The Legend of Saironelloistya [COMPLETED]

Chapter 15: The Blood of a Maiden

Aranellevanima, Saironellotoron and I all had left the Hlócëdor rapidly, not wanting to deal with anymore large serpents, of any form. We all were dreading the last item on the list, or rather the moral implications of retrieving the Blood of a Maiden, and what would be required. As we continued, we didn't say a word, and instead each sat, independent in his or her thoughts. Saironellotoron spoke first. "How much blood do we require?" He asked the two of us.
"The ritual hasn't been explained to us yet, so I don't know." I answered, and then I had a thought. "Why don't we call Nimloth and find out?" They both agreed, and I unloaded my pouch, taking out the horn of Bolton's minotaur, the hair of Armornie, the scale of a Red Drakon, the dragon's tooth, the Poison of a Living Basilisk, and the skin of a skinchanger, before finally pulling out the box and the crystal, and setting them down. I implored Saironellotoron to lay out the Blade of Osiris as well, then opened the box and pulled out another strand of hair. I lit it, and waited for the connection. It opened up to Aranellevanima, sitting privately in her council seat, and looking right at the image.
"What do you require" she demanded calmly, but demanded all the same.
I was caught off guard, so Aranellevanima informed her "We have collected all of the items accept the blood of a Maiden, and would like to know how much we need."
Nimloth smiled, and said "I see. You will require enough maiden's blood to draw..." She paused, sifting through her papers and holding up drawing of three circles, with a eight edged four line star looking shape in the top circle, a circle with a cross line in the left bottom, and a six sided star in the bottom right. "...This, but big enough to hold all of the items" she continued. She held up the notes for the rest of where everything would have to be in the diagram, and I asked Saironellotoron to write that down while I drew the diagram. After Saironellotoron finished, we thanked her, and finished burning the piece of hair. Then we returned to our silence. After a little while more, Aranellevanima was squirming like a child who had just eaten twenty biscuits with honey and was being told to go to school, and learn. I smiled at her, and this time she broke the silence.
"We need a plan" she stated, "do either of you have any ideas?"
"My main issue is the amount that we need is enough that it would kill the person who we drained it from. Is it really worth a life, to continue this quest?" I reasoned, seeking their input.
"It is," Saironellotoron stated after thinking and then nodding his head."it is because we knew that no matter what, there was going to be consequences, and costs. We accepted anyways, therefore it would be immoral to quit now, when the road gets tough."
"And it is more moral to take a life?" I asked him, unsure what to do.
Aranellevanima looked at both of us, deep in thought. Her eyes suddenly brightened with the promise of a new theory, and when asked to explain, she instead retorted, "What is the exact wording on the list? Does it say Maidens blood, or the Blood of a Maiden?"
I concieved her theory, and excitedly pulled out the list, and read item ten. "Maidens Blood! Aranellevanima, are you saying you believe we could gather it from more than one source?"
She stood up as excited as I was, and answered "The list says nothing against it, and the host would not have to perish for the ritual!"
Saironellotoron stopped and thought for a moment, and then stood up, and said "But who will supply the blood? We would need the maidens to come forth willingly. If they resist, then we would violate the law by taking their blood. Who would volunteer for a task with such undertaking?"

. . .

We went back to Mistaostirion, and called for a meeting with the town master, Marurie. Upon our entry into her office, we were met by a smiling mortal woman, who asked diplomatically "Now, laddies, what business do three young wizards have in Mistaostirion?"
"We wish to advertise for an assistant in a ritual." Saironellotoron stated, looking her in the eyes.
She stiffened, and cautiously questioned "What kind of ritual? Are you going to kill one of my people?"
Aranellevanima laughed, then realised Marurie was serious. "We do not wish to end a life anymore than you do, Mistress. If it can be helped, the maiden we require will not die."
Marurie glared at Aranellevanima, and retorted "It is not my will that any of my people should perish. However, it is not my responsibility to deal with the consequences of their actions. I am legally bound not to stop you, therefore I cannot say 'no.' Regardless, it must be attained through permission of said maiden, if you could convince one to help you. I am not for this, yet I cannot refuse you the right to a registered and voluntary ritual. May the life of the maiden be preserved, and may the Goddess of Mercy smile down upon your ritual."
Aranellevanima went to say something, but Saironellotoron cut her off, saying "Thank you, and may the God of Benevolence shower you with wealth and good fortune." We all bowed and walked out.