Lorelei slowly strolled between the columns of the nave, her mind drifting away while her eyes glanced at the rich glass windows lining the side walls of the church. The descent of the Two Gods from the Realms Beyond, the battle with the Old Gods and their imprisonment in the Nether Realms, the creation of the Mortal Plane and the humans - the scenes followed one after the other, hewn into life by the hands of the master glassmakers and craftsmen. All figures looked so alive, like they were going to jump out of the windows in the blink of an eye.

Slowing down her step, Lorelei studied one of the glass panels carefully. It depicted several figures dressed in golden-white garments with hands piously pressed together. All of them, young and old, men and women, faced up with tranquil smiles as golden raindrops fell from the sky. On everyone’s brow, a small winged star bloomed, the moment a golden drop touched them.

Lorelei’s stomach cramped and her fingers convulsively dug into her skirt.

The Annunciation of the Saints. The windows presented it just as described in the Holy scriptures. The golden rain was the blessing of the Two Fathers, entering the bodies of the chosen ones and awakening their powers as saints.

‘Or rather, spirits possessing some poor people and stealing their lives,’ she thought and shivered.

Did the hosts know what was happening to them? That their bodies and minds were being invaded by a foreign entity. Did they fight the possession? Did something of their original selves remain behind after the merge? The answer was most likely no. And even if this wasn’t the case, there was no way to discuss the process of creation of a saint with any priest of the Two Gods, lest she wanted to raise their suspicion and reveal herself as a nesvet. But maybe… Castor would be able to provide some clarity on the topic. He was learned in the clerical texts and in no position to betray her to the Church.

Taking a long, slow breath, Lorelei tore her eyes away from the dreadful window and pretended to listen to the monotonous blabbering of the plump priest who was escorting her and her aides.

“... And the Blessed Bishop Rufus ordered the creation of the window galleries in the northern and southern side aisles. Their colorful twilight is symbolic of the beauty of the mortal realm, created by Father Norn, that can only shine when engulfed in the light of Father Lustris. Now, if you look up, you can see the Eye to the Skies. It was constructed by the Blessed Bishop Aristina in commemoration of the complete subjugation of Norden…”

“The power of your prayers must be really something,” the young Binshi shaman interrupted him and clicked her tongue. “It’s a miracle that this thin bubble of glass doesn’t break after the first snowstorm.”

“As you can see, there are copper shutters that close with a mechanism when needed to cover the dome,” explained the priest, not entirely sure whether to feel proud or offended by the young Binshi’s remark.

Lorelei’s eyes traveled up to the big dome reigning over the middle of the nave. Like the rays of a gigantic sun, broader translucent segments and smaller black ones ran from the center of the cupula to its sides, dividing it into several sectors. The clear sections were made of large facets of colorless glass so that one could see the sky outside and the black-gray clouds crawling slowly overhead. Although dim due to the worsening weather, columns of light still fell through the dome to create a black-and-white mosaic over the praying worshipers who kneeled on velvet cushions just below.

“The blessing from Father Lustris and Father Norn to befall the devotees who open their minds and souls to the divine,” mumbled Lorelei and suddenly felt nauseous.

She didn’t want to open her soul! She didn’t want to be graced by the Gods. To become a saint. She didn’t even want to be here!

“Will… will the Duke take much time?” She licked her lips and closed her eyes.

“I can not tell, my lady. He needs to discuss important matters with Bishop Petronius, so it might take some time,” chirped the plump priest and there was tension in his voice. “Are you feeling tired? If you follow me, I’ll show you to a reception room.”

“No need, Father. I just need some fresh air. Will you excuse me for a moment?”

“Of course, Your Highness. And since it looks like time is in our favor, I’ll make the necessary preparations for you and the Duke to be able to join us at the Twilight Mass.”

“Do so, Father. And thank you for your hospitality.”

After giving a slight nod to the priest, Lorelei turned around and walked away without looking left or right, followed silently by her aides.

The strong wind hit her in the face and almost tore away her veil, but she welcomed the coolness and the smell of the upcoming storm. More than half of the sky was covered with swirling clouds that charged up from the fjord, like a herd of black sheep chased by a pack of hungry wolves. The growing storm had eaten up the golden light of the summer day, plunging Yalda into an untimely murk.

From the high vantage point atop the church’s steps, Lorelei could see lantern after lantern being lit in the town below, their warm sheen bravely driving away the darkness. But even this rough weather didn’t seem to keep the most zealous believers in their homes. As she leaned on one of the temple’s stone railings, half-hidden by a large column, Lorelei observed the parishioners trickling through the open gates of the church, impatient to participate in the songs of worship that wouldn’t start for the next hour and a half.

“Shouldn’t you sit down somewhere more comfortable, my lady?” She heard the clear worry in the young Binshi’s voice as she put a hand on her shoulder.

“Do you need something to eat or drink, my lady?” Lucas also chimed in, looking like a big puppy with his blond curls completely tangled by the strong draft. “Let’s go back in and wait for His Highness with that priest.”

“I quite like it here.” Lorelei closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh, salty air. “But I do need you to do something for me, Sir Lucas.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“At your service, Duchess!”

“I’m a bit worried about Pricilla. I want you to go in and keep an eye on her.”

“But…” The young knight seemed confused and his cheeks blushed. “Lady Orten is praying in a chapel next to the nave. What can happen to her in a church? Besides, to pry on a praying lady…”

“I don’t want you to disturb her prayer. Just keep an eye on the chapel and make sure Pricilla is well attended until the Duke returns. I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable or wander around. The church and the surrounding complex are large and confusing. I need to make sure that my littlesister is safe, otherwiseIwouldn'tbe able to face my father. Won'tyou help me, Sir Lucas?”

After hearing this, any sign of hesitation disappeared from Luckas’ face. His fist hammered the left side of his chest.

“Yes. Of course, my lady. I’ll be on my way.”

And without further delay, he set off.

“Shameless prick!” hissed the young Binshi and threw a vicious glance after him.

“Don’t be too harsh, Rasha.”

“He deserves it! Didn’t you see how he was happily wagging his tail the moment he had the chance to leave his post and chase after-”

Suddenly, the young woman became silent.

“Ahem. How did you call me, my lady?”

“No need to continue pretending, Rasha.”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m Rish.”

“Rasha.” Lorelei stared straight at the Binshi.

“Oh, star-hounds bite me! How did you know?” Rasha’s shoulders slumped as she declared defeat.

“Well, you argued with Lucas and only jabbed him in the ribs once. Rish would have had the back of his neck burning before she even opened her mouth. You were unusually restrained around that priest. And you have been calling me persistently ‘my lady’ since we’ve arrived.”

“Damn!” Rasha blushed and kicked the marble floor with the tip of her boot. “I failed miserably. I thought it would be easier.”

“Well, I’ve told you too to call me by name, but you seem to be quite against it.”

“But you are my Duchess! My Lady Shimshi! And my benefactor! My ancestors will condemn me If I show you such disrespect.”

“But Rish can?” Lorelei lifted an eyebrow.

“She is a special type,” mumbled Rasha and ruffled her hair. “She’d beat the ancestors back to the Spirit Realm should they try to rant to her.”

“That’s our Rish, alright.” Lorelei chuckled but then her face darkened. “So, she’s that angry with me? She has been avoiding me, but still, to send you…”

“Not so much angry.” Rasha sighed and leaned on the railing next to her mistress. “I’d say she is more hurt than anything else. And guilty.”

“Guilty!? What for?”

“For letting you down and prying in your personal matters.”

“That’s nonsense! I snapped at her for no reason and hurt her!”

“Well, that’s our Rish.”

The two sighed simultaneously and stared at the tumultuous clouds gathering over Yalda. A few branching lightning bolts illuminated the storm, followed by distant thunder.

“How can I get her to forgive me?” whispered Lorelei after some time.

“You apologize.”

“Just that?”

“Well,” the young Binshi gave Lorelei a wry smile, “if you bring her some of that whale meat pie they sell on Netters’ Lane, she’ll be even more forgiving.”

“I’m serious, Rasha!”

“I’m too. My sister’s mood is a slave to her stomach. Oh, but make it two pies.”

“She has such a bottomless stomach?”

“Nope. The second one is the fee for my distinguished services as a bond-mender and sister-whisperer.”

The two young women looked at each other and laughed, applauded by another thunderclap.

“That one was quite close.” Rasha frowned and leaned a bit over the railing with eyes peeled at the sky.

“You’re right. We should go back-”

Before she could finish, an enormous eruption of bright light blinded them. It was like the sky had broken open. A roaring thunder shook the air and, as if not wanting to stay behind, the earth quaked under Loreli’s feet. She tumbled, but Rasha managed to catch her and steady her on her feet. In a heartbeat, the light was away, followed by an all-engulfing darkness.

Lorelei blinked furiously to clear her blurred vision, her ears still ringing from the thunder. Still, she could hear a strange moaning and cracking, accompanied by slight vibrations that seemed to come from under her feet.

“An earthquake?” she gasped.

Yet something felt wrong. The parishioners and passersby who had been running to seek refuge from the storm in the temple had stopped in their tracks, their faces lifted upwards and twisted with terror.

“Rish, something's not right. Come with me!”

Gathering her skirts, Lorelei ran down the stairs and among the sparse crowd. Midway down the staircase, she spun around and froze.

“Dear Fathers!”

On the canvas of the churning sky, the two towers of the church stood proudly like two hands, stretched out straight to the heavens in prayer. Like two wings, ready to bring the souls and devotions of the mortals to the kingdom of the Two Fathers. But right now, the right spire was dangerously tilting inwards, its stones charred and crumbling.

“Mir-Mama!” whispered Rasha shakily. “It… It’s leaning further!”

Before Lorelei could respond, a loud moan came from the tower. It grew faster into a deafening rumble, accompanied by the crystalline sound of shattering glass as the whole spire crashed on the main corpus of the church. The ground shook again and a huge cloud of dust erupted into the sky, only to be blown away by the wind.

It took Lorelei a couple of seconds to realize that the quaking had stopped and she was the one shaking. She stared blankly at the mutilated building until the first raindrop awoke her from her stupor.

“Noah,” she said hoarsely.

“W-what?” Rasha rubbed her eyes and stammered.

“Noah is still there!” Lorelei screamed and darted up the stairs. “There are people still inside!”

“Wait! It’s dangerous!”

But Lorelei didn’t listen. She ran as fast as she could on the slippery stones, wishing she had wings to fly over the distance, while at the same time dreading what she might find under the temple’s ruins.