Hard and Heartfelt Apologies.

[Deleted]

Anna stood now in front of the temple of Autus, a cloak hiding her figure and her face.

After she, and Flay, had been released from prison, Anna left her companion to travel on her own for a bit. In a way, she had hoped that in her travels she would run into an old teacher - was he really that old? - of hers. She hadn't, but, that mattered not right now.

Ascending the steps, she entered the temple proper and stopped someone, asking, "If the High Priest of Worg available?"

[Kender Bard]

The priest started to answer her, but then stopped and narrowed his eyes, a growl rising from him. The Beast-priest pointed a finger and snarled, "You're one of those thieves! I recognize you!"

[Deleted]

Anna lowered her head, her shame was obvious on her face. "Yes," she said softly. "I was with that group. I've come to apologize. I can't for the other two, but I can for myself. I..." her voice cracked and she sucked in a large breath, trying to calm her nerves an emotions.

[Kender Bard]

"Get out of Autus," the priest growled. "If you want forgiveness, pray to Worg elsewhere. It was HER home you robbed!"

[Deleted]

"I..." she struggled with herself and then lowered the hood, closing her eyes tightly, her hands balled into fists. "I want to do penance! A wrong was done to you and I want a chance to make it right!"

She was not yelling, but her voice slowly scaled up in volume, but even so, if he listened, and watched, she was being completely honest.

[Kender Bard]

The priest narrowed his eyes and seemed about to call someone - perhaps one of the Fists - when a strong feminine voice floated on the air.

"Oh really?"

From within the temple came a priest in the most ornate of robes - the high priestess Avalon.

She looked coldly at Anna and asked, "And what, pray tell, do you think would be sufficient penance to the Lady Lord?"

[Deleted]

She opened her mouth and the swallowed. "I have done a lot of thinking while I have traveled here..." her hand strayed to her two blades, but only as a gesture. "The sword is all I know, at least, all I know well. When I was here before I took down many notes concerning the shield, and I have a good eye for learning things and organizational skills..."

She paused, head down, cheeks flaring. "I would like to put any and all of my skills to the temples use for however long it is needed."

[Kender Bard]

When Anna's hand strayed to her swords, both priests tensed as though ready to spring to action at a moment's notice.

At her words, they did not seem to relax this position. Their looks were hostile.

"You do not deserve the honor of lifting your blade in Worg's name," the high priest said in tight, angry words. "You are not welcome in Autus. Leave. Now."

[Deleted]

Anna felt like she could argue, but, she wanted not to push. It wasn't her place.

"Yes...oh...can I stay for a few minutes...so that I may figure out where to go?" she asked, her voice soft and tentative.

[Kender Bard]

Avalon murmured something. The man went into the temple and came back with a small scroll, tossing it to Anna. It was a map.

"The weather is warm and the day is nice," Avalon pointed out. "You do not to be here to read that. Go."

[Deleted]

She nodded once more and left Autus proper, though she stopped outside in the forest to open the scroll, the map, and read it.

Sighing, Anna felt like crying. She had no idea what to do, or where to go. Sliding down the trunk, she buried her face into her hands.

***

Several hours later, she shifted and got to her feet. It was time to move on...