Dyder pulls one of the thick oak doors open for ?l?. Not wanting to disturb the silence, he closed it carefully behind him. He briefly takes in the light shining through the stained glass windows and how it paints itself across the floor. He moves further in; the temple is significantly smaller than the Temple of Wylh?lm’s Vow. The whole of the Temple of Vydlene [1] could easily fit twice with room to spare withinthe main room. The large windows around the ambulatory are open, wind bringing in both the warm, earthy scent of the community garden in the back and knocking the turning leaves from the branches of the trees, welcoming themselves in. In the center sits a large tree, which pierces the high roof built upon the upper branches, its roots cracking and displacing the brick flooring around it.

  Dyder and ?l? can hear talking from a side room near the ambulatory, which sounds like a quiet discussion between women.

  “Hello?” Dyder says. “I’m looking to speak to High Priestess Wiese.”

  The talking dulls to one voice. “Do not touch anything while I’m gone.”

  “I will be with you in just a moment.” Says ?ple, her soft voice diffused by the rustling of the leaves.

  The small woman comes out from around the corner and walks up to Dyder and ?l?. She bows; her messy braid falls in front of her, flaxen hair blending in with her woolen sweater. “What brings you to my temple?” She stands back up straight, brushing her braid back behind her, rings clinking off the ornaments woven in.

  “We are here to book the temple on behalf of Gekaryna vela’Herst for our wedding on the 20th of the next maiden.” Dyder motions to him and ?l?, not wanting there to be any confusion.

  “On behalf of the Queen? may I ask who you are, sir? I am familiar with bela’Heren, but I do not believe we have met.” Her soft green eyes look Dyder up and down.

  “I am Dyder Dornytter, Head of the Queen’s Guard.”

  ?ple nods and removes a small pocket day planner; she flips through the pages, stopping on the 20th of the next maiden, she takes her glasses from the collar of her sweater and places them on her nose. “I’m sorry, but I have something scheduled for that day; I’m training my coven in spagyrics.”

  “I don’t want to push, but is there any way you could reschedule that for the following day? This date is by request from the Queen.” He removes the envelope ?nnywella had given him from the inner pocket of his coat, handing it to ?ple.

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  She puts her day planner away. With the long, soil-covered nail of her little finger, she slices through the envelope; removing the letter [2] she quickly reads it.

  Her face scrunches. “Fine. I’m going to have to teach the new girls how to officiate weddings as well; something this grand would be an excellent place to start.”

  “Thank you so much!” ?l? says with glee.

  “Are there any fees for the rescheduling of a spagyrics class?” Asks Dyder.

  “No, but why not just hold it at the College? I’ve never had nobles use my temple over the college. I am able to travel.”

  “She has already booked the college for three days prior, but you don’t need to travel; I believe High Priestess Seliani will be officiating it.”

  The smile fades from ?l?’s face as she side-eyes Dyder.

  ?ple glances quickly to ?l?, then down—befogged by the idea of Eue-Lysae officiating a wedding; she chooses not to push.

  Dyder continues. “The wedding here will be smaller, one with just family.”

  ?ple turns to the perturbed ?l?. “Will your father be holding the trials for mer’Dornytter?”

  “Yes.” ?l?’s tone is short.

  “I would like to assist in them as well then. I shall stop by at your estate and discuss this with him at some point.” She pauses. “If I have any concerns or hiccups, I will write to Gekaryna vela’Herst—if that is alright?”

  “I should imagine it will be.” Responds Dyder.

  “Excellent, I shall see you on the 20th; may my lady’s blessing be upon both of you.” ?ple bows once more, dismissing herself back to her coven.

  Dyder and ?l? head for the door.

  “I’m sorry about high priestess Seliani being the one to officiate it, but Gekaryna doesn’t know about what she and I once were; and please, there is nothing to worry about—I promise you. It’s been nearly a decade since she and I spoke outside of court business.”

  She sighs, trying her best to relax; she trusts Dyder completely, but she has been bitten once before. “I’m sorry; I’m letting my ghosts out again.”

  “You don’t need to apologize; you’ve told me about what happened before. I understand your anxiety towards this, but as I have assured you before and I will continue to do—you have nothing to worry about.” Dyder responds, doing his best to reassure her that what happened before will not happen again.

  The two make their way to the post office.

  Footnotes

  [1] Originally constructed in 4753EotTS, the Temple of Vydlene is the oldest building in Sc?dstan. Prior to its construction, rituals would be done around the tree, but as the town grew, as well as the organization in regard to the priestesses, there was a demand for lodgings, as well as general shelter during the winter. As of 1063EotG the high priestess who oversees the temple is ?ple H?the Wiese(07-15-1033EotG—Current)

  [2]

  Dear High Priestess Wiese,

  I wish to use your temple for the wedding of Dyder Dornytter and Ilsenila Heren on the 20th of the 11th Maiden. I hope that there will be no scheduling conflicts, but, in the case that there are, I graciously request for you to reschedule or to cancel the event; I will cover all possible fees in order to have this wedding on the 20th.

  On Behalf of the People,

  Gekaryna Herst IV