Voices of Legend: Ode to Logathara

Chapter 4: The Laugh of a Priestess (Part 1.5)

Priestess Silza awoke the next morning to the sound of Broxin giving orders to the other men. There was still a chill in the air, but the rising sun was quickly warming the space within her tent. Lead Pup was generous enough to bring her riding luggage inside the night before, so she took her time getting ready for the journey ahead of them.

Stepping out of her white Shivanti, she grabbed riding trousers out of one of her bags and pulled them up her legs. The trousers were white like her priestess garments, but they had a subtle tinge of blue in the stitching. She did ask Nia Talia to pack her luggage. The girl must have unconsciously picked trousers that reminded her of her favorite color. Silza reached back in the luggage and lifted out a blouse. "So, not unconscious," she chuckled to herself. The blouse was a striking sapphire blue.

Once Silza finished dressing, she combed her hair with her fingers and braided its white locks across her shoulder. She secured the end of the braid with a ribbon, then let the thick braid hang down her chest. Now it was time to pack her things.

Silza slapped her palms together, then thrust them upward towards the sky. All of the items in the tent rose in sync with her hands. Then she began to wind her hands one at a time. As her hands moved, the items in the air began to rotate as well. As they spun slowly around the room, blankets folded into a pile, her Shivanti and pillow floated into her riding luggage, the bread and cheese she had encapsulated within a bubble of frigid air wrapped itself in a cloth and settled into the other bag. Lastly, the straps of both bags pulled to a close.

When everything was secure, Silza slowly lowered her hands and the items in the air settled back to the ground. Satisfied with her work, she smoothed her hands down her side, then headed out of the tent.

Out in the camp, Broxin was kicking sand over the fire pit. Beside him, Phillipi faked a yawn, earning himself a slap on behind the neck. Sebastian was busy taking down one of the tents. Silza did not want to disturb the pups, so she made her way to the king.

Lifting the flap of the king's tent, she bent down and stepped inside. When she looked up, the king was sitting in the middle of his blankets, staring at her. Phillipi had cut away Galdon's garments when his body had healed enough to withstand the movements. They'd laid a fresh tunic and britches for the king for when he woke up. The kings had not yet dressed.

"Ahhh, good morning, King Galdon. I trust you slept well," asked Silza unabashedly looking him over.

"If you call feeling my muscles reattach to my bones well sleep, then I had the most restful night," the king replied. He reached over and lifted the tunic folded beside him. Silza could see the jerking movements of his body as he attempted to conceal his pain.

"That is news well received," said Silza. "I will ask Spry Pup to assist you with your garments."

"I don't need your servant's help," Galdon snapped. "Tell Phillipi to come here."

"Oh? Do I serve you, now," asked Silza.

"Sithana...," started the king.

"High Priestess, Sithana speaks for Logathara," cut in Silza. "Logathara sent me to be your Diviniré. I see no signs from the goddess telling me to carry your message to the boy."

"Then, how in the gods do you expect me to get dressed," barked the king.

Silza stood watching Galdon for a few seconds. "I would have thought the first cousin of High Priestess Sithana more capable," she said at last.

Before Galdon could respond, Silza turned, bent down, and walked out of the tent.

The sun seemed to shine a bit brighter as she stepped back out into the campsite. Broxin was checking the hooves of his horse and Phillipi was almost finished setting his saddle.

Sebastian sat nearby on his heels binding his folded tent. His eyes were on her. A look of annoyance was on his brow. She nodded to him. He slammed the tent into the ground and yanked hard at the knot he made to secure it. "Not annoyed," Silza thought to herself. "Angry."

Satisfied with her deduction, she headed towards Broxin and Phillipi.

"Well, how do you do, beautiful lady," called Phillipi with a wide grin across his face.

"It's Priestess to you, Spry Pup," she replied. She reached up and fussed with his hair.

"My apologies, beautiful... Priestess," he laughed.

"That I will accept," Silza replied with a smirk. "The king is awake. Can you please help him into his garments?"

"At his service," said Phillipi. He gave the saddle strap one last tug, then jogged off towards the king's tent.

"You shouldn't encourage him," came a voice.

"Should courage not live in the hearts of all knights," Silza asked, turning her attention to the dark man tending his horse.

"My apologies, Priestess, but that kid has enough courage to fill all of Galandad," replied Broxin. "It's caution that he needs in his brain." He glanced over at the priestess to see how she would react to his retort.

Instantly, Broxin sprang away from his horse, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. But a second later he relaxed. Stunned by his own actions, he briskly shook his head to clear his thoughts. He wasn't sure why he'd reacted that way.

Silza just stood there. But she was no longer looking at him. She was staring past him.

Then, she spoke. "In some men caution is nurture. In some men caution is nature. For some men, caution is life. For others, caution is death." She focused her attention back on the large man. "Spry Pup will have to learn what it means to him for himself."

Broxin stared at the woman. He still couldn't put his hand on why he'd suddenly felt so threatened, then just as suddenly the feeling was gone. Shaking his head again, he stepped back to his horse and gave it a couple of pats. "Well, we better not let him know that."

"There is wisdom in you, Lead Pup," replied Silza jokingly. "With that, I agree."

"Tell that to the other three," he mocked, this time not interested in checking how his comment landed.

"Oh, yes? Which part," she questioned.

"The first," Broxin replied.

Silza could not help but to laugh in pure amusement.

***

"How long has she been with the party," Galdon asked Phillipi.

Phillipi was behind him securing the king's sword belt. "She appeared like a goddess," he began, "a tempest of wind and sand. The sun was a halo above her head blinding us as we dared to behold her magnificent...."

"How long," Galdon interrupted.

"Just after your bag of broken bones landed at our feet," he replied. "Thank the gods for Logath's blessing."

"Thank the gods," Galdon agreed.

Suddenly, they heard the laugh of a woman from out in the camp.

Galdon turned and frowned at Phillipi.

"Broxin must have told a joke," shrugged Phillipi.

"Since when does Broxin tell jokes?"

***