Narinder had tried to cheer the Lamb up to no avail. It seemed the moment she would break a smile, it would fade just as quickly as it appeared. There was a constant, somber mood about the cabin. With ten able bodies, the temple had been brought back to its former glory in four long, hard days. He hoped that the resurrection of the temple would give her some comfort, and perhaps it did, but it was just as fleeting. Narinder had been sleeping in the spare room with his servants. The two, as expected, had no issue sharing a bed. Often, Narinder could hear the Lamb crying quietly in the night. He considered trying to comfort her, but decided it was a pointless effort. Nothing he could say would soothe her, and she clearly wanted to mourn in private as she held it in during the day.

It was a particularly chilly Fall evening, the cabin was kept warm by the crackling fireplace. Aym and Baal sat together at the table, talking and playing a game of knucklebones. Mir̃alai rested on the bed as always, watching the fire quietly. Narinder sat in his armchair, reading out of a white, leatherbound book titled 'The Teachings of Nykka'. Evidently, Nykka had been the Bishop of Life at one point in history. She had given up her crown, the White Crown, choosing to live her life in the same way Narinder was forced to live. As an everlasting mortal. There had been no trace of her since. The book was written in an Ancient language, Narinder knew it fluently, but doubted that any other creature in the Cult would understand.

"It is my belief that another exists, or rather, is to exist. One who counters my own ability as Bishop of Life. I believe we are two halves of the same whole, Life and Death. I am certain that such a being will be as benevolent as I. Fate has been cruel thus far. My heart longs to meet this Bishop, yet they do not exist. The Black Crown will rise, this I know for certain. The question is; when?"

Narinder raised a brow as he read the passage, it was an extremely odd feeling. Almost eerie. This Bishop knew of him, she knew of him thousands of years before he had come to be. Though, she had been mistaken. Benevolent? Certainly not. She was also incorrect in believing his crown was to be black. Though, he could not fault her for that. It was a logical assumption given her own crown was white. His thoughts were interrupted when a knock sounded at the door. Aym stood up from the table, answering the door. Attiscesus stood there, a solemn expression on his face. The servant stood aside so he could enter the warmth of the cabin. Mir̃alai looked over at him.

"Is everything alright?" She asked warily.

"No, Leader." He sighed. "Latitia has passed." Latitia was a red panda who had been injured during the coup. Though her injuries had been minor, she fell ill. It would seem the illness had finally taken her. Narinder glanced at Mir̃alai, the Lamb appeared utterly broken as she looked off. He closed his book with a sigh.

"I... I see. Thank you for informing me, Atti." She spoke in a tired voice. "Have you buried her?"

"Casesus and Ewald are digging her grave now. I will assist them."

"Thank you." She gave a very weak smile. Attiscesus hesitated a moment, as if poised to speak. It seemed he could think of nothing to console her, so he left in silence. Mir̃alai trembled a little, crossing her arms and staring determinedly at the fireplace.

"Aym, Baal, help them with the grave." Narinder said quietly, standing up and putting his book back on the shelf. The servants nodded, leaving the cabin. Narinder approached Mir̃alai.

"Mir̃alai..."

"Don't." Her voice was hardly audible, choked off by tears that threatened to spill. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

"It is... okay to cry." Narinder assured her, though a bit awkwardly. He was not great at conversations such as these.

"I- I have to be strong." She muttered through ragged breaths.

"You don't... Not all the time." Mir̃alai shook her head, tears welling in her eyes despite her attempts to hold them back. He reached over, resting a hand against her cheek, and having her turn her head to look at him. "I know loss, Mir̃alai... you can speak to me." The Lamb did not reply as tears began streaming down her cheeks. Narinder sighed and scooted closer, wrapping his arms around her. He held her close, allowing her to cry into his shoulder. She gripped the back of his tunic with her good hand as she sobbed. Neither spoke for a long time, Mir̃alai only cried into him. Narinder stroked her back, being sure to avoid her wound.

"St- Stay with me tonight. I cannot be alone." Her voice was muffled against his tunic. Narinder hesitated a moment before nodding.

"Very well, if it will console you." The door opened, Aym and Baal had returned. Narinder glared pointedly at the two, a silent warning. Baal was about to speak, but Aym elbowed him and closed the front door. He pushed his brother towards the spare room and they walked through the main room quietly, shutting their door behind them. "Come, you should get some sleep." He said gently to Mir̃alai. The Lamb gave a weak nod, releasing him. Narinder lifted the blankets and slipped underneath them. He laid on his back, his arms rested under his head. He was more than a little uncomfortable to lay in the same bed with Mir̃alai. But, he wanted to soothe her grief, and if this was truly the only way to do it, he would do so. However awkward it might be. The Lamb shifted to lay on her good side, resting her head against his chest. Narinder stared up at the ceiling, and his heart began racing. He hadn't been expecting her to lay so close. The already awkward situation had been multiplied tenfold. He tried to relax, and put an arm around her, holding her. She was still trembling in sorrow. His desire to help her finally overpowered his discomfort and he allowed himself to put both arms around her, pulling her in closer.

"Thank you..." She said quietly, putting her arm around him in return. He merely hummed in reply, unable to speak. Mir̃alai fell asleep rather quickly. Soft snores issued from her after only a few minutes. This was a massive relief, taking much of the tension off of Narinder. He released a held breath and relaxed fully. Feeling like he may have successfully comforted the Lamb for the first time, he went to sleep with a sense of self satisfaction.

The following morning, Narinder woke as a plate shattered in the kitchen. The loud noise caused him to jolt, his head snapping in the direction of the kitchen doorway. Baal peaked out, looking apologetic.

"My apologies, Master." Mir̃alai had stirred, humming softly as she woke.

"Damn it, Baal." Narinder huffed, releasing the Lamb. She sat up with a slight wince.

"What was that...?" She asked groggily.

"I broke a plate, Mir̃alai. All is well." Baal assured her before returning to the kitchen. Narinder sat up and looked at her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better... Thank you for sleeping with me, Narinder."

"Ah, do not mention it." He sighed, though he meant it literally. He did not want the other Followers to get the wrong impression. Narinder slipped out of bed and went to the kitchen to see what his servants were up to. Aym was grumbling irritably as he prepared breakfast at the stove. Meanwhile, Baal was sweeping up ceramic shards that littered the floor.

"I apologize again, Master." Baal muttered, tossing the pieces in the wastebasket.

"I told him to be careful..." Aym sighed. Narinder shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Just... Just do not upset her. Please? I think she may finally be coming back around." He spoke quietly, investigating what Aym was cooking. He was searing onion and mushrooms in a skillet, beside that, a pot of boiling rice. Narinder raised a brow, looking up at him.

"For Mir̃alai." Aym shrugged, "She does not eat meat, correct?"

"I believe so." Narinder answered and filled a glass with water.

"Baal, be useful and peel the fruit."

"Yes, brother." Baal grumbled and sat at the island, using a knife to peel the pears that were laid out. "How did you sleep, Master...?" He asked tentatively, glancing up at Narinder. He clearly meant to sound nonchalant, but his true intentions were clear. Narinder shot him a glare.

"Mind your tongue..." Aym said in exasperation.

"You have become bold, Baal. It is growing bothersome." Narinder crossed his arms, leaning on the counter.

"My apologies, I am only curious, Master. I wish to see you happy."

"That has nothing to do with it." Narinder glared.

"May I ask what you mean?"

"She has nothing to do with it." Narinder clarified quietly, irritation penetrating his tone. "She has no bearing on my mood."

"Forgive me, Master, but I feel you are not being truthful."

"Why would you assume such a thing? You are just as delusional as the hare."

"You seem well rested..." Baal had a mischievous smile. He sliced the pears, tossing them into a bowl. Narinder rolled his eyes.

"I have no feelings towards the Lamb. I simply grew weary of listening to her cry all the time, so I did what I had to." Baal's smile faded, and he quickly busied himself with the fruit. Aym glanced back and sighed.

"Master..." Aym motioned towards the doorway with his spatula. Narinder turned and saw, to his dismay, Mir̃alai standing there. She was holding herself up against the trim, a bleak expression as she looked back at them.

"I would like to be moved to the temple..." She said finally, her tone rather cold.

"Mir̃alai, you misunderstand- " Narinder tried to explain, but was quickly interrupted.

"My bedroom is finished, yes? I see no reason I should stay here. You'd like your bed and your peace back, I'm sure. Baal, please help me to the temple." Baal had a pained expression.

"I..." He looked at Narinder who waved a hand.

"By all means, go. I would like my bed back." Narinder glared at Mir̃alai. He gestured for Baal to stand. "Help her leave, Baal." Aym had a tight-lipped expression, shaking his head a bit as he cracked a few eggs in the skillet.

"Yes, Master..." Baal muttered, standing. He approached Mir̃alai and offered his arm. She took it and walked out with him, limping.

"What?" Narinder asked in irritation, eyeing Aym's disapproving glance.

"You are behaving callously, Master."

"If the Lamb wants to leave, she can leave. No skin off my back..."

"Very well..." Aym sighed.

Caxton took over Mir̃alai's care. Narinder instructed him on caring for her wounds, and judging by the rabbit's attitude, it was safe to assume Mir̃alai had confided what she overheard with him. Over the next few days, Narinder didn't so much as see the Lamb. The only form of contact he had with her was when Caxton would relay orders. Maintaining the Cult grounds had become quite the chore. The Grounds had been expanded to fit the mass amount of Followers she once had. The fields alone required at least twelve Followers to maintain, and Narinder was the only Follower tending to them. Aym and Baal assisted him, of course. But this hardly made a difference. Everyone was working well into the night to try and keep things afloat. There was no other choice.

It was nearly dusk, and Narinder was working the field as usual when Caxton approached him. The rabbit seemed to be as exhausted as everyone else, holding his book in his hand. The pages were covered in frustrated scribbles.

"How is the harvest coming along?"

"It would be better if we had assistance."

"You know we have no one to spare." Caxton sighed. "The three of you will have to make do."

"We are doing our damndest, Caxton, but as you can see." He motioned to the crops, some were beginning to show signs of imminent rot. "We cannot harvest fast enough." Caxton cocked his head, looking at the crops.

"How many hours are you putting in a day?"

"Fourteen..."

"Make it twenty." Caxton nodded, writing into his book.

"Twenty?! You've gone mad." He glared, "We need time to rest and eat."

"You will have four hours." Caxton shrugged, he turned to leave but Narinder grabbed him by the arm.

"That is unacceptable. Assign more Followers to the field."

"I cannot." Caxton glared, pulling his arm away.

"We do not need Followers working mines, or the mills right now. Bring them here."

"No. It is our Leader's orders." Narinder growled and tossed his shears to the side, coming close to hitting the rabbit with them.

"Hey!" Caxton yelled, jumping back.

"I will talk to her myself." He said as he stormed off towards the temple. Caxton chased him.

"She does not want to see you!"

"I don't give a damn what she wants! She is behaving like a child! This is a tantrum, and it will have us all starved." Caxton grabbed Narinder by the arm, digging his heels in the dirt to stop him. "Aym!" Narinder called for his servant. Aym appeared quickly, grabbing Caxton, and lifting him off the ground. He held the struggling hare still while Narinder continued on to the temple. Narinder threw open the temple doors and stormed to the back. Her bedroom was situated in nearly the same place as the old temple. He opened her door, and she jumped a bit. The Lamb had been sitting up in her bed, a book in her lap.

"I did not give you permission to enter. Leave." She glared at him.

"No, not until you tell that fucking rabbit to send more Followers to the field." He glared in return.

"You three can handle it." She waved a hand, and went back to reading. "Be gone now."

"We cannot. You are blinded by bitterness." He hissed and approached her. "If you do not give us help, the flock will starve. We cannot harvest fast enough on our own."

"Work longer hours." She shrugged. "It is your responsibility to get your tasks done." She turned a page in her book. Narinder growled and ripped the book from her hands, throwing it at the floor.

"You stupid, stubborn creature! I will not slave away twenty-four hours a day because you have a fucking grudge!"

"I have no grudge." She said calmly.

"Oh, yes you do. You are still upset about what I said to Baal. Now you are having a tantrum." Mir̃alai glanced at her book on the ground.

"It appears to me that you are the one having the tantrum, Narinder. I have not raised my voice against you, nor have I thrown your belongings." Narinder stared at her in baffled frustration. She was being impossible. "Now, please give me my book and return to your post." Narinder glared at her, taking a step back.

"Get it yourself." He said coldly. Mir̃alai showed a hint of anger, but repressed it.

"Very well..." She took her blanket off and shifted to get out of bed, wincing a little. She stood up, and supported her weight on the dresser. The Lamb bent down to pick up the book, but it seemed the pain overwhelmed her. Instinctively, she let go of the dresser to cradle her ribs. In doing so, she lost her balance and fell. She grunted, sitting up on her hands and knees. Mir̃alai reached out to take the book, but Narinder kicked it away. It slid underneath her bed. "You bastard." She muttered, her voice breaking.

"No wonder they dissented... Find someone else to tend to your fucking fields. I'm going to my cabin." He growled and left her room, slamming the door behind himself. Narinder exited the temple to find Aym holding Caxton over his shoulder, waiting. He walked around to look at the rabbit's face.

"Don't you dare come to my fucking cabin to badger me. I am fucking sick of you, and your fucking leader. I will kill you." He hissed and motioned for Aym to let the rabbit go and follow him. "Baal!" Narinder called out towards the fields knowing his other servant would be along shortly. He continued on to his cabin and entered it with Aym at his heels.

"Master, I don't think–"

"Shut up, Aym! I will not argue with you!" He growled. Aym went silent immediately, and stood by the door to await his brother. Narinder hadn't felt this angry since his first day at the cult. "Damn that stubborn Lamb!" He yelled, picking up a vase and throwing it into the fireplace. It hit the stone with a loud crash. Baal entered the cabin, before he even had the chance to speak, Aym grabbed his shoulder firmly shaking his head. "I have done so much for that ungrateful beast!" Narinder continued on. He grabbed Aym and Baals staves, tossing them to the twins. They caught them with increasingly worried expressions. "I will not tolerate this any longer. They can die for all I care." He grabbed his bag off a hook on the wall. It was filled with the medical supplies he'd been keeping for Mir̃alai. He dumped it out on the floor and began filling it with food from the kitchen. He stowed a quilt into it before approaching the bookshelf. Narinder grabbed a few books, including the white one he had been reading. He stuffed them in the bag, and pulled it onto his back. After grabbing his scythe, he pushed past Aym and Baal on his way out of the cabin. "We're leaving."

"Master, please..." Aym pleaded desperately.

"I will not debate it." He hissed and walked off the porch. His servants followed in his wake with hesitation. Clearly not sharing Narinder's view on the matter. Mir̃alai was standing in the doorway of the temple, Caxton at her side looking just as upset as Aym and Baal.

"Where are you planning to go?" She called out as they passed.

"It does not matter! You can handle this on your own!"

"Narinder, do not leave! We need you!" Attiscesus' voice called out. A handful of Followers had come out to see what all the noise was about. Narinder did not respond, he kept moving. He only stopped when he realized there were no longer footsteps behind him. He turned to see Aym and Baal standing together nearly ten feet back. He narrowed his eyes.

"Come..." He spoke in a menacing tone.

"Master, see reason..." Aym said calmly, "Please, your feelings towards Mir̃alai aside, these creatures need you. We cannot abandon them."

"Fine..." Narinder growled, "Stay then." He turned and kept moving, leaving his servants behind.