Delivered with Love (Plot)

[Kender Bard]

Mina glanced around the inside of the Temple of Love and smiled; she remembered seeing the place very briefly before. It was still an impressive and lovely sight. Mina reached for Nathan's hand and and walked slowly towards the heart of the temple. "Do you suppose we just ask where the High Priestess is?"

One of the priests bearing the white-gold robes of Love paused and smiled at the two. "Oh are you looking for High Priestess Snowflake?"

"Yes," Mina replied, smiling.

The priestess smiled apologetically. "Not here, I'm afraid. She's so near to term, she's been spending a lot of time at home."

[Darastrix]

"Is there any way we could reach her at home?" Nathan asked. "Mina has something important to deliver to her." He might have to call in a favour with Zack, after all.

[Kender Bard]

The priestess looked a little uneasy at this request. Mina reached into her pocket and pulled one of the rings out, holding it out--it couldn't hurt to show them off, after all. "We're delivering this to her. It's a gift."

The priestess leaned over and smiled; the solid gold band was plain and slender. "Well that is thoughtful. Very well, she's at House Moonwing." She gave some rough directions.

"Thank you," Mina replied, a bit relieved they weren't going to have to fight for the knowledge. She returned the band to her pocket and left the temple, heading towards the upper class district until she located the house that was described to her. Steeling her nerve, she stepped up and knocked.

[Darastrix]

A maid answered the door, looking only mildly surprised to see the pair of them. It wasn't very unusual for members of the clergy to visit or give well-wishes while Snowflake was at home, though the majority of them were of Love's priesthood. "How may I help you?"

[Kender Bard]

"We're hoping to speak with Lady snowflake," Mina explained. She produced the ring again. "And to deliver this gift and a message as well. We wouldn't be long, I promise."

[Darastrix]

"Oh, how pretty." A bit simple, but gold was pricey. "I can show you to her, but please wait outside the door until I let her know you're here. Who should I say is calling on her?"

"Mina and Nathan," the bard answered. "Of Talen'sul. She might remember us from the Wintersong ball a couple summers ago."

"I'll be sure to mention it, then," the maid said. "Follow me, please." With that, she started off toward the room Snowflake was currently occupying. She gave a light knock and stepped inside once permission was given.

"M'lady," she said with a curtsy, "You have guests bearing a gift and a message for you. A priestess named Mina and a gentleman named Nathan, both from Talen'sul. They said you might recall them from Lord Wintersong's first ball."

[Kender Bard]

Snowflake smiled and nodded, sitting up a bit straighter in the rocking chair she was resting in. In truth, she remembered the names better from Nalani telling her of what had happened to her illegitimate son, but the more she stretched her memory, the more she remembered. "Yes, please, show them in."

Once Mina stepped into the room, she gave a low and respectful bow to the High Priestess.

"No need for such formality," Snowflake assured them, starting to rise.

"Oh, please, stay seated," Mina said hastily. Snowflake laughed and sank back down, grateful. "I'm sorry to bother you, Lady, but I have a very urgent message to deliver."

"Do tell," Snowflake prompted.

Mina bit her lip. It made sense that the High Priestess of Love was to wear one of the Forces' rings, but was it right when she was so heavy with child...? Well, that wasn't her decision to make really. She took a deep breath and began to let spin the tale of demons and Morilanta. Snowflake held up a hand partway through, her expression grave.

"I'm aware," she replied quietly. "We have already been briefed from several sources, though I thank you for letting me know as well. I hope the trip wasn't made in vain."

"No," Mina replied. "For you see, I have been tasked with giving you this." She held out the slender golden band. Snowflake blinked, staring at it, and did not yet accept. It was clear she was not pleased with this sudden token and her expression was somewhat stricken. One hand went to her belly.

"Who...?"

Mina blinked. "I'm... Not sure to be honest. Etaf gave me the vision. She said that you were not one of her choices, but that the chosen of these particular rings were especially suited to dealing with the problem of the demons."

Snowflake took a deep breath. "I... Will serve, as always." She wished she could consult with Midnight first, but she knew that regardless of what was said, her choice would be the same. She hesitantly slid the ring onto the fingers.

The golden band bent and warped, swirled a bit, until it had formed a double heart formation--two hearts linked together, held to her finger by an even thinner, more delicate golden band now. "Oh." Her eyes misted up. "Oh, Love."

Mina's eyes widened. Was... Was this a sign from the Force of Love...?

[Darastrix]

"Love is a really a Force?" Nathan blurted, then flushed, abashed. "I beg your pardon," he murmured. "I remember Zira mentioning once that Efil had hinted at that being true, but I've never actually seen something like that...."

[Kender Bard]

Snowflake blinked rapidly before lifting her head and smiling at Nathan almost sadly. "I understand that it can be a concept that many Narutans have a very hard time accepting. I suspect that there even a number of Anarlinans who don't fully embrace what the temple teaches, but I know in my heart that Love exists. She is there, within me, and within everyone, enabling us to act with compassion, kindness, and of course love, no matter what." She cleared her throat. "Excuse me. I get a bit passionate on the subject."

"I imagine," Mina replied with a small smile. Then she sobered. "So presuming we are reading the signs right, then Etaf has charged me to deliver rings to people who are close to Love. That would explain almost all the other recipients."

"And who are they?" Snowflake asked.

Mina ticked off the names. "King Twilight, Queen Dusk. Yourself. Nalani. And a priestess by the name of Sonata in Khelek."

"Goodness," Snowflake breathed out in awe. "You certainly are right. And I remember Sonata; she used to be a priestess here. She was sent to Khelek to help establish a wing dedicated to Love there." She grinned suddenly. "Would you like me to arrange a meeting between yourselves and my siblings? It would expedite things. Though as for Nalani, she's left with her husband to deliver the rings of Thuoth... I'm not certain when they'll return. Last I heard, though, they were headed to Mentis which is close to Khelek. But Ryder is a Mind; I can also just have someone send him a message on the matter and ask that they return with as much haste as possible."

[Darastrix]

"That would be greatly appreciated," Nathan said in reply. "I know from talking to Zack that we'd be able to speak to the king and queen during audience, but this would make things much easier. And faster. We had to leave our son with a friend in Talen'sul, and we'll both be glad to come home to him soon."

[Kender Bard]

Snowflake nodded, rising and heading out of the room to the writing desk, beckoning the couple to follow. As she selected a sheet of paper, she asked, "How is Astrophel these days?"

[Darastrix]

“He’s doing well,” Nathan replied. “He’s eight now; about the right age to see how he might do with guild lessons.”

[Kender Bard]

"That's good," Snowflake murmured. "I hope he flourishes in them, if that is his interest."

"I believe it is," Mina replied with a small smile. "He certainly has a love of the dramatic."

"Here," Snowflake announced, sanding the letter to hasten the ink to dry, and shaking it before carefully folding and applying a bit of wax with the High Priestess seal. "Show this to the guards. Tell them that you are delivering a message to my brother and that I insisted it be given in person. They shouldn't hassle you. Linger until Twilight and Dusk have read the letter and then they will be eager to speak with you and assist you in any way that they can."

[Darastrix]

"Thank you, priestess," Nathan murmured, relieved that this would likely be over quickly with more outside help.

[Kender Bard]

"Of course," Snowflake replied with a small smile. "Go well. If something goes amiss, let me know and I'll try to set things back on their course."

Taking that for a dismissal, Mina politely bowed to Snowflake and headed back out of the home. She had an urge to break the seal and read the letter, but of course she squashed the urge. Taking a breath and rolling her shoulders back so she stood up a little straighter, trying to look authoritative, she headed towards the palace.

As she walked, she glanced at her lover. "It's... Strange hearing that Love is a real Force. I wonder if the rumors are true; that if Love and Evil exist as real entities, then they actually can be released..."