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“Well…yes…but…” Gjeelea’s voice trailed off as she looked to the statue of Rhais behind Zamara. Turning to meet the High Priestess’ gaze Gjeelea could see that the woman had asked a question she already knew the answer to. “I had hoped to worship, of course, but I also wished to know your opinion on certain matters that have been troubling me lately.”
“My opinion?” Zamara prompted in lofty voice. Gjeelea paused, unsure of how to continue in the conversation. Surely there were things that the High Priestess need not know, musings of the princess’ mind that did not need to be revealed yet. Still, Gjeelea so desperately wished to know how others felt about the Emissary and the new temple – she wanted to know how to tread in the future with such delicate issues.
“Of course, High Priestess,” the princess let an airy, barely-there smile lift the corners of her lips. “I value your opinion, and I know that you of all people could help me see the true path – you know many things,” Gjeelea paused and peeked once more past Zamara to the lovely statue of Rhais behind her. “I trust you.”
Zamara nodded at the exaggeration that Gjeelea had given, and gestured toward a white stone bench across the wide room. Leaves and flowers had been carved into the legs of the bench while stone vines adorned with little berries lined the seat. Zamara took a seat, and Gjeelea sat next to her. Gjeelea was not afraid to seem meek and child-like in front of the High Priestess. The princess decided that perhaps the best way to seek the opinion of Zamara would be to act younger than she really was – act as if she were in search of spiritual guidance, almost. Gjeelea knew that the face she wore with Siamak or Korak or Bekah did not have to be the same face she wore with Zamara.
“What troubles you, princess?” Zamara inquired.
“Oh, many things, High Priestess,” Gjeelea began with a heaving sigh, trying to portray the feeling of a weighty decision. She shook her head slightly, like a mother upset with her children. “The choice of whether to accept or to deny the Emissary’s offer of an alliance weighs heavy on my heart and mind. My worst fear is that Siamak and I will make the wrong decision. I wished to gain the aid of Rhais; I came more often to the temple, but I fear also that I have been abandoned. I hope now to gain your opinion of the Emissary…” Gjeelea paused, and watched as Zamara nodded to herself and waited for a continuation. “Also…it worries me that the King must choose between Siamak and myself. I worry that it will create a rift between us!” The princess tried hard not to choke on the words, for she knew that a rift had long existed between her and her brother.
“I see,” Zamara said quietly. She looked up, staring right into Gjeelea’s eyes with her own strangely blue tinted eyes, and the princess turned quickly away for the look penetrated too deeply for her taste. “Does aught else bother you, princess?”
“Well…there is something else,” Gjeelea murmured softly. She met Zamara’s gaze quickly, ready to tell a lie. “I hope that you will not reveal what I tell you in confidence?”
“No, of course not,” came the reply, and Gjeelea tried to read the level of honesty in Zamara’s voice.
“I have been pondering lately the role of women in our society – this issue that I felt closest to Rhais. It is unfair that we are not bound by law to marry or to accept an arranged marriage and yet there is society between equality and us women. I am not being forced to marry Lord Korak…I am allowed to refuse,” – and many think that I should, Gjeelea thought – “Yet I know that my chances of becoming queen are slim if I do not marry someone. I know that refusing Korak would mean shame and distrust from his powerful family forever. Society creates unwritten rules where the kings do not wish to.”
A silent pause came between the two women.
“Can you help me – comfort me – High Priestess?” Gjeelea tried to appear as helpless as possible – as child-like as she could.
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