Post by Shona Tertignan on Jul 3, 2011 3:57:41 GMT -5
Set a month after Queen Sabrina's Royal Hunt Fete
I'd hidden for weeks after my conversation with Fisher. Hidden in my room, amongst my books, reading, or trying too. More often than not, I found myself lighting a candle and ignoring my purple lamp. I'd given up on the mirror, which yielded no answers. In a last stretch of despair, I'd gone to the temple of Anael.
There, I'd found an answer.
Now to share it – to tell Reese, somehow. To tell Fisher, too. Somehow, I'd found myself torn between a man I enjoyed thoroughly, who seduced me with his rakish ways, and an old friend, who'd taken his distance sometimes, but had always been loyal.
Torn between my ambitions and Bryony's, too.
Removing myself from the equation had seemed like the wisest strategy, and Anael was a gentle patron. The temple had felt... like home. The decision had been natural enough.
I'd spoken to Gaspard already. He'd nodded gravely, looked at me with some suspicion, and had requested a letter from the temple. I'd provided it, and packed my things, then unpacked them at the temple. There was Fisher, still, to consider. A letter seemed like the must assured way to convey what I had to tell him. I wrote it, wearing the robes of an acolyte.
Fisher-dear,
By the time you get this letter, I will have left to Kusheth, to start my year of service. I write to you as an acolyte of Anael. I made my choice.
Between you and I, though my faith is earnest and I've always called on Him, and on lady Fortuna, had you not shaken me out of my trance, I might have made a different choice.
Ultimately, I could not lose a friend of so many years to a venture which may be hazardous at best. I stand confident that I made the right choice in leaving: I needed to do something new, I needed, I think, a change of pasture.
Thank you for your advice. It was given in both Bryony's interest and my own – and though I admit the thought of adventuring with a Prince of the Blood had merit, in the end, my own skin was in the balance. You may well lay a claim to having saved me from my fate.
I remain your friend, ever and always,
Shona
That letter written, I set, once more, to writing another to Reese. That one would be more difficult, and would require much more time.