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Zamara tried to hide it, but Gjeelea saw the flash of dismay in the High Priestess’ eye at the manner in which the princess had spoken to her. The princess knew she had played the wrong card. No matter, Gjeelea thought smugly. Now I know better than to play that game with her. The princess knew that she needed to figure out the High Priestess and how to retrieve information from her. Gjeelea had not been completely dishonest or joking in her speech to the High Priestess, either, so she felt no distress in the failure of her act on Zamara.
“No, High Priestess,” the princess shook her head and let a smile slip before bowing her head to the woman. Zamara had not answered all of Gjeelea’s questions, but the princess knew better than to push the matter further than it had already gone. Gjeelea would come back some other time and speak with Zamara – more frankly – about current issues. Zamara was a smart woman and Gjeelea had always known that; now the princess knew how perceptive the High Priestess was. “Thank you for your reassuring words.”
With that Gjeelea nodded once more to the woman and stepped quietly up to the statue of Rhais. After bowing she knelt down low before the statue of the lovely earth Goddess. Gjeelea closed her eyes, feeling Zamara’s presence still in the room but knowing that the large hall was otherwise empty.
Blessed Goddess, I ask only for you to help me in the days ahead. It is not the nature of your ways to be vengeful, nor is it your way to inflict pain or hate upon others. I know this well, and I ask not for you to help me over my brother – only to guide both of us to the rightful path, wherever that may be. My place may not be the throne and if that is the case, I ask for help in learning my true place. I ask also for guidance in the matter of judging the Emissary. I am quick to judge on so many levels – I feel perceptive but I know that it might also be my weakness. Help me to see things clearly in all lights. This is much to ask of you and I thank you in all that you do for this wondrous earth…
Her prayer felt almost scripted or recited to perfection. Gjeelea knew no other way to speak to someone who had never spoken back to her before. The princess stood and bowed the ceremonial bow. She moved back towards the entrance of the temple to make her exit. Looking back over her shoulder, Gjeelea saw Zamara moving towards the statue of Rhais.
“High Priestess?” Gjeelea called, dropping the childish, innocent voice for a more informal tone. Zamara turned to the voice. Her brow rose in question, waiting for the princess to continue. “Have no doubt for my truth…only hope. I will return tomorrow.”
Without another word Gjeelea left the temple and returned to the streets of Kanak. The sky had darkened significantly since she had entered Rhais’ home, and where once little grey clouds had flown now sifted blackening smog. She had hoped to spend time with Korak that day; their wedding was fast approaching and Gjeelea disliked the stares she received from the city people when she walked alone. Besides that, the princess still questioned her decision to continue with the wedding and hoped to know Korak better. If he truly was as stupid and impressionable as she thought, then he would be easily controlled and his façade of strength and cunning would soon fade for her. Even so, Gjeelea did not like the idea of spending the rest of her nights and days lonely despite being ‘happily’ married. In her hope for finding Korak, Gjeelea decided to search first the site of the new temple to Rae. She knew that Korak funded the endeavor along with Lady Arshalous, and the princess hoped that was where he would be.
Ambling down the road Gjeelea turned a corner on her way to the nearby temple. The princess cried out as she tripped right over a young man with a little wheelbarrow stopped in the middle of the street. She felt her heart stop and begin to beat out of time just as she hit the ground.
“Oh, my, are you all right?” the man piped, looking over to the princess. Frightened more than anything else and not hurt at all, Gjeelea nodded vigorously to the man and got to her knees. “I was just picking up my things – they fell out of my wheelbarrow!”
Gjeelea nodded without a word and moved to help the man pick up the rolls of parchments and other small trinkets and replace them in the cart. The man helped Gjeelea to her feet and both proceeded to brush the dust off their clothing. When her white gown had been sufficiently freed of dust the princess took a good look at the man. He looked quite familiar, like she had seen him often before but never learned his name. It took her a moment of examining before she realized that the man was likewise examining her.
“Princess?” the man bowed from his waist.
“I recognize you…” Gjeelea murmured, not wanting to guess his name and be terribly wrong. The man lifted his head. Yes, I know this man…I think.
“I am Pelin, my lady,” the man said, and it indeed helped Gjeelea to remember.
“You are the one who is always with the Priest?” Gjeelea asked, and Pelin nodded.
“I am going now with his things to the new temple,” he replied, gesturing to the wheelbarrow filled to the brim with little odds and ends. “We are moving in to the new apartments.”
“Really…” the princess mused for just a moment before continuing. I had been meaning to speak to the Priest anyway, she thought. When I am done there, I can look for Korak. “Pelin, would you be so kind as to escort me there, then? Escort me to the Priest?”
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