CHAPTER 1

PART B

“Sister Sophia, please take a rest. It’s the middle of the night already. You’ve been at it all day long.” The elderly priestess, head of the healing house in the small fishing town of Fair Isle Landing, fussed helplessly over the young woman seated by a sick man’s bedside. The other did not seem to hear her, entirely focused on her patient.

Sophia’s palms shone with a soft white glow as she pressed them against the man’s chest, the warm light seeming to flow into his flesh. Soon, his ragged breathing smoothed over, and the tortured grimace drained from his face with a relieved sigh.

“There you go, Andrew.” The glow faded from Sophia’s hands, leaving only a single candle on the bedside table as a source of light in the room. The flickering flame cast moving shadows over her pale face. She patted the man’s chest affectionately, pulled his cover back up and sat a little straighter, her hands appropriately folded in her lap. “I’m taken away the worst of it. Please still try and rest tomorrow. And remember, just because winter ended doesn’t mean you should go fishing without a coat just yet.”

“Thank you, Lady Sophia. Thank you. I won’t forget again.”

Sophia smiled kindly and stood up. Turning, she walked towards the elder woman standing awkwardly in the doorway. “It’s alright, Sister Meredith. I’m heading back to the Temple at sunrise. My time in town is limited. I need to make the most of it.” Stepping out into the hallway and closing the door, she asked, “Is there anyone else who still needs care? I will– oh!” She suddenly lost her balance and might have fallen if Meredith had not hurried to steady her, the old matron showing surprising strength for her age.

“No one for whom salves and rest won’t be enough. Come on, you mule, you won’t do anyone good if you collapse.” Away from strangers’ ears, the elderly priestess suddenly did not hesitate to drop decorum.

Meredith forcefully pulled the younger woman in a small kitchen and sat her at the table. With an annoyed hand gesture, she summoned a dim ball of light that floated up near the ceiling. She moved to a kettle gently simmering on dying embers. “Seriously, Andrew would have been fine in a few days. Coughing his lungs out for a week might have even taught that hard-headed fool some caution!” she muttered the last bit under her breath, but loud enough to make Sophia chuckle. “I’m serious. These people have grown reliant on you coming down to heal all their little woes. I reckon by next winter, they’ll be working away in the snow in nothing but their birthday suit!”

She set down a fuming cup on the table. “Drink. It’s an occebi root infusion. It’ll do you good.” Sophia nodded gratefully and accepted the herbal concoction, blowing softly on it before taking a sip. Almost immediately, some colour returned to her face.

Meredith could only sigh. “What can I say for you to start taking better care of yourself?” Sophia merely smiled apologetically over her cup. The older woman grumbled, “Figures… Listen, young lady, don’t let all these promotions and fancy new titles get to your head. I’ve changed your diapers enough times when you were but a wee lass to know you crap like every one of us. You’re not the goddess. It’s not up to you to take on the misery of the world upon your shoulders.”

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Sophia sat a little straighter. “Hardly the entire world, grandma. It’s only Fair Isle Landing. I couldn’t face the goddess if I left without doing all I can. Plus, it’s good training.” She shrugged. “And you’re the one who taught me to care for others.”

“Bah!” The grumpy matron barked her annoyance but dropped the matter—for now. For a while, they sat in companionable silence, listening to the ocean lapping at the docks of the nearby harbour as Sophia sipped through her restorative brew.

Unable to stay quiet for long, Meredith eventually spoke up. “Are you sure you can’t stay for another couple of days?”

“No, grandma,” Sophia said with a hint of longing—mixed in equal measure with exasperation, having been through this ritual many times already. “I would have to wait for the next convoy, and they need me at the temple.”

“Bah. They can survive without you for a couple of weeks.”

“I can’t just shirk my duties.”

“Did you hire more guards for the trek back? I heard there were pirate sightings along the coast.”

Sophia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes, grandma. Though, I doubt they could attack Fair Isle even if they wanted to. We have to place our trust in the goddess’ protection.”

“Perhaps… Have you visited your father’s grave?”

“Yes, grandma.”

“Did you pack enough occebi?”

“Yes, grandma.”

“The good stuff?”

“From that merchant you recommended.”

“And incense?”

“Yes, grandma.”

“Do you have enough food for the trip?”

“I’m not travelling alone, you know? There are people taking care of the supplies. And it’s only a couple of days’ travel.”

“Do you need any new clothes?”

“No, grandma. The temple provides outfits for all the residents.”

The old woman sneered. “You’re a pretty young woman, Sophia. You need more than those stuffy white robes.”

“I like those ‘stuffy white robes’,” the younger priestess grumbled.

“Ahhh!” Meredith pretended to feel faint. “Where did I go wrong raising you?”

“Grandma...” Sophia warned.

“What about underwear?”

“I’m fine.”

“Did you—”

“I’m not taking those you prepared for me!” A touch of blush rose to Sophia’s cheeks. She looked away. “Seriously, grandma, where did you even get those? I doubt even palace courtesans would be so daring!”

“Hah! Naïve little thing. All is fair in love and war! Just because you’re aiming for sainthood doesn’t mean you should forget to be a woman!”

“I’m not–”

“Then stop acting like you are! This is also part of taking care of yourself, Sophie. I’m not asking you to join a bacchanal of Luxuria, for Elysium’s sake! Just to have some fun for once.” The elderly matron shot furtive glances around, even though they were alone, before leaning forwards conspiringly. “The dashing young Mr Elmas is back in town for the week. You know, Eleonore’s grandson? And I hear he’s still single.” She reclined with a proud little smile and a nod, and she raised her eyebrow suggestively.

Sophia’s grey-blue eyes were wide like those of a deer who had caught sight of a dyrewolf, and her cheeks were rapidly turning crimson. “Grandma! I told you I’m leaving in the morning!” She averted her gaze again and mumbled, “And I don’t see how that involves wearing those… those… things.”

“Would a warrior go into battle without armour or weapons? No, I think not!” Meredith nodded wisely. Again, she leaned forwards with the same secretive look in her eyes. “How do you think I snared up your grandfather?”

Sophia grimaced. “I honestly would rather not know.”

“Bah! This won’t do! I’m not getting any younger, girl. I want some great-grandchildren, dammit!”

“Grandma!!”

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