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He chuckled at her surprise. "I am Russo. My flock will be camping ten miles north of Ersgath for the next week to trade our goods and prepare for the last leg of our journey into the hills. If you wish to learn more about my people and the position you could have if you chose to join us, simply come to the camp and ask to speak with me. even if you simply wish to chat, and peruse our wares, you will be welcome." He paused to glance at Kel. "You may bring your manservant, so long as you vouch for him and he follows our customs."

"I'm Lyra," she said, more out of reflex than anything. She hadn't been expecting anything like this when he approached her. She had only just begun to get used to how people treated her due to her status as a priestess, but this was beyond anything she had ever imagined. "Are you a priest, too?"

He nodded. "Yes. All of our leaders must be able to commune with our gods. Our methods of worship are different from yours, but they have served us well and we have a rich history that I would have happy to share with you when we have more time to speak. Can I hope to see you again before we must leave continue our journey to the north?"

She had no idea how long she and Kel would stay in Ersgath or what she could expect from the meeting with Milo and Erik tomorrow, but she also didn't want to turn him down out of hand. She couldn't deny that she was interested — not to accept his offer, but to see a little more of this world and the people who lived here. It didn't sound like she would be committing to anything if she visited his camp.

"I would like to, but I don't know if I'll have time," she said at last. "Thank you for offering, though. Your bird is beautiful."

He laughed at that and turned to go, saying over his shoulder, "I hope to see you again, Lyra, but if I do not, then travel well. And remember that your holy blood sets you apart from the mundane. Even if you never ride at the head of one of our flocks, you should still ride like a queen."

He rejoined the procession and with a gesture from him, they started moving again, with the clear tones of the bell ringing out once more. He nodded at her as he passed by and she gave him a polite smile and nod back before turning her attention to the other people in his group. There were a lot of them, men and women and children who ran fearlessly past the taloned feet of the creches. None of the other birds was as large as the white bird Russo rode on, but they were all formidable.

Oxen drawn carts carried supplies and passengers, both the very old and the very young. Not everyone was riding a bird or in the carts; a lot of people were walking on foot, but they all seemed happy, chatting casually or watching the crowds curiously as they passed by. The people of Ersgath stared back at them more warily, and the crowd around her remained mostly silent until the last of the procession had passed, continuing along the road north through town. Only then did people start moving again, the town getting back to normal once the Aketians were gone. Kel patted Aeliana's neck one last time, then began to lead the horse forward again.

"Was he being serious?" she asked as they started walking. "He really wants me to join his flock and lead them myself one day, and ride on one of those giant birds?"

He glanced over his shoulder at her but only for a second, the crowds forcing him to focus on where he was leading the horse. "I've heard of them poaching clergy," he admitted. "With fewer people who have the holy blood being born, they probably have little in the way of other options. I believe his offer was a genuine one. You would join his flock as an apprentice, though they likely have another word for it, and learn about their traditions and culture until you assumed a leadership position yourself." He paused, then added, "It would be an interesting life. They are a nomadic people, so you would travel frequently instead of having a temple or home of your own, but traveling is not a hardship for them. They have been perfecting the art of traveling for their entire history, and as a priestess, you would be the last to experience any hardship."

"I don't want to lead anyone, I just want to go home." She paused. "It would be neat to visit them, though. Do you think we'll have time? I know we're supposed to get to the city before God's Day, and that's the most important thing to me, but once I finally get home, I'm sure I'll wish I would have spent more time learning about this world."

"It would delay us by a day or two," he said. "I don't believe we will be cutting it that close, so it should be possible. Once you are settled in the temple, I will go to the stables and inquire about purchasing a horse of my own. Once we're both able to ride, we can move more swiftly. If you wish to visit the Aketians before we go, then we can do so." "Cool. Of course, that's only if Milo and Eric end up not being able to help."

She was still reeling from the discovery that she wasn't the only person who was from her world, and she was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. The last few hours were a far cry from the quiet and somewhat boring journey from Lokokami.

Stolen novel; please report.

"I don't think you should get your hopes up, pries—Lyra," Kel said. "If they are in the same situation as you, they probably don't know any more than you do. However, I do think it's safe to assume the Great God is the one who brought them here. I don't think another god would have the power. Perhaps, they could bring one person from another world, but three, or even more? No. Either this is the doing of a blood god, or the Great God has an unknown reason to bring people from your world to ours. I hope you get your answers, but even when you do, you may not be able to return home immediately if you have an important task to complete here first."

She hadn't thought of that. Of course, it made sense that whoever brought her here had a reason behind doing so, but somehow it hadn't occurred to her that she might need to see that reason through before she could go home. If it was just a person behind all of this, someone who had sacrificed to the right god to bring her, Erik, and Milo here, then she could probably do whatever she wanted as long as she was able to convince another god to send her home.

But if the Great God or another powerful god had brought her here to fulfill some divine need, she might not have a choice but to do whatever it was they wanted her to do. She didn't like the thought that there was a fate laid out for her by some deity, and she liked the feeling that she was powerless to do anything about it even less.

She sighed. "Well, whatever the reason, tomorrow morning is the earliest chance I'll have to learn more about it. It's going to be hard to relax this evening. Do you think this temple has a place to bathe?"

He made a low sound of amusement. "You'll see. I think you will be pleased."

The Temple of Loreas was a shining marble estate that took up an entire town block. When Lyra saw it and realized it was their destination, she once again became keenly aware of her dirty clothes and the fact that she hadn't had a real shower in more than two weeks. Scrubbing herself in a cold river with a hard bar of soap didn't get close to making her feel properly clean.

She felt like a street urchin, and the white marble of the temple was spotless.

"Kel," she said, shifting uncomfortably in the saddle. "Hold on. I can't go in there looking like this. I smell like a horse and, frankly, I probably look like one too. I'm dusty and sweaty and gross. They're going to kick me out as soon as they see me."

"They would never do such a thing," he assured her. "The god's lιən includes travelers and recovery from long journeys. Ersgath is on the intersections of the two major roads through the Helioclades, and they are used to servicing travelers of all sorts. They will provide you with everything you need to wash the rigors of the road off of yourself. Besides, you are a priestess. They will welcome you with open arms."

She still felt uncertain as they approached, but Kel had yet to lead her astray, so she just sat stiffly in the saddle as he led Aeliana to toward the temple. He halted the horse in front of the ornate entrance. White pillars with carvings of men and women eating grapes, resting in pools, and enjoying other recreational activities framed a double door that was twice as tall as she was.

"You should dismount here. I will arrange a stay in the stable for your horse and look to purchasing my own."

"Are you going to come back? Will you stay here too?" she asked as she slid out of the saddle. She paused to pat the mare's neck. Hopefully the stable was a good one and would give Aeliana the attention she deserved. She had been doing all the hard work of carrying Lyra around for the last week, after all.

"I cannot," he reminded her. "Not with the relic I carry. The god would not let me in the doors, and I do not wish to draw attention to us by trying. I will stay at a nearby tavern, one I have stayed at before called The Dancing Gala. If you follow this block to its end, the tavern is on the corner to your right. If you need me this evening, that is where you can find me. Otherwise, I will meet you at these doors in the morning. Do you have everything you need from your horse's saddlebags? I'm sure one of the clergy or another of the god's worshippers will be glad to show you to the stable if you forget anything, but it will be easier for you if you can simply rest once you are inside."

"I think I've got everything I need in my backpack," she said.

She felt suddenly, inexplicably nervous at the thought of Kel leaving her alone here. She hadn't felt the same in Lokokami, but that was a small village, and not only would it have been impossible for her to get lost there, but everyone there had been tripping over themselves to get on her good side. In the busy streets of Ersgath, people rarely gave her a second look other than to get out of her way or occasionally give her a nod of respect. Oddly, it was Russo, the other priest, who had paid the most attention to her, rather than the normal people.

Kel started to turn away with Aeliana, but she must have looked forlorn, because he paused and returned to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "All will be well," he said, meeting her eyes. His blue gaze was full of a steady belief in his own words, and it was reassuring. "Trust me, you will be welcome in this temple and your every need will be seen to. In fact, I am certain they would be more than glad for you to stay here permanently, though I know that is not your wish. You will not feel like a stranger here for long, and if you need anything, I shall be at the tavern once I return from the stable. Don't forget that you are a priestess. The Aketian lord was right. You should not forget about your holy blood or the privileges it gives you. You need only say the word, and anyone within hearing distance will jump to obey. You have nothing to fear. Not here, not in Ersgath, and certainly not inside of a temple."

She swallowed, touched by his reassurance and the fact that he had even noticed how nervous she was, but before she could find something to say, he was gone, leading Aeliana away down the crowded road. She turned to look at the imposing temple doors. They were made out of wood so dark they were almost black, and polished to a shine. Only Kel's promise that she would be welcome here gave her the courage to approach the entrance, her worn boots covered in red dust and sweat sticking her tunic to her lower back. She really hoped this place had somewhere she could bathe, preferably with warm water and shampoo. She would feel a lot more confident once she had a chance to get properly clean.