Fate Undone: A Novella

Chapter VII - Part II

Anna didn't take the straightest route back home. After leaving the market, there were things she needed to do. She didn't know what the day had in store for her. She didn't know if she would see the night come and the fires spill out into the streets again...or if she would relive her entire life one yesterday at a time.

Dream or not, she needed to make the most of what there was. She needed to see the things that might not last. She needed to see the people that might not be here for long.

After turning a busy street corner, the temple came into view. Its tall spire jutted up into the blue sky; its large rose window of colored glass depicted its everlasting sunset. Or maybe it's a never-ending day, thought Anna as she walked past the gardens and flowering trees. She pulled one of the doors open and stepped inside.

Mother Dimitra stood in the middle of the aisle, between the pews where scattered men and women sat quietly, reading prayers to themselves or simply gazing up at the high ceiling above. When the door opened, she turned and smiled at Anna. "Usually when I tell one of you girls that you've earned your leave for a week, I don't even see the back of your head for all seven days. Did you forget something, dear?"

Anna smiled back, approached, and hugged the woman. "Forgetting might be nice," she answered over Mother Dimitra's subtle surprise. This might be the last time we see each other in peace. "Could I ask something of you?"

Mother Dimitra smirked warily. She was unaccustomed to spontaneous shows of affection from the young priestesses she overlooked, but she certainly didn't mind it. "You can. What might this something be about?"

After she and Anna talked for a couple of minutes, Mother Dimitra pointed her toward the library. It was here, before an elaborately carved bookshelf, that Anna found Leandra, re-ordering a number of thick leather tomes. Anna gave her friend a hug, too, and kissed her cheek before Leandra even knew she was there. The affection was just as surprising to the young girl as it was to Mother Dimitra, but unlike the older woman, Leandra broke into laughter. The sound of it was sweet to Anna's ears, especially under a roof where little of it was ever heard.

"Nikos and Eleni should be making supper right about now," said Anna, "and you're invited."

Leandra leaned back against the shelf. "Just because you've earned a break from this place doesn't mean I have, Anna."

"Well, only if you think that way. Come on, leave the books. I've already talked to Mother Dimitra and I bought you three nights of rest."

"Th—three? Really? How?"

Anna grabbed Leandra's hand and pulled her away from the shelf. "I gave a few of my days to you, and you're wasting them right now by still idling here."

Leandra didn't resist being pulled out of the room, but she did manage to ask, "What about the books?" as she looked back.

"Someone else will see to it. Come, come."

And yet, as Leandra was led through the temple's nave, she felt compelled to wave at Mother Dimitra to make sure her sudden abduction was well accounted for, and clearly masterminded by Anna and not herself. The old priestess just smiled and nodded, gently waving them both away.

In the city's southern district, Anna opened the door to her home with Leandra at her heels. The little girl was giddy with delight to be out and about when she hadn't expected to be.

"Well, well, well," said Abraam. He rose from his stool beside the popping fireplace and laid the iron poker aside. "When I said to go find something interesting I didn't expect company. Hello, Leandra." He took her hand and bowed dramatically low with one leg out in front. "Welcome to our humble home, dearest lady. I assume Anna told you about our coming feast."