The preceding two weeks had seemed to fly by for Rendia. During that time she and Naomi had worked on several different elixars, and treated a raft of minor injuries and ailments on the Isle.
They had practiced using the etherial plane to heal, and she had been patient, as was her want, in observing and absorbing the ways of the followers of Anasis.
The new morning broke bright and clear, a pleasant change from the unseasonal howling storms which ahd beset the Isle for the previous couple of days and nights. An unreal calm semed to pervade the novice rooms this morning, only to be broken by the jarring crash of a hand on the door to her private cell, and the sound of Callan calling her.
"Wake up Rendia, come you are needed, Naomi has called all of the healers of Anasis to the temple," this call was followed by the sound of hurrying footsteps as Callan went o fetch others, and perhaps perform other unknown errands.
As Time Goes By - A Time Jump for Rendia
Moderator: Mods
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Gia as Rendia
Rendia jumped up, still startled easily, even though she spent the early mornings in a sincere effort to meditate. These two weeks had changed her, begun to free her, cleansed her, and yet it was only getting more intense, not easier. So much to learn . . the goddess told her things through every day activities. Or so rendia liked to think . . . because everything here was so different. What was frustrating was breaking thrity years of other habits, but luckily, Rendia was still young.
She kept herself busy with learning, soaked it up, made it a part of her . . . discovered hints that the island was not perfect, but soaked up all the difference of heart regardless of the imperfections. But with all this safety and difference, Rendia had come close to some commatose episodes when the scars of her heart threatened to bleed again. She didn't like healing her aura, it was somehow intensely difficult to look at herself now that she was not so innocent of what she was looking at. The darkness was embracing, but some of it also scared her.
Rendia had enjoyed the storms, as they were unlike any in Amun Ra and differently experienced on land then at sea. Callen's voice almost made her fall over, she instinctvly jumped to her feet. Why the urgency? Bless Anasis and may all be well, she thought automatically and then stopped herself and repeated it again before hurrying towards the temple. As she did she looked over her shoulder for the briefest split second. Callen, as did all the other men, still made her uncomfortablly shy. But he was always the gentleman . . . most of the people she met seemed to respect her fears and slow adjustment. She had yet to open up to anyone besides naomi though. It made her so vulnerable.
What was the will of Anasis today?
She kept herself busy with learning, soaked it up, made it a part of her . . . discovered hints that the island was not perfect, but soaked up all the difference of heart regardless of the imperfections. But with all this safety and difference, Rendia had come close to some commatose episodes when the scars of her heart threatened to bleed again. She didn't like healing her aura, it was somehow intensely difficult to look at herself now that she was not so innocent of what she was looking at. The darkness was embracing, but some of it also scared her.
Rendia had enjoyed the storms, as they were unlike any in Amun Ra and differently experienced on land then at sea. Callen's voice almost made her fall over, she instinctvly jumped to her feet. Why the urgency? Bless Anasis and may all be well, she thought automatically and then stopped herself and repeated it again before hurrying towards the temple. As she did she looked over her shoulder for the briefest split second. Callen, as did all the other men, still made her uncomfortablly shy. But he was always the gentleman . . . most of the people she met seemed to respect her fears and slow adjustment. She had yet to open up to anyone besides naomi though. It made her so vulnerable.
What was the will of Anasis today?
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rhoddin
During here two weeks Rendia had learnt the paths of Isle well and had no trouble in reaching the Temple of Anasis where it sat over the edge of the river which flowed seemingly across the Isle.
As she approached the main enterance she saw many others of the Temple who she had met and knew to be healers or apprentice healers. Many was maybe too strong a word as there were not many people actually on the whole Isle let alone in one temple, but it seemed a fair number had come to Naomi's summons anyway.
As they milled about, the tall angular figure of Naomi appeared on the steps. Raising her hands she signalled for silence.
"It appears that during the storm a ship was wrecked, and the injured have been brought to the Isle," she did not say who brought them or how. "It has been given to me, and my fellow followers of Anis to cqre for them whilst they are here.
"They will not stay near the temples, but at the port on the south west of the Isle. You are to gather bangages and salve, and then to meet me here and we will go to the port in all haste.
"Rendia and Gladien, please see me now." And with that Naomi sent the others on their task.
Another young girl, not much past her teens, if indeed she was that old walked towards Naomi, Rendia recognised her from around the temple, although she had not actually met her before.
As she approached the main enterance she saw many others of the Temple who she had met and knew to be healers or apprentice healers. Many was maybe too strong a word as there were not many people actually on the whole Isle let alone in one temple, but it seemed a fair number had come to Naomi's summons anyway.
As they milled about, the tall angular figure of Naomi appeared on the steps. Raising her hands she signalled for silence.
"It appears that during the storm a ship was wrecked, and the injured have been brought to the Isle," she did not say who brought them or how. "It has been given to me, and my fellow followers of Anis to cqre for them whilst they are here.
"They will not stay near the temples, but at the port on the south west of the Isle. You are to gather bangages and salve, and then to meet me here and we will go to the port in all haste.
"Rendia and Gladien, please see me now." And with that Naomi sent the others on their task.
Another young girl, not much past her teens, if indeed she was that old walked towards Naomi, Rendia recognised her from around the temple, although she had not actually met her before.
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Gia as Rendia
Fighting an intense nervousness with practiced skill, Rendia walked calmly up to Naomi, her smooth face betraying nothing. They would not break her of this habit easily, she remembered ruefully. She couldn't help it, she would never feel very safe allowing her emotions to be read by everyone. But now it was only Naomi and another girl. Since the rush of their new task was approaching but not yet upon her, Rendia took strength in that last quiet moment, approaching Noami trustingly. Rendia put herself in the loving hands of Anasis, and calmed slightly.
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rhoddin
"Ah, Gladien, Rendia, I nned you two to go into the Port immediately. You will find the injured at the Sailors Guild, in the main hall. Gladien knows the way," and Naomi gave the younger woman a strange look, not exactly annoyed, but not happy either.
"Once ther you will need to sort the injured out. I need the those with the worst injuries indentified and these flags left on their beds. Less serious cases can be left unmarked," Namoi handed Rendia a bunch of small green triangular flags, each with a bit of string to tie them to something.
"Rendia, use your ethereal sight to see which of the injured have the most disrupted aura's, Gladien can then check their physical symtoms as well.
"Questions?"
"Once ther you will need to sort the injured out. I need the those with the worst injuries indentified and these flags left on their beds. Less serious cases can be left unmarked," Namoi handed Rendia a bunch of small green triangular flags, each with a bit of string to tie them to something.
"Rendia, use your ethereal sight to see which of the injured have the most disrupted aura's, Gladien can then check their physical symtoms as well.
"Questions?"
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Gia as Rendia
Why had they been the only ones to be summoned immediatly!? Rendia wondered at this deeply, astonished. She saw no difference she could notice.
She was instantly alert when Naomi gave the girl a different look. Something was not right. It was the look one gave some sort of troublemaker . . . sometimes someone troubled, but Rendia was still fully wary of the girl she had seen around. She had not observed anything . . . maybe she should have. It hadn't been her business before but now this girl was leading her. Now Rendia was worried about loosing her observance.
But both of these worries vanished when Naomi began giving her instructions. Habit took over and Rendia carefully noted each step. So sorting was to be their task. What a strange way of thinking of it, Rendia realized. It was a very important manner of sorting, but sorting regardless. It was better of her to think of it like that then remember the life and death circumstances she might be determining instead. Rendia planned to be swift and efficient, she would not let Naomi down. Look for disrupted auras!
Rendia shook her head negativly, no, no questions, and she was eager to start. She looked over at Gladien to see if she was equally ready to begin so that Naomi might dismiss them.
She was instantly alert when Naomi gave the girl a different look. Something was not right. It was the look one gave some sort of troublemaker . . . sometimes someone troubled, but Rendia was still fully wary of the girl she had seen around. She had not observed anything . . . maybe she should have. It hadn't been her business before but now this girl was leading her. Now Rendia was worried about loosing her observance.
But both of these worries vanished when Naomi began giving her instructions. Habit took over and Rendia carefully noted each step. So sorting was to be their task. What a strange way of thinking of it, Rendia realized. It was a very important manner of sorting, but sorting regardless. It was better of her to think of it like that then remember the life and death circumstances she might be determining instead. Rendia planned to be swift and efficient, she would not let Naomi down. Look for disrupted auras!
Rendia shook her head negativly, no, no questions, and she was eager to start. She looked over at Gladien to see if she was equally ready to begin so that Naomi might dismiss them.
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rhoddin
The younger woman almost seemed to blush at Naomi's comments, but held her head up none the less. Naomi scanned their faces, and hearing no further questions waved them on their way.
Gladien looked at Rendia and smiled, a rather shy smile which dimpled her atttractive young face. "Hello, I'm Gladien, I don't believe we've met before." Her voice was soft, and surprisingly deep for such a slight young thing, a soft slur in her tone added a sensual sound to her voice, and hinted of lands far off.
"Um, I think Naomi chose me to lead as I, um, know the port fairly well, well better than most here anyways." And that almost blush seemed to appear her young cheeks again.
Gladien looked at Rendia and smiled, a rather shy smile which dimpled her atttractive young face. "Hello, I'm Gladien, I don't believe we've met before." Her voice was soft, and surprisingly deep for such a slight young thing, a soft slur in her tone added a sensual sound to her voice, and hinted of lands far off.
"Um, I think Naomi chose me to lead as I, um, know the port fairly well, well better than most here anyways." And that almost blush seemed to appear her young cheeks again.
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Gia as Rendia
Rendia figeted inwardly. Just WHAT was the creature trying to share? Her voice scared Rendia. Keeping her face expressionless, as she had noticed it was effective in warding of friendly advances, she stared unblinkingly at Gladien for a few seconds, fully expecting Gladien to be uncomfortable, and then looked towards the port.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Rendia," she said in what sounded like a rapid rehearsed answer. Then she turned towards Gladien again with her empty face and wished she were more outgoing.
"We had better hurry."
"Nice to meet you, my name is Rendia," she said in what sounded like a rapid rehearsed answer. Then she turned towards Gladien again with her empty face and wished she were more outgoing.
"We had better hurry."
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rhoddin
At Rendia's rather short response the younger woman simply shrugged her shoulders as if it was no concern to her that Rendia wasn't interested in her further.
"Very well then, follow me if you please," her tone was still low and sultry, although there was now a touch of sulkiness as well.
The younger woman led Rendia south west of the temple, crossing the bridge back to the hall of the Oracles Pool, before following the path, well it was nearly a small raod in fact, towards the port on the south west tip of the Isle.
As they approached the port the smell of the sea, and the rather less savoury odours of the port reached Rendia. The port was a rather motley collection of low whitewashed buildings, straggling down to the waterfront and the harbour jetty. Although it was rather difficult to describe it as much more than a pier.
Gladien steered them towards the largest building in the port. It appearred to be just over two stories tall, white washed like all the other building and topped with a white dome.
As they walked briskly through the streets, they were followed by a couple of rather disturbing whistles, not that Rendia would have heard this particular whistle before, but it was quite clear the Gladien had, and the look she cast at the whistlers was enough to freeze water on a warm day.
"Very well then, follow me if you please," her tone was still low and sultry, although there was now a touch of sulkiness as well.
The younger woman led Rendia south west of the temple, crossing the bridge back to the hall of the Oracles Pool, before following the path, well it was nearly a small raod in fact, towards the port on the south west tip of the Isle.
As they approached the port the smell of the sea, and the rather less savoury odours of the port reached Rendia. The port was a rather motley collection of low whitewashed buildings, straggling down to the waterfront and the harbour jetty. Although it was rather difficult to describe it as much more than a pier.
Gladien steered them towards the largest building in the port. It appearred to be just over two stories tall, white washed like all the other building and topped with a white dome.
As they walked briskly through the streets, they were followed by a couple of rather disturbing whistles, not that Rendia would have heard this particular whistle before, but it was quite clear the Gladien had, and the look she cast at the whistlers was enough to freeze water on a warm day.
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Gia as Rendia
Panic Attack
It took all of Rendia's will power not to duck her head instinctively.
Rendia had not yet perfected the art of looking people in the face for very long. Her eyes often stared at the path ahead, or shifted behind lowered eyelids. It was as if you could straighten her body, but not her spirit. She peered at the new location from under her fringe of hair that was forever falling in her eyes, and decided she didn't like it. But . . . there was water, ever strange and sacred in her mind. It was the beautiful ocean that was so differently viewed on land.
The nearer the got to the buildings, the more tremulous Rendia's walking became. She always stepped lightly, usually without sound, but her firm stride and posture weakened and faltered. There were strangers here. As soon as she saw men who did not look like priests at all, Rendia's posture shrank visibly, and she became once more, the desperate slave. She knew what this was, it was the outside, and they would always be ready to hurt her, and she had no power to stand among them and not be cuffed down. And the whistled. rendia had seen them but avoided eye contact, and she could guess easily what the sounds meant. Gladien's response only reinforced this. struggling to function, the by now jittery girl with bent back and hiding eyes blankly followed Gladien as best she could, only her lips moving in hysteric prayer.
It was not that Naomi had not thought this might happen . . . it was just that rendia had handled meeting new people on the island in naomi's presence so much better then this. She could not be considered warm, but once in a while, especially outside of lessons, she was seen making an effort to smile. They had talked about this, Naomi and Rendia had tried to take a few outside walks, talking and calming Rendia's fears. This was different. this had some of the flavor's of a common city like Amun Ra. What if they had any idea of who she was!? And now when she had been so anxious about performing . . they had to walk through a place where normal men were. Rendia's body language was not exagerated, but it was a clear depiction of her pain. She walked briskly, low to the ground, flee, she must flee, where were the injured men!? Naomi had said they might look at her too . . but they were hurt, she felt a sort of safety in their weakness.
"Please, keep me safe, Anasis! Keep me safe, keep me safe, keep me safe, keep me safe . . ." It was an attack like none since her first lesson.
Rendia had not yet perfected the art of looking people in the face for very long. Her eyes often stared at the path ahead, or shifted behind lowered eyelids. It was as if you could straighten her body, but not her spirit. She peered at the new location from under her fringe of hair that was forever falling in her eyes, and decided she didn't like it. But . . . there was water, ever strange and sacred in her mind. It was the beautiful ocean that was so differently viewed on land.
The nearer the got to the buildings, the more tremulous Rendia's walking became. She always stepped lightly, usually without sound, but her firm stride and posture weakened and faltered. There were strangers here. As soon as she saw men who did not look like priests at all, Rendia's posture shrank visibly, and she became once more, the desperate slave. She knew what this was, it was the outside, and they would always be ready to hurt her, and she had no power to stand among them and not be cuffed down. And the whistled. rendia had seen them but avoided eye contact, and she could guess easily what the sounds meant. Gladien's response only reinforced this. struggling to function, the by now jittery girl with bent back and hiding eyes blankly followed Gladien as best she could, only her lips moving in hysteric prayer.
It was not that Naomi had not thought this might happen . . . it was just that rendia had handled meeting new people on the island in naomi's presence so much better then this. She could not be considered warm, but once in a while, especially outside of lessons, she was seen making an effort to smile. They had talked about this, Naomi and Rendia had tried to take a few outside walks, talking and calming Rendia's fears. This was different. this had some of the flavor's of a common city like Amun Ra. What if they had any idea of who she was!? And now when she had been so anxious about performing . . they had to walk through a place where normal men were. Rendia's body language was not exagerated, but it was a clear depiction of her pain. She walked briskly, low to the ground, flee, she must flee, where were the injured men!? Naomi had said they might look at her too . . but they were hurt, she felt a sort of safety in their weakness.
"Please, keep me safe, Anasis! Keep me safe, keep me safe, keep me safe, keep me safe . . ." It was an attack like none since her first lesson.
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rhoddin
Gladien noted Rendia's changed posture, but didn't really give it much notice, "Just ignore them Rendia, bunch of uncouth pigs the lot of them," the younger woman dismissed her would be admirers with a touch of disdain in her voice. She was not concerned about the louts in the street, and it didn't occur to her that Rendia might be more affected than her.
As the y approached the large hall, central to the port, they were met by a large matronly looking woman, dressed in a stark white dress of severe lines. She eyed the young pair of women up and down, before snorting in her throat.
"So Naomi sends me a pair of chits to do this work does she, well come on in then, you'd better do what you can," and the woman waved them into the cool shadey hall beyond.
As the y approached the large hall, central to the port, they were met by a large matronly looking woman, dressed in a stark white dress of severe lines. She eyed the young pair of women up and down, before snorting in her throat.
"So Naomi sends me a pair of chits to do this work does she, well come on in then, you'd better do what you can," and the woman waved them into the cool shadey hall beyond.
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Gia as Rendia
Rendia hadn't expected Gladien to gain respect in her eyes so quickly after Naomi's cryptic look. Now there was a girl she could admire. Her calm was inpenatrable. Why wasn't she more like that? Rendia shivered silently and concentrated on regaining control of herself. She just stared at the back of Gladien's head.
When they approached the matron, Rendia had something else to concentrate on. Slowly their reason for coming came back to her. And in her vulnerable state, she suddenly felt comfortable with the first impression she got from this woman. Her disgust was something familiar to Rendia, something she was used to experiencing. It centered her immediatly. Under the eye of this woman, she was expected to perform, and nothing else. Rendia said nothing, only tripped over her skirt trotting in to examine the men's aura's in a blank, obedient manner. Let Gladien respond if she wanted. She was already seeking her center, calming steadily, absently absorbing her surroundings and noting the placement of everything so that she could check each man in some sort of order. Under a critical eye, she thrived.
When they approached the matron, Rendia had something else to concentrate on. Slowly their reason for coming came back to her. And in her vulnerable state, she suddenly felt comfortable with the first impression she got from this woman. Her disgust was something familiar to Rendia, something she was used to experiencing. It centered her immediatly. Under the eye of this woman, she was expected to perform, and nothing else. Rendia said nothing, only tripped over her skirt trotting in to examine the men's aura's in a blank, obedient manner. Let Gladien respond if she wanted. She was already seeking her center, calming steadily, absently absorbing her surroundings and noting the placement of everything so that she could check each man in some sort of order. Under a critical eye, she thrived.
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rhoddin
The room they were shown into was quite large, with a high ceiling dominated by a large translucent dome admitting adequete filtered light. Rows of men filled the room, some on makesift cots, but most simply placed on pallets or bundles of material.
The room was filled with a low undercurrent of moaning, emenating from all points, rather than any individual. As Rendia centered her mind, and allowed her sight to focus on the etheric plane, she could see the energy maps of the injured, intersperced with a few moving energy balls that must have been people tending the injured.
Most of the mens auras where out of kilter to a lesser degree, but several seemed extremely damaged.
The room was filled with a low undercurrent of moaning, emenating from all points, rather than any individual. As Rendia centered her mind, and allowed her sight to focus on the etheric plane, she could see the energy maps of the injured, intersperced with a few moving energy balls that must have been people tending the injured.
Most of the mens auras where out of kilter to a lesser degree, but several seemed extremely damaged.
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Gia as Rendia
Rendia struggled to walk calmly and perceptivly to the closest serious aura. Naomi only wanted her to find them out, so carefully, Rendia observed the aura, decided that it was indeed as critical as she had noticed, and pulled a single green flag out of her sweaty hand. She fastened it to the bed and then prepared to look for the next serious case, but as she did, she let herself see normally again to better walk the path ways between the beds. Without thinking, she glanced at the bed she had just marked.
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rhoddin
The man in the cot she had just tagged didn't look that baddly hurt on the outside. There were no visible cuts or gashed, and his limbs all seemed at the normal angles. The only strange thing seemed to be a slight blueish tinge around his lips, and the fact that his breathing was short and shallow.
His eyes were closed, and a light sheen of sweat covered his face.
His eyes were closed, and a light sheen of sweat covered his face.
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Gia as Rendia
Rendia's eyes passed over him and looked rapidly around the room, so that she could note the positions of other workers. Then she closed her eyes, refocused, and looked out again with the eyes of one seeking auras. She located the nearest with this penatrating look, and went to tie another ribbon. She worked quickly, not knowing when others would be coming and expect to find her finished.
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rhoddin
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Gia as Rendia
As always, nothing changed outwardly. Inwardly Rendia faltered, like an injured puppy who will never feel safe again. Fighting the panic and the sick feeling she was getting, Rendia's mind took on a terrible tone. If she had been speaking, it would have been just too loud, high-pitched, and full of awful dread and helplessness of the very weak.
"Anasis. What's wrong?"
As she prayed, Rendia forced herself not to shell up, curl up on the floor and stare at nothing until someone found her or killed her or scolded her . . . she forced herself to lift her eyes, lips quivering then still once more. She had to look. For sickness and for what was wrong. What was wrong . . .
"Anasis. What's wrong?"
As she prayed, Rendia forced herself not to shell up, curl up on the floor and stare at nothing until someone found her or killed her or scolded her . . . she forced herself to lift her eyes, lips quivering then still once more. She had to look. For sickness and for what was wrong. What was wrong . . .
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rhoddin
Rendia's bravery was hear by someone and rewarded, it seemed to the former slave that a thread of strength flowed through her, not her own strength, but something external, adding steel to her back, and providing her comfort. And it seemed she heard at the very edge of her hearing a quiet voice respond to her, what was it saying, was it "Courage my child..." maybe that was it.
As she looked up, it was hard to say what was wrong, certainly some of the aura's around her looked damaged, but that was to be expected, these men were injured, but it was something else that was not quite right.
As she raised her head and scanned the plane before her, she noticed what looked like a dark hole in fabric of the plane. Even where there were no aura's there still remained a residual glow of energy, except for a spot that looked like it was in the corner of the hall. Should she investigate it, or just shut it out?
As she looked up, it was hard to say what was wrong, certainly some of the aura's around her looked damaged, but that was to be expected, these men were injured, but it was something else that was not quite right.
As she raised her head and scanned the plane before her, she noticed what looked like a dark hole in fabric of the plane. Even where there were no aura's there still remained a residual glow of energy, except for a spot that looked like it was in the corner of the hall. Should she investigate it, or just shut it out?
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Gia as Rendia
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rhoddin
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Gia as Rendia
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rhoddin
Rendia posted her little green flags quickly, and generally accurately, her panic attack not interferring unduely with her thought process in this regard.
As she was approaching the last case, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and the young voice of Gladien broke her isolation, "Are you alright Rendia, you seem a bit flustered?" Her voice was concerned, and it carried a gentle hint of worry as well.
As she was approaching the last case, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and the young voice of Gladien broke her isolation, "Are you alright Rendia, you seem a bit flustered?" Her voice was concerned, and it carried a gentle hint of worry as well.
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Gia as Rendia
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rhoddin
The look Gladien gave Rendia left no doubt that she had no idea what the other woman was talking about. "Hole, Aura, what are you going on about Rendia. Look if you must find Naomi I'll come with you, I'm sure she's on her way here with some of the others."
Almost under her breath Gladien muttered, "Maybe she'll know what in the seven hells you're talking about," the younger woman cast a sidelong glance at Rendia as she led the way towards the door, and the path back to the temple of Anasis.
Almost under her breath Gladien muttered, "Maybe she'll know what in the seven hells you're talking about," the younger woman cast a sidelong glance at Rendia as she led the way towards the door, and the path back to the temple of Anasis.