“Alright you two, that’s enough.” Gardinal said, pulling Her Radiance off the man. They resisted, but Gardinal proved the victor. Separating them bodily did not separate their gazes though. Gardinal sighed. “Your Radiance, you forget yourself.”

Stepping back, the man shook his head, the Prophetess sill staring up at him. Turning to Gardinal, the young man shined a kindly smile. “Brother Gardinal, you’re shorter than I remembered.” He said with a soft chuckle.

Gardinal glared back. “You're less filthy than I remember.”

“You remember me?” He asked with genuine surprise. Gardinal nodded, it was hard to forget the one mud covered street rat who came to every adoration for three years and climbed the temple. The Prophetess frowned at Gardinal's tone. Calming himself, Gardinal tried again.

“What’s your name again lad?”

“Kriss.” He answered.

“Well Kriss, it’s nice to see that you are all well and safe. But Her Radiance has had a long day and needs her rest. It's best you be going now.” Gardinal placed his hand on the young man's back, pushing him towards the door. Gardinal was surprised at the thick cords of muscle he could feel on the man's back, even through his leather doublet.

“But Lord Vallerian said…” Kriss began with a concerned tone.

“I’m sure his lordship said many things,” Gardinal cut him short. “Her Radiance seems more than happy to have seen you, but now it's time to go.” Gardinal led the young man towards the door, and hopefully out of the Prophetess’s life. Things were complicated enough without her getting wrapped up with a doe eyed, albeit handsome, young man. Even the thought of it made Gardinal's blood boil.

“He’s exactly where he is supposed to be, Brother Gardinal.” Vallerian spoke up, striding towards them. Gardinal cursed. What was the man doing now? “I hired him, an extra body to protect Her Radiance. Pantheon knows, we need the help.”

“I thought I told you stay where you were.” Gardinal snapped, then looked back to this young Kriss. He was certainly large enough to help. Could Gardinal trust this young man?

Gardinal shook his head. What was he thinking? They had already let their numbers burgeon too large. If His Grace were to find out that they had employed two people from Southshore. Gardinal rubbed his forehead, why did they have to make this all so difficult for him?

A heavy hand slapped Gardinal on the back.

“Gardinal my dear friend,” Vallerian began. “This is all for the best. The way I see it, if Her Radiance is so caught up staring into the eyes of this young man, then she'll have no time to go out and get herself killed.” Vallerian chuckled at the macabre joke. Gardinal shook his head, this would not be that simple. The more people involved in a mission, the greater chance for disaster. He had learned that the hard way in the Shaded-Lands.

“Brother Gardinal.” The Prophetess spoke up now, her voice soft but determined. “Kriss is honest, true, and has stood guard me longer than anyone else.” She looked at him with those big mismatched eyes of hers, staring into his soul. “Including yourself.”

Looking to her, The Prophetess's face was the picture of stern determination. She had even clenched her fists. Gardinal sighed, she was not going to drop this one, was she? A look to Valleresa for support proved fruitless; the woman only shook her head with wet eyes. A glance at Arabella's open jaw told him that this handsome young man had already ingratiated himself to both of those girls.

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“Aye. He can stay.” Gardinal eventually relented. There was no point in fighting this if everyone was against him. The Prophetess beamed, before placing her hand upon his bare arm. Bliss, warmth, life, it all washed across him. A powerful pulse that left him breathing heavily.

“Thank you Gardinal. Thank you, thank you.” She glowed with such light, like waves of energy. Everyone stared at her, tearing your eyes from her radiant form was an impossible task for any of them in that moment. Breathtaking. The light slowly faded to a shimmering glow, still jubilant, but no longer radiant.

“Brother Gardinal, I will not disappoint you. I would give my life to protect her Radiance.” Kriss stepped up.

“I wouldn't accept anything less lad.” Gardinal sighed, where was that poor Jöln? It seemed they would need to set up another one of the rooms. That would fill the house, and Vallerian would still need to sleep on the floor. Not that he deserved any better.

Gardinal felt something tugged from his hand.

“Is this what I think it is?” Vallerian asked, holding up Gardinal's letter against the light of the glowing Prophetess. “This is the Grand Duke's seal.” Vallerian tapped the head of the letter.

Gardinal swiped it back from the mans hand. “It's none of your business is what it is.”

“It's not? You do know I'm related to the Grand Duke right?”

“You're all related.” Gardinal spat. The letter held secrets he couldn't let free. Their secrets. The Grand Duke of the Fereni lands was one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, and his confidence was most precious to Gardinal.

“What is a Khazimi priest doing having correspondence with a prince of the realm?” Vallerian studied him, but Gardinal kept his face hard. He would not betray his dear friend.

“I'm his religious advisor, if you must know. His Highness is a pious soul. Something that does not seem to run in the family.” Gardinal bit back. He had to put a stop to this fast.

“It's a distant relation” Vallerian shrugged. “Fine, keep your secrets, I have more...”

Vallerian was cut off by The Prophetess approaching him. The man stopped, looking down at her. Vallerian swallowed as their eyes met for a second, the man quickly looking away. “Your Radiance I...”

Then she hugged him. “Thank you Vallerian. I knew you were a good man.” She whispered just loud enough for Gardinal to catch only steps away. Vallerian just stood, arms awkwardly out to the side. He looked distinctly uncomfortable for a moment.

Gardinal watched him though. What was he to do with that man? Gardinal had liked the man, but the way he had acted around him. Gardinal shook his head, she had forgiven him, and he would around now regardless of how he felt. He would remain wary about that man though. Too much of the Theremya had seemed to rub off on him; something Gardinal would always be concerned about. Gardinal needed to be sure that none of that transferred to him. As well, Vallerian's intentions were still too unclear. He was trying hard to stay in Her Radiance's company, too hard. He had tracked down this boy, someone even Gardinal had forgotten about. An impressive feat that had earned The Prophetess's favor. For Gardinal though, it left him suspicious. The man was simply too ingratiating to be trusted.

Slowly, Vallerian let his arms rest around The Prophetess. He had a look of shock on his face, like the one Origdall had worn when he had held his son Gorindon for the first time. She was getting to him, slowly, but she was. Perhaps she was right, with time even this man might be redeemed. Gardinal actually had to smile at that. That was perhaps the first honest emotion he had ever seen from Vallerian.

“Alright Vallerian, Kriss. It seems I've got no choice but to trust the two of you. Ethinia help me.” Gardinal shook his head. “I have some business to take care of tonight. I'll leave her Radiance in your capable hands.” If he was going to have to put up with these two, he might as well be able to get a night off.

“She won't leave the house, Brother Gardinal. I swear it to you.” Kriss quickly responded, pounding his chest in some facsimile of a salute. He seemed eager to please. Good.

“You see Vallerian, that's the right attitude for a guard. Pay attention to the lad and you might learn something.” Gardinal shook his head and began heading upstairs to change. He wanted to look nice if he was heading to the Grand Duke's manse in Gold Port.

“I'd wait for the boy to put his words in action Brother Gardinal. I made the same promise the first time I guarded her.” Vallerian tried to respond, but Gardinal ignored him heading upstairs. It had been a long time since Gardinal had seen his Grand Duke, and there was an itch he needed scratching. That letter meant it was finally time.