The following work is fiction, and all similarities to existing works are purely coincidental. The author (myself) hereby attests that the author is over 21 years of age, and that this material is intended for those over the age of 18 (or the legal age in accordance with local, national, provincial, or state laws). The author will not take responsibility should the reader decide to take the risk to access this material, and does not take responsibility for any offense towards violence, sexual intercourse between consenting adults, and depictions of fantasy.
Copyright:
This material belongs to the author (me), and the author does not consent for anyone to copy, distribute, or sell the work as their own in any shape or form. Permission to post on other forums will be permitted provided that the poster seeks written consent from me, and that the forum is for non-profit and benefits the LGBTQ community.
A note on the story:
I have always been a fan of fantasy role playing games as well as DnD, and take inspiration from those sources. However, I have researched extensively, and would never intentionally copy works of other people.
If you are looking for a story that immediately jumps to sex and erotica, then perhaps this story is not for you.
Feedback and Comments: soulwinn735@gmail.com _________________________________________
CHAPTER V
Descending upon the murky waters of the Sfantu Swale, the two opposing armies loyal to the Senate-Gichari Alliance and Lady Inanna arrived with a single shared purpose, and that was to vanquish one another in totality. With an oppressive humidity that made sweat pour down the faces of the five thousand men and women who swore themselves to their causes, the stench of stagnant water and plant decay filled their nostrils, and their boots became heavy as they sank into the soft earth just beneath the water's surface. Colliding at the mid-way point between the two banks, the initial contact was brief, but as blood began to be spilt, it became clear that it was only a prelude of the violence that was to come. Fighting against both foe and nature itself, soldiers were cut down where they stood as they desperately tried to pull their blades from the gnarled roots of primordial trees, and soon, the muddy waters turned a deep crimson. It was said that by the battle's end, not a single surface remained unstained with blood, and the flat marshes began to resemble rolling hills as bodies were piled on top of one another. Within just three hours, casualties had mounted into the hundreds, and soldiers struggled to fight on as they stepped and dodged over their fallen comrades. In order to preserve whatever life remained, it was the commanders under Lady Inanna who first beseeched the Gichari for a momentary truce, and the Gichari agreed to the parley almost immediately. Forcing the troops into an uncomfortable state of camaraderie, both sides labored together to retrieve and identify the fallen, and corpses were exchanged in a bleak and solemn ceremony. As the troops rested on the soiled earth, it dawned upon them that the battle seemed all for naught, and the only accomplishment was the senseless extinguishing of life. Neither side had gained any significant ground, and neither side wished to resume the bloodshed, and so, a wave of wariness and paranoia swept through the troops like wildfire. Scrutinizing even the smallest of movements made by each other, it became a battle of stares rather than swords, and as hours turned to days turned to weeks, the one day truce morphed into a stalemate that has persisted for nearly a fortnight.
Folding the latest news bulletin from the front into a neat pile, Teodor sipped the last of his morning coffee, and began making his way back towards the garrison. As he passed by the locals of Satucele, he heard rumors and gossip being spread by whispers and hushed tones, and watched as fact was twisted by speculation. Teodor heard a familiar sound then, like a wounded animal, and he stopped to look on as widows, lovers, and heartbroken mothers wept for their loved ones. War was an ugly thing, a careless and cruel creature who had no qualms in bringing out the depravity of humankind, and lavished in the idea of human suffering. Teodor felt someone embrace him tightly then, and he looked down in surprise as a young man sobbed into his tunic. Cursing the gods above for casting such misfortune upon them, the young man's grip grew only tighter, and Teodor patted his head gently. Finally, the young man apologized, and disappeared into the crowd who followed him with expressions of pity and loss. Teodor took notice of the names as well, and gawked at the several pieces of paper that had been plastered across the wooden board. He counted at least 500 names of the Lazavese who gave their lives, and some 200 Gichari as well. Teodor admired Inanna for having the courtesy to post the names of those lost on both sides, and wondered how she managed to keep such grace and humility. Giving the occasional clasping of a shoulder or rubbing someone's back gently. Teodor bought a bouquet of morning glories, and in accordance with northern tradition, he bought and poured out a bottle of wine onto the ground in front of the board, and leaned the bouquet against the wooden support. Receiving several embraces from strangers who thanked him, Teodor could feel their sadness piercing his heart, and he quickly retreated back to the garrison.
As of late, Teodor had grown accustomed to wandering about the city alone, and even his meals were seldom accompanied by Apollon's presence, but it was not him being alone that pained him, rather it was Apollon not taking a single moment of respite. It took roughly a week before Enji had regained some semblance of stability, and Teodor recalled how Apollon would work tirelessly to bring some stability to Enji's damaged psyche. During the treatment, Enji was prone to night terrors, and like a cornered animal, he would scream well into the night as he remembered and learned to accept what the Gichari had done to him. Even the slightest touch from someone would set Enji off into a fit of cries and shivers, but Apollon did not seem to mind at all. Teodor thought highly of Apollon's devotion and selflessness, but at the same time, he had a slight disdain for it. Apollon had reverted back to some old habits of his, from skipping meals to sleeping at odd hours of the day, and Teodor prayed that it would not be a repeat of the cyclic self-sacrifice that Apollon committed to her majesty. As Teodor looked up at the clouds, he pondered whether his concern for Apollon was from a place of genuine concern, or was it out of envy. Teodor could not really interpret the feelings that he had developed on his travels with Apollon, but Apollon's reckless abandon towards his health certainly exacerbated them. Was he really so selfish? Was it wrong for him to care about Apollon so deeply even though they knew each other for only a brief moment of time?..... Teodor wasn't sure. He had walked this earth for thirty five years now, but there was something about Apollon that resonated with him about the young knight, and all Teodor knew was that he wanted to protect Apollon at all costs.
Passing the practice fields, Teodor felt a gush of air and the earth shake as something exploded in the distance, and he looked up as a mushroom-like cloud rose into the air. Though he would normally be amazed by such a sight, it had become almost routine to him now, and he saw it as a mundane phenomenon. Six days prior, Enji had reached a point of recovery where he was able to recount the battle of Uria, and he confirmed the theory that the powder was magical in nature, but there was a natural component to it. Hearing this revelation, the head knight retrieved a rather peculiar looking flower, and as Teodor observed its eerie glow, the head knight explained that Enji's cell was lined with these flowers. Tasking leading scholars with pouring through the country's annals and records, it was learned that the flower could be tracked to a remote southern village, and it was thought to be a myth rather than reality. During the age when the Lazavese were still divided by clans, tribes, and regions, an ancient sorceress had created the flower as a means of mitigating the damage caused by magic during a war between her clan and a northern one. However, the northern clan soon learned of her ploy, and developed a countermeasure that was lost to history. Tracking the myths and folklore, the antidote was found in the remote village of Eori, and it was discovered to be a common but augmented herb. Taken to be planted en masse, the league of royal chemists took some to develop a potential curative potion, and Enji was the fortunate first to receive it. Within two days of drinking the cure, Enji produced a small flame, and soon, he produced an inferno from his fingertips. Encouraged by the reclamation of his powers, Enji was reinvigorated, and his treatment progressed exponentially.
Teodor noted that Enji was exceptionally intelligent and gifted in terms of the arcane, but he was at times arrogant and high-strung. Perhaps being so talented in magic gave him an overconfidence in his abilities; however, Teodor deduced that losing his magic caused Enji to develop an extreme insecurity. As Teodor sat on the pews overlooking the practice field, he watched as Enji raised his hand once more, and as if demonstrating his strength, he engulfed a distant target in a column of flame. As the red and orange flames swirled about the straw man, Teodor could feel the heat emanating from the fiery maelstrom even at such a distance, and he watched as Enji casually extinguished it by clenching his hand. Enji was shirtless, revealing his healthy and slightly meatier frame, and Apollon looked on with amazement. Apollon took notice of Teodor then with a soft smile, and Enji waved him down to join them on the field. Teodor did as he was asked, and made himself comfortable on the first wooden pew.
Enji wiped the sweat from his brow: "I was showing Apollon my magic, and we were going to go over the fundamentals of magic if you want to stay."
Teodor did not want to show his curiosity: "I suppose I could lend my ear to a lecture if it's offered to me."
Enji nodded: "As you both know, all living beings are born with mana inside their bodies, and mana is tied to our energy and life force. However, only a few percent of people are able to tap into their mana, and even fewer have large enough reserves to conjure magic. Magic is traditionally divided into offensive, defensive, and supportive magic, but it can also be further divided into the various elemental types and subtypes. Sir Apollon for example utilizes white magic, but white magic is based on the element of light, and is often used for supportive purposes. Based on my knowledge of Sir Apollon, I can say that he is more unique in that he uses white magic in an offensive way, and it is not particularly known for its might, but it requires less stamina and mana. Fire magic, on the other hand, requires more mana, and it is common for fire mages to need more sustenance to maintain their mana reserves. And, it is used more for offensive purposes. Sir Apollon, I was wondering if you could show me your magic. I have seen your healing skills, and I am curious."
Apollon stood: "Yes, I will do as you ask."
Apollon stood with his hand outstretched, and Teodor watched as a ball of light formed in Apollon's palm. Shooting forth in a bright ray, the strawman was knocked back, and Teodor was in awe. However, Enji looked on with a vacant expression, and seemed to be unimpressed at such a sight.
Enji seemed to be deep in thought before he spoke again: "I see, so my assumptions were correct, you were never formally trained in magic, were you, Sir Apollon?"
Teodor was surprised: "I clearly saw a target being knocked over, and it seemed the magic was not faulty." He was sure that Apollon's form was perfect, but he was not a mage, and maybe Enji was in the right.
"Sir Apollon's form was perfect, but I can tell that there is not only restraint on his part, but also he is not maximizing his mana's full potential. I am not saying that Sir Apollon isn't incompetent, but his lack of knowledge shows." Enji stood next to Apollon "Sir Apollon, when you were healing me, I noticed that you are using only 40% percent at most, and it is important that you learn to tap into the rest. White magic can be powerful if you learn to channel your mana, and I can tell that you have no intent on killing your enemy." Teodor was impressed by Enji's astute observations.
Apollon shook his head: "I was taught by the sisters that killing is a crime against the gods, and I have killed once, but I have vowed not to do so again."
Enji frowned: "Magic predates the Lazavese pantheon, perhaps even recorded history itself, so I would not use such an excuse, but I respect your adherence to your morals. I will teach you how to use your magic more offensively, but of course reducing the lethality of it, but I will be sure to support you in learning to use your magic for defensive and supportive purposes."
Teodor was perplexed: "How could you tell that Apollon was not using his mana to the fullest?"
"As a former pupil of the Royal Academy of Magic, we are taught to accurately estimate the level of mana in an individual, because not only does it provide a means of offense but defense as well. If you expend all your mana, you leave yourself open for an attack, and you risk dying if you use too much at once. Mana is like a seasonal river in a way, if you do not replenish and maintain it, it dries out, but if you use too much, it becomes an unstable flow, inundating your body with power not meant to be tapped into. In the end, we are human after all, and the body can take only so much."
Apollon looked at his hands: "How can I learn to tap into my mana pool?"
"It is a matter of practice, and unfortunately, you do not have the luxury of spending years honing your craft. We will have to start slowly, it is dangerous to push yourself beyond your limits." Enji's orange colored eyes turned to Teodor then: "Do you know much about your own mana, Teodor?"
Teodor looked at his hands then: "I haven't given it much thought, based on my understanding, I doubt I can produce anything."
Enji grabbed Teodor's hands suddenly: "I can sense the flow within you, and you do have slightly more than the average person, but you're right. You won't be able to tap into any mana. You are welcome to stay and train." Teodor could tell that Enji was genuinely sincere.
Teodor shook his head: "It is best that I make myself scarce and prepare for the journey ahead. I will see you two later, perhaps for supper."
Apollon looked at Teodor with concern: "Are you sure you do not want to stay with us, Teodor?"
Teodor felt something odd then, but he mustered a smile: "I will be alright Apollon, it is not like we are in any immediate danger. I am sure Enji will prove to be a better teacher than me for the arcane."
Enji nodded: "I am sure Sir Apollon will need some brushing up on weapons as well?"
Teodor shook his head: "I can assure you that Apollon needs little practice in that area. I will be back soon, do not exert yourselves too much."
Giving a quick wave to them before setting off, Teodor felt a long dormant emotion welling up inside of him, and as he navigated through the narrow streets and stone archways of the old town, he felt it become stronger. Finding himself in a hidden courtyard at the center of ancient residential buildings, Teodor felt himself drawn to a statue of the Goddess of Mercy, and admired how she stood with crossed arms and four wings within a shallow fountain. Perching himself on a single stone bench beneath a shady tree, Teodor watched the fallen leaves drift aimlessly across the water's surface, and he wondered what had come over him earlier. He thought that he had long buried this feeling all those years ago, but like a disturbed spirit, it rose once more to haunt him. It had been a long time since he felt the feeling being useless, but with Enji providing unparalleled knowledge of the arcane, and Apollon already possessing combat skills comparable if not better than his, Teodor found himself at a loss. Normally, such trivial things would not affect him, but perhaps he felt this way because something about Apollon resonated with him. Even from the moment they met, Teodor felt as if his soul was pulled towards the young knight, and a sense of familiarity lingered with every interaction that they had. It was then that the realization came, and Teodor knew why he was drawn to Apollon in that way, but as the memories came flooding back from the suppressed corner of his mind, a sorrow also came with it.
On his travels throughout the continent, Teodor had gained notoriety as a solo adventurer who preferred his own company, but also the reputation of being skilled at his craft as a sellsword. While resting at a tavern just beyond the Lazavese border, he was approached by a group of amateur adventurers, and they begged for his assistance with their first mission. It was easy enough based on their description, a simple delivery of a sensitive letter between two noblemen, and a handsome reward awaited upon the letter's arrival. Barely able to scavenge the necessary funds to recruit him, Teodor settled for a pro-bono agreement, and he would take a small portion of the reward as payment. He took pity on the bunch, but there was one particular member of the party that caught his attention. Hailing from a nation to the east that looked outwards towards the sea, Pellumb, whose name translated as Dove, descended from a long line of white mages, and served as the party's sole healer, but what caught Teodor's attention at the time was that Pellumb's rather fragile appearance. Slim and sinewy with slightly tanned skin, Pellumb wore his medium length brown hair in a low ponytail with a swept fringe, and like most of his people, he had a long thin nose and a sharp chin, but rather than looking intimidating, his youthful eyes and smile produced the opposite effect. Rather absent minded, Teodor recalled how Pellumb seemed to be constantly within his own thoughts, and much to his annoyance, he was assigned as Pellumb's guardian. Lacking any fighting experience, Pellumb knew little in terms of offensive magic, and was often the target of foes in battle. His other party members were also lacking in experience, and Teodor observed it in the way they carried themselves.
Their first mission together was a success, and though Teodor intended to depart from the group shortly afterwards, it was not until a year had passed when he realized that he had found comrades to confide in. Watching his comrades grow in skill and strength, they also grew rather close, but Teodor's relationship with Pellumb was particularly close. After spending many days in each other's company, Teodor vividly remembered the moment that their friendship blossomed into romance, and this came after their second to last mission together. Cornered by hostile brigands, Teodor recalled how he and Pellumb hid behind some crates, and dared not let out a single audible breath as the brigands searched tirelessly. Pellumb being absent minded as always, inadvertently revealed their location, and Teodor was forced to fend off two men before their allies arrived. Accomplishing the mission, they retired to the inn, and Pellumb knocked on Teodor's door. Teodor could still recite the heartfelt apology, and he remembered how Pellumb's face was flushed with embarrassment at such a foolish mistake. He was always so kind, so principled, and Teodor found himself pressing his lips against Pellumb's in a spur of a moment. There was some hesitation at first, but then Pellumb kissed back, and soon Teodor found himself removing the robes from Pellumb's body.
Inexperienced and never having touched a man before, Pellumb wished to express his gratitude, and so with his best effort, he slowly opened Teodor's breeches to reveal his manhood. Flushed and nervously laughing, Pellumb kissed the head before taking it into his mouth, and Teodor felt connected to him. Clumsily licking up and down the shaft, Teodor felt the occasional scrape of Pellumb's teeth, and so he patiently laid Pellumb onto his back. Pellumb's manhood was unshaved unlike Teodor's , and as Teodor engulfed the pinkish head, he could hear only soft moans from the priest. Employing all of the skills he learned from the brothel, it was not long before he tasted the slight sweetness of Pellumb's seed, and Teodor enjoyed every drop. They laid with each other for the rest of the night, and for the first time, Teodor felt a genuine connection to someone. Pellumb was so warm, like a cup of tea, and even now, Teodor could still recall the scent of lemongrass in his hair. From that point onward, they were inseparable, and were congratulated by their friends, and they remained attached until that fateful day.
It was supposed to be a mission like any other, and they were to infiltrate the villa of a corrupt politician to gather incriminating evidence. Having been told that the politician had gone on a summer retreat, they found the villa empty, its furnishings covered by cloth to catch the dust that would gather from their owner's prolonged absence, and not a single soul remained as they walked through the empty halls. Finding the evidence was easy enough, and Teodor felt at ease enough to be a little careless in his exploration. There was no immediate danger, no sign of movement or evidence of life, but by letting his guard down, Teodor failed to see that he had dulled his senses to the danger that awaited them. As he perused the documents, Pellumb was not too far behind him, and the others stood marveling at the treasures within the politician's immense library and study. Teodor heard a sound then, the sound of a metal blade hitting the stone ground, and he turned just to see Pellumb's face as his body was split in two. Pellumb's mouth was open as if he were about to say something, and then in a thud, the two pieces of his body fell in a pool of blood. At the time, Teodor wanted to scream out, but he felt his vision go red with rage, and before he could regain his senses, the man who killed Pellumb was dead, but his comrades were as well. In his desperate act of vengeance, he failed to assist his comrades as they were ambushed, and he could only look on as they stared at him with eyes of shock and fear. Teodor was surrounded by the politician's men, and as he quickly climbed upwards to the window, he gave one last look at Pellumb, his staff flickering with the last of the mana that he imbued in it. Teodor noticed it then, a single window had been broken by a spell, and he realized that Pellumb saw the ambush before any of them did. He was trying to warn them while giving a means of escape, and gave up his life. He was always self-sacrificing to a fault.... Always putting others before himself... And he did not deserve such a fate.
As Teodor looked into the stone eyes of the goddess, he took in the realization that what drew him to Apollon was his resemblance to Pellumb, and what pained him was that he was being reminded of his inability to protect someone he cherished. Though there were many contrasts between the two, Teodor saw Pellumb's principled and moral nature within Apollon, and how both were conscientious and self-sacrificing. Apollon was certainly stronger by a wide margin, and he possessed an almost indomitable will, but he also had the strength to defend himself. Apollon did not need Teodor... Quite frankly, Apollon would have survived regardless of whether he met Teodor or not, and as Teodor reflected on their first meeting, he wondered if Apollon truly needed him in his journey. It was a sobering thought, how fate would expose him to a cruel reminder of his uselessness, and Teodor pondered whether Apollon would ever need him. Kneeling before the goddess, he clasped his hands, and prayed for guidance for the road ahead.
"My child, though I appreciate your devotion to the gods, we are unfortunately not yet ready to receive you." A voice called out, firm and motherly.
Teodor looked back to find a middle aged woman walking towards him with a cane for support, and she was dressed in a simple periwinkle long-sleeved dress with a plain knitted shawl draped about her shoulders. Though she was on in years, there was a sprightly energy about her, and her crystalline blue eyes gazed at him with curiosity. Her face was lined with age, and her silver hair was tied in a low matronly bun, but Teodor could still see remnants of beauty beneath the creases in her skin. She was youthful, and her frailty seemed like a clever illusion. Teodor stood and bowed per tradition: "Forgive me sister, I did not realize that I had stumbled upon an abbey."
The woman shook her head: "This is not an abbey or priory, this is simply an old apartment building that we will use to care for the sick and injured. My child, I cannot help but notice that you have a northern accent, can you tell me where you come from, and your name perhaps?"
"I am Teodor Laska. I was born in Piatra Regina, do you know it sister?"
The older woman smiled : "My fellow clergywomen and I hail from the north as well, but from a small town called Eori. I have been to Piatra Regina on many occasions, and I recently came from there. I was treating the wounded there as well. Forgive the ramblings of an old woman like me, I am Mother Superior Agnès."
"A pleasure, your holiness." Teodor knelt and gently pressed her hand against his forehead "I don't normally follow or care about the gods, but for some reason, I was drawn here. Perhaps my companion has influenced me. Are there many priories in Eori?" Teodor felt a sense of familiarity with the woman's name.
"Nay, there is only one." Mother Agnès sat on the nearby bench: "Forgive me child, I am much older than I used to be, and I need to sit for a bit. We have traveled a long way, and the trip was quite tedious. You mentioned that you had a companion who is faithful, may I ask where he is now?"
Teodor indicated with his finger: "He is perhaps a kilometer and a half away within the garrison. I have had some thoughts that I needed to contemplate, and so I found this place."
Mother Agnès nodded: "I know you may not believe whole-heartedly in the gods, but it seems that they have led you here as an act of providence. What troubles you, my child? I have not had the chance to talk much to outsiders, so perhaps I can at least lend you an ear."
"Your holiness, I have been conflicted as of late, and that is in regards to my feelings towards my companion. He reminds of someone I lost, and I struggle to differentiate between my yearning for the person I and the yearning I have towards him. Tell me, your holiness, is there such a thing as reincarnation?"
Mother Agnès paused for a moment: "When we lose someone or when we cherish someone, we often try to find the qualities that we admire within other people, and in accordance with the testament, I can say that the gods do allow souls a second chance to walk this earth, but let's focus on the differences between them. Tell me, what differences do you notice?" "Both are very kind and principled individuals, but my companion is also strong and chivalrous. He has charmed me with these things, but also his utter lack of awareness of emotion. At times, it is difficult to speak with him, as if I were prying a shellfish open for their precious pearl, but there are moments when that barrier comes down, and I see his true self. His true feelings. I suppose with the person I lost, it was easier to understand their perspective, to have conversation..."
"I see, but do you care for your companion in the same way?"
"I suppose, I do."
Mother Agnès sighed: "My child, it seems that your heart is in the right place, but you must understand that perhaps your companion has faced some difficulties. If you seek to compare and contrast between the person you lost and him, you will ultimately become disappointed. No two people are the same, and even souls that have been reincarnated change based on whatever path they lead. I cannot tell you how to reconcile these feelings, but in time, I feel that you will one day be able to appreciate your companion as is. Has your companion faced much hardship in his life?"
Teodor gave it some thought: "He told me that he lived in the priory before he came to the capital, and though he did not give much detail, it seems that he saw the sisters within the priory as mother figures. It affected him deeply to be abandoned, and after losing someone close to him rather recently, it seems like he has closed himself."
Mother Agnès seemed to freeze then, and Teodor watched as she was thinking of something, and feebly she asked: "Your companion's name... what is it?"
"Apollon, your holiness."
Mother Agnès stared at Teodor then, and with tears welling up in her eyes, she pressed her hand to her mouth to stifle the sobs: "He .... He is alive?"
Teodor was shocked, he knew there was something familiar about the woman, but he couldn't place her until now: "Your holiness, were you the ones who raised him?"
She nodded: "I thought him either long dead or having forgotten us, but I am glad he lives. Please, come and have some coffee with me. We have much to discuss."
Teodor was led by the Mother Superior into the building, and he watched as women of the cloth walked about with brooms and washbasins. It seemed that the building had been abandoned for sometime, and the sisters were slowly moving in furniture with the help of some local men. Beds were being assembled for the dying and injured, and the air had the heavy scent of herbs and medicines as they were stocked onto the shelves. Mother Agnès sat at a table, and with a wave of her hand, Teodor took the seat opposite. There was silence between them as another sister prepared their coffee, and Teodor watched the older woman as sadness enveloped her, but he also felt the warmth of a mother. He never really considered the nuns and monks as caring individuals, at least not in a familial sense, and associated more with providing care out of duty and devotion. However, Teodor imagined that Mother Agnès had taken a liking to Apollon, and it seemed that she had used Apollon as a surrogate for her affections, perhaps she had lost a child before, but Teodor dared not to pry.
Mother Agnès sipped her coffee: "It pained me immensely to hear that Apollon felt abandoned by us when we left him in the care of the royal guard, but I understand why he would come to such a conclusion. Has he ever told you about his parents?"
Teodor went back through their conversations, and realized that Apollon said little if anything about the past: "Nay, your holiness."
"We were called to their residence when neighbors had not seen them for some time, and we were told that they had contracted the fever. It was a particularly harsh season that year, and we had become accustomed to seeing funeral rights rather than births. I do not remember much from that day, but I can never erase seeing a young boy trying desperately to heal the corpses of his mother and father... He was using all of his energy and mana, and if we had arrived any later, he would have died.
From the moment we brought him to the priory, I can say that there was a sweetness to him, but there was also the truth that his understanding of connections and relationships were gone. He would panic and cry at the smallest amount of separation, and unfortunately, I was unaccustomed to raising a child. I blame myself, I lost my husband and several children before I came to the priory, and so I did not raise him with the sentimentality that he deserved. He was a good child, always helpful and kind, but with little friends and willingness to connect.
Teodor, I did my best to raise him as I saw fit, but I see that I have only exacerbated his loneliness. We did our best to feed him and clothe him, to care for him, but in retrospect, it was almost cruel to take someone who needed emotional guidance into a place that valued self-sacrifice and devotion to the gods."
Teodor watched as she wiped tears from her face: "Your holiness, I have seen much worse in my travels, and I only have words of praise for you. As you selflessly took in a child, and provided a much better life than even most children enjoy. I must admit that I am selfish as well, because I have become detached to the world as well. I have seen the dangers of carelessness, and it cost me deeply."
"My child, Teodor, I thank you immensely for your kind words. I was not a good mother or perhaps I was not the mother that Apollon needed, and I truly believed that he had a better life within the castle.... I can see it in your eyes that you have experienced loss and grief, and perhaps you can use that to connect yourself to Apollon. It will take some time before he grounds himself, but you must encourage him to feel." Mother Agnès called out then: "Sister Sistina, please fetch me my chest from my room if you may."
Teodor watched as a woman appeared in the doorway, and with a silent nod, she went and retrieved an ancient looking chest :"It is a keepsake is it not, your holiness? It looks like it has been with you for sometime."
Mother Agnès fumbled with the chest: "This chest has been in my family for generations now, and it was made many centuries ago. I keep all my personal treasures within, including this." She withdrew a necklace and a letter: "I wanted to give these to Apollon on the day we parted ways, but it was too painful of me to do so. I want you to give these to him when the time is right."
Teodor gently took the necklace and letter, and admired the beautiful gold chain and moonstone pendant: "What are these, your holiness?"
"The necklace is mine, it was a keepsake from my husband, and he had a mage cast a protective charm on it. The letter is something that I withheld, and to this day, I am still upset at my selfishness. I saw Apollon as my own, and I could not bear to give him that letter. But, I feel now is the time. That letter was written by his mother shortly before her death, and I can tell that the gods pitied her, giving her the clarity she needed in her illness. I believe that it will give Apollon some closure."
Teodor had an idea then, and passed back the items: "Your holiness, I think it would be best if you approached him yourself. It would mean the world to him. We are heading for Baia Puella within the week, and it might give him strength for the road ahead."
"Do you think that he would have an audience with me after all this time?"
"I truly know so."
Mother Agnès smiled softly: "I wish to see him again."