The room grew quiet as Anirah Hawthorn sat back in her chair, her hands folded over her mouth in contemplation. The paladin before her pressed his lips into a thin nervous line but didn't break contact from the brown eyes that bore into his own. He had to stand his ground now that the question was in the air, but he couldn't help wonder if he brought up the subject at the wrong moment. No, it was the perfect time; Even though the priestess was in the middle of a conference with her fellow colleagues this conversation had been held off long enough.
Anirah finally smiled at him; a tight tense smile. Turning to the small group that sat around them she got to her feet, "It seems my brother can not stand to wait anymore. Alice..."
A young girl in her teens stepped up beside the older woman, brushing strands of blond hair from her face. "Yes?"
"See to it that the others are shown to their rooms and have received their assignments. The villages can not wait much longer for our help." Anirah handed over the folders which the girl pressed close to her bosom.
"Right away." Alice nodded and started towards the door, pushing it open as she addressed the crowd, "If you would please come with me. We'll get you settled and ready for your travels in the morning."
Murmurs rose among those gathered as they left the room, casting curious glances back at the pair. Only once the door was closed and the two siblings were alone did Jordan let loose the breath he was holding. He stepped forward and spread his hands before him in an apologetic gesture, "Sister..."
"You were never the patient one." She had taken her seat once more and motioned for him to take the chair to her right. He did so with no objection and looked at his older sibling with a neutral face, "What brought on such an idea from you?"
"Have you ever considered it yourself?"
"That our father may still be alive? Every day Jor. Every day... But I consider it blasphemy to go and actually try to find him!"
"But why? If he is out there, somewhere..." His brow furrowed in frustration as he folded his arms. "Those letters we reciev-"
"There is no evidence that those letters even came from him." She replied curtly. He looked away from her with a huff, his eyes rolling. She resisted the urge to tell him to stop acting like such a child, but kept her cool and rested her chin in the palm of her hand, "Our mother wasted the rest of her life trying to find him. She left us to be fostered by the church and not onc..."
"I still think we should look for him." Jordan interrupted and looked back at her, his eyes almost pleading now. It was a look she knew all to well but Anirah knew she couldn't give in this time.
"There are more important people who need my attention and energy now. I don't have the time to go on a wild goose chase."
"What is more important than our family?" The pleading look was gone as Jordan slamed a fist onto the arm of the chair.
Anirah stood up and stepped over to him, taking his trembling chin into her fingers, "Those who are wounded, dying and homeless. I am more than just your big sister now Jor. Please don't make me choose between those who need me and my family."
Jordan jumped to his feet and took her hand in both of his. He stood several inches taller than her but he still looked like a child in her eyes. "But I need you too Anirah! I can't do this without you... I can't hunt for him alone. Even if I found him, I don't think I'd be able to convince him to come home. You could."
Anirah slowly shook her head back and forth, "I won't. Not today, not ever."
He stepped back and ran a hand through his blond hair, ruffling the short strands into a tousled mess. As he started to pace his sister searched his face for several seconds. He was conflicted she could see that, but he was also determined. She bit her lip to hide her consternation before grabbing his hand again. The gesture stopped his pacing but he didn't look at her. His eyes were on the closed door and she actually feared that he would bolt for it any second.
"Jordan." He looked at her then and she smiled, "Please just spend the night thinking over what you and I have discussed. If you still want to go searching for him in the morning speak to me and I will give you what help I can to start your journey."
Jordan had already made up his mind but he took her hands once more and nodded, "Okay. Tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow."
He backed away from her releasing her hands before turning and departing from the room. The priestess stared at the open doorway before she herself started to pace across the chamber and run her thumb over her lip, biting her nail in worry.