There is so much I need tell you,

  So much that I have learned

But so little time to say it.

       -Note within the hidden journal.

The morning after Celeste and her sisters had conspired over supper, the trio descended upon Gardinal. Celeste almost felt bad for overwhelming the poor man.

“Aye, yes, no, I understand...” Gardinal sputtered a response to Arabella’s planned ramblings.

“Oh, but Brother Gardinal you don't, you see?” Valleresa took over, swapping out for Arabella. “Can't you understand that it is Her Radiance's duty to be out among the people, tending to them?” Valleresa shot Celeste a grin, it was going exactly as planned.

“Yes, well. I can agree that Her Radiance was blessed...” Gardinal tried to cut in, but now it was Celeste's turn.

“My dear Brother Gardinal, I was not blessed so I could contain my gifts, hidden inside these walls. I was given these blessings so I could share them. It is what the Mother wishes of me, and I swear I will not make a commotion” Celeste made the crescent symbol across her head and chest to accent her promise.

She felt bad about tricking Gardinal like this, but they had all agreed last night that if he knew where they were headed, he would never agree. The only way to do what Celeste knew needed to be done, was to make sure he didn't know until it was too late. A part of her thought about how much easier this would be if they still had Vallerian around. But she knew she wasn't ready to see him again, not yet. The wound was still too fresh.

Gardinal met her eyes, and he seemed unsure. “Your Radiance, after what happened to you at the Mudport.” He stared at her, then shook his head. “No. I can’t let you get hurt anymore. If His Grace knew…”

“Nothing will happen, I assure you. It is broad daylight; no desperate souls would strike at us walking beneath Seratos’s light.” Celeste put a hand on Gardinal’s arm, and she felt him relax somewhat. Then he pulled away.

“No, that’s not true. This all started with the cult coming after you in the middle of the day.” Gardinal waved his hands about wildly as he spoke. “If that one crossbowman had been even a slightly better shot it would have been you that died that day, not your porter.”

Celeste whispered a short prayer for her deceased porter’s soul. He was with the Mother now, as much as it pained her to remember it. “But they knew I would be there Gardinal. Everyone in the city believes me to have gone north now, including the cult. Nobody knows I'm here..” She reasoned. This was starting to get away from the plan, she needed to pull it back.

“They do after the Mudport! That Summoner saw you himself. For all we know they could be around the corner!” Gardinal rubbed his brow with frustration, a feeling Celeste was beginning to share. “You will not be going out.” He commanded.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

“Yes I will Gardinal. It is my duty to the holy First Mother, and only sinners would get in the way of that. As the Most Merciful herself said: to look upon evil and do nothing, is evil itself.” She stood her ground, not budging now. Celeste had to speak with Tabitha, she simply had to. She had to get this back onto plan, and she knew just how to get Gardinal to agree. “Or will you restrain me again, using the strength the First Mother gave you against Her own servant?” Celeste stared at him, not letting her eyes leave his. She would not falter.

Gardinal turned his gaze to the floor and she felt a slight pang of guilt. “I… I am sorry your Radiance I…” He nodded, then looked to her. “If you are to go back out there, then I will be your shield.” At that, Celeste hugged him.

“Thank you Gardinal. The Mother has truly blessed me with a great protector.” She beamed holding him.

Letting go, she followed Arabella and Valleresa upstairs to her chambers. They had prepared everything the night before. Celeste swapped out her favourite red Khazimi dress for another that Gerada’s daughter had made. This one was done in the Fereni fashion, with a high collar and tapered sleeves that tightened at the wrist. Atop it she wore a simple thin wool cloak for the rain. In moments they were out the door.

“You look like a proper Fereni lady, Your Radiance.” Arabella complimented as they walked down the muddy street. “You know they’re the real power of their houses they are.”

Valleresa snorted at that and muttered. “You’ve never met my mother.”

“Have you served in a house Arabella?” Celeste asked. The girl had never mentioned it before. Arabella quickly closed up, her eyes darting away. “Dear sister, do not fear for I would not judge. What happened?” Celeste looked back, taking note of Gardinal following behind and keeping a tight eye on them.

With little more prodding, Arabella explained. She had worked in the home of a baroness a few years ago. A real mean sort according to her. Working as an assistant in the kitchen for over a year, until she got caught stealing bread.

“Why would you do that if you had a good job?” Valleresa asked.

“It was after me dad died. The lady wouldn’t pay enough to feed my brother, so I had to get some food to him.” Arabella explained. Celeste smiled; she had seen the boy from the window a few times. A Jöln youth no older than ten that came by every now and then. Arabella would always give him some food and shoo him off.

“You were brave.” Celeste told her before the conversation shifted to other topics.

They walked the streets for a long while, moving between the makeshift awnings that stretched out of most buildings. They were all made from scrap wood or patched up old clothing too threadbare to be worn, but they kept the rain off the people’s heads. Gardinal, still behind them, seemed to have no issue walking in the rain, his short, cropped hair soaked to cover his scarred face. She almost giggled at the sight of him. Like a wet guard dog.

“Is he on to us?” Arabella whispered to her.

“I do not believe so, but we must tread carefully.” Celeste responded. As of yet, her beloved guardian seemed unaware of their intentions. Even if he did catch on though, they had plans to keep him distracted.

Celeste returned her gaze to the streets. She had to keep an eye out, watching for someone as they walked along. She had a plan. It hurt as she passed a mud-covered beggar by, his sole desperate eye beseeching her for help. His rotting three-fingered hand reaching out to her. But she had to stick to her plan. She could help that man and many more if she did. If she could just find…

Celeste caught a glimmer out of the corner of her eye. A silver pin on a tall Fereni woman’s cloak. Celeste smiled, poked Valleresa, then pointed at the woman. Valleresa looked, then nodded in understanding.

“Brother Gardinal!” Valleresa called out as she spun. “I have some questions…”