Chapitre 2 : The Aceluna’s Stone

On the ground, a dozen armed men awaited me, with a litter at their side. Near it stood two handmaidens, one of whom was Klena. I knelt before her, allowing her to embrace me. Only late in my childhood did I realise Klena was different, being small in stature. She belonged to the Eoyans, a tribe composed mainly of men and women of her height. They were often accused of resorting to dark forces. Living mostly in seclusion, they occasionally interacted with us, the ‘long legs’, for trade. Klena, however, had been exiled for defending herself against a man from her tribe, resulting in his death. Despite her justification, the village elders banished her. Thus, she left her family, wandering from town to town, often met with suspicion. Fortunately, her path crossed with my mother, who, despite prevailing prejudices, employed her for her exceptional seamstress skills. My mother had then assigned her to my service from my birth. She had been my nurse, confidante, and a second mother to me.

We were both deeply moved. I answered her numerous questions, assuring her I was well and contrary to her concerns, had been well fed. One of the men, the eldest, approached and tactfully concluded our conversation.

"Your Highness, I am Captain Kargen, and my men and I are under orders to escort you to Den Lorïa and ensure your safety."

"I thank you, Captain, but may I first ask a favour of you?" I responded.

"What would that be, Your Highness?" the captain inquired.

"Only a slight detour, Captain. I wish to visit the Temple of Aceluna before proceeding to Den Loria. It should only extend our journey by a day or two. You see, I cannot bid farewell to my life as a novice without making offerings there. For me, it’s akin to a pilgrimage, a good omen for the future."

I offered the captain my most convincing smile, masking a truth I couldn’t share behind my pious excuse.

"It shall be as you wish, Your Highness. I cannot deny such a request. I’ll send a message to the palace about this minor delay."

He then assisted me into the litter pulled by four horses. It was made of precious wood and richly decorated with golden framework. Despite the large chamber adorned with cushions, the silk curtains, the carvings and embellishments, I had little fondness for such confined spaces. How could I? After the freedom I’d experienced on the island. My horse Antares was being cared for, and I kept Altaïr close. The next girl, Lin, entered the litter hesitantly, eyeing Altaïr warily as he growled at her. Altaïr, now almost a fully grown and formidable wolf, commanded respect.

"Don’t be afraid," I reassured her, "He won’t harm you. He’s just cautious." I then stroked the animal’s head to soothe him.

The journey was expected to take three days. We stopped at various inns, and I keenly observed this almost unfamiliar world. I savoured foods that had been beyond my reach in Nagaël, finding joy and curiosity in everything.

Captain Kargen often rode next to the litter so we could converse through the windows. He spoke of his homeland in Olivï’s lands and his twenty years in my father’s service. What had led him to the kingdom of Thanït? "Love," he confided. Love for a ‘black-eyed devil’, his partner of twenty years, who had borne him three sons.

Despite all those years in the island, far from adult men, their proximity didn’t unsettle me. The men I encountered in the inns, however, behaved oddly. They stared with silly grins and sometimes nudged their companions. They kept their distance, likely intimidated by my wolf and men-at-arms. Their attitudes left me contemplative.

The guards showed me considerable reverence, but I sometimes caught their glances. Captain Kargen, however, did not exhibit such behaviour, so I confided in him about it. He laughed heartily at my query.

"No, Your Highness, I’m not the only man of sound mind here," he said. "If I was a few years younger, unbound by my duties, and not utterly smitten with my devilish love, I might well share their sentiments.”

I looked at him, bewildered.

"You didn’t have a mirror on the island of Nagaël, Your Highness?" he asked.

"No," I replied, still not grasping his point, "Do I have any defects?" He laughed again at my expression.

"Men are not very subtle, and they always behave like this around a beautiful lady."

Indeed, the men were easily distracted, lacking subtlety, as Captain Kargen aptly put it. I now observed them with curiosity; all so different, yet so similar in their anger, sadness, and laughter. In my opinion, they often behaved like big children.

The day before our arrival at Aceluna, we stopped at a small inn in the village of Ireoa for the night. We planned to visit the temple the following morning. This inn, medium-sized and well kept, was no different from the others we had stayed at. I had to admit, despite the slower pace, the journey in the litter had been very comfortable. Before dinner, I decided to go stretch my legs and explore the village, accompanied by Klena and two guards.

Merchants were closing their stalls, and men were returning from the fields, while tantalising smells of food wafted from the houses. Mothers called their children to come inside and eat. Suddenly, a person burst from an alley and threw themselves at my feet. I recoiled in surprise, but the guards quickly intervened. It was a woman, babbling incoherently. A young man soon arrived, immediately kneeling upon recognising the guards’ uniforms and my attire.

"I humbly beg your forgiveness, my lady," he pleaded. "She’s my younger sister, not of sound mind. Please forgive her intrusion; it’s my fault for not watching her closely."

The poor young woman seemed oblivious to her surroundings, tracing the contours of the stones on the ground with one finger and chewing on her sleeve, a trickle of saliva running down her chin.

"There’s no harm done. Please, get up and tend to your sister," I responded.

The young man quickly helped her to her feet. As he led her away, she suddenly turned to me and shouted, "You’re not what you seem," pointing an accusing finger. "I know it, I feel it. You can’t deceive me. I see your beast. No one acts in secret; someone must pay for the crime. The scent of the grave emanates from you."

Then, she began humming a tune with a smile, "Rejoice in the present, feast, laugh, and dance, for it won’t last," before bursting into laughter.

Her brother, concerned for their safety, quickly covered her mouth and hurried her into the alley. I stood there, watching them disappear. Klena took my hand, spat on the ground several times to ward off bad luck and avoid the evil eye, then reassured me, reminding me of the young woman’s unsound mind.

"I know," I whispered, more to myself than to her.

Yet it was to me she had spoken to, looking directly into my eyes, momentarily losing her disoriented air. Her gaze had pierced through me, and her words had sent a chill down my spine. A beast? The scent of a grave emanating from me? – what could that mean? I couldn’t take those words lightly. In Nagaël, it was believed that those with troubled minds were more receptive to things unseen by others. What did she see? I made a sign of protection for myself, after one last glance at their fading silhouettes, I followed Klena back to the inn. She wasn’t sane, I reminded myself.

The next day, we caught sight of the Golden Temple of Aceluna. Parting the veils of my litter, I gazed at it in awe. It was magnificent, standing on a natural islet amidst a dense, lush forest – a palace on water. Towering over Lake Sapna, it lay between the water and the vast, majestic sky. I was immediately captivated. It was a temple dedicated to the glory of Alkïan and Samrah, a sight I had never beheld before. I instantly understood why it enchanted pilgrims.

The temple appeared as if it had been crafted by the gods themselves. It was an immense white building, adorned with colonnades, and topped by a golden dome that shimmered in the morning sun. When I got down from the litter, I paused for a moment on the frosty bank, not quite ready to cross the bridge leading to it. Suddenly, I felt so small, so insignificant. This was the abode of the Luxens, protectors of the world with their foresight. I had never seen one before and was simultaneously excited and curious. Some believed that since their power was revealed through contact with the Coldran, they were not quite like others. After all, nothing was known about the Coldran. The stone was composed of an unknown material, never before seen in our world.

I had chosen to wear my novice attire, adding only a cape. I touched the leather bag in my pocket, which I believed contained stones.

My escort awaited on the shore, as it was not yet ten o’clock, and the temple was closed to pilgrims. I stepped out onto the bridge, which was longer than I had anticipated. Reaching the closed temple doors, I knocked twice, and on the third one, they finally opened. Two priestesses dressed in white stood at the entrance. The older one surveyed me slowly, noting my novice attire, yet her expression remained stern.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" she inquired tersely.

"My name is Danaé. I am heading to my home and have come to convey the High Priestess’s regards to Luxen Kaendra. I would like to see her," I responded.

"You cannot meet her," she objected.

"I am a Soa," I stated, indicating the necklace around my neck.

There was no way I would let this shrew obstruct my path.

"You would oblige me by leading me to her, Priestess. I have no time to waste; my escort waits on the shore,” I utter with authority. 

The shrew glanced behind me, her eyes widening at the sight of my imposing retinue she couldn’t quite distinguish. She surmised, I presumed, that I must be someone of significance, even though I hadn’t revealed my title. She would soon learn who I was. During my years in Nagaël, I had lost the habit of introducing myself as Princess Danaé.

The doors opened wide, and I was ushered into the deserted hall. It was an immense, circular room of great simplicity. At its centre stood two huge statues of Alkïan and Samrah, side by side, crafted in gold and ivory. Alkïan was depicted as a man, arms raised to the sky, while Samrah, a woman, was seated on a tree trunk, surrounded by animals. I immediately placed my hands on my forehead and bowed. As I approached for a closer look, I was startled by a noise behind me.

Turning around, I saw a dog, larger than any I had ever seen. He stood there, gazing at me with his brown eyes. I found myself captivated by his almost human-like gaze, and then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he vanished. The priestess returned, informing me that Luxen Kaendra was on her way to meet me. I followed her through a labyrinth of corridors until she opened the doors to a room, which I entered.

It was a bright and spacious room. A person stood up as I entered – a little girl, no older than ten, I thought. I turned to the priestess, about to mention her mistake, when the child spoke.

"Good morning, Princess Danaé. I am Kaendra," she said in her childish voice.

I hadn’t expected a child. People always talked about the Luxens, but knew nothing about them, except their gender, as they never appeared in public. How could she manage such a life at such a young age?

"Leave us," she commanded the priestess, in an authoritative tone that contrasted starkly with her appearance. The priestess immediately complied.

I realised then that she was blind, for she was not looking at me but staring at a point on the horizon.

"Please, take a seat,” she gestured as she settled on a chair. You have come from the High Priestess," Kaendra said.

"Indeed," I replied, regaining my composure. "Forgive my surprise."

"You are all forgiven, Princess," she said, smiling.

I heard a muffled growl nearby and saw the dog by the window, which was left open.

"You’ve already met Horhan, I believe," she added. "He is my eyes."

It seemed she was speaking not figuratively, but literally. I turned to the dog, who remained still, calmly observing me. I then remembered my purpose and took the little leather bag from my cloak.

"The High Priestess sends you all her love and has asked me to give you this," I said, handing her the leather bag.

For a moment, I forgot she was blind. It was her dog who approached me at her command, taking the bag in its mouth to place it on her lap.

Kaendra weighed the bag in her hands, and I wondered if she could perceive its contents just by touching it. A shadow crossed her face, followed by a sad smile, which made me want to comfort her. What in that leather bag could sadden her so?

"The High Priestess must hold you in high regard to entrust you with this mission."

"I am at the Lady’s service; she needs only to command. I am also flattered by her confidence in me."

"There is a message as well,” she added. 

"That’s right: 'My memories are as hot as flames, and deeper than the ocean. They will not be blown away by the wind but will anchor themselves forever in the earth.'"

After I finished, Kaendra stood up, the dog by her side, guiding her to a pedestal table. She opened a wooden box and placed the leather bag inside. I glanced around the room, large and colourful. An easel stood nearby, making me wonder how she could paint without sight. I stood up, eager to look. I gasped in shock at the canvas. It depicted a woman in a litter – me, recognisable by my dress, speaking to an unseen person, my wolf beside me. The details were so strikingly real, as if she had been there with us.

"I had a vision of you, which I painted," she explained. "As for the colours, I can feel them."

She answered each question I had in mind. Approaching, she touched the cloak I had just removed.

"Your cloak is grey," she observed.

"It’s staggering," I marvelled at the canvas.

"It’s yours if you want it."

I couldn’t accept.

"I insist, it makes me happy. I know it will be in good hands. Would you like to see the Stone?" she offered suddenly. 

How could I refuse? I accepted, excited to see the sacred Coldran up close. She led me after a few minutes in various corridors, to a large rectangular room, stark except for a marble podium holding the stone on a velvet case. The Coldran, an invaluable treasure, was said to have fallen from the sky.

The room was dark, lit only by the blue stone’s radiance, casting rays around. It was an oval, imposing stone, exuding incredible energy.
To demonstrate, Kaendra placed her hands on the Coldran, which brightened intensely. A light seemed to course through her body. She threw her head back, screaming, as light burst from her eyes and mouth, echoing off the domed ceiling. It appeared overwhelmingly violent. My hair lifting on my nape and arms before I looked up. Then I froze, unable to move, rooted to the spot I was in. My hands flew to my mouth in horror, holding back the scream I wanted to let out, but I couldn’t throat tight. 

Above me, figures with greyish-green, rotting flesh – undead monsters, I thought – emerged from the ceiling, filling the room, emitting piercing, otherworldly screams. My legs weak I collapsed to the ground, covering my ears. Keandra remained still, caught in the same posture. When I found my voice back, I called her name repeatedly, but she didn’t hear me. More sprang from the ceiling and spread throughout the room, in even greater numbers. They uttered inhuman screams, the kind of which were to be heard in the underworld. I closed my eyes as some approached me, and each time, I felt a mysterious force push me back.

I had the feeling that if Kaendra detached herself from the Coldran, this abomination would disappear. Unable to get up, I tried to make my way to Kaendra crawling on the cold floor with difficulty, because I kept being propelled back. I shield myself with one arm moving with the other, yelling her name in the noise. 

Amidst the chaos, I heard a litany, a voice chanting something, I tried to concentrate on that voice and heard the words. 

“Ambaran eguraraye noya sepnatis, caro osheyani sar lucrïa."

Struggling to reach her, repelled backward each time. These figures seemed unreal, but the noise, the stench, the mysterious force were all too real. I kept desperately crawling towards Kaendra.

My limbs grew heavier; moving forward became increasingly difficult. Drained of strength, my head spinning, darkness suddenly enveloped me.

When I opened my eyes again, I looked around, disoriented. I was resting on a bed, my head feeling incredibly heavy. Struggling to my feet, I realised I wasn't alone; by my side was Klena. Seeing a familiar face brought me immense relief. She embraced me, and I snuggled into her shoulder. Gently, she brushed the sweaty strands from my face and looked at me intently, her expression etched with worry. I reassured her about my condition and asked for the time. She informed me it was nearly six o'clock in the morning and that I had been asleep for two days.

So, I had slept for nearly forty-eight hours, yet I didn't feel any more revitalised. She told me that my retinue and the men escorting me had been accommodated in the temple's annexes.

She handed me some water, which I drank eagerly. Since I was still too weak, she fed me. She and Lin then assisted me with bathing and returning to bed. I felt as weak as a newborn baby. 

Moments later, there was a knock at the door, and Klena hurried to open it. The visitor, introducing himself as one of the Luxens, was someone I immediately agreed to see, hoping he had information about Kaendra's condition. Lin helped me sit up against the pillows. The Luxen was a tall man, with tanned skin and a long black beard.

"Your Highness," he greeted, bowing. "I am Goran, one of the three Luxens, and I regret that we meet under such circumstances."

"How is Kaendra?" I inquired, foregoing propriety due to my concern.

"She’s fine and resting. What you witnessed is very rare. In my almost ten years as a Luxen, this is the first time I’ve seen a Lorus occur."

"What is a Lorus, Goran?"

I sat up, leaning back against the pillows, and fixed my gaze on Goran. "Goran, you mentioned a Lorus. What exactly is that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued amidst my lingering disorientation.

Goran paused, considering his words carefully. "Imagine, Your Highness, that every vision a Luxen experience is like a dream confined to their mind – ethereal, intangible, and personal. But sometimes, under rare and extraordinary circumstances, a vision becomes so potent, so charged with energy that it breaches this mental boundary. This phenomenon is what we call a Lorus."

He walked over to the window, gazing out as he spoke. "In a Lorus, the vision doesn’t just stay in the mind of the Luxen. It spills out into the physical world, manifesting for all to see. It’s as if the Luxen becomes a conduit, turning thought into reality, however briefly."

My eyes widened in understanding and fear. "So, what I saw … those ghastly figures…"

"Yes, Your Highness. What you witnessed was Kaendra’s vision escaping the confines of her mind. It’s an extremely rare event – so much so that many of us believed it to be a mere legend. A Lorus can be dangerous, not just for the Luxen who experiences it, but for anyone who is present. It drains energy from everything around it, trying to sustain its existence outside the mind."

I mulled over his words, trying to grasp the enormity of what he described. "But how can a vision become so powerful?" I asked.

Goran turned to face me, his expression grave. "We believe it’s tied to the emotional and psychic intensity of the vision. When a Luxen sees something particularly harrowing or momentous, the vision can gain a sort of … momentum. And the Coldran stone, with its mysterious energies, acts as a catalyst in this rare transformation."

I sat there, stunned, as the weight of his explanation sank in. The Lorus wasn’t just a mystical occurrence; it was a dangerous, uncontrollable phenomenon that blurred the line between thought and reality.

“Praise be to Samrah and Alkian, you were rescued in time. Your survival, I believe, is also due to that stone around your neck."

I touched the stone on the necklace, "It was a gift from the High Priestess. Had she foreseen this?" I wondered aloud.

"It’s a Fioer stone, found only on Nagaël," Goran added. "Among other properties, it protects your energy from external forces."

Reflecting on my recent experiences, I questioned whether I should return to Nagaël, as I had barely left my island for a week and had already nearly lost my life.

"We’re fortunate the Lorus didn’t extend beyond the temple walls."

"You mean it could have spread outside?"

"Yes, causing chaos and panic. However, Kaendra managed to contain it," he concluded.

"Can you tell me what those apparitions were?" I asked, a shiver of disgust running through me.

"They were the damned souls of Sualana’s soldiers, Your Highness."

"Soldiers? Now that you mention it, they carried strange weapons, unlike any I’ve seen."

Goran settled into a chair opposite me, his face reflecting the gravity of the tale he was about to unfold. "Let me take you back, Your Highness, to a pivotal moment in our history, five centuries ago," he began, his voice taking on a reflective tone. "It was a time of great turmoil and strife, following the death of Nemea’s supreme ruler."

I leaned forward, my earlier fatigue momentarily forgotten in the wake of my growing curiosity. "He left no heir, then?" I interjected, trying to piece together my fragmented knowledge of our past.

"Exactly," Goran nodded, appreciating my interest. "The ruler had no direct successor, only two sisters who were married to powerful vassals. His death created a power vacuum, sparking a brutal conflict for the throne."

I frowned, thinking of the implications. "So, it led to a war among the vassals?"

Goran’s eyes darkened at the memory. "More than just a war, it was a ruthless battle for dominance. Brothers turned against brothers, each vassal driven by a relentless thirst for power. The entire realm was engulfed in chaos, marked by unspeakable atrocities and bloodshed."

The horror of what he described felt almost palpable. "How did it come to an end?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"A group of visionaries, tired of the endless conflict, banded together. They were determined to restore peace and order," Goran continued. "Their efforts culminated in the Battle of Sualana, in the northern lands of the Qroennies kingdom. It was there that they faced the last of the dissenters, decisively ending their resistance."

His explanation painted a vivid picture of Nemea’s tumultuous past, a history marked by conflict but also by the resilience and determination of those who sought peace. It was a legacy that continued to shape our present in ways I was only beginning to understand.

"And the bodies of the defeated?" I inquired, a sense of dread building within me.

Goran sighed, his gaze distant. "They were denied a proper burial. Instead, their remains were cast into a mass grave and covered with hyssop. Ancient rites were invoked to curse their souls, ensuring they would never find peace or redemption, the gates of the afterword forever closed to them. They also wished to evade soul seekers."

I shuddered at the finality of his words. "Such a fate seems … severe."

"It was a different time, Your Highness," Goran replied, his voice tinged with regret. "The curse was meant as a deterrent, a warning against such ruthless ambition. But as with all things buried and forgotten, they sometimes find a way back into the world, as you unfortunately witnessed."

I thought about those lost souls, doomed to wander forever in limbo, unable to pass through the gates of the afterlife. "Why did this vision come to Kaendra? What does it mean? They’re wandering in limbo, unable to penetrate our world, aren’t they?" I wondered.

"No, don’t worry, Your Highness," Goran reassured me. “These poor souls exist in a different astral realm."

Despite his assurances, I was still troubled by what I had witnessed.

"Do you think, Goran, that my presence or something I did might have triggered this?" I asked, suddenly anxious.

"I don’t believe so. It seems to be an unfortunate coincidence, nothing more."

"And how is Kaendra really faring?"

"She’s lost a lot of energy but is strong. She’ll be back on her feet soon," he replied.

"Could I visit her?"

"Certainly, once you’ve recovered. I’m sure she would be pleased to see you."

"I feel better already," I protested.

Goran approached, took my hands, and closed his eyes. "Your energy isn’t fully restored; you need more rest," he insisted.

I wanted to argue but found myself overwhelmed by fatigue. I thanked Goran for his clarifications. As he was about to leave, something suddenly came back to me.

"During the tumult, I heard a voice speaking in the sacred language of the ancients," I recalled.

"What did it say, Your Highness?" Goran asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I’m not sure, wait … it sounded rather ominous."

I focused, trying to recall the exact words I had heard.

"It’s alright if you can’t remember now. Maybe later…"

"Yes, 'The shadow was my kingdom, but I awaken to the light,'" I suddenly recited. "Do you think there’s a connection?"

"I’m not sure. It might not be related to the soldiers. We sometimes experience multiple visions simultaneously," he explained.

"So, assuming these soldiers are a vision of the past, does this voice also belong to the past? It felt like a warning or a caution."

"Rest assured, the Dïron will convene soon to discuss this Lorus, and I’ll present this new information."

The Dïron, a council comprising the high priest, priests, and Luxens, convened to discuss and interpret visions. Their collective wisdom undoubtedly exceeded mine, and I felt reassured that they would likely find an explanation for this mysterious voice.

During the day I felt in and out of a restless sleep. In the evening Klena brought me another broth, and I returned to sleep. That night, my rest was troubled, haunted again by visions of the damned army. I woke up startled, sweating, Klena asleep on a straw mattress beside me. The shaft of sunlit pouring into the room through the thick closed curtains indicated it was early morning. 

I was in need of air, I got out of bed, stronger than I had felt before. I splashed cold water on my face and then clean the best I could and got dressed. Donning my cloak, I stepped out of my room. The temple was silent, my bare feet soundless on the cold marble. Guided by the few torches illuminating the corridors, I easily found my way to the Coldran’s room, driven by a need to unearth traces of the vision or recall forgotten details.

The room was as I remembered, the stone glowing as it had before. Everything appeared normal; one could hardly believe that, days earlier, it had been a site of otherworldly chaos. I walked around, touching the walls and floor, but nothing seemed amiss. Watching the stone from a safe distance, I pondered its enigmatic power, which no one understood. As I observed it, I flinched as the stone transformed, shifting from blue to white, its light intensifying. I was unnerved as a beam of light projected onto the wall behind me. My heartbeat raced at what I would discover, I slowly spun bracing myself for another horrific vision. 

When I did, I frowned, I faced my own reflection; at least it’s what I thought at first. But the woman projected onto the wall, while bearing a strong resemblance to me, was different. Her amber eyes were the same, but her face was rounder, marked by a mole on her cheek, and her eyes were shaped differently. I moved closer, raising my hand to touch hers, but I felt only the cold marble.
"Who are you?" I whispered.

She turned abruptly, as if hearing a noise behind her. She spoke, but no sound reached me. I gestured at my inability to understand, then tried to read her lips, to no avail. She pointed first at me, then at herself, and clasped her hands together, signalling a connection between us. She glanced over her shoulder once more before the projection vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, leaving me calling out to the girl to wait.

Standing there, in front of the wall, I turned back to the Coldran. It had returned to its usual colour. What just happened here? How was it possible? The Coldran, a divination stone, revealed its secrets only to the Luxens upon contact. I wasn’t one and I hadn’t approached it, though. Yet, this projection seemed unrelated to the Lorus’ visions. It appeared to me that someone had tried to communicate with me. The young woman resembling me claimed we were linked, but how? Ever since leaving Nagaël, unanswered questions had been my constant companions.

"Are you here to reassure yourself, Your Highness?" a voice behind me inquired, startling me.

I whirled around to see a man standing in the doorway. He stepped into the room. He wore the priests’ robes, a long white high-necked tunic, but his was embroidered with gold patterns on the front showing a high status. He was standing straight, his hands neatly folded behind his back. His pale face with pronounced cheekbones, contrasted sharply with his long, white-blond hair that cascaded down to his back. His eyes, a captivating shade of purple, held an allure that was almost magnetic.

His beauty was remarkable. It felt almost as if a man possessing such an overwhelming degree of beauty crossed the line of decency. Some might consider such striking features superfluous, perhaps even wasted in a man. He moved further into the room with a few steps, his physique and movements embodying a perfect blend of strength and grace. If he hadn’t spoken, I might have dismissed him as a figment of my imagination. His presence radiated a peculiar, almost elusive aura. I prided myself on being able to read people at first glance, yet he defied easy classification. 

I was a creature of instinct, which usually guided me, I found myself at a loss. His enigmatic gaze made it impossible to discern if he harboured ill or good intentions. It was the first time in my life I was confronted with an inability to form a first opinion through my instinct, and it puzzled me.

"My name is Danesh, and I am the high priest of Aceluna. I found you during the Lorus," he announced.

Even his voice was beautiful, it seemed the gods had been generous in their blessings. He was young for such a high office. Newly chosen, I had heard, a man of great piety and knowledge. As dusk fell, he secluded himself for meditation, prayers and reading rare, ancient texts.

"An exceptional stone," he remarked, gesturing towards the Coldran. "A prodigious energy."

"That is frightening," I replied.

"Isn’t the exceptional always so?"

I hesitated to discuss the scene I had just witnessed. Could I trust him, when I didn’t trust myself, what if it had all been a hallucination from my loss of energy?  

"How do you feel?" he inquired, his tone solicitous.

"Better, thank you,” I remembered my manners and bowed, “Your venerable.”

“Please, for everyone, here, I’m only Danesh.” 

I nodded and gazed at the Coldran. “I think I just needed to confirm it was only a vision," I said to break the silence. 

"A Lorus is always challenging, especially when unprepared.” 

“Have you experienced one?" I wondered. 

"Yes, ten years ago, right here. I was a young aspirant then, and it haunted me for months."

I could understand that, I only had to close my eyes to remember those faces, the screams. 

"Your nightmares will cease eventually. If you wish, I can prepare a concoction to aid more peaceful sleep."

"What would you recommend?"

"Please, follow me. You’ve studied medicinal herbs, we can decide together on the best remedy."

I followed him into a small, dark room lined with shelves full of glass jars and containers, all labelled. Plants crowded the space – their herbology room, modest in size but filled with numerous jars and books. 

"It’s my personal laboratory," he said, with a hint of pride in his voice. "The main herbology room is outside, along with our plant garden.” He looked at a selection of jars. “For nightmares and sleep disturbances, what would you suggest?"

"Valerian root, verbena, and anise, perhaps mandrake."

"Correct, though for a Lorus witness, I would add Mésué."

Mésué, a mountain plant, had soothing properties but could cause memory loss in high doses, often recommended after a traumatic event. 

"I don’t wish to forget what I saw. It would be cowardly. I want to confront my fears, not erase them."

"To your credit, then. We’ll omit Mésué," he agreed, setting the plant aside. He smiled, "I see Nagaël still trains intrepid women."

Danesh had something more dangerous in a man than beauty, my grandmother would say, charm.

He effortlessly summoned a mixture from a distant cupboard. Watching him skilfully mix the ingredients without physical contact was mesmerising. He handed me the potion, which had a minty aftertaste. While he busied himself with other mixtures, I perused his library, each book bigger than the last, on plants, the earth, constellations, philosophy. Danesh seemed to be a true scholar, a lover of knowledge.

Feeling suddenly weary from the potion’s swift effect, I thanked him and declined his offer to escort me. I returned to my room and fell asleep immediately.

I awoke a few hours later, feeling well rested. That same day, I was finally able to visit Kaendra. She was still bedridden; the Lorus had taken a heavy toll on her.

She greeted me with a faint smile. Despite her pallor, Danesh, who was at her bedside, reassured me about her condition. Her energy was slowly being replenished. It could have been worse; she might have lost her memory, suffered mental disorders, or be still unconscious. However, she had only been unconscious for a few hours after the Lorus, which was encouraging.

I spent the entire day by her side. After Danesh left, she told me her dog had quickly raised the alarm, and thanks to her faithful companion, we hadn’t suffered too much. I stroked the animal, still by her side, and he accepted my touch without flinching.

We talked for hours. I shared stories of my family and siblings. Kaendra was an only child. Her mother, a former servant of the Oracle of Almeria, had died of a fever and always spoke of her service with pride. The Oracle, renowned for divination gifts, was sought by commoners and kings alike. As for her father, a fisherman, he had entrusted her early to the care of her grandmother who lived in a cottage deep into the forest. She had had a happy childhood until, during a temple pilgrimage, she touched the stone and had a vision, marking the start of her life at the temple among priests and priestesses. Her had grandmother passed away six moons ago, and her father visited occasionally. Despite a life far removed from typical childhood concerns, she expressed contentment with her lot, considering her isolation a small price for the privilege of helping and potentially saving her people.

Danesh treated her like a daughter, reminding her of her childhood. She fondly recalled his attempts to lighten her serious nature.

Urging me not to pity or worry about her, she expressed honour in her unique power. "Not all mortals are given such an opportunity," she said. Her dedication to protecting this world was unwavering.

I left her quarters in the late afternoon to let her rest and encountered Danesh, who invited me to the garden of simples. I had grown to respect and appreciate him even if there was an aura of mystery around him. An exceptional healer, he approached each patient holistically, curing ailments overlooked by others. He believed in treating both the soul and body, exuding a peace that enveloped those around him. His calm demeanour and measured actions commanded respect and obedience without raising his voice.

When Captain Kargen suggested we set sail again three days after the Lorus, Danesh insisted I needed more rest and I had to stay at the temple for potential side effects. The captain acquiesced, and Danesh shared a knowing smile with me. I had recovered, but I sensed he understood my desire to stay longer, ensuring Kaendra’s full recovery. I had grown fond of her and felt sorry to leave without the confirmation she was better.

She had moved and touched me deeply. As Goran said, one could not help but love her. I had made her two dolls, one in her likeness and another resembling me. They were now her cherished companions as she slept, her health having improved significantly, enabling her to walk slowly without assistance.

I divided my time between caring for Kaendra, meditating with Goran, and absorbing Danesh’s knowledge of plants and healing.

One sunny morning, I accompanied Danesh into the nearby forest as he wished to gather plants. I managed to convince Captain Kargen there was no danger to me in the temple’s vicinity. No one would dare attack me near the shrine of the gods; I had no need for an escort.

The sun was high as we ventured deeper into the forest, the scenery around us breathtakingly beautiful. Leaving Danesh to his work, I informed him that I would explore a little further and perhaps dip my feet in the lake. Wandering off, I took the time to remove my sandals, relishing the feel of the fresh grass under my feet. Reaching the lake’s edge, I spotted a figure swimming.  

Could he be a villager? Why would he be swimming or even bath here, in a part of the forest belonging to the temple, and thus sacred by extension? A priest, perhaps, but they would be occupied with pilgrims and penitents at this hour. I watched the intruder through the branches, captivated a moment by his tall figure and the muscles of his body as he swam. Never before had I seen a man completely naked and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I should leave I told myself, it wasn’t proper to observe him and Danesh was likely wondering about my whereabouts. I could alert the priests and priestesses on this invasion of the holy territory. However, I remained rooted to the ground as if hypnotised by the spectacle before me. Time seemed suspended as I stared at the stranger.

Suddenly, the swimmer halted and swam closer to the shore, now waist-deep in water. Had he seen me? He scanned his surroundings but didn’t spot me behind the embankment.

"You should come out of hiding," he called out.

I froze, holding my breath, trying to hide better. A flush crept across my cheeks. I should have left what an idiot. How had he known I was there?

"If you don’t, I’ll come and find you," he threatened.

Caught, I considered my options. Fleeing seemed the most sensible. So, I crawled away slowly, only for two bare legs to suddenly appear in front of me. My gaze travelled up to his thighs, fortunately covered by black trousers, then to a damp torso and finally to amused blue eyes. How had he moved so quickly and clothed himself without a sound?

His long, wet brown hair clung to a face with regular features and a square jawline. His full lips curved into a smile that was both sweet and mocking, his penetrating eyes felt strangely familiar.

"You need not kneel in front of me, woman," he joked, referring to my position.

Annoyed, I sprang to my feet, straightening my dress. However, my standing position offered no advantage against the tall stranger.

"Have you lost your tongue, my dear?" he asked, lifting my chin to observe me.

"I forbid you to touch me," I exclaimed, pushing his hand away and rubbing where he had touched me.

"Well, you have regained your speech," he noted, moving closer.

I instinctively recoiled, not so much from fear as from decency. Yet, my eyes remained fixed on his body. He advanced, and I retreated an equal distance, soon finding myself backed against a tree. He placed his hands on either side of my head, effectively trapping me. My heart pounded as he brought his face close to mine. Seductive yet dangerous, he wore a dagger at his belt. Weaponless, I realised the fight was lost. I needed to find an escape. Screaming was always an option.

“Would you be so kind as to let me go?” I asked in a conversational tone, as if we were in a house having tea and he wasn’t half-naked in front of me in a forest with no one around.

He was amused by this change in tone.

“Why are you in such a hurry? We’ve only just got acquainted," he said in the same tone, as he caressed my cheek with his wet hand, then traced the contours of my mouth with his thumb. I stood perfectly still, and held my breath, trapped in his gaze. However, the cry of a bird in the sky broke the spell and I found myself free from the enchantment, there was no other explanation.

I crushed his foot and elbowed him in the stomach before running away. He grabbed my arm, I tried to escape, but my dress wrapped around my ankles, I stumbled, grabbed his arm and fell dragging him with me. I tried to get up, but he stopped me, I struggled, so he lay on top of me, to stop me. Then he held my hands above my head. I was totally at his mercy. I wanted to erase the smile of contentment that danced on his lips. 

"You know how to defend yourself, you’ve just piqued my curiosity," he declared.

"Let go of me or you’ll pay," I ordered, trying to get away from him. 

I didn’t want to scream and alert Danesh. I would have to explain to him what had happened and there was nothing more embarrassing than telling him that I was spying on a naked man who had caught me in the act. The man only laughed at the mention of my threat. 

Troubled by his closeness, I tried not to think about his smell, the touch of his wet skin, which now permeated my dress. I was more than aware of his body on mine. I raised myself with all my might, trying to get him off of me. But I only succeeded in moulding my form better to his, and I felt the fire rise to my cheeks.

"You’re blushing," he whispered, and I felt his breath against my cheek.

"Get up," I ordered, "You are preventing me from breathing."

“I’m sorry about that.”

"You’re sorry, but you’re still on top of me," I hissed.

“If you were more complacent, perhaps I would accede to your desire.”
 
“If you think I’m going to let you rape me,” I spat contemptuously.

"I’ve never had to resort to such means, no woman has ever refused me," he commented with a wink. 

“You must have met some foolish and dishonourable ones.”

"No, the kind who spies on me when I’m bathing," he retorted bluntly.

I felt myself blushing furiously. 

He laughed, the dog, he seemed to be enjoying the situation so well. I decided that the game had gone on long enough.

"You don’t know who I am, let me go," I commanded.

I suddenly wanted to tell him who I was, but I held back, he could well kidnap me when he found out and ask for a ransom, it was done a lot. 

He then examined me for a moment with great attention.

“Who are you? According to the fabric of this dress and the jewellery, surely a woman of a certain rank. However, what woman of the nobility would walk around without an escort?” 

A fool, I thought. Yes, captain, let me walk alone in the forest only to be attacked by a madman.

Strange to say, you don’t have the hands of an idler," he observed, freeing one of my hands. Maybe you’re trading your favours. No doubt you belong to a man of high rank. Your protector, my sweet, is very imprudent to leave you unattended.”
 
"I’m not a bad woman," I said. 

He then straightened up, strained his ears, seeming to listen to something I did not hear, and then he sprang to his feet, dragging me after him.

“I’m sorry, I’m going to have to put an end to our charming interlude, I’m expected somewhere," he said regretfully to have to interrupt his hostage taking. 

However, before I had time to give him a sharp retort, he was putting his lips to mine. At first it was a simple caress, his mouth was warm against mine. Then, seeing that I offered no resistance, he became bolder, deepening his kiss. My body did not react against this invasion, I shuddered with unknown sensations and a gentle warmth throughout my body. 

I couldn’t resist when his tongue caressed my lips, unconsciously I parted mine. I also didn’t resist when he shoved it into my mouth. I resisted even less when he met mine for an unusual and voluptuous dance. So that was a kiss. 

I let myself be completely carried away, forgetting everything around me and the fact that I, princess of the kingdom of Thanït, let a complete stranger kiss me in the sacred forest, adjacent to the golden temple of Aceluna. At the thought of this, what little reason I had left overcame my inflamed senses. I freed myself from his embrace, breathless, surprised and shocked that I had pressed myself into the arms of a stranger. Where had my common sense, my discernment, gone? What kind of woman was I? What was wrong with me? 

I put my hand to my lips, as if to silence the shivers that ran through my entire mind, with my mouth as my epicentre.

He looked at me with that mocking smile on his lips. He triumphed, the boor. 

“You can’t imagine at this second how much I regret being expected," he said, scanning my body with a look veiled in desire.

Outraged by my own reaction and his words, I tried to slap him, but he laughed, held my hand and placed a kiss on it.

"I have only taken what was so obligingly offered to me," he added, to my own shame.  

He hissed and a black steed appeared out of nowhere. He mounted it, and then the rider, after a last glance, disappeared. 

"I will have you hanged," I yelled at his disappearing back. I thought I heard him laugh. 

Then I had to lean against a tree, because my legs couldn’t carry me anymore.

It had happened so fast that I thought I had dreamed of this scene. However, I could still feel his mouth on mine. With an angry gesture I wiped my lips, it didn’t change anything, I could still feel them and his taste.

I then strode to the edge of the woods where Danesh was waiting for me. On the way, I couldn’t stop thinking about the stranger. ‘Stop thinking about that fool,’ I urged myself, unsuccessfully. What had possessed me to turn down an escort? Captain Kargen and his men would have made short work of that scoundrel, and I would have relished seeing his smile fade. I didn’t need an escort; a sword would have been sufficient to discipline the brute, who, with a small voice in my head whispered, kissed divinely well. I shook my head in frustration. ‘You wanted that kiss,’ the voice repeated.

If I had truly wanted to repel him, I could have used the Lïshen. My body had betrayed me; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, especially under his touch, his lips. I grunted, disgusted by my thoughts. It must have been the spirit of lust the evil that sometimes controls beings, the one that mothers fear for innocent maidens. I resolved to burn some incense to ward off this unwanted spirit. The voice of reason reminded me that a spirit can only possess people if there was fertile ground within them for it to flourish.

I found Danesh still busy harvesting bark. He looked up as I approached, and I could see in his eyes that I must have looked dishevelled. Glancing down at my outfit, I noticed my dress was wet and torn in places, likely from my fall. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I had also left my shoes at the scene of my altercation. Running my hand through my hair, I felt blades of grass and what seemed to be a dead insect. And I had tried to make myself more presentable before going back to find Danesh. 

"Was your walk enjoyable?" Danesh asked, barely concealing his amusement.

"I slipped," I lied, ashamed.

"I’m sorry to hear that," he replied, I’m sure he knew there was more, but he decided not to press the matter.

"I’ve finished here; we should head back," he suggested.

"Yes, that’s a good idea," I agreed, relieved he didn’t ask more questions.

We returned to the temple, where I spent the remainder of the day embroidering with Kaendra. Despite her lack of sight, her pieces were more beautiful than mine. My thoughts kept drifting back to the forest encounter, causing several needle stabs and bloody fingers.

The day before I left, I met the third Luxen, Talynte, a shy young boy almost my age. He barely looked up when we met and stammered his greetings. He spent most of his time in his chambers or the temple library, but was very fond of Kaendra, for whom he read his own stories about heroic knights and princesses in peril.

Having been at the temple for a week, I had written to my parents, informing them I wouldn’t stay much longer. My mother had expressed her impatience in a lengthy letter. It was time to bid farewell to my new friends. Kaendra was almost fully recovered. I hugged her, promising to return soon and to write letters that Danesh would read to her. I knew she was in good hands with Danesh and Goran looking after her. I thanked them both for their help and kindness.

"Thank you, Danesh, for your kindness and for sharing your knowledge with me."

"It’s always a pleasure, especially with such an attentive student,” Danesh said. 

"I have so much more to learn to reach your level."

"That will come with experience. Our doors are always open should you wish to further your education."

"Thank you."

"Your Highness may Samrah light your way, and Alkïan guide your steps," the High Priest said, bowing to me.

"Blessed be their names, your venerable. I depart in peace," I responded.

I left the temple of Aceluna, heading for my home in Den Loria. Settling into my litter, I realised I had forgotten to ask about the Dïron’s thoughts about the Lorus. But perhaps they hadn’t reached any alarming conclusions, I reassured myself. I couldn’t wait to be back.