[Firefoot]

Being free of any meetings or responsibilities during this morning, Siamak had decided to take a walk about the city, despite the gathering clouds typical of the season. Making himself better known in the city had actually been one of the General's 'words of advice' to ousting his sister in achieving the throne of Pashtia one day. Morgôs had visited the palace fairly regularly in the past month, though not in the past few days, and the lessons had always been interesting. Morgôs was an interesting teacher and Siamak was quick to understand, though putting some of the things into practice had been more difficult, at least at first. Slowly, he had begun asserting himself more politically and socially, though he still had a long way to go.

This growing boldness was one contributing factor to the lack of decision between himself and Gjeelea concerning the emissary. He knew they would have to decide something soon, but instead of gaining progress most of their meetings seemed to have the opposite effect. For himself, he still wasn't sure whether or not accepting would be a good idea, and he was fairly confident that Gjeelea was in the same situatiion of indecision. Instead of working toward that end, however, they tended to end up arguing over it, and usually she won. It achieved nothing however, and it was almost as if they had reached a decision not to decide. Siamak supposed that once he had made his own decision (and she hers) it would go better. He wished he knew who he could trust to ask for advice. He had toyed with the idea of asking the General for quite some time, but he had never brought up the topic for fear of invoking another episode such as the one which had occurred more than a month ago now.

Walking past the construction site of the new temple, it occurred to him that he had not talked to the High Priestess since the night of the banquet. She had seemed fairly trustworthy, and perceptive at that. She also had a much closer connection with Rhais than he was comfortable with, but surely the gods should be consulted in this decision? Maybe she would have some words of wisdom for him. With that in mind he changed his course to head for the temple of Rhais. It occurred to him that he might talk to the Priest Tarkan as well, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He had met the man only briefly, and had no desire to seek out such a meeting again. There was something about him, nothing tangible, that Siamak did not like. He made the impression of knowing something (a little too much?), combined with the fact that he was a Priest. His discomfort with a close connection to the gods was one idiosyncracy that Siamak would likely never overcome.

Siamak reached the temple shortly and hesitated for only the barest moment before entering. His eyes soon adjusted to the dim light and he made out the figure of the High Priestess standing near the large statue of Rhais. Though her back was to him, she appeared thoughtful by her stance, and Siamak wondered if it might be a bad time. He wasn't quite sure what kind of meditating the Priestess did to talk with Rhais, nor had he ever inquired. He was here now, though, and he spoke up softly, though his voice carried in the empty space. "High Priestess?"

She turned and smiled. "Good morning, Prince Siamak," she greeted. "Have you come to worship?" Siamak supposed that they had to ask that question, and so he didn't feel bad to deny it.

"Not exactly," he answered. "The truth is, I had hoped to talk to you. If you're not busy, that is." Her expression let him know that she was listening, and he continued. "It's about the Emissary. My sister and I are having some trouble reaching a consensus, and I remembered our conversation at the banquet a while ago..." He looked for confirmation that she recalled it.

She nodded, "I remember."

"The point is," said Siamak, "I was wondering if the Goddess has imparted you with any wisdom concerning our decision. I seek your advice." Though the concept of such divine intervention was uncomfortable to him, it was the honest truth, and he trusted Zamara with such spiritual matters. If anyone could give him this answer, it would be her.