The knock at the door just about caused Ranni to jump clear out of her skin, the Priestess whipping around to look towards the door as she took a moment to catch her breath. Quickly, the girl stepped over to the window next to the Temple’s entrance, her violet gaze falling upon the two guards waiting outside. An expression of confusion could be clearly read across her fair features, even as she disappeared from view and the door unlocked before opening up. The Priestess stood before the two guards, offering a polite bow as they started to speak.
Her tail twitched wildly for a moment, betraying her surprise as her eyes went wide for a brief moment. ”The Prince and Princess? Has something happened? O-of course I’d be happy to accompany you, but as you can see I’ve guests within here. I cannot very well leave them while the alarm is ringing…” The Priestess responded, looking back towards the two women within the temple with a look of genuine concern, before her gaze locked back on the two guards.
The younger guard's brown eyes flicked over the Priestesses shoulder, taking in the two figures who had gathered behind her, their faces etched with concern.
“Is everything alright?”
A short huff of disbelief exhaled from the older guard as both their gazes landed on the rabbit-eared creature who had spoken up. Yet another blight-born harbored inside an Aurelian temple.
“Would it be alright if I accompanied the priestess? I don’t want to be left here alone.”
Their gaze shifted to the white-haired woman who spoke—seemingly human—and the younger guards' gaze softened just a touch at the sight of her.
“No. We’ve orders to escort the Priestess and the Priestess alone.” the older guard replied quickly, his facial expression stern and uncaring.
The younger guard shot him a sidelong glance before returning his gaze to the blight-born Priestess. “I will stay here to keep watch.” he declared, giving her a slight nod of reassurance. “Sergeant Langley here will escort you to the royals, miss.” he added, stepping aside to meet eyes with his older counterpart.
Langley considered the younger guard's decision for a moment, then nodded in agreement. This arrangement was acceptable—let the kid stay on watch all night. Langley, on the other hand, would return to the warmth of his own quarters after getting the blighted Priestess to her destination.
“You’ll be in good hands with Corporal Morris.” Langley agreed, glancing briefly at the pair who would remain in the temple before fixing his deep blue eyes to the Priestess. “Please, follow me, miss.” He said, gesturing for her to step outside and descend the stairs with him.
The Priestess stood silently for a long few moments, seeming to ponder over the guard’s offered compromise before giving a polite nod and bow of her head. ”Very well.” She said, looking back towards the Brazier in the center of the Temple. ”A second.” She said, moving quickly to the center to stoke the flames and offer additional fuel to the blaze. ”That should keep,” She whispered as she turned back towards the guards. Locking eyes now with the one who would be staying behind.
”Thank you, Corporal Morris. Aeli- No, I appreciate your willingness to stay.” She said, then moving to make her way out to descend the stairs with the Sergeant. Morris offered the Priestess a small smile before turning to close the door. Just before it shut, his gaze met his superior’s for a brief, silent exchange. Langley gave him a curt nod of appreciation, then turned to follow the Priestess out into the cold.
”What is… what is going on? With the Alarms, and the Prince?” She asked the man shortly after the two had left the temple.
Langley glanced down at the shorter woman as they walked toward town, eyeing her. Weighing if she were worth the air he’d waste in giving her information. He supposed, if this woman were to help the Princess, then he’d ought to tell her—blight-born or not.
“There’s been an attack.” he said finally, his voice lowered to keep it between the two of them. “Blight-born.” He tried his best to keep the venom out of his words.
“The Princess was involved and we’re still looking for the creature who attacked.” he added, turning his gaze to the snow-dusted path ahead and resting an uneasy hand on the hilt of his sword. “That’s all I know. We were given orders to bring you to the royals straight away.”
”A-an attack!?!” The Priestess exclaimed, subconsciously taking a step in closer to the guard as her gaze suddenly became more alert and scanning the surroundings. Thats where Dyna is… She thought, then looked back towards the Guard with a worried expression. ”T-then let us make it to the Princess with the most haste. Surely, Aelios’ radiance will heal any of her woes.” Ranni said quietly, sticking close to the guard in a hope for some feeling of safety.
Langley walked in silence beside the Priestess, his gaze sharp as he scanned the dimly lit streets. Every distant sound, every flicker of movement in the shadows, kept him alert. He greeted several passing guards with curt nods, exchanging quick words when necessary, but otherwise remained focused on his task.
And yet, despite his discipline, he found his thoughts wandering. Straying. The Priestess’s presence beside him stirred something unwelcome in him. It was strange. Unnatural. He had no love for the church, least of all an Aurelian one, and certainly never had he given a second glance to a blight-born in his life. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, her closeness set his thoughts wandering down a path he had no business treading. The warmth of her beside him, the way her robes shifted with each step, the scent of incense that clung faintly to her—it gnawed at something deep and vile in him.
He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to suppress the unwelcome impulses. All he wanted was to finish this errand, hand her off to the royals, and return home to rest.
After nearly fifteen minutes, they arrived at the entrance to the royal residence. Langley cast an assessing glance over the guard stationed at the entrance—an Aurelian, clad in pristine, polished armor. ‘Spoiled brat.’
He gave the man a nod before speaking. “I’m here to deliver the Priestess, as instructed.”
The Aurelian hesitated. Though his face was obscured beneath his helm, the silence stretched, laced with confusion.
“Where is Lady Hightower? And Priestess Tingara?” the guard finally asked.
“I don’t know any Tingara….” he frowned, glancing at the blonde beside him for a moment. “But last I saw, Hightower was with my superior—Aliseth Kain. Kain told me and another to assist with Lady Hightower’s tasks.” He lifted a brow, curiosity sparking. “Why? She never made it back?” It was a difficult thing to fight back a smirk.
‘Did Kain bed the Sage? That scoundrel.’ He thought, beginning to wonder if he should have acted on his impulses earlier with this blight-born Priestess. Maybe the Aurelians were easier than they looked. He could have made it quick.
A displeased grunt was the only response before the Aurelian guard turned and pushed open the heavy door.
“Priestess, please head upstairs.” he instructed curtly. “Another guard will be waiting to allow you into the Princess’s chambers.”
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