Present:
"I do not think it is necessary to give you every detail of the events after that night. I think it shall suffice to say that the next nine or so years were spent learning about Lord Rhialhin's True Gods and the magic Galeorhin learnt from Lord Riax, as well as avoiding marriage and evading discovery," finishes Lheora.
"What happened after the nine years?" asks Ani'ca.
"My Second Initiation into the Priesthood of the Five, for one, and the other events that occured that year."
"Begin with the Initiation please," requests Ani'ca, "if it is not forbidden."
Lheora laughs at Ani'ca's second comment.
"And when has that bothered me?"
"Very well, as long it is not too difficult for you to talk about."
"I believe we already discussed that."
"Very well, when you are ready."
I recieved a message from Galeorhin, three days before that months meeting.
"What's so urgent, it couldn't wait until the meeting?" I asked, wrapping my arms around him briefly.
"Lord Rhialhin spoke to me today, the True Gods spoke to him in a dream."
We sat down on the grass and I motioned for him to continue.
"They requested that you be initiated into their Priesthood, after the next meeting."
"What?" I exclaimed, I would have leaped to my feet but Galeorhin was holding my hand.
"Please don't panic," he requested wearily, having become somewhat used to my emotional outbursts by now.
"I am not panicking, but what if he suspects something? What if They suspect something?"
"What if you stop worrying and calm down?" he suggested
"What if..." I caught him looking sternly at me. "... you tell me what I need to do to prepare?"
"Just come here after the meeting and wait."
"Well that was helpful," I replied, with a sigh.
"Naturally," replied Galeorhin with a teasing smile, "I aim to please."
"I remember," i said, teasing him right back, "I was there."
"Why so you were." He leaned closer to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. "And it is most unfortunate that I have to return to my duties, but I will see you in three days time."
"But Galeorhin," I stood up, "what if I can't convince him that I'm sincere, what if I can't convince Them?"
Galeorhin stood up, next to me, and hugged me close to him.
"Just think of what you know about his True Gods, besides I managed it and I was much deeper into my studies than you are."
"Thank you for your reassurance, Illanni."
(Means 'beloved', very old elven term, from before the current Gods. - AL)
"You are most welcome," he replied, "and now we had both best be getting back to our respective homes."
"Yes," I agreed unhappily, "my mother is returning home tonight."
"A bit early isn't she?"
"Yes, that worries me," I admitted quietly. "I really should go or I'll be late."
"Well?" said Galeorhin expectantly, several minutes later.
"I was waiting for you to let go," I pointed out gently, he muttered something unintelligible and let go of my waist.
I waited several minutes after he left, as always, then made my way home.
I had just enough time to change my clothes and get to the formal family meeting room before my Lady Mother arrived home.
"I can not stay long," she informed us straight away.
Us being; myself, my cousin Lady Sharell Calourhy, her four daughters and three of my own siblings as well as our fathers.
"I have come to make a Family announcement," she told us Formally, though I admit I have never known her to speak any other way.
"I wish to inform all those concerned that I have made a betrothal arrangement for our youngest Daughter, Lheora Yhanni, to Darylus Calourhy."
Everyone said the Formal congratulations to me and went their seperate ways.
"Are you well, daughter?"
"I am fine, mother, it is a most logical match."
"Of course it cannot take place until after Tidyule this year, are you able to wait three months?"
"I shall try," I replied faintly.
"Very well, i must return to Council, I shall see you at Tidyule."
"Yes, Mother."
"Until then."
"Until then."
I wanted to scream and curse her, but I didn't. I walked quietly to my room and lay down on the bed.
<< Galeorhin, are you busy? >>
<< Lheora Yhanni? >> His mental tone was startled.
<< Are you busy? >>
<< Not particularly, is this about your mother? >>
<< Yes, she has arranged for me to be joined with Lord Darylus Calourhy after Tidyule. >>
<< Is that so? >>
<< How can you be so calm? >>
<< Well, it was going to be a surprise, but I have arranged for the two of us to leave after Tidyule, I see no reason to change those plans. >>
<< Really? >>
<< Yes, really, although it is customary to ask the Lady in question before you run away with her, to use the human expression. >>
<< Yes, of course I will! >>
<< Better now? >>
<< Much! >>
<< Sleep well. >>
<< Sleep well. >>
At the meeting, three days later, I was extremely distracted by the prospect of my upcoming initiation into the ranks of the Priesthood, not only because I knew that they weren't truly Gods, but also because I had no idea what this 'Initiation' entailed!
The clearing was dark when I arrived, that surprised me as I was expecting Galeorhin to be waiting for me.
"Hello, is anyone there?"
A footstep alerted me to a presence behind me, a fully cloaked figure beckoned me to follow, we walked through the forest until I was totally confused as to our location.
"Stop," hissed the figure in a low voice I could not identify, I stopped in front of a large Altar/rock with a dark stain on it.
"Kneel before the Altar of the True Gods."
I complied, and a second figure, fully cloaked, stepped out of the trees.
"Speak the Oath," I was ordered.
"Yes, My Lord," I replied confidantly, fixing a clear image in my mind, of the web of life that surrounded our world. "I swear, on this Altar of the True Gods, that I will Worship them all my days on this world. Do Their work in return for the use of their Power and never speak false of Them."
"Now," said the Priest, handing me a small bundle, "seal you Oath with the blood of this Sacrifice."
The small bundle was a rabbit, I stared at it uncomprehending even as I was handed a knife, surely they did not truly intend for me to kill it!
Although I knew that humans offered blood sacrifice to the Gods, I didn't care, I set the rabbit on the ground and watched it run away.
"I will not," I said quietly, but firmly, "spill the blood of any innnocent creature, the only blood they will have from me is this."
I dragged the knife across the palm of my hand and set it upon the Altar.
"By my own blood I swear and if that is not good enough, then I have no place here and want none!"
"Well done, Lady Nikaria," said Lord Rhialhin, taking the knife from my hand, "you have passsed the final test."
"Congratulations, Lheora Yhanni," said Galeorhin, slipping his hands around my waist, and ignoring Lord Rhialhin's reproachful glare. "I knew you would do well!"
(Elven culture generally frowns at extramarital affairs and displays of public affection. - AL)
"Indeed, and now I must be away, I leave Lady-Priestess Lheora Yhanni in you care, Galeorhin, see that she gets home before dawn."
"Yes my Lord."
"Oh, and Lheora Yhanni?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Congratulations on your Betrothal."
"Thank you my Lord," I replied, with gritted teeth. Lord Rhialhin knew me well enough by then to know exactly how to bait me, just as he knew that I would not retaliate while Galeorhin was present.
As soon as Lord Rhialhin left, however...
"The nerve of the insufferable...!"
"Lheora Yhanni, you know he does it on purpose."
"Yes, I know," I sighed.
"I have something to show you." He had the air of some one who has been keeping a great secret and was finally allowed to share it.
"Oh?"
He took hold of my hand, and my vision blurred, when I opened my eyes we were back at the clearing.
"How?"
"I'll show you," he promised, "but not tonight, the rest of tonight is for leisure."
"As you say, My Lord," I agreed cheerfully, and I was home by dawn.