“Cannoli, we are here,” Sahzi’s gentle voice wove its way into Cannoli’s dreams. “Wake up, sweet child.”

Cannoli blinked away her sleep to find Sahzi smiling across from her, holding the carriage curtain open. Remembering where she was, Cannoli shot to attention, straightening her back and squaring her shoulders. “I-I’m so sorry! I dozed off—”

“No need to apologize. It was quite a long journey.” Sahzi shook her head, then gestured out the window. “Welcome to Falselle, Cannoli.”

Cannoli leaned forward to peer outside the carriage window and was met with a blinding combination of sapphire and gold. Tall buildings painted in perfect white were covered with stunning stained glass windows framed by intricate golden filigree. Glimmering sapphires bedecked towering spires that soared high into the pure blue sky. Women in white robes, very much like Sahzi’s, were grouped together in prayer and travels. Three of their number wore masks alike to Saoirse’s, while many others had sapphires braided into their hair.

“It’s so beautiful,” Cannoli murmured.

“This is only the beginning, child,” Sahzi mused. “Your true walk with Saoirse begins today.”

A dozen worries plagued Cannoli’s heart. Was she really fit to walk among the devout? Would she find the answers she sought? Could she really do this without her friends at her side?

Sahzi placed a consoling hand on Cannoli’s shoulder. “It is normal to feel overwhelmed at first. We all did. You must trust in yourself and those that guide you along your path.”

“Of course,” Cannoli whispered. She clenched her trembling hands into fists. “This is what I’ve wanted since I was a kitten.”

“Then you will find yourself at home amongst your sisters here.” Sahzi squeezed her shoulders.

Sisters… Keke… Cannoli shook her head and coiled her tail around her waist. “Where will I be staying, Sahzi?”

“Your quarters will be within the main temple’s abbey alongside your fellow initiates.”

The white horses drew the carriage around a massive fountain, where a statue of Saoirse herself stood at its center, holding a golden bowl that produced its own stream of crystalline water.

“How many initiates are there?” Cannoli asked.

“At this time, there are three more who recently arrived to study. The others within your cloister have varying degrees of knowledge.” Sahzi took one of her brunette braids in hand, then pointed to a string of sapphires woven inside the tendrils. “You, too, will earn your sapphires as you advance.”

“I see.” It was hard not to enjoy the tiny stir of excitement in her stomach as Cannoli imagined her own strings of gems in her white hair. “What about the masks? Are those also earned?”

“Those who wear Saoirse’s aspect are the masters among us, Cannoli. We are not to disturb them,” Sahzi cautioned. “We see them as the direct will of Saoirse—her prophets—as they have dedicated their lives to her service. If you are deemed worthy, you will apprentice to a prophet.”

“They’re different from [Bishop]s, then?” Cannoli tried to recall if her mother had ever kept a mask like that. No, I’m sure I would remember.

“Some may have obtained a Third Class, but it is not a requirement. The prophets have learned all there is to know about our goddess and committed it to heart. Her decrees, her hymns, her wills; they are the true emissaries of Saoirse, child. Unless Saoirse should will it, their lives are served in dedication to Falselle.” Sahzi leaned back in her seat and clasped her hands in her lap. “For many of them, the residents here have never seen their true faces. You must treat them as if you speak with Saoirse herself. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” As Cannoli watched the prophets amongst the groups of white-robed women, she began to understand what Sahzi meant. One led the prayers amongst those with hands clasped to their chest. Another traveled alone, and passersby respected them with a bow and the proper hand gesture. The third had vanished while they spoke. “So, once I’m settled in, where do I go?”

Sahzi’s warm smile returned. “It is good to meet one so eager. We will take breakfast together in the dining hall, and I will give you a formal tour of the temple.”

Cannoli flicked her ears and frowned. “I thought you said my journey begins today?”

“It does, my dear. From this moment on, your actions will be witnessed and judged by Saoirse and her prophets. To become a [Priest], you will need their approval.”

Someone is watching me? Cannoli glanced at Sahzi from the corner of her eye. Sahzi’s eyes favored the initiate, never wavering to the grand city just outside their window. Oh. “Thank you, Sahzi.”

“Whatever for?”

“Your patience in helping me learn and for your understanding.” Cannoli’s gaze returned to the passing initiates and decadent buildings. “This is my first time away from my friends, and, well, I’m afraid to admit it, but I’m nervous.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Of course, child. That is to be expected. We all must set aside our comforts to accept the goddess’s light. That is not an easy thing.”

“No, it’s not,” Cannoli murmured. The carriage clattered along a cobblestone pathway before stopping at a walkway flanked by tall white columns. “But I’m ready.”

“Excellent.” Sahzi nodded and opened the carriage door. “Then let us begin.”

Sahzi led them inside the temple beneath magnificent archways. Inside was a wide entrance hall with towering ceilings—the arcade, Sahzi called it. A square pool of water with a statue of a crowned kitten playing at its head was built in the center, surrounded by tall green trees and flowering bushes sporting blooms of all colors.

But the ceiling held Cannoli’s attention the longest. Detailed paintings of Saoirse’s acts of kindness and generosity spanned the length of the arcade. Passing out gifts on Cherishing Day, blessing the Seven Swords, and serving as a shimmering beacon for the Starbirth Celebration. The images were so lifelike and perfect, stirring warmth and admiration in Cannoli’s chest.

“That’s amazing,” Cannoli marveled.

“It is, isn’t it?” Sahzi joined her in peering up at the mural. “It was painted by just two artists long before our time.”

“My goodness.” Tristan would love to see this. Cannoli pushed away the thought and refocused her attention on the rest of the arcade. It had two levels and two sets of spiral staircases at either end of the hall. More women in white robes moved on either side of the fountain, some carrying books, others carrying quiet conversations with one another. “My apologies, I was distracted.”

“An easy thing when basking in Saoirse’s beauty. Do not worry, child. Now, the arcade leads to anywhere you need to go within the temple,” Sahzi explained, keeping her voice low. Despite the arcade’s size, the sound of the fountain overpowered the soft conversations happening within its walls. “Each doorway is labeled, so you needn’t worry about getting lost. You’ll find the way to your quarters in the abbey, the dining hall, the temple of worship, the library, and your studies from this room.”

Cannoli nodded. Even if they were labeled, she wondered if a map would be a good idea. “Okay.”

“This way to the abbey. Come along, child.” Sahzi lightly stepped to one of the staircases and began her ascent.

Cannoli followed along behind her, realizing just how loud her footsteps were on the tile. Feeling very suddenly self-conscious, she slowed and tried to keep her weight on the balls of her feet. It didn’t seem to work. “How do you walk so quietly?” she whispered once she’d made it to the top of the stairs.

“You will learn,” Sahzi assured her. “Very observant for you to notice. We must be gentle in all things.”

“Even our footsteps?”

“Yes. Each step is an appreciation to Saoirse, for she blessed the very ground we tread. We must show it reverence.”

Cannoli nodded, determined to copy how Sahzi walked. She watched carefully and had just figured out how to lengthen her steps when they reached the door to the abbey. Sahzi watched her with mild amusement as they moved through the room of bunk beds and study corners.

They stopped at a small alcove of two bunk beds, where three young women were just beginning to stir from slumber.

“Ladies, your newest sister has arrived.” Sahzi clasped her hands together and rested them against her legs. “And might I add, you have slept past the sun, children.”

All three shot from their bed sheets and rushed to the floor in their bare feet and matching nightgowns. They clasped their hands and bowed their heads in respect.

“Sister Sahzi, please excuse us. Sister Frejya bid us take this morning to ourselves,” the young woman on the left said. She appeared to be around Cannoli’s age, with ivory skin and black and violet hair that was cropped up to her chin. The tail tucked between her legs matched the vivid streaks on her head.

“A learning opportunity, then. What could you have done better with this time, my children?” Sahzi asked.

“Studied Saoirse’s Decrees or memorized her hymns,” the one on the right squeaked. She was young and had an even smaller stature than Cannoli—side by side, the initiate would barely meet Cannoli’s shoulder. Her pink pigtails were tightly braided down her back, ending at her waist. She blinked wide green eyes up at Sahzi, and her blanched face nearly blended in with her nightgown.

“Very good, Cora. What do you think, Muzhira?”

Muzhira seemed to be the eldest—and tallest—of the three. She was positioned in the center, and she stared at Cannoli with piercing red eyes set inside a dark complexion. Her ebony hair was swung over one shoulder, and she stood at straight-backed attention like a soldier. “I think I know you,” she muttered in a low voice.

Cannoli twitched with surprise and hissed in a slow breath. Muzhira looked so very much like Zahra. But beyond Sanrai, she couldn’t think of another person she’d met with such a similar appearance. “I-I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Muzhira, your lack of attention is noted,” Sahzi said.

Muzhira bowed at the waist. “Forgive me, Sister Sahzi. My time this morning may have been better spent helping fellow initiates or praying for help on my path.”

“Excellent answer, Muzhira. Now, if you would all prepare yourselves for the day, Cannoli and I would be honored if you joined us for breakfast.” Sahzi motioned to the empty bunk. “Cannoli, this will be your bed.”

Cannoli nodded and offloaded the few items she’d brought with her into the small nightstand beside the bed. It seemed she’d be sleeping under Cora.

“I’m Rozalyn, by the way,” the third girl introduced herself quietly as Cannoli waited for them to dress.

“I’m Cannoli,” she replied brightly. “I’m sorry to wake you on your day of rest.”

Rozalyn grinned. “As you heard, we should have been awake anyway.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Gotta work harder for those sapphires.”

Cannoli hummed her agreement as Rozalyn returned to dressing for the day.

Sahzi waited until they were dressed, then called for them to follow. “Wonderful. Come along, now.”

When Sahzi, Rozalyn, and Cora were a few steps ahead, Muzhira touched Cannoli’s wrist and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I could never forget your face. You destroyed Rājadhānī.”

Ice trickled through Cannoli’s veins. She looked to Muzhira, wide-eyed. “I-I—”

Muzhira flashed a sharp smile. “Saoirse’s blessings be upon you, Cannoli.” Without another word, she marched forward to join the other initiates.

Cannoli steeled herself and caught up to the group. She was being watched and tested. Whatever Muzhira believed, Cannoli would need to take it in stride.

Saoirse protect me.

[https://i.imgur.com/HxxtDxM.png]