#Blessed pt2 of 2 Kavel, Seraphina, Silvia, Sorrel & Toothy

Kavel, Seraphina, Silvia, Sorrel & Toothy co-authors - but how cool is Seraphina's ceremony?

The evening star

The sun was setting as Nessa escorted the cleric and the ranger towards the temple’s holy room. Seraphina walked with her friend, listening to her descriptions of her friends all over again and she could feel the joy and hint of anxiety in Sorrel’s voice. “I hope they come,” Sorrel said, over and over again. “I hope you like them.”

Soon they had reached the more public area of the temple, a wide circular space with curved benches and a small fountain in the middle, the domed roof above was set with a round opening to the sky and stars above.

The floor was scattered with beautiful carpets and occasional cushions, from the walls hung delicate oil lamps creating a beautiful welcoming atmosphere.

“I’m sure I shall” said Seraphina, she half bowed to other acolytes as she passed them and they returned the gesture, “Are we to expect them soon?”

Sorrel looked across the temple floor. “Over there,” she pointed upwards. “Kavel… he likes to exercise…”

Kavel had gotten to the temple earlier than necessary. On time is late, and early is on time; were words he lived by. One of the acolyte’s had led him to the public area to wait for Sorrel. This was the first time Kavel had been in the temple of Selune. He was used to large spaces being dedicated to strength training, but there were no heavy objects to be found here. Well, certainly none designed for exercise. So, he thought to himself, “if no one’s around and there’s no equipment, I guess I will keep busy with callisthenics.” Thought led to action, and Kavel hit the floor and started some press-ups.

Seraphina watched Kavel start to exercise and tilted her head, “Is this how he shows devotion usually?” she said, humour in her tone.

“He is devoted to strength and purity but he is as open and warm and chaotic in his tolerance as the goddess,” Sorrel said quickly. “Kavel! My friend! Come and meet Seraphina!”

“Comrade Sorrel!” Kavel looked up mid rep, delighted to hear some joy in his comrade’s voice. Last time Kavel was here he brought some raw steaks for Sorrel and himself to eat in Sorrel’s locked chambers. He had heard from their mutual friend, Silvia, that Sorrel was disgusted by the way the curse made it so she could only eat raw meat. Sorrel was embarrassed to be seen eating like this. Silvia would leave the room for Sorrel, and then collect her plate when she was finished. Kavel in his simple and straightforward way did not understand where the embarrassment came from. As he said to Sorrel, when he brought some raw steaks for them, “cooked meat is better, but if you have to eat it raw, at least this means you’ll give yourself a good jaw workout. People don’t strengthen their jaw muscles enough. Strength comes first. Remember?” Kavel began eating his raw steak before Sorrel could insist he leave. Kavel wasn’t sure why, but there was a hint of a smile when Kavel went for his second bite. But now, here in the public area, Sorrel seemed positively happy to see Kavel.

He got up off the floor to find Nessa waiting for him. The cleric bowed low and escorted Kavel over to meet Sorrel and her friend.

“Hello, Kavel, it is good to meet you, you will be joining us today for the ceremony?” Seraphina glanced at Sorrel, “If you wish to do this today of course?” she asked, “If you are ready?”

“This is a ceremony to get rid of the curse?” Kavel asked both Sorrel and Seraphina, his eyes darting between them both, and one hand on his favourite ranger’s shoulder with optimism shining in his eyes.

Sorrel moved towards Kavel and realised she was probably going to hug more people today than she’d ever hugged in her life. She supposed this was how people felt when they got married, which, in a way, she was about to. She threw her arms around Kavel, discovered that was impossible and hugged his right arm instead.

“No, that’s gone,” she said. “In a way, you were there. I had… to fight it in my head… and you helped whether you know it or not. But today I am celebrating. The goddess Selune helped me, and I am joining her. I am taking a vow to serve. Perhaps like the Iron Company? Do you take vows?”

Kavel’s eyes opened wider as a big smile grew on his face. He moved his right hand under Sorrel’s armpit and his left hand on the opposite side and lifted her up. “Comrade! That’s great news!” He put Sorrel back down on her feet, and put one hand on her shoulder and said, “Iron Strong don’t take vows. We're just really dedicated.”

Sorrel smiled up at Kavel, then broke away and searched the room. “But I can’t go just yet. I can’t see Toothy. Silvia I’m not sure. But Toothy must be here.”

Nessa seemed to flicker and move towards the door. As if summoned, a tiny little bat careened into the open space did a small circuit of the room before settling on one of the wall decorations. Soon after there came some confused mumbling of a familiar voice to Sorrel before Toothy’s head popped into the doorway.

“Biscuit did you find them? Why are buildings so confusing…”

He eventually looked away from the bat that came back to settle on his shoulder and saw the gathered group right in front of him.

“Oh! You’re right here! Sorrel, I’m not too late am I?”

The drow man gave an apologetic look as the bat on his shoulder also gave an possibly apologetic squeak.

Sorrel buried her face in Toothy’s jumper, he immediately curled his arm around her in a hug. “No, not too late. Toothy, I’m sorry I disappeared. I couldn’t let you see me - I was changed and I didn’t want to hurt you. I’ve missed you. And you helped me even though you didn’t know what was going on. I wanted to be able to see you again.” She choked, pulled away, looked hard up at the moon for a second so her tears were not visible. “I’m glad you came.”

He nodded as he took in her words and said, "And I'm glad to be here, you know I'll always support you Sorrel."

There was a long pause. Finally Sorrel turned to Seraphina and Nessa. “I think we’re ready. I had hoped Silvia might come, but she doesn’t really do temples.”

Nessa bowed to the party, faced Seraphina and clasped her hand on heart in salute, then strode back to the priest’s quarters.

The unexpected guest

Sorrel cast one final look towards the door.

Suddenly a scraping sound echoed through the temple as Silvia came in dragging a locked chest looking irritated but happy as soon as she caught sight of Sorrel. “Sorrel! You look… better”

Sorrel stared at the chest. “Silvia! But that isn’t the Traitor’s Door! How… are you OK? How are you here?”

“I never said I couldn’t enter temples Sorrel, just that I didn’t know if it would be dangerous or not. It was worth trying for you, plus the trouble makers will not cause issues as long as I stay focused.”

Sorrel turned to Seraphina. “Here are my friends,” she said, beaming. “I’ve possibly never been happier… although that usually means I’m about to be stabbed, so best not say it out loud too much.”

Seraphina chuckled and put a hand on Sorrel’s shoulder. “Very well, then follow me and we shall begin.”

She led them over behind the fountain, made a gesture to one of the acolytes and they closed the temple doors, giving them all some privacy before Seraphina turned a moon shaped sculpture on the fountain and the water stopped flowing.

From the floor a staircase that led downwards slowly revealed itself, it curved around the fountain in a half moon opening.

Seraphina turned to the group and gestured for them to follow her and she descended, lamps lighting themselves along the wall as she passed.

Kavel was broad in shoulders, but his breadth of knowledge could hardly be described as broad. The limited things that did interest him though, he was expert in. Strength was chief amongst his interests. But, as well as a strength enthusiast, he’s something of a mason. The temple's hidden stairways had captured his interest. He found the stonework very impressive. He traced his hands along the stone wall, as he descended the stairs.

Toothy looked on in wonder at the beauty of the temple being revealed before them all, then whispers something indecipherable to the little bat on his shoulder as he realises they can't see what's going on.

Sorrel stood back and let her friends pass, thrilling at the procession of gentle cleric, proud soldier, loving drow and graceful, troubled warlock.

As the group entered the room below they could see a beautiful altar, set with the symbols of the moon phases. The whole space was lit with oil lamps.
Statues resembling Selune stood at either side of the altar with large bowls in their hands that tipped forwards towards the middle of the round room.
Carved into the floor from these statues were grooves that ran around a central pool in beautiful patterns which then met in the pool.

Seraphina turned to the group, “Friends who would like to witness, please make yourselves comfortable.” she said and pointed to some cushioned benches around the edge of the room. She then moved to the Altar and turned back to Sorrel.
“Sorrel, please sit, or stand or lay here.” she said and gestured to the central pool in the middle of the carved labyrinth. “Selune does not mind which you choose.” she said with a smile.

Kavel sat on one of the cushioned benches. Toothy quietly settled near the pool, folding his legs underneath him.

Silvia scratched her knuckles awkwardly, having left the chest upstairs. “I would love to stay but I don’t think it would be wise, I will wait upstairs..”

The goddess

Silvia moved slowly towards the stairs.

“Very well,” said Seraphina and smiled at Silvia.

Sorrel watched Silvia leave, nodding a little sadly, then stepped into the pool. On an impulse she lay down, allowing the waters to embrace her.

Seraphina nodded and then looked up towards the ceiling, she whispered something under her breath and a light appeared in the centre of the room.

As Sorrel looked up she could see that where she lay, where the fountain had sat, directly above her the moon had aligned with the oculus above them.
Its light shone down through the floor and split into hundreds of shafts from tiny carved stars in the stone above.

“My Lady Selune, our gentle, kind hearted and noble friend Sorrel wishes to join your service, light and love. I kindly ask that you bestow your blessing upon her as I believe is your wish.” said Seraphina as her eyes glowed as she gazed into the moonlight.

The oil lamps dimmed ever so slightly and the room darkened to a twilight.
From the bowls the statues held, and from an unseen source, water began to fill.
The bowls glowed with a silver light as the water reached their brims and then gently poured down into the carved floor, following the course around Sorrel and then into the shallow pool she lay in.

Sorrel felt surrounded not by water but with a soft light that filtered through her skin and soaked her to the bone with a glowing radiance. She remembered the warmth in her throat when the dancing moon spirit had summoned the hunger from her - it was like that but more nourishing, more cleansing, and strangely more empowering. It gave strength as well as healing. She smiled inside. She doubted Kavel would take kindly to strength bestowed by heavenly water but she’d be sure to mention it later.

She closed her eyes and let the goddess in. “I am yours if you will have me,” she whispered.

The water glowed brightly as Sorrel spoke, the light illuminated her body and then there was a gentle touch upon Sorrel’s cheek, a kiss, followed by a kiss on her forehead and then the other cheek. With each point of contact there was a feeling of power, a loving, caring power and love that entered her soul.
The light then faded and disappeared as if absorbed by Sorrel and the water lay still, the amulet around her neck glowed as did her bracer, with the holy light of Selune.

Seraphina smiled, “She has accepted you, Sorrel.” she said softly.

Sorrel felt tears running down her cheeks and for a few minutes was unable to speak or move, then slowly she raised herself to her feet. She looked around the room, at the statues, at Seraphina, alight with grace, at Toothy, smiling in wonder, and at Kavel, nodding his stern approval.

She addressed them all. “I serve at the pleasure of the goddess. Just as she welcomes all on whom her light falls, I have felt her love and known her mercy and know every living thing is my equal. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, I know the world is always changing and life is chaos and beauty. So I serve at the pleasure of the goddess.”

She paused, bowed her head. “But I serve her thanks to my friends. I have been alone for my entire life. I came to Kantas, so I thought, because I was running from darkness of my own making. Here I found another, more evil darkness that almost took me. Now I realise I was called to Kantas because here I have been saved, here I have found love and here I am home.”

She took Seraphina’s hand and kissed it, moved to Kavel, and kissed his great fist, moved to Toothy and kissed his dirt streaked fingers and her heart reached for Silvia.

“Thank you,” she said. “My time here is a joy because you are here. And so, at the very least, let me buy you all a drink…” she beamed.

Seraphina chuckled, “That sounds like a splendid idea.” she said and then turned to the altar and looked at the silver moon phases set into the surface. “Thank you Lady Selune, for blessing Sorrel and for guiding her to me today.” she whispered.

Seraphina turned back to the group, “Come, friends, let us celebrate!” she said and led them back up the stairs to the temple, a gentle, invisible hand rested on her shoulder and she nodded in response as she left the sacred space.

The Magnificent Five. Sort of. 

As they all walked up the stairs, Kavel put his large hands on Sorrel’s shoulders behind her, “hey comrade. So that was something unique. I’ve never seen anything like that in the Iron Strong Company. So, you are more devout now, like Seraphina or Tayz? Will you be picking up your heavy club again?”

“Funny you should say that, Kavel, I was thinking of heading out to Fort Ettin this week… I hope I’ll see you there. I have some questions for you,” Sorrel replied.

The goliath was pleased to hear his newly blessed comrade mention the Fort, and by extension Kavel’s Corner for Strength and Conditioning. “Excellent my friend. I have redone the fence surrounding Kavel’s Corner. You’ll like it”

Toothy stepped up as well to bring Sorrel into another hug, barely restrained to not crush her in his excitement. "I don't really know what was happening, but I don't often, but it was still amazing to be a part of that. I'm just so glad to be present in this new chapter of your life." He reached into his pocket, something glinting in the soft lighting. "Also consider this a congratulations gift from me, Dad and Auntie." He held out a well made black thin leather strap bracelet, the middle clasped by a silver crescent moon. "Well done Sorrel."

Sorrel decided she would have to accept that she’d be spending the day in tears and just let them flow. She took Toothy’s gift and tried to say thank you, but struggled to get beyond ‘th’. Eventually she stared at the floor and said, as fast as she could, “youandyourdadtookmeinandtaughtmeandIloveyoubothandifanyonelaysafingeronyoutoothyIwillkillthemsoharditwillbelikethey’veneverbeenbornthankyouthankyou.”

She paused, drew a breath and asked Kavel, Seraphina and Toothy if they would meet her at the Three Dragons. “I want to speak to Silvia for a moment,” she explained, crushed them all with hugs, whispered “please can I come and see you soon,” to Seraphina and turned to search for Silvia in the moonlight.

Silvia stood just outside the temple, staring at the chest in front of her as she leant against the wall.

“I’m grateful you could make it into the temple at all,” Sorrel said carefully. “I know just getting here will have cost you. I am grateful in ways you can never know.”

She looked at her now holy symbols, feeling the goddess flowing through her, then searched Silvia’s eyes anxiously.

“Does this change anything?”

“Of course it doesn’t, I have no hatred towards religion” she chuckled and smiled sadly “It’s usually the other way around that causes problems”

“I’m still me, so this isn’t preaching, don’t worry, but during the ceremony my friends were in my soul and Selune delighted in all of you. She seemed to feel a great sadness when she touched on your place in my heart, but no rejection or anger or whatever you mean by problems. I’m five minutes blessed so I’m no voice of the goddess, but she loves you. As do I.”

Silvia smiled “I know you do, and that’s why i came into the temple because I knew there wouldn’t be an issue, at least not if I kept my tormentors in the box” she said, kicking the chest. “I just don’t know if what has taken me will let me go unscathed in the face of another deity is all”

“I’m not planning on converting anyone,” Sorrel smiled. “I barely know my own faith. It would just be good to talk soon. I know you said I could best help you by staying alive, but I’d like to do just a smidgeon more than that…”

“Oh? And what might that be Sorrel?”

“Well, that’s what I’m asking you. Look, tonight I’m walking on air. I’m delighted you were here. All I want to do is drink and dance and have my friends get on with each other. I’ve never thrown a party in my life but I suppose this must be a little bit like what it feels to throw one. Come with me. Let’s have some fun. It’s not like we’re over supplied with that in our lives. And then who knows what comes next?”

She took two steps in the direction of Seraphina, Kavel and Toothy then held out her hand. “Come with me?”

Silvia grimaced. “I can’t, not yet, not now. Lots of people and lots of noise means lots of trouble, I can’t risk that right now. It’s fine, enjoy yourself, please. Who knows, perhaps soon I will be able to join you”

Seraphina stepped forward, “What is it to live without a little fun.” she said and took her hand.

Silvia snatched her hand away and turned her head. “Apologies, I know you are a good friend to Sorrel but I would ask that you don’t take my hands thank you. I will come then, but I cannot stay long, I will have to return to the fort soon, my supplies are there, I will not be able to let myself sleep without them”

Sorrel looked up at the moon and smiled.

Nothing would ever be perfect. The moon would wax and wane. Toothy would break things, Silvia would remain unfathomable, Seraphina would stay hidden in the temple walls and Kavel would no doubt nearly tear her rotator cuff when she went training with him.

She’d taken on a faith that felt right in her soul but she knew little about and she was raw inside from the battle between gods and the shadow.

But she was alive. Four friends would be at her party.

And for now, life couldn’t get any better than that.