Present:
"So went my introduction to the Heathen Gods," Lheora concludes, Ani'ca interupts.
"What did Riax want Galeorhin to tell you, did you remember?" Her urgency is obvious, the affairs of the Gods are the one thing that the Historians cannot record.
"of course I remembered, about half way through the month in fact, and what a long tedious month it was. My life followed a very strict routine, lessons during the days, gatherings or solitary study in the evenings. One of the good things about routine - especially when you're a good liar - is that it can be manipulated, which is what I did the entire time I was going to the meetings."
"You were telling me about what Riax said," Ani'ca interupts impatiently.
"Yes I was, now let's see, On the full moon of the next month I told my cousin, who was Head of the Household in my parents absence, that I was joining a group of friends for a game of Qylls, then I went to the clearing to meet Galeorhin..."
I was feeling less excited than I expected to be that night, mainly because I had spent the last month listening to my familys side of my cousins marriage negotiations, and my cousin Lady Sharell kept dropping hints in my general direction.
Galeorhin was early again, this time I walked faster and louder so as not to surprise him.
"Good evening, Galeorhin," I said, hesitant to use his name even with permission.
"Good evening, Lheora Yhanni," he replied. "It seems we are both early."
"Yes," I replied absently.
"Are you well?"
"Yes, I apologise, I was... thinking."
"Really?"
"Yes, I do that sometimes," I snapped halfheartedly. "Tell me, do you know a Lord by the name of Darylus Calourhy, he's a distant cousin of mine."
"We've met at court, he is a junior councillor."
"I see, my aunt - the family matchmaker - thinks him a good prospect for me."
Galeorhin made a sceptical noise, "I highly doubt it, Lord Darylus is one of the more rulebound of the counsillors and he's far too old for you."
"The same age as you," I remarked casually. Alright, making a poor attempt to sound casual. "Not that it matters. I shall probably end up marrying whoever my family chooses for me."
"Perhaps," he replied mysteriously, "it may be that you will choose to leave before such a time."
"what do you mean 'leave'?"
"The forest, there are other lands you know."
"You're serious?"
"Of course, I plan to go myself, someday."
Yet another revelation to shock me, I leaned heavily against a tree trunk.
"The thought never occured to me."
"I guessed that, by your reaction to the suggestion."
"I need to tell you something."
"Yes?" he asked curiously.
"When the Gods spoke to me, it was like I was in another world."
"Another part of it, yes."
"They talked as though I wasn't there, then they bid me farewell, except the Fire Lord, he left in silence." Instictively I did not mention the God's name. "The only one left was the Lord of Death."
Galeorhin started, it seemed that this meant something to him.
"Yes and did he bid you farewell?"
"He did indeed, but first he bid me ask you to share something that he told you, at your first meeting with him, perhaps you could enlighten me?"
He was silent for a few minutes, gathering his thoughts as far as I could tell (he told me later that he was setting magic shields).
" 'Upon this world and around it there are many things, secrets within secrets, lies within lies, enemies among allies, and friends among enemies.' This is what was told to me by the Lord of Death."
"But what does it mean?" I exclaimed in frustration.
"Be patient, Lheora Yhanni, I'm getting to it."
Present:
Lheora stops speaking before she reaches Galeorhin's explanation.
"Well?" asks the Dhija maid impatiently.
"Before i continue, I need to know who else this knowledge will be shared with."
"I am the only one who can read it unless I give them access, in fact if you so wish I can simply not record it until you give me permission."
"Very well," agrees Lheora carefully, "but I want you to promise before I start."
"I promise, not a word that you have spoken to me today will pass through my or onto a record until i have your permission, no matter what you tell it will remain secret."
"I accept your pledge, by the true Gods' name, it is sealed."
Satisfied with both answer and promise, Lheora begins to speak again.