Chapter 4

It was dark when they reached the Great Temple. It was discovered that there was no missing priestesses and no one knew who Reith was. After a long conversation with one of the clergy, they finally agreed to take her to a room where Mistress Ladrienne could see her.

"I can't understand it…" Mistress Ladrienne pondered. She was the high priestess at Amabat, trained the powers of healing to an extent that surpassed all others. She was known for her ability to cure mental illness and trauma and many people came from all over Efferia seeking her help. She brushed back her greying blonde hair and knelt down in front of Reith.

"There is something hidden there…It's as if there's some sort of barrier that's preventing me from seeing…I just don't know what it could be," she said. Reith frowned, was all in vain for her?

"Will I ever find out who I am?" she muttered. Mistress Ladrienne put a comforting hand on her shoulder and sat down beside her.

"Reith…some thing's in this life take time. Don't rush it or it will not come. You have to believe in yourself,"

"I just don't want to be a burden…"

"But you're not. You can stay here now, consider this as you're home until you get your memory back. Don't worry about it, just take it slow, one step at a time," She smiled at Reith. Reith felt like she could put all her trust in this woman, she seemed to have an empathy, an understanding. She wasn't concerned with time, with rushing about like everyone else…Maybe she would enjoy staying here, maybe she would get her memory back if she took things slowly, day by day.

Calintz sat in the small garden of the Great Temple. He had been informed about Reith and regarding her memory. How could the great priestess not be able to cure her? I mean, it was just unheard of. He rubbed at his brow – he was so tired. At least she was safe here anyhow, he didn't have to take responsibility for her. He wanted to feel glad, to be relieved of the burden…but only sorrow seemed to meet him. This is insane! She's a just a girl, doesn't even behave like a proper woman…but yet…Argh! He shook his head violently to clear his thoughts. Enough about Reith! He stood abruptly, startling the clerics that weeded the garden, and marched towards the door.

He was dreading the meeting with Agreian, but he knew he had to do it. No doubt, if he didn't, the General would come searching for him. He took the teleporter to the second floor where the main offices were situated. The hallway was ornately decorated, with jewels encrusted into the walls in various majestic patterns which caught the light from the candles, glittering and winking at him as if in mockery. He really should have returned the call, it may have been something important. He knew, he was wrong and he deserved whatever punishment Agreian wished to give him. He'd suffered punishment before a number of times for a number of crimes and disobedience, it was nothing new.

He reached the door, didn't bother to knock, and pushed it open. Agreian had long since explained that he didn't have to knock, they were not on a formal basis, he could just come in when he pleased. Agreian was sitting at his desk, his shoulder length ivory hair draped like a curtain over his perfectly white face. Two dark eyes stared up at him from beneath the canopy of hair. He got to his feet and walked slowly over to Calintz.

The General of the Alliance was a striking man, dressed entirely in black with a grey cross etched into the fabric of his jacket onthe chest; a symbol of his faith to his mother and the temple.His eyes, although always calm, burned now with a furyCalintz did not want to see.He smiled athim menacingly. He was undoubtedly pissed off, in his cool, controlled way.

"I see you finally pay me a visit, I am guessing something more important kept you," it was statement, not a question

"You know there's nothing more important than you!"

"Oh really? Then what was it?" his voice had become a stern hiss. Calintz cringed at the way he spat out the words at him as if he was a terrible disease.

"I…was helping someone…"

"And this someone was just coincidently a beautiful young woman. Don't worry, I've heard it all from Eonis…"

"Look, it's not what you think! You're jumping to conclusions again!" Agreian swiftly extended his arm, catching Calintz painfully on the face with the back of his hand.

"What matters is that you disobeyed me, Calintz. I had a situation at Mirna. The blast worms were attacking and we were short of soldiers. Due to your impertinence, my forces were stretched to their limits with many injured!" he shouted. Calintz managed to regain his posture, he could feet his cheek burning up where Agreian had hit him.

"…I'll accept whatever punishment you give me…" he said solemnly. Agreian sent him a stare like a sheet of ice.

"Take him away!" he yelled. A moment later a couple of cleric's appeared. There was no point in struggling – Agreian was right. He had been foolish to ignore his orders, especially when there was an attack from the damn blast worms. He raised his hands in consent and let the cleric's take him away. He could feel Agreian's cold stare burning into his back as he left the office.

The cell was cold and damp. Calintz wanted to wrap his arms around himself to try and preserve the heat but that was impossible due to his them being bound by thick chains. Did they really have to restrain him like this? It wasn't like he was going to escape. The door was practically solid iron, the walls thick stone, only the tiniest slither of light managed to pry its way through the smallest window known to man. He sighed.

Agreian...Hugo...you knowI will always be loyal toyou, why do you suspect me of such things?Reith is just a littlegirl, not even a proper woman, all she needed was my help. Maybe if you met her thenyou'd understand...will enduring this be enough to satifsy you? Are you laughing at me now, thinking of me chained up in this cell? Do you take pleasure for always punishing me? It's not that I'm disrespectful of you, I just have my own life and hopes too. Their not much, but it's all I have, all I have to keep me going. Hope, it seems like a dead word...It has slowly faded through these years, like the snow on the mountains. And what is left? I do not know...

Eonis was in the main hall of the Great Temple. It was a beautiful place. Massive pillars stood parallel, supporting the arched ceiling which was decorated with painting of suns, moon and angels along with various jewels. There was always the sound of chanting, echoing through the corridors and weaving it's way around the pillars and stonework. It was probably the most calming place she could be. She sat down on the step beside an lavishly carved column. It was then that she saw Mistress Ladrienne leaving Reith's room. I wonder how it went…She watched the great priestess as she made her way through the hall, towards the altar chamber. But wait…was there someone else there? Or was it just a shadow? No, defiantly a person. He emerged from the darkness of one of the alcoves and hurriedly followed Mistress Ladrienne into the altar chamber. Eonis's first thought was that it was an assassination attempt. She immediately rose to her feet and ran alongside the wall, in the cover of the shadows, towards the chamber.

She had her staff at the ready as she inched around the corner. She immediately stopped. They were speaking! Mistress Ladrienne had a hand on the man's shoulder assuringly. The man was no ordinary citizen – he was of strong build and wore a blue outfit, long boots and shoulder armour. A soldier perhaps? No, therewas no motif on his outfit...He nodded to the great priestess, his eye's narrow and serious as if taking in a lot of information. If only she could hear what was being said…Perhaps he was just an oddly dressed citizen come to seek Mistress Ladriennes advice. But, wouldn't he have to have made an appointment with the great priestess? And she never saw anyone in the altar chamber…The man suddenly turned towards the exit. Eonis darted behind a pillar as he walked passed. Her heart was racing, somehow she knew she should not be seen. She waited until he was out of site until she let herself relax. What had she just witnessed? Perhaps she her imagination was over –reacting, it was probably nothing, but still…She decided to keep an eyeout for the man just in case.