for allowing us to join your Department and learn from you as well, Lord Braelin.”

“No trouble,” Braelin replied, “It’s better to share work, after all.”

“’N who taught you that, boy?” Owren grumbled, “Didn’ even have a staff ‘til I got here…”

Braelin chuckled, “Yes, Uncle, I know.”

Denos half carried, half dragged Sculos away with fos, though Jurao wasn’t sure where their destination would be – the shrine, perhaps.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“At least it’s only one of them like that,” Exkla sighed, then blushed, “No offense, your grace.”

“None taken,” Milve sighed, “I feel it is likely a reflection of my teachings that the boy imitates my own poor behavior so well…”

“They both seem to have a lot of respect for you,” Braelin added diplomatically, “To come this far and choose to stay.”

“… yes,” Milve agreed, “Perhaps this time I will be more worthy of it.”

“You did need a little less pride, I always said,” Milli laughed, though not unkindly, “You really are courting humans, though, huh? I know you said it, but it’s different to see.”

“It’s still different to see Uncle and Ben being so open about it,” Meir’ril chuckled.

Milve, seated between Owren and Beneford, sighed again, “It is… a pleasant change.”

Milli chuckled and turned to Jurao, “Are you looking forward to this quarter’s Assembly, your highness?”

“In some ways,” the King said, “We’re introducing an initiative to build an underwater garden in the city.”

“An underwater garden?” Milli’s brows shot up, “I’m not familiar.”

They ate as those aware explained the idea of the underwater garden, getting into more specifics now that the proposal was close to finishing.

“Sounds intriguing!” Milli laughed, “But I’m also curious – how do you intend to handle challenges, Lord Braelin?”

“Just Braelin is fine, your grace,” the gardener replied, “And I intend to let my brother champion me.”

Milli eyed Meir’ril.

The elf-human man held up his hands, “Not me – our other brother, Malson.”

Exkla laughed, “Though once you get more magic training, you could be your own force to be reckoned with!”

Meir’ril blushed at the praise but chuckled, “My mother was, to be certain. She was an ordained priestess of Eleamera, the Moon Goddess.”

“A priestess to reckoned with?” Milli grinned, “I like her already!”

“What is your mother like,” Jurao asked.

“Aya gets a lot of her personality from our mom,” Meir’ril replied, “Though Mom is more… mm…”

“Refined?” Braelin suggested, tilting his head, “Eweylona carries herself just like you’d expect a Queen to – and she was also a princess. I guess it’s more that she has… bearing.”

“That’s a good way to describe it,” Beneford nodded, “Bearing – though I’d say it’s more from her self-confidence than her noble background, personally.”

“But she absolutely loves pranks,” Meir’ril laughed, “Just like Aya! They have the same laugh, too… I… hope they’re alright. Our parents.”

“If she’s as formidable as you say she is,” Milli snorted, “I don’t see how they wouldn’t be.”

Meir’ril smiled in a way that seemed a bit forced, “You’re probably right.”

“It was also pointed out that if Ferrick had found them, he would not be quiet about it,” Braelin added, putting a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.

Meir’ril nodded, wiping at his eyes a bit, “Yes, that’s true!”

Milli seemed to consider before asking, “But why your brother as your champion, Braelin? Why not the King – or accepting yourself? Petal should be recovered by then, I would think.”

“It should be recovered by tomorrow,” Milve replied, hesitantly patting Rascal in his lap.

“I don’t want to put any plants in my care in undue danger,” Braelin smiled, “And I think it’s a better move politically. Malson has already won a few duels since arriving and knows how to handle himself in combat well – having another human champion for me doesn’t make it look like I’m relying too much on Jurao, even though I know he wouldn’t mind.”

“I would not,” Jurao agreed, tousling his partner’s hair.

Braelin chuckled, “And while Malson might not win every time, no one can claim his victories are unfair like they can when Jurao wins, since he’s too strong for anyone to possibly beat. Then the duelist feel satisfied that they reasonably could have won, even if they lose.”

“So it’s not just for the love of plants you carry Iescula’s favor, then,” Milli chuckled.

“What do you mean?” Meir’ril asked, always hungry for knowledge.

“Iescula is Goddess of both Plants and Sieges,” Milve replied, “Often, she and her mother Sciekles share the domain of tactics and strategy – Milli is speaking to Braelin’s skill in this area.”

“He has always been good at strategy games,” Meir’ril replied.

“Oh?” Milli grinned, “Do you play Ascension by chance?”

“I can,” Braelin replied, amused.

They sent for a board, and extended their meal as Braelin, Jurao, Beneford, Milve, and Milli played a round – the two priesti having often played together. Milve had been teaching Beneford how to play recently after he heard about the game from Malson. Meir’ril and Exkla took their leave – Exkla to return to her gardening duties and Meir’ril studies with Carvve in the library.

“You’re still not done!?” Sculos demanded, returning while the game was still ongoing.

“We’re playing a game of Ascension,” Milve said, “It may take some time – you need not wait for me to settle yourself, Sculos.”

“It should not take much longer,” Jurao smiled.

“This is the fastest full game I’ve ever played, certainly,” Milli chuckled, taking her turn.

“How much settling can one do when the accommodation is a bunkhouse?” Sculos demanded, “Your grace, this is an outrage! You are a High Priest-!”

“Former, Sculos,” Milve sighed, “I appreciate your respect for me, but it was my choice to step down. My accommodations reflect this change in status.”

“As a Branch Head, you could apply for a cottage,” Jurao suggested, considering his move, “One large enough for your acolytes as well, if you wish.”

“I will consider it, your highness,” Milve replied, “Thank you.”

“Where’s Denos?” Milli asked.

“E choose to study the human’s notes,” Sculos scoffed, “Since Senior Priest Milve spoke so highly of them.”

“Sculos,” Milve warned.

“Excuse me,” the young man growled, tail twitching, “Lord Braelin’s notes.”

“I don’t mind,” Braelin said, “I am human.”

“It’s about respect, boy,” Owren sighed, “You’re the Beloved of their Goddess, that this one gave up his rank to induct – poor form to let his acolytes disrespect you, even if you don’ mind.”

“Exactly,” Milve agreed, then added, “I… did not conduct myself well when I first arrived, and was also disrespectful toward Braelin and his family, which is why I am giving you more leeway than usual, Sculos,” he looked up and his voice gained an edge similar to when he’d first arrived, “But that only extends so far.”

Sculos flinched, then grumbled and hung his head, “Yes, your grace – my apologies.”

“Perhaps you should join Denos in learning from the human our Lady bid me heed,” Milve added pointedly.

“Yes, your grace,” Sculos sulked, bowing before heading off in the direction of the Gardening Office.

“What do you plan to have them do?” Milli asked.

“Denos was already an archivist; e would be best suited to helping the efforts of the library to make proper books out of Braelin’s notes,” Milve replied, “I’ll have Sculos join the regular gardening staff for a time to temper him before giving him physical care of the shrine – if that suits you, Braelin.”

“I have no issue with it,” Braelin sighed, “Being in charge is still odd.”

“Would have happened back home around this time anyway,” Owren snorted, “Well… back in Jost, that is.”

Subtly, Beneford nudged Milve with his elbow.

The priest flinched – then hesitated before reaching out… and paused.

Owren snorted at the both of them before taking Milve’s hand himself without comment.

Milli turned, mostly succeeding at not laughing.

Despite his early misgivings, Braelin just smiled as he made his move, declaring, “I Ascend.”