Seven Virtues

Tortall and its characters belong to Tamora Pierce. The Seven Holy Virtues of the Roman Catholic Church (chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, forgiveness, kindness, humility) are the opposite of the Seven Deadly Sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride).

Thanks to Sally for beta-ing.

I wrote this for the drabble prompt 'virtues' with a concept foremost in mind, and I think the writing turned out a poor second. I do like one of the drabbles however, and maybe people will be entertained by some of the ideas.

Chastity – Delia

Prince Jonathan is stunned.

"Nothing to say, Your Highness?" says Delia archly.

"This wasn't what I expected when you asked for a private conversation in the garden," Jon says slowly. "Is this one of your jokes, Lady Delia, or are you serious?"

"Quite serious, Your Highness."

Delia is good at playing games and Jon has always found her hard to read. Her expression isn't giving him any hints as to how he should react. She look as unconcerned as though she's been commenting on the weather, rather then telling him she plans to leave Court and take orders with the Daughters of the Goddess who run the temple in Corus and eschew the touch of men.

"I'm not sure I understand," Jon says, trying to make sense of the situation. "This is a drastic step; one that most girls consider carefully for years before making. I thought you loved Court life."

Delia's green eyes lose what little expression they held. She speaks in a flat voice. "I did. I still do, sometimes. I've made some bad choices since coming to Court, Your Highness. And if I stay, I don't think I'll be able to stop."

"You can't have done anything that terrible Delia," Jon says, trying to reassure her. "If you need someone to talk to—"

"No!" says Delia, suddenly fierce. Her eyes flash passionately and her delicate red mouth thins into a willful and stubborn line. "I've thought about this over and over. The things that I'm willing to do here—I look in the mirror some mornings and I can't even recognize the person I've become. My parents expect me to make some grand marriage, and I used to think I wanted that too, but maybe it was only ever because I didn't know there was anything else to want! I need to do this Jonathan!" Her porcelain skin is flushed with colour, turning her radiant and a little desperate.

Jon is floored by her sudden honesty. He can't recall a time when Delia has ever spoken to him without some level of pretense. He says gently, "But if you are taking orders in the temple just to get away, what if you are unhappy there as well? It's not something that is easily undone."

Delia shakes her head immediately. "I've spent some time over the last few months speaking to Mother Adviota and the other Daughters, and I truly believe that this is my calling. I feel something in the temple that I've never felt elsewhere. I think that I can use my life to serve the Goddess well."

Jon breathes out a long sigh of surrender. "If this is the path you choose, then I wish you happiness Delia. I'll miss you though." He searches for the right words. "I feel as though you are one of the few people at Court who understands what it is to find fault with convention; who realizes that there are other possibilities out there to discover."

Jon reaches out and takes her hand. "Will you let me write to you in the temple? As a friend?"

Delia smiles at him with a good deal more warmth than Jon has ever received from her before. There is relief there as well.

"I'd like that very much Jonathan," she says.