After Meri had calmed down, she was too tired to talk further and the girls left her to rest. Allyana looked worried while Bridget appeared anxious and kept glancing back at her sleeping friend. When they were closer to the infirmary doorway, Richard joined them. His entire body was stiff and his expression solemn.

"Is she alright?" Richard asked.

"What do you think?" Bridget snapped.

"Hey, no need to argue," Allen said, detaching himself from the group he had been talking to and joining them.

Bridget flushed and glanced at Allen then looked away, folding her arms. "It was a stupid question."

"Did she talk about what happened to her?" Allen asked.

Allyana shook her head. "No, she was too focused on Maiden Ember."

Allen looked at Ember questioningly. Ember considered what to say when Bridget cut in.

"Apparently, she helped rescue her."

Both Richard and Allen looked surprised at the news. "You were?" Allen blurted out.

Ember groaned. "I can't really talk about that." It was more that she didn't want to but she already knew that the information would get around soon. She really needed to settle the issue about her sponsor.

Allen pouted while Bridget rolled her eyes. Allyana gave her a reassuring smile before turning her attention to Patricia and not so subtly changing the subject. "How are you liking it at the temple so far?"

Patricia jumped at the sudden focus on her. She glanced at Ember and then back at the group, gathering herself. "Everyone is nice and the priests are planning to help me with the histories of past Oracles until it's time to go to the Capital."

After that, the conversation became focused on Patricia being the Oracle and what it entailed. Even Ember found herself curious. Unfortunately, Patricia didn't know much since most of her training would happen in the Capital.

"Are you coming with us on the next district rounds?" Allen asked Allyana.

Allyana shook her head sadly. "Father has banned me from going."

Bridget groaned. "Ugh. That's going to make everything so much harder."

"District rounds?" Ember asked, curious.

"Allyana came up with the idea to go out to the poorer districts to help those in need instead of waiting for them to come to the temple," Richard explained.

"It makes a difference," Allyana said, her eyes gleaming. "Many of the poorer people often can't afford to take time off to come to the temple and those that do can often find themselves unable to see a priest for several days due to...availability."

Ember had an idea of what was going on. Nobles and the wealthy probably forced the poorer people to wait. While the Order tended to not show favoritism, that didn't change the class system in place. No noble or gentry would tolerate a commoner being seen before them.

"It's a good idea," Ember said.

Allyana flushed with happiness at her words. "You're always welcome to join us." Then she seemed to realize that while Ember was here at the temple she wasn't an acolyte. "You don't have to. I mean, it's the temple's job, but if you like to see how it works..."

"I would like to go," Patricia inserted.

Everyone's attention turned to her in surprise. Patricia flushed and leaned closer to Ember. Allyana reached over and clasped Patricia's hand. "That's a wonderful idea! More people are likely to come out if they know the Oracle is with us."

"It's too dangerous," Richard said, shaking her head. "We can't announce that she is the Oracle."

Allyana frowned at Richard's words when Allen slapped the man on the back. "Then we shouldn't mention it. She could join us as just a normal acolyte." He turned and winked at Patricia who gave him a timid smile before looking down.

Allyana nodded and then sighed. "But I won't be able to join you since my father won't allow me to do district rounds."

"Isn't he being a bit overprotective?" Bridget asked. "You have Richard with you and if he's really worried, he can just have the temple assign you some more guards."

"Or she can just stay in the temple until the kidnapper is caught," Richard said. "Sorry, but I agree with Count Uniar."

Allyana gave Richard a wounded look but the man didn't budge.

"Why don't you tell your father that Patricia is going with you," Allen interjected. "She'll have warrior-priests assigned to her so we'll be even safer. You can't let some creep stop us from helping people, right?"

"Allen's right," Bridget said. "If we hide away when there's a bit of danger then we don't deserve to be part of the Order."

Allyana was bolstered by their words and straightened up with new determination. "I'll talk to him. This is my idea and I should be part of it. I can't expect people to go forward with it if the person who set it up isn't willing to do the work."

Richard frowned at everyone's excitement but he didn't protest and soon after they fell into talk about the district rounds. Eventually, Ember broke away from the group and made her way back to her room. Honestly, she thought it would be safer for Allyana to stay in the temple instead of going on the district rounds but Allyana was her bait to capture the kidnapper. Her job wasn't to stop Allyana but to make sure she was with her when she was kidnapped. If she could rescue her and catch the kidnapper then she would gain the leverage she needed for her plan.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

She felt a little guilty about using Allyana as bait but she figured as long as she saved her from her fate that would be more than enough to make up for the transgression. She ignored the voice in her head that questioned what would happen if she didn't manage to save her. That wasn't an option so it didn't bear considering but she would still need to make sure she had some contingencies in place.

Ember had to put such thoughts on pause when she saw Priest Beslen waiting outside her door. She had been expecting the priest to contact her so she was both glad and annoyed to see him. Her eyes narrowed as she went through her conversation with Knight Van.

"We need to talk," Priest Beslen said as soon as she reached him.

Ember gave him a clipped nod and turned to her door but stopped. She wasn't sure if her mother was still there, more than likely she wasn't if Priest Beslen was still standing outside her door, but she wasn't sure when she would be back. That meant if she didn't want to be interrupted, they would need to go somewhere else.

"Lead the way," Ember said.

The priest nodded and began guiding them through the temple. As they moved, Ember realized she was feeling a little worn out. A lot had happened today and she needed a break to let it all soak in.

They traveled to the office Priest Beslen had used before and as soon as the door shut Priest Beslen began talking.

"Did you tell Knight Vantosia that you're a Seedling?"

"What? No. He figured it out," Ember said defensively.

Priest Beslen groaned and plopped down in his chair. "So, he does know you're a Seedling."

Ember nodded. "He saw through my illusion."

"Illusion?" Priest Beslen asked in surprise.

Ember mentally swore at her slip-up. The priest hadn't known about that particular skill but it wasn't going to be a secret for much longer anyway. She leaned back.

"I have my mapping ability and can also do illusions and use fire."

Priest Beslen looked shocked. "All this and a priest was the one who awakened you. Not a sapling?"

Ember shook her head. "Not a sapling. Besides, didn't the same thing happen with Patricia?"

Priest Beslen shook his head. "Oracles are different. They always awaken with three abilities."

"Oh. I didn't know that."

"It is extremely rare for a person to awaken with two abilities when blessed by a priest and three is unheard of, though I suspected you to have a second one." He muttered the last part to himself but Ember still heard him.

She wasn't too surprised Priest Beslen had suspected her of having more than one ability. She knew the man was sharp. It might be a problem later but she wasn't too worried since they would be parting ways soon. Priest Beslen would have to return to whatever temple he was part of and fortunately for her, it wasn't the Hekral temple. The only thing she had to worry about now was whatever favor he planned in the future.

"So what did you tell him?" Ember asked.

"That's what I would like to know as well," Priest Beslen said, giving her a pointed look.

Ember rolled her eyes. "He confronted me about being a Seedling and offered me a sponsorship."

"Didn't he ask you how you gained a Blessing?"

"He did and I told him I received it legally."

"And he believed you?" Priest Beslen said in disbelief.

"He did because it was the truth."

Priest Beslen blinked. "What? But you said a priest gave it to you."

Ember nodded. "I never said it was done in an illegal fashion."

Priest Beslen looked even more confused. "Then why aren't you registered or have a sponsor?"

"It's complicated."

"That doesn't make sense," Priest Beslen said, rubbing his forehead. He frowned and looked at her. "Care to explain further?"

"Would you like to use up one of your favors?"

Tension filled the air and then Priest Beslen shook his head. "No, but this is a relief. I was trying to figure out the best way to handle a rogue priest with the Blessing ability. It would've caused trouble within the Order."

Ember blinked and flushed a little. She hadn't really thought much about that. Seedlings with the Blessing ability were highly regulated though she didn't know all the details. She did know they were afforded less freedom which made her a bit concerned for Patricia. It was clear Patricia was still set on following her but that might not be possible depending on the stipulations required by the Treaty of Brotherhood.

That was something to think about later but for now, she had other things to concern herself with. "Your turn. What did you and Knight Vantosia speak about?"

"Sponsorship. I told him I was trying to find you a sponsorship, stating that I think you had great potential as a Seedling. Of course, I didn't confirm you were a Seedling. He told me he wanted to sponsor you and that he was simply waiting for your approval."

Priest Beslen rubbed his chin in thought. "Based on what you said, he is probably planning to ask me to help him with registering you to hide the fact that you are already a Seedling."

Ember blinked. "Oh. I guess that makes sense."

Priest Beslen grinned. "You must have really caught his eye for him to go to such lengths for you. The man has always lived up to his moniker as the Knight of Truth."

"It sounds like you know him well," Ember said, somewhat surprised.

Priest Beslen nodded. "Somewhat. I knew him as a child and met him once again later in life. He has always had an upstanding character. It would not be a bad thing to have him as your sponsor though I wonder if it might be too restricting for you."

Ember nodded. "I'm against it. I've told him such but he asked me to think about it. Or more like he ordered me to."

"He can be quite stubborn when he sets his sights on something." His expression looked far away and bittersweet before refocusing on Ember. "Though I am curious why he seems so set on you."

"He says he wants to see how far I'll go," Ember said with a scoff.

Priest Beslen tilted his head. "Hmm, I can understand that. I'm curious about that myself."

Ember frowned. "Do you really think that's his reason?"

"That's probably not his only reason but I do think it plays into it." Priest Beslen looked at Ember. "I don't think you quite understand how much you stand out, Maiden Ember. That is why it is all the more important you decide on a sponsor as quickly as possible. Have you looked over the information I gave you about the two nobles?"

Ember looked away. "Not yet."

Priest Beslen sighed. "Please do so. And one more thing." He took out several papers and handed them to Ember. "Here is the information about Knight Vantosia since he is now one of your options."

Ember gave him an incredulous look. "Are you serious?"

Priest Beslen shrugged and grinned. "It's always a good idea to have as much information as you can before coming to a decision."

Ember rolled her eyes and took the papers. "Fine."

"Oh! And tomorrow, the priests would like to begin their studies on your curse."

Ember blinked. She had almost forgotten that her whole point of coming to Hekral was because of her curse. Now that she already knew the details about how her curse worked from Bird, she didn't want to be studied but it would seem strange for her to back out now. Unless she had a good reason to and an idea formed.

"Have they decided on the price?"

"You'll talk to them tomorrow about it."

Ember nodded. It was perfect. Whatever price they required she would simply state she wasn't capable of paying and that should be the end of it. At least that would be easy enough.

"I have plans in the morning but I would be fine to see them in the afternoon."

"That should be fine," Priest Beslen said.

Seeing that the conversation was over, Ember left the office and made her way back to her room. Tonight, she would read through the information and finally decide on her sponsorship.