Mira gazed upwards until the sun started to rise. She shook Tella gently to wake her. The drowsy child lazily wrapped her arms around Mira to be lowered. When they reached the gardens, Mira laid her on one of the raised flower beds and began braiding Tella’s hair. This was their usual morning routine to make sure they didn’t wake the others in the temple. She plucked different flowers to weave in as Tella often did for her. The girl yawned and turned away from Mira as she tried to continue.
“Early morning, aye?” Amethyst chuckled.
“We couldn’t sleep.”
“We? I heard your screams. Half the temple did, I’m sure,” The orc sat beside her, “You’re not afraid to grab electricity –but something terrifies you.”
“If you’re trying to find a weakness,” Mira tilted her head towards Tella, “Then you have found it. My other weakness you saw burning on a funeral pyre.”
She pursed her lips and her tusks poked out, “That was not my intention.”
The two sat in silence to not wake the sleeping child. Val tiptoed up to them and bowed slightly.
“Leader, Quince and the others have returned with the blacksmith, as requested,” She whispered, “What would you have us do today?”
“Lady Mira, I believe it is time,” Amethyst sighed, “You know the longer you stay here, the more you risk their lives.”
“I know,” She stated plainly and tucked a dark hair behind Tella’s ear, “Are you prepared?”
“Yes. Though, it will cause everyone to know who you are,” The orc yawned, “Are you okay with that?”
“No,” Mira shook her head, “I believe I can convince some of the guards to stay to watch everyone. The bandits know only half the truth. I do not want word of my status to… get around before I am prepared to share it.”
“There may be a way to do that,” Amethyst tapped the mark under her chest, “I know a ritual. Most of the ingredients are common for a temple to keep in stock. I can perhaps… tweak it?”
“What do you need for this?” Val asked, “I will grab it and volunteer as the first.”
“Thank you, Val,” Mira stood and scooped Tella into her arms, “Discuss amongst yourselves. I’m going to put her back to bed before we have more guests in our conversation.”
The girl squirmed in Mira’s arms before she settled. As she walked away from the pair, she knew she would have to say goodbye to her first friend soon. If Isaan knew Mira lived and stayed in Vimgraunt, he would come back to fight when he fully healed. She had to leave to protect them. She wouldn’t let him wreak havoc on there again.
“I hope you’ll understand.”
Mira walked into the infirmary and placed Tella on one of the beds. Healers and trainees ushered about the room to prepare for the day. Some came to coo at the pretty girl with flowers in her hair that slept so soundly as they moved. They all knew the talented girl as she was with them most days.
“How are you doing today, Mira?” The cherry pink woman popped up behind her.
“I am tired,” She yawned, “I assume I woke everyone up again.”
“Not everyone. High Priestess could sleep through a tornado,” Irae laughed.
The others in the room laughed at the joke as well. Mira nodded curtly to agree.
“I have a favor to ask.”
The healer motioned her to the small room at the end of the infirmary. As they stepped into her bedroom, she shut the door behind them. Mira reached to a sealed jar on the dresser. She opened it and took a sniff.
“Healing ointment?”
“Yes. We learned how to make it in the class the other day. Did Tella not give you any?”
Mira smiled softly, “No. I imagine she’s waiting for me to get hurt to show me.”
“That sounds right,” Irae chuckled, “What favor did you need?”
“I will be leaving soon.”
She blinked, “Where are you going?”
“I’d rather not say,” She looked away from the healer to the closed door, “If Isaan comes back, he won’t be able to use any of you to find me. I want to keep it that way.”
“Are you going alone?”
“My new shadow and questionable acquaintances will join me.”
Irae snorted, “Why call them that?”
“I heard High Priestess speaking to another priestess and called them that,” She smiled, “I found it… fitting.”
Mira’s ears twitched when she heard the infirmary door open and close. She opened the door to see Val trying to catch the attention of any of the busy healers.
“Excuse me –can you help me find these ingredients?”
“Get her what she needs. It is vital,” Mira turned to Irae and paused, “And be prepared to console my friend. I do not think she will take kindly to me leaving.”
“I don’t think so either,” She shook her head, “But I promise I will take care of her.”
“You and whoever else I force to stay here,” She nodded curtly, “Thank you.”
Mira swiftly made her way from the infirmary to the main parish. She stepped lightly across the marble floors until she reached the front of the pews. She sat down and looked to the painted ceilings. She waited for Encante to say anything and narrowed her eyes when he didn’t.
“Am I supposed to come to your ever beck and call?” He snorted.
“You can read my mind, but I know nothing of yours,” She sighed, “You know my plans. What are your thoughts?”
“I see nothing wrong with the plan. It will protect those you wish it to and keep all others safe should word get around,” Encante spoke softly, “Are you sure about it?”
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“That is why I wanted to speak to you. I never thought I would be this… free. I do not know what to do… what to expect.”
“I would have had enough power one day to free you on my own,” He yawned, “Though, I understand. I do not see a better way to get all that we want in the short amount of time it needs to be done.”
Mira nodded and tapped the stone on her chest, “How should I tell her?”
“I think the little one is smarter than you give her credit for,” He chuckled, “Though, she may not expect me –unless she is secretly a Goddess-Speaker.”
“She would have told me,” Mira smiled, “I am… going to miss her.”
“The little one will be safer if you aren’t here. They all will be.”
“What of Amethyst’s idea?”
It felt as though he settled cozily in her thoughts, “Onyx spoke of doing something similar with your mother’s people. They are bound deeper by honor than any other race I encountered before them. I will tell you the same thing I told her: it is up to you.”
“You are terrible at advice,” Mira scowled.
“You do not want advice. You want orders. I will not give those.”
Encante was right. Mira had spent her entire life receiving orders. Now that there were none, she didn’t know what to do.
She closed her eyes and listened to the footsteps of those entering and leaving the area. Some stopped when they noticed her and walked quieter than before as if to respect her sleep-like state. Her heart harshly pounded against her chest as she waited for answers she didn’t know the questions for. Metal clanks against the marbled floor alerted her to the heavyset person approaching.
“Asleep in the open?” Thesson asked.
“I am not asleep. I am thinking,” She opened her eyes slowly to see the dwarf waiting in the doorway, “I’m assuming Amethyst spoke to you?”
“Yes,” He furrowed his brow, “And told me that I should talk to you about being there during some sort of ceremony?”
“Annoying woman,” Mira rubbed her hands down her face, “I’m sure she has a good reason for that as well.
“I have never seen an orc more enthusiastic about something other than battle. How’d you bewitch her?” He grinned and sat on the pew next to her, “Offer to be her next pupil? Wife even?”
“I do not believe there is much she could teach me,” Mira snorted, “And I am no one’s wife.”
“Can I ask you more about what happened to you?” He picked at the crumbs in his beard, “My reports of you don’t accurate line up with what I’ve seen.”
She waved a hand dismissively and rested her head against the back of the pew as she closed her eyes again.
“Where did he buy you? Was it here in Zrud?”
“I was born in his captivity. I do not know where, exactly. I do not have memories from–”
Memories flashed in her vision of large ships sailing to sandy shores. They were her own, but from as a small helpless child. Encante’s mind in hers could pull them effectively.
“Agrowl, maybe?” She hummed, “Perhaps Saceida, given my breeding.”
“Do you know where the man known as the wraith is?”
“I will not answer.”
“Interesting. Is he undead?” Thesson braided his beard to keep the conversation casual, “I’ve heard he’s one of the undead creatures from the Unclaimed Isle.”
“I haven’t thought of it that way,” She waited for Encante to disagree, “Interesting thoughts.”
“Hmm,” He ripped a small knot from his beard, “Is it still connected to Isaan?”
“No.”
“That’s a relief,” He sighed and leaned against the pew to mimic Mira’s posture, “Is it connected to you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know Isaan’s plans? What did he want to do? There’s been talks of overthrowing one of the kingdoms,” He paused, “I worry for our queen.”
“I do not think he seeks to conquer Zrud. He would be more inclined to Agrowl, due to his fire magic,” She shrugged.
“Is it true you spent the past few years helping villages around here?”
“I did not like being under my master’s control,” Her sad honey-colored eyes haunted him, “I want to do good –to be good, Thesson.”
“Have you killed people?”
“Yes,” She raised a hand to stop him.
“Do you think you should be tried for those deaths?”
Mira sighed and repeated the words Encante spoke to her, “Would you condemn the soldier because of their orders?”
“That’s how you view yourself? A solider?” He scoffed, “Goddess willing, you’d join our side for a change.”
“There are three sides that concern me, Thesson,” Mira flicked her fingers out, “My side, Isaan’s side, and those that will get in the way.”
His jaw dropped open, “That’s… that’s a bit –”
“Dark, isn’t it?” Amethyst chuckled and clapped her hands on the dwarf’s shoulders, “Lady Mira isn’t known for her hospitality, I’m told.”
“Do you have everything you need?” She raised an eyebrow, “Or do I need to dread leaving more?
“Who do you want to join us? They will need to be there.”
“Thesson, what guards are you willing to keep in Vimgraunt while we travel?”
“What?” He narrowed his eyes.
“I do not plan on being escorted by a troop of guards when I am willingly leaving,” Mira pinched the bridge of her nose as if annoyed, “What guards can stay until the army you speak of shows up?”
“I can spare a few to stay here,” He thought, “Though, they will not enjoy being away from their families.”
“Whose families can move to Vimgraunt?”
“What?” He blinked, “Why would they—?”
“Thesson, just answer,” She grunted, “Do you believe any of your guards would permanently stay in Vimgraunt if given the chance?”
“It’s a nice, quaint place with a temple and more housing to come. I’m sure some would. I don’t understand how that—”
“Amethyst, see what guards would need arrangements for their family,” She cut him off, “Ask Val to see me when she gets the chance. I have a task for her and the other group.”
Amethyst grinned brightly, “Of course.”
“Thesson, follow me,” She stood abruptly.
He bolted to his feet and followed her down the hallway. He wasn’t sure why, but her authoritative tone subconsciously demanded her orders be followed by any she spoke to.
Mira walked past the sleeping quarters, Nara’s office, and the infirmary to the kitchen. Sunodagh beat some eggs for that morning’s breakfast with great difficulty. She grabbed the bowl for him to whisk the concoction easier. He did so and eyed the dwarf suspiciously.
“Sunodagh, I would like you to come to the meeting I am having before the end of the day. Will you be available?”
He grunted and spoke to her in orcan, “Will they be there?”
“Yes,” Thesson grinned and answered before speaking in the dwarven, “I knew there was a larger orc population near here. I’ve been learning since we left Hangral.”
Sunodagh narrowed his eyes at the dwarf then nodded. Mira thanked him and walked over to a large canvas map of Zrud hanging on the wall. She plucked a quill from the small desk near the back door, dipped it in ink, then handed it to Thesson.
“Mark our path.”
“What?” He blinked at her, “You do realize that –”
“I do not have the time nor energy to argue at the moment,” Her finger tapped impatiently, “Mark our route, please.”
Her nicety was new surprised him, but he remained suspicious, “Why?”
“Because I am going to send Val on a few errands and want her to meet with us again before Hangral. I assume you do not want to send a bunch of bandits loose on the city without their leader to supervise them, correct?” Mira cocked an eyebrow, “One that has kept them busy rebuilding this town and not allowed them to rob or pillage anyone for months?”
He frowned before marking the map, “I do not know if this is final, but this is what I planned to take to avoid the majority of the mountains.”
His quill took a slow north to northeast slope through the city of Berkshire to the far east. He tapped it across the ocean until it met a river that led directly to Hangral.
“We take a boat from Berkshire to Hangral.”
“It’s about eleven days to Berkshire, if we don’t take this route,” Mira plucked the quill and marked a new path.
It led directly north from Vimgraunt to the base of the mountains before arching to the east with another small step north.
“Why that way?”
“It will take three days off of our trip and us to replenish supplies and rest here about five days into the trip,” She tapped the base of the mountain.
“There aren’t any marked paths through that area, though,” He furrowed his brow.
“I’ve marked the footpaths we can take horses on,” She began to mark small x’s on the map in various areas with small sketches next to them, “The dirt paths will work easier for the horses as well. Less wear on the hooves. They don’t particularly like the paved or cobbled streets as much.”
“How often are these travelled?”
“Fairly. Bandits and villagers use them to get around,” She finished the fifth small sketch on the map.
“What are you marking now?”
“I’m giving directions for Val to follow,” She dipped the quill in ink again, “They will recover some items I’ve buried at these locations.”
“And how exactly do you plan for them to catch us before Berkshire?” He scoffed.
Mira smirked, “Do you think I would take guards through the more direct routes?”
Thesson snorted, “I could hope, couldn’t I?”
“If you can figure them out as we go, that is your prerogative,” She shrugged and finished the sixth sketch, “I believe that should work for now.”
“Mira, are you ready?” Val stuck her head into the kitchen, “I’ve got everything Amethyst has asked for.”
“I have to be, don’t I?” She clutched at the spiking pain in her chest, “Gather everyone. Let’s begin.”