Once Again|Athrug

[Kender Bard]

Thessa started to reach for his hand, but stopped herself. "You just got back, surely we can wait a day or so. You need to help me settle our acolyte in."

[Devon]

Christian pauses then nods in agreement. "Oh..yeah. He should be fine, but Luc has never been here before. You're right Thessa we can wait a day or two."

[Kender Bard]

Thessa relaxed her rigid posture and took a step back, conscientiously putting her hands behind her back. "How bad is the situation with other temples? I hope that Luc isn't the best that they had to offer in Maelstrom..."

[Devon]

"Maelstrom was pretty sloppy, I brought Luc with me because he was so helpful. There probably were better at the time, but he has good potential. Give him a chance Thessa."

[Kender Bard]

"I will," Thessa conceded. "I just don't like having such a stark reminder of the state of things, knowing that it is like this around the whole of Naruta. But if he's smart and quick to learn, he'll find himself a welcome home here. After we send our warning out to our brethren, what do you have planned?"

[Devon]

Christian grows quiet for a moment before he answers her. "I haven't thought of that yet. I suppose I'll go see some of the other temples, but if this thing with Efil gets more serious I'll stay here. I wouldn't feel like leaving you here alone if some zealot planned to attack."

[Kender Bard]

"I don't know," Thessa joked weakly. "I think I'm getting pretty good at deflecting attacks against my life." She even laughed softly, then frowned, as though her own reaction troubled her, and sobered up again. "Don't hold back on my account, Christian. Your mission is far too important."

[Devon]

"But my mission will be wasted if I can't show you how it went. When I'm done fixing up all those temples I intend to stay here and run this temple with you. So if I have to delay my plans for a bit to make sure you're safe, then I will."

[Kender Bard]

Thessa lowered her head to try and hide her smile. "Christian, if you managed to do everything you say you will, you will run the temple regardless, for I'll pass the mantle of High Priest to you." She lifted her head again and looked at him with intense seriousness. "It's the least I could do should you bring our Order to greatness. I'll kneel with the lowest of acolytes at your feet."

[Devon]

Christian shakes his head while staring at Thessa. "I wouldn't ask you to kneel before me, but I'll take you up on that High Priest offer. I hope when that day comes, instead of kneeling you'll stand beside me."

[Kender Bard]

Thessa flushed at what she considered high praise. "I don't know, Christian. I wouldn't want to do anything that I haven't earned."

She paused and fidgeted with a clasp on her robes; they weren't the ceremonial ones, but she had a whole chest full of robes that only the high priest wore, for any occasion. "Truly, you have done more than I in your simple visit to Maelstrom. Would you accept the position now, perhaps?"

[Devon]

Christian thinks on this for a moment. "Well I haven't completed all I said I would yet..but if you think I am ready now I will. "Christian pauses, then speaks up quickly. "On one condition. When I resume my tour of the temples..you come with me."

[Kender Bard]

Thessa smiled wanly and shook her head. "Who will tend to the temple, Christian? Luc? Well, I suppose we'll argue over that bridge when we come to it." She extended a hand to him. "Come with me, please? I may not know what I'm doing, now, but I hope it's the right thing."

[Devon]

Christian takes her hand in his. "I'll just have to train Luc so he is able to take care of this temple when we come to that bridge."

[Kender Bard]

Thessa nods distracted as she leads Christian towards the stairs again, ascending them to reach the altar on the roof. She releases his hand and points to the south side of the altar. "Stand there," she instructs as she goes to stand at the north side. "Christian, you are about to be invested with the office of High Priest to Taed. Are you prepared to take on all the responsibilities the title entails, to uphold the teachings of Taed no matter what, and to devote your life in his service?"