Chapter 9

The meeting didn’t last much longer after the decision was made. Many of the men spread out and began eating food while some left having had their fill before the excitement began. Lilith watched as a steward began talking to the priest before getting a mop to clean up the sludge from the succubus’s severed wing. He probably wanted to know if it was safe to touch before interacting with it she surmised. The cautious act reminded her of how dangerous and hated demons were. Figuring she was going to need to try and get on the good side of as many people as possible she waved to the priest again in a bid to call him over now that her meal and entertainment were finished this seemed as good a time as any for introductions.

“You are Lilith of Avernus correct? I am Father Theodon. I serve humbly as the caretaker of Lathander’s temple in this fair city.” He then extended his hand to shake hers much to Lilith’s surprise.

She shook his hand carefully and then said “It is just Lilith, I have never been to Avernus that was a ruse to fool the succubus played by Sir Tanel I presume. And thank you for your greeting. Very few people have shaken my hand today.”

“Well after what you have done for this town I am sure that will change.” He said as he nodded at her reassuredly.

“If you have a moment I would like you to hear a concern of mine.” Lilith asked while motioning for the priest to sit down.

As he struggled to sit down at the table, a feat not made any easier because of his long golden robes, he said “I will hear your request gladly. But my authority stops at the edge of the temple unless the regent wills it.”

Lilith bit her lip struggling to think of the best way to ask something that might be obvious to so many others. Not being one for delicacy She decided to down the last of her wine and get right to the point. “What is the difference between a priest and a cleric?”

The priest’s eyes lit up with excitement as it was a question he could easily answer. “Well priests like myself are taught the knowledge and wisdom of Lathander and choose the duty to serve his will and spread his message. His message is to spread, promote and protect birth, new life and self improvement. A cleric is similar you see. They too have been taught the knowledge and wisdom of Lathander but have also received divine power from him. They fight disease and disease causing monsters and witches. They slay the undead and those who would summon them. They also lead our greater organization and some commune directly with Lathander himself.”

Lilith swallows a lump in her throat before speaking. “I understand a cleric will be sent here in the next few days.” she pauses and clenched her hands. “Assuming I don’t disappear in two hours do you think you could ask this cleric not to banish me?”

A clock chimed out ten o'clock at that very moment causing Lilith to bow her head and laugh at the absurdity of her entire day thus far. Father Theodon scrunches his face in deep thought for a second and then replies “The cleric will either report to myself or Sir Tanel when he arrives. I will put in a good word for you when I see him and I am sure Sir Tanel will do the same.”

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Lilith releases her hands and lets out a breath “Thank you Father.”

“Is there anything else?” He asked looking at her with curious eyes.

Lilith shook her head no.

“Then will you come to my service tomorrow at noon?”

Lilith and Celeste both looked at the priest in complete shock. Lilith thought that it was a good thing she had finished her wine earlier or else it would be all over that fancy hat for sure. “Are you certain? Am I even allowed?”

Father Theodon leaned in closer and said “It is my duty to invite all who would hear his word but I understand your surprise. No Evil may enter our temple so long as the Blessed symbol of Lathander is on the altar.” Then holding up one hand to the side of his face as if he is telling a secret he added “It keeps the collection plates very safe.”

Lilith, Celeste and the priest all laughed together for a bit before he continued “If the towns people see you in the temple I imagine a lot more people will be happy to shake your hand in the future.”

“I will try to attend then Father Theo but I will only pray to my god. You see he has a specific commandment about that.”

“I understand then it can’t be helped. The invitation still stands though. I hope to see you after the new dawn.” The priest then pushed the bench back stood up and gave a short bow to each of them and left.

Lilith saw a few other guild leaders and nobles leaving as well. One of them, a Dwarf, caught her attention as she realized it was her first time seeing him. Then thought occurred to her that he might have been the unseen voice that was calling out the parliamentary orders earlier.

With the party now officially dead Lilith and Celeste went back into her room where she helped her get out of the dress and hang it up properly. Oddly the wound on Lilith’s forearm had completely healed without even a scar. She looked at it for a second before continuing to dress herself.

Now wearing a night gown Lilith heard the clock strike eleven. She talked with Celeste about mundane things. Where the restrooms were, and what were the rules about wearing shoes and whether or not she could come to breakfast in her evening gown or if there was some level of dress between pajamas and formal wear. Celeste showed her the commoners clothes in the closet where Lilith had put the black dress. They were clean and functional and Celeste assured her they were good enough to attend both breakfast and the noon temple service.

They continued to talk for the next hour, just the two of them talking about their different upbringings on two different worlds. Lilith of course had to fib a little trying to frame her childhood as being from the perspective of a girl. Oddly enough she still found she could relate to a lot of what Celeste told her since they both seemed to come from upper middle-class families.

Then as the clock struck twelve Lilith’s heart sank Celeste hugged her and didn’t let go. The final chime sounded but nothing happened. Celeste tried to let go but only managed to look up at Lilith to see that she was still there. But Lilith didn’t release her. Instead her eyes were still closed for another minute as she doubted the accuracy of the clocks in this world. After a minute Celeste shook her a little and said. “See you are fine.”

Lilith finally opened her eyes and smiled. “Really I’m still here?”

“Yes you’re still here in Daggerford.”

“Oh god what a day.” she sighed rolling on her back and still holding on to one of Celeste's hands.

“Ya, tomorrow will be better right? You aren’t going to wake me up in the morning and tell me to kill a Balor are you?”

“No. That was the only demon we had in town. Present company excluded of course.”

“Good.”

“Look I am pretty tired too. You will be fine. Now get some sleep. I am going back to the tower but I will come check on you in the morning.” Celeste hugged Lilith once again and then left closing the door behind her after blowing out the last candle.

Now alone for only the second time that day Lilith pulled her legs up and slipped them under the covers and tried to relax. The days events had been memorable and many and it took some time for her to fall asleep but she was finally able to rest. Her dreams were chaotic and undecipherable much like the day’s events. The sum total making no sense to her. Then she saw a light.