Priscilla shared the news about the rabid dire deer with her friends while breakfast was being made the next morning. Kavil paused in the middle of arguing with Arnold about the proper way to cook an egg (Kavil believed fried was the best and Arnold said scrambled was far superior) and stared at Priscilla.

"What on earth are dire deer?" Kavil asked, sounding fascinated yet wary of the answer. Arnold took that moment of distraction to push Kavil towards them while shooting Mr. Ordan a stern look, pointing at the eggs with a steely glint to his eye. Mr. Ordan sighed but grabbed a whisk and took over cooking.

"So imagine a deer," Priscilla began, fingering the edge of the bestiary cover she had fished out of her belongings last night because she needed to know the enemy in order to defeat it, "but it's about ten feet tall with horns that stretch out three feet in either direction. They like to use those horns to gore anyone who pisses them off, and on top of that, the deer have enough strength in their legs to shatter a tree trunk with a single kick."

There was a heavy silence as everyone stared at her, even Arnold and Mr. Ordan. Kavil's mouth had dropped open, and Illnyea paused in the middle of peeling an orange. Sulaiman was the only one who didn't seem thrown by the information, though his eyebrows were drawn together in deep thought as he rubbed his chin.

"And those things are rampaging by the capital?" Illnyea asked, incredulity creeping across her face. "The very same capital we plan to go to?"

Priscilla shrugged. "According to the rumors, yeah."

Illnyea stared at the orange in her hands like she didn't know what to do with it anymore.

"How many of them are in the herd?" Kavil asked, sliding into the seat with a pinched expression.

"I didn't get an exact number," Priscilla confessed, suddenly irritated with herself that she hadn't pressed Lucilla for more details, "just that it's big enough to attack three towns in the past week and come out no worse for wear."

Kavil laced his fingers together and he glanced between the orange in Illnyea's hands and Illnyea's face worriedly. Priscilla chewed her lip, wishing that she had more information to share.

"This changes nothing," Sulaiman said, breaking the silence before it had the chance to settle over them like a heavy blanket of moss. Kavil and Illnyea glanced at Sulaiman askance, Kavil's disbelief clear by his raised eyebrows while concern made the edge of Illnyea's mouth tight.

Sulaiman was unaffected by their stares.

"We have already fought against hyenas, giant toads, and wolves that tried to set us on fire," Sulaiman said calmly, meeting Kavil and Illnyea's gaze one by one, "not to mention the crazed cannibal and her lackeys, and we survived. These deer, while strong, aren't something we need to fear if we plan out a way to defend against their attacks. If their horns are truly as wide as Priscilla says, Illnyea can use her magic to create barriers that prevent them from rushing us, and we use the size difference to our advantage to attack back between the gaps. We don't have to kill the whole herd if we come across them, simply make ourselves a big enough nuisance that they either run away scared or decide we aren't worth the effort."

Sulaiman finished his speech by crossing his arms, looking satisfied with the plan he had come up within barely half a minute to think it up. Illnyea blinked, her expression thoughtful but still concerned, and Kavil hummed, tilting his head as he considered that scenario.

"Listen to our strategist," Priscilla said, feeling a weight shift off her shoulders as she smiled at Sulaiman, "there's nothing to fear when we all put our heads together."

There was some low muttering from the kitchen from Arnold about 'foolhardy children' but Priscilla chose to ignore his grumbling. He was a foolhardy old man that hadn't said he wasn't going with, because he probably knew it was better to have a skilled enchanter like him nearby in case things went terribly wrong. With the cult concocting fucked up shenanigans, Arnold's equipment might mean the difference between life or death.

That thought reminded Priscilla she had only told her friends of the threat of the deer, and she glanced at the old men to see if they were still listening, but the two of them had started speaking to each other in low tones, arguing about when to add pepper to the eggs.

Priscilla leaned forward with a serious expression, catching her party's attention.

"Speaking of the cannibal," Priscilla said softly, just loud enough that everyone had to lean in to catch her words, "when we talked, she mentioned something about using monsters somehow. I thought it was just teleporting the toads to places they shouldn't be but now…"

Priscilla let her words trail off meaningfully, closing her mouth when she felt her throat begin to clench the closer she got to the truth.

Illnyea's face immediately hardened, the orange in her hand squeezed so tight the juice burst forth and began to run down her fingers. Kavil jumped as the juice hit his arm, rubbing it away with a grimace.

"They're behind this?" Illnyea asked, a shadow shining in her eyes. Something dark lurked in her voice, a tone that Prisiclla hadn't heard from her sister before. But considering what Illnyea had been put through in the fens, Priscilla couldn't blame her sister for being a little blood-thirsty.

Priscilla half-shrugged and risked the slightest incline of her head, the muscles stiffening painfully nearly instantly.

"Fuck," Sulaiman whispered, glowering at the table. "That… that might complicate things."

Kavil had leaned his palm against his mouth, his jaw working as he thought.

"But what are they trying to do with the herd?" Kavil asked, a frown settling onto his face. "Are they just trying to cause chaos?"

Realization flashed across Illnyea's face.

"The tournament," Illnyea said, setting aside the ruined orange. "Important people from all over the country and neighboring countries are going to be at the capital, and if a foreign diplomat gets killed by monsters, it could embarrass Kavendsah or start a war, or it, could, I don't know, maybe— "

"It could be used as a cover," Sulaiman said, his eyes narrowed, "to achieve another goal entirely."

"The king lives in the capital right?" Kavil asked, tilting his head as he thought. "Surely they have like a treasure chamber with all manner of artifacts people might want to steal."

Sulaiman sucked in a breath, staring at Kavil with a sudden intensity that briefly confused Priscilla. But then she remembered that the artifact that had been used to end the Muloian rebellion still rested in the royal family's vaults, waiting for when it was needed to suppress once more.

"We don't know what they're trying to do," Priscilla said gently, pulling them back from wildly speculating and recentering their attention on her, "but in the interest of not keeping secrets, I thought you all needed to know what I suspected so you weren't blindsided in case it turned out to be true."

Her words seemed to calm the other three down, Sulaiman leaning abruptly back against his chair and Illnyea and Kavil sharing a brief glance.

"Thanks for telling us, Priscilla," Kavil said with a half-smile.

"I promised I wouldn't keep secrets anymore," Priscilla said. It was almost the truth too, though the weight of Asha on her hand was heavier than normal, a weight she'd never part with, but a weight against her soul nonetheless.

After that delightful start to the morning, they had one last errand to complete before they left Meadowyar behind them.

The city was recovering from the festival yesterday, the evidence of the partying that had lasted until dawn littered about the streets in the forms of discarded petals and food wrappers. Cleaners were scurrying about, carrying two large baskets on their backs that were quickly being filled with flowers and trash to the brim before they were replaced and the cycle continued.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The adventuring guild wasn't busy, and Priscilla suspected that many of the adventurers were sleeping off their hangovers. Arnold and Mr. Ordan were waiting by the northern gate of the city with their horses and carriage and would meet them there once they were done.

Talia, the receptionist who had accepted their hyena ears, glanced up lazily when they entered, and then straightened with a smile as she recognized them.

"Have any more wild stories for me this time?" Talia asked, leaning against the counter as she set aside her book.

Priscilla laughed, saying, "We fought a few wolves and crabs, and freed a village from tyranny, but besides that, it's been quiet."

Talia's gaze sharpened with interest, but Priscilla didn't particularly want to get into the details — she had given the woman just enough information to be interested, but Talia would have to fill in the gaps with her own imagination.

"Any beginner bounties available?" Priscilla asked before Talia could say anything.

Talia looked briefly disappointed, but she was a professional and pulled out a well-worn leather binder.

"What are you looking for?" she asked, flipping it open.

"Anything easy to complete on the way to the capital," Illnyea said, entering the conversation. "My friends need to get started on completing their yearly quotas."

Talia hummed. "And since you're capable of killing Gorelock toads, you can take on a bit of a challenge…"

She flipped a few pages more before turning the binder around.

An image of a large feline with its lips curled back into a snarl stared back at them, its claws extended and leaving deep grooves in the ground. Priscilla recognized it as a Plains Lion from flipping through the bestiary, but she hadn't read the passage closely, so she didn't know much more than that off the top of her head.

"This little fucker has been harrassing a village two days ride to the north, so deal with the plains lion and they'll pay you two gold for the trouble," Talia said. She tucked a bookmark into the spine before flipping a large chunk of pages, opening a different section that showed a tangle of vines that were twisted into an upright position, poised to plunge their thorns into a cow. "These blights have been stealing cattle in Caershire, but it's a bit off the beaten path so we haven't had anyone take it yet. If you burn all the blights, the guild promises to match the village's promised reward as thanks when you turn in proof of completion."

Illnyea eyed the page critically for a long moment before reaching out and flipping to the plains lion page. Sulaiman read the book from over her shoulder and when Illnyea glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow, he shrugged. They used their weird best friend silent communication with an array of facial expressions that were too fast for Priscilla to follow before Illnyea turned back to Talia.

"We'll take them," Illnyea said firmly, "and any quests you have for gathering herbs between here and the capital."

Talia nodded, and took out the two bounties she had already pointed out, and three pages from another binder, the names of herbs Priscilla didn't recognize scrawled atop the top. Based on the way Kavil perked up, however, he did recognize them, so hopefully they wouldn't be too hard to find.

"So you're traveling north, then," Talia said casually as she slid the papers across desk and Sulaiman took them. Her gaze swept over their party before settling back on Priscilla. "Got plans to go join the tournament and get a little glory?"

Priscilla waved away the accusation.

"My sister's the hero between the two of us," Priscilla said, slinging an arm around Illnyea's shoulders, "and I know she's going to absolutely destroy every other fighter she comes across."

"Well, I might have some competition if Sulaiman joins," Illnyea said cheekily. Sulaiman paused in the middle of reading, but instead of shooting an exasperated look back, he instead glanced to the side, an unreadable expression on his face.

Kavil, who had been looking at the papers over Sulaiman's arm, glanced up and asked, "You alright?"

Slowly, Sulaiman dipped his head. "I'm fine. Though, Illnyea, you're going to have to work on your footwork and counterattacks if you want a chance to make it to the finals."

Illnyea stuck out her tongue. "Boo! You're supposed to challenge me or tell me I'm going to win, not nitpick me!"

Now, Sulaiman sighed and rolled his eyes. "Your sister can be your sycophant, I'm not interested."

Priscilla opened her mouth to shoot back a barb that she was no one's sycophant, but Kavil sighed, poking Sulaiman in the side, making the other man grunt.

"You can just say you believe in her," Kavil chided as Sulaiman glared at him.

Sulaiman sighed again, heavier this time. "I wouldn't be telling her how to improve if I didn't believe in her, it's implied."

Illnyea smiled, eyes crinkling in pleasure as they watched Kavil try to poke Sulaiman once more. It was quite amusing, especially with how wily Kavil was, dodging Sulaiman's attempts to grab his hand. Sulaiman missed again, though Priscilla thought it was because he wasn't trying to move too much and risk wrinkling the papers.

"Well, good luck to the lot of you," Talia said, her eyes thoughtful. "Fight hard and you'll make Meadowyar proud."

Illneyea turned her beaming smile towards Talia. "Thank you!"

Not everyone had packed up and left the city, many of the merchants hosting stalls to catch the stragglers and make a few more coins before they had to return home. Priscilla resisted the temptation of the food stalls they passed because she had indulged yesterday, focusing on following Illnyea as she navigated through the sleepy crowds.

They were nearing the edge of the city when a group unlike the rest caught Priscilla's attention.

It was a trio of frankly gorgeous women draped in cream colored dresses that reminded Priscilla of Grecian gowns, their lips painted a deep wine red. The flowing fabric exposed the swell of their breasts before it was pinched at their waists, and golden rose pins ensured the sleeves of the dresses drifted over their back. Atop their heads were crowns of braided wheat, and a basket of star shaped yellow-orange blossoms. They rested on a raised platform atop large, plushy cushions, chatting together quietly.

What looked to be the leader, a woman with a sweet face and long, braided blonde hair, noticed Priscilla's gaze. Her lips curled into a smile as she stepped forward, calling out, "May these humble priestesses offer you a blessing of good fortune before you depart?"

Her voice was at odds with her appearance, husky and smoke-worn, but still pleasant to the ear.

Priscilla paused and considered the priestess's offer, intrigued by the offer. The other stopped as well, though Illnyea looked antsy to keep going and Sulaiman shot Priscilla an exasperated glance. Kavil, however, also looked intrigued, his head cocked curiously as he stepped by Priscilla's side.

It took a moment to figure out what divine being they served, but it finally clicked when she caught sight of the sigil embroidered on a shawl behind them. Fyuana was a fertility and agrarian goddess, her symbol a shining gold rose amongst several stalks of wheat. The goddess was relatively mild when compared to most other divine beings, with the only tales Priscilla could recall involving blessing a lonely farmer couple with a baby in a wheat field.

Fuck it.

Priscilla saw no reason not to say yes to the pretty lady, plus she had been interested in gods since the god of cowards saved her life. Maybe getting a blessing from Fyuana might make the bastard explain more instead of dancing around the truth. She raised an eyebrow at Kavil, who was the only other one who seemed interested.

Kavil thought about it for a moment before shrugging and nodded. He eyed the priestess with interest, eyes flicking over their regalia before abruptly settling on the crown of wheat.

"It would be our honor to accept the blessing, priestess," Priscilla said, stepping forward.

The priestess's smile deepened and one of the other priestesses pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid, mirroring the head priestess's positioning in front of Kavil.

"Close your eyes and know peace," she commanded and Priscilla did so with a smile.

A hand grabbed her wrist softly and tied something around it. There was a light sprinkle of something wet atop her head that came with the soft scent of roses. A finger brushed against Priscilla's lips and she startled, but a hand kept her chin steady as something was applied to her lips.

A gentle kiss was pressed against Priscilla's forehead as the priestess whispered, "May Fyuana's blessing bring you life's greatest joy."

Like with Gaelea's blessings, Priscilla could feel the effect of the blessing that was placed upon her. Instead of a cool sensation sliding beneath Priscilla's skin like a quiet waterfall, Fyuana's blessing felt like a warm summer wind slid through her veins, leaving every inch of her tingling and invigorated as Priscilla opened her eyes.

The priestess's eyes were crinkled with delight as she stepped back.

When Priscilla glanced at Kavil, she saw that he had a bright red kiss mark upon his forehead, and his lips were stained the same color as the priestesses, which Priscilla could only assume was what was on her lips as well. He seemed to be staring at everything but the priestess before him, who stared at him with quiet amusement.

"Thank you," Priscilla said, nudging Kavil with her elbow and he muttered his thanks as well. They bid their goodbyes and continued on their way, with Sulaiman and Illnyea leading the pack.

As soon as they were out of earshot of the priestesses, Kavil turned to Priscilla with a serious expression.

"Did you like Fyuana's blessing more than Gaelea's?" Kavil asked. For the most part, his tone was neutral, but Priscilla thought that worry lurked behind his carefully enunciated words.

"Aww, are you jealous?" Priscilla asked, looping her arm around his shoulders. He pouted, but tried to hide it, and Priscilla chuckled, squeezing his shoulder. "Don't worry, Fyuana's blessings were nice and all, but Gaelea's were like a balm to the soul."

Kavil perked up at that, like she had said just the right thing to assuage his worry. He glanced at her forehead and smirked.

"You look ridiculous," Kavil said.

Priscilla rolled her eyes. "You're just jealous you don't pull off the color as good as I do."

Kavil let out an offended huff and they bickered about who looked the best in this specific shade of red until they made it to the gate.

It didn't take long to spot the old men, check over their belongings one last time, and mount their horses. The air was crisp as it ruffled Priscilla's hair as she didn't send the city of Meadowyar a single backwards glance.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.