[Amanaduial the archer]

Through the stone corridors and past the private temple courtyard Zamara hastened, her shadow dancing surely over the carefully cultivated plants and small statues around the sides; the fingertips of one hand lightly and absently brushed the low wall around the courtyard. In her other hand she held a slim mahogany staff, plain dark wood that twisted around itself in a natural spiral to the more bulbous top, where a natural knot hole had been taken advantage off and set with a piece of facetted sand-crystal: otherwise it was plain, apart from the practical gold-leaf tip at the base that tapped softly on the floor as Zamara walked. Coming to the end of the corridor, she turned left opened the unlocked door that led into the temple: rarely if ever were the doors locked in these places, for none of the citizens would even think of entering. She frowned slightly, making a mental note that, as there were outsiders, this may have to be taken into account, but it was only a brief thought. Sweeping surefootedly down the lamplit spiral staircase, her robes trailing behind her, and entered the Temple through the inner sanctuary behind Rhais great statue. But the priestess was never in such a rush that time could not be taken for her goddess: rather than simply passing Rhais (unthinkable for anyone, and practically blasphemous for a priestess!), she came to stand directly in front of the statue and knelt in the typical bow to the goddess.

Tayfar, standing at the door with another of the acolytes waiting to accompany Zamara, heard the soft sounds of the other woman's robes swishing across the stone floor of the temple, and straightened up hastily. As she looked into the temple, she saw Zamara frozen at the depth of her bow, her delicately painted hands held in front of her in the motion of vulnerability and her back to the door. All the naptha lights were lit throughout the temple now, as night approached, with special attention paid to the area around the statue, and in their flickering light the golden strips through the High Priestess' wavy hair seemed to shine and dance, and her white robes seemed to glow, her elegant, feminine figure bathed in a soft circle of light. As if she is a goddess herself, Tayfar thought awefully, then shook herself, allowing herself a quick genuflection to Rhais at such a strange and possibly wicked thought, before bowing in unison with the other acolyte as Zamara walked towards them.

The trio passed down the great steps in a triangular formation, the two younger women walking behind the High Priestess as they made their way first to Tarkan's apartment: it was right that the foremost leaders of each deity's worship would enter the banquet together. Zamara bid Tayfar and the other - an older, silent girl by the name of Sedaar - to wait at the bottom of the steps as she walked forward and tapped three times on the door with the end of her staff. It opened immediately and a young man of Zamara's height bowed deeply to her in silence. The woman's smile greeted him when he straightened up - she recognised the young man from the temple. "Good evening, sir: is the Priest ready?"

"May the sun and blessings of Rea shine upon you, High Priestess Zamara." A slightly grating but genial voice spoke from behind other man before he himself could answer, and Tarkan emerged, splendid in his own fashion in the same way as Zamara, his shirt and robes over it picked out in fine embroidery, made of rich, dark silk.

"May Rhais' lend her blessing and fruits towards you, O Priest," Zamara reciprocated formally, pressing her palms together and raising them to chin level. Tarkan gave a dry smile as he stepped forward and covered her hands with his palms, and they both bent their forehead together solemnly. Parting, they moved down the steps, the younger man closing the door - and locking it, Zamara noticed - and hurrying after them, falling into step with Tayfar and Sedaar behind Tarkan as they made their way through the moonlit streets towards the palace.

Zamara inquired politely as to Tarkan's health, and they exchanged a few sparse pleasantries, slipping to first name terms rather than their formal titles (which were many and varied), before she moved onto the matter that she wished to hear his view on: although their jobs were, superficially, similar, the Priest and Priestess rarely talked or saw each other, and as they were quite different people, this appeared to suit both quite well. This distance, and their own personalities, caused some stiffness and formality between them; but despite this, Zamara did respect her male counterpart's views on matters that concerned them both - such as this one. "Tarkan, I presume you have heard of the newcomers of - the emissary and his retinue from the West?"

The older priest shrugged his thin shoulders lightly. "Not much, Zamara. I was...less aware than I should have liked of this banquet, and it's reasons," he replied, glancing briefly over his shoulder at the man who followed, who blushed and averted his eyes. Zamara wondered about this, and about the shy grin that Tayfar then exchanged with him, but didn't comment. She frowned a little, the stark white kohl dancing on her forehead. "You do not know of them?"

"Are they particularly remarkable?"

The priestess raised her eyebrows and smiled at Tarkan, cocking her head slightly to one side. "They travelled over the great desert, just to see the King - and, I believe, to present him with gifts. They wish for an...alliance, I believe."

"An alliance between the East and the West?" Tarkan's voice was slightly incredulous. The woman nodded sagely in agreement. "Exactly, my lord. It is strange indeed..."

"Their other purposes? Have they expressed any way in which they would like to...seal this alliance?"

Zamara paused. "I had not thought of it, Tarkan. I do not think they had expressed any will for marriage with the princess; if they were to, I think it may cause more trouble than it's worth with Lord Korak." She looked up ahead again and took in the grand sight of the palace, lit and decorated splendidly, the sounds of business and merriment already coming from inside. She nodded once to Tarkan as she caught his eyes again, her dark gaze emphatic. "No doubt we will find out tonight their intentions, for the sake of our deities if nothing else."

Tarkan looked at her questioningly as she said the last part, but did not speak, for as they came to the grand, arched entrance of the palace, a servant, obviously waiting for them, came forward and bowed deeply. After addressing them formally, he conveyed her majesty's wishes that the priest and priestess dined on her table that night. Unruffled - for it was quite usual - Zamara consented and, dismissing Tayfar and Sedaar (along with Tarkan's attendant) with another servant, she readjusted her grip on her staff, took a deep breath of apprehension, and followed the servant along with Tarkan.