Deathtouched - Chapter 24
Snapping her head up, Zoe saw Aaron standing in her room, his eyes no longer white, but a golden-brown color. Tears instantly began to flow, and Abby had to catch her or else she would have fallen bonelessly to the floor. "Gods no! Please! I'm not ready for this!"
"Baby? What's wrong?" Abby asked, a tone of worry in her voice.
"It's Aaron, he's gone." Zoe choked out.
Daughter, it was my time. I've lived a good life, a great one after getting to know you. But, ready or not, you must be strong now, you have responsibilities.
Zoe leaned on Abby to help her regain her feet. Straightening up, She walked over to Aaron and put her paw out to him. In response, he held his out to her, laying it against hers as if he was still alive.
"I'm going to miss you Father."
And I you daughter. It's going to be interesting, watching my own funeral. Melinoe is allowing me to stay and watch you be invested before I leave. So, I'll see you then.
Then he faded away, leaving a grieving black furred doe behind, her ears drooping so low they were laying flat against her back. Abby walked up to her and pulled her sobbing wife into her arms, guided her over to the bed, and held her until Zoe fell into a restless sleep.
Not wanting to leave her alone, Abby stood just outside the door and called Bonnie and Stu to explain they'd have to leave in the morning, organizing everything that needed to be done. Then she called Candace and her mom, asking them to come and keep Zoe company. Abby was never more grateful for family when everyone understood and didn't complain.
Zoe woke feeling warm and comfortable, feeling and smelling her family around her in a pile. She smelled Abby, Candace, and Gloria. Her comfortable feeling warred with her grief as she thought of her mentor, now gone from this plane of existence. But he was right, she had responsibilities and needed to be strong. There was much to do and little time to do it in.
The clock on the mantle read 4:48, but she knew that Abby needed more sleep and, truth be told, so did she but it wasn't to be for more sleep eluded her. Zoe went over plans in her mind as she lay there, trying to come up with backup plans as well. But her thoughts always went back to Aaron and their time together. As a Priestess of Melinoe and an Entry, she knew how the wheel turned. But it didn't seem to mitigate her grief. Zoe was still awake when Abby's alarm went off at 6 a.m. and Abby stirred against her, causing Gloria and Candace to make grumbling noises.
"Are you okay Love?" Abby asked her sleepily, her eyes barely open.
"Not really. Even for all that I know, it still hurts when someone close to you passes on."
"I got everything set for today, the kids are going to stay here so that the family can watch them while we head back to the apartment."
Zoe kissed her wife gently. Abby was such a loving, caring mammal and she was going to make an awesome Priestess of Eileithyia.
"Thank you Abby, you are an amazing wife and I love you."
Abby smiled happily at the compliment, then kissed Zoe back. Candace had stumbled out of bed and Gloria was working her way up to doing the same. Zoe stood and hugged Candace, giving her a kiss as well and thanking her for being here.
"Anytime Zoe." Candace told her. Gloria received the same treatment when she was able to get her feet under her.
"Okay Guys, I've got to make a phone call."
The phone rang several times before Dan picked up.
"Zoe! Are you doing okay?"
"I will be eventually. Listen, I've been visited... by Aaron."
Zoe heard a gasp over her phone and then the sound of movement. Zoe heard another door open and then another gasp.
"Father?" She heard Dan say. She could tell by the intonation it was said as a title and not term of affection like when she said it.
"Father?" Then Zoe heard crying on the other end.
"Dan, I'm leaving Bunnyburrow shortly and I'll be at the temple by three this afternoon. Go ahead and notify the other High Priests and Priestesses as well as Mayor Lionheart. If there's anyone else that needs to be made aware of his passing, then go ahead. We'll need to start arranging his funeral rites."
"Yes Mother."
Zoe was a bit startled at being addressed in such a manner, especially since she wasn't officially the High Priestess yet.
"This is going to be a trying time for our order Dan, and I'm going to need to rely on you and Wendy until things are settled."
"You can count on us Mother."
"Thank you Dan."
"You are welcome Mother. We'll see you this afternoon."
Zoe hung up her phone and put it in her pocket, already planning everything that needed to be done. She'd need to take a shower and see her kits before they left.
Zoe felt much better after her shower, at least physically. Emotionally was another matter. Seeing her kits and being able to snuggle with them helped, as well as bonding with them as they fed from her once more. All of them seemed to sense her seething emotions as they fed, even Aaron who, for the first time since being born, didn't bite.
Zoe sat in the passenger seat as Gloria drove, Candace and Abby in the back seat. Zoe was looking out the window at the scenery without really seeing it, her mind too occupied with the things that needed to be done. It was an indication of how much she had on her mind that the cityscape of Zootopia surprised her when it hove into view through the windshield. A new wave of sadness flowed over her, knowing that she was going to have to face the reality of Aaron's death in a few, too short, hours.
Nick and Judy were waiting at the apartment and gave her hugs and kissed her on her cheeks when she got there. Zoe did her best to blink away the tears that threatened to overcome her again, seeing her husband and wife with their own sad expressions, but she got a firm grip on her emotions.
"I need to get dressed and head to Temple Square, there's a great many things that need to be done so I may not be home til late."
"You're not leaving without me Love!" Abby insisted, firm that Zoe would need her. Abby may not have been her first love, but she was steadfast, her rock.
"Never Love." Zoe replied, her face softening. Zoe slowly removed her normal clothing and donned her white robe and then her black mantle with the black and white rose symbol on the breast. She walked in a stately manner as her and Abby left the apartment to find a black limousine parked in front of their apartment with a lion in a suit waiting by the back door.
"Priestess, ma'am, I'm Andrew, Mayor Lionheart's driver. He sent me to come get you and take you to Temple Square. He's waiting for you there."
Zoe had no idea that the mayor would do this, and didn't really care for such extravagance, but it showed respect to Aaron, so she'd accept it.
"Thank you, Andrew, your aid is greatly appreciated." The lion smiled grimly, given the reason he had been sent here, the death of a high priest or priestess being a rare, but significant event. Zoe sat with her back against the cushion of the large, lion-sized, seat, her feet not even reaching the edge. Abby sat next to her with her arm around her, trying to support her wife in the best way she knew how.
Zoe saw when they entered Temple Square with the temples of the Major Gods slowly passing by her window. She felt the car turn around the center part of the square and then stop in front of Minor Hall. Looking through the window, Zoe could see the High Priests and Priestesses of the Major Gods had formed a corridor leading to the front door of the hall. Mayor Lionheart stood at the beginning of the corridor waiting for her.
Andrew opened the back door and helped first Zoe and then Abby out. Zoe walked up to the mayor in a slow, dignified manner. When she stood in front of him, the mayor bowed and said, "I'm sorry to meet you under these circumstances Priestess. I share your grief."
"Thank you, Mayor Lionheart, I appreciate your sentiment."
"May I have the honor to escort you to the temple?" He asked. It being a tradition for the mayor to escort the next highest-ranking mammal into the temple of the High Priest or Priestess when they died.
"Your company at this time would be greatly appreciated Mayor." Zoe intoned, finishing the traditional phrase.
Mayor Lionheart gestured toward the open doors, still guarded by the two rhino Acolytes of Janus. Zoe moved sedately forward with Mayor Lionheart keeping pace next to her. Part of her pace was wanting to show respect to Aaron, but part of it was her not wanting to face what was waiting for her. As they passed each set of High Priests or Priestesses, they slammed their right fist into their left shoulder, saluting Zoe and showing respect to both her and Aaron's memory.
After Zoe and Lionheart passed each set, they fell in behind them, forming a procession. Zoe kept her chin up and her ears erect even as tears flooded down her cheeks. Abby fell in behind the procession since she wasn't a priestess, at least, not yet. She was so proud of Zoe in how she was comporting herself, knowing how much she loved Aaron and how hard she was taking his passing. When Zoe had reached the doors, the two Acolytes of Janus saluted her.
Entering into the hall, Zoe could see all of the High Priests and Priestesses forming a corridor of their own from the doorway, up the stairs, and to the door of the Temple of Melinoe. As before, they saluted and then fell in behind the previous set that had been passed. As Zoe approached the temple, she saw Dan and Wendy flanking the doorway, the ravages of grief evident on their faces. When she was a few paces away, both saluted her, and she stopped.
"Mother." Wendy addressed her. "We've laid Aaron's body out and all is in readiness to prepare him for his funeral."
"Wendy, Dan, I grieve with you. And, from me personally, thank you. Now, could I have your assistance in speaking to the assembled mammals?" Zoe knew that even this request had been addressed in the records kept, probably from when a similar situation had occurred.
Both Dan and Wendy bent, placing their paws together with the back of their palms on the floor, making a platform for Zoe to stand on. Zoe walked forward, stepping up onto their palms with no loss of balance as they lifted her above the heads of the closest mammals. It may have seemed undignified if it wasn't for the gravity of the situation or that each order had similar procedures for such a necessity. Being able to see the majority of the assembled heads of the different orders, Zoe spoke.
"The brothers and sisters of my order thank you for the respect you've shown to our High Priest, Aaron Darkwater. This afternoon we will prepare him for the funeral rites and he will lay in state tomorrow from sunrise until sunset when the rites will be held."
After her statement, Dan and Wendy lowered her back to the floor and the assembled mammals all began filing away until only the Priests and Priestesses of Melinoe, Mayor Lionheart, and Abby remained.
"Priestess, if there's anything you need, just get in touch with me." Then he handed her a card. "My personal number."
"We thank you Mayor Lionheart, you are a true friend of the priesthood." Mayor Lionheart nodded somberly and left. Abby stood there, unsure of what to do. Zoe turned to her. "Abby, Love. I'm going to be busy with preparing Aaron. If you would like, you can sit here in my goddesses temple, but I would recommend that you look up Marie, the High Priestess of Eileithyia, and find out about becoming an Acolyte."
Abby approached her wife, Zoe's face still heavy with grief, and hugged her. Then she gave Zoe a chaste kiss on the lips, smiled, then went to find the head of her soon to be order.
Zoe and her aides went to the back of the temple where there was a seldom used door. It was normally only opened whenever one of the local members of the priesthood died. Zoe led the way into the room. It was scantily furnished with a white marble platform in the center of the room on which the body of Aaron lay. Paintings of Melinoe hung on the walls, each showing different aspects of their goddess, including one of her sending ghosts after an individual that had displeased her.
There were tables with rolled linen cloths, both black and white, on the tables to wrap Aaron's body. The cloths had been heavily impregnated with naphtha and then dried. Zoe climbed the set of steps that had been placed on the other side of the platform that allowed her to reach Aaron's remains.
It's a little disconcerting to see yourself being prepared for cremation.
Zoe looked up to see Aaron standing at the head of the platform, her heart sinking once more.
Don't be sad daughter, I've lived a full life and I'm ready to move on.
Zoe could see his beautiful eyes, twinkling with humor, and with a smile on his muzzle. "I know Father, but I will miss you, especially snuggling in your lap as we talked."
Both Dan and Wendy looked at each other, then faced Zoe.
"Father is here?" Wendy asked. Zoe smiled wanly.
"Yes, standing at the head of the platform."
"How's he look?" Dan asked.
Aaron looked amused at the question. "Like he did in life, except his eyes are showing what they would have looked like if he hadn't been blind, a beautiful golden-brown color."
Both aides turned to the head of the platform and bowed.
"Safe journey Father." Wendy intoned.
Aaron bowed back and said Long life Wendy. Thank you both for your many years of loyal service.
"He bowed and said, 'long life Wendy', and then thanked you both for your service."
Zoe could see some lightening of their continence. Zoe reached out and stroked the fur on Aaron's muzzle, the feel of it familiar in her paw. She sighed and grabbed a roll of black linen. Wendy grabbed a roll of white and they began tightly wrapping Aaron's corpse, weaving it so that it formed a herringbone pattern of black and white. As they wrapped him, they sang the traditional funeral song wishing the spirit a speedy and safe trip to the afterlife.
Abby wandered around the hall, trying to find the Temple of Eileithyia. She'd asked a very helpful mink in a yellow robe with wings and chalice symbols stitched in it and a blue mantle, where the temple was and was directed on how to get to where she was now, standing in front of a doorway with a torch symbol above the door. Walking inside, she noticed tapestries on the walls, all of which showed different mammals in various stages of pregnancy, all of them portrayed with a faint pink glow.
"May I help you?" Abby heard from behind her. Startled, she jumped, turning in place to see a reddish pink robe in front of her. Looking way, way up, she saw a female polar bear wearing a lighter pink mantel over the robe.
"M... Marie?" Abby asked, noticing a torch symbol on one side of her mantle and a caduceus on the other.
The polar bear smiled and said, "Yes, I am she. And you have recently been blessed by Eileithyia and given birth."
Abby smiled back, instantly at ease. "Yes, twin girls. I'm Abby."
"Congratulations! And what can I do for you Abby?"
"Well, it's kinda strange. My wife is Zoe Hopps, Priestess of Melinoe."
Marie's face fell a little. "Yes, it is a sad time for their order."
"Yeah, Zoe was devastated. But I'm here about what happened while I was giving birth. My wife was with me, and when I was in labor with my firstborn, an ethereal torch appeared over my heart and my wife spoke with two voices saying I was called."
Marie's eyes opened in realization. "Your wife is the Oracle! Then, Abby Hopps, you have been called by our goddess to serve. Is this something you wish?"
Abby felt lighthearted and she grinned. "Yes! I'm a nurse and I'd like to continue my education and become a doctor specializing in OB/Gyn so that I might better serve Eileithyia."
Marie gave Abby an ear-to-ear grin and said, "Well then Abby, nurse, future doctor, and soon to be Acolyte, come into my office and we can start your training."
Feeling better than she had in days, Abby followed the gigantic mammal, ready to begin a new aspect of her life.
oooOOOooo
Aaron lay atop a bier draped with a black cloth covered in all the symbols of Melinoe in white at the front of the temple. Aaron himself was wrapped similar to the ancient mummies that Zoe had seen on TV in her old life. She sat on the bench closest to the bier keeping a lone vigil over his body. It would have been a silent vigil if it wasn't obvious that the future High Priestess was holding a conversation.
"... so, then I thrust the Spear of Ares into Epiales chest killing him. Or, at least, his avatar."
You've accepted your roll as The Chosen, and your destiny.
"It would be easier if I knew what that destiny was, or at least what The Chosen is supposed to do."
Hero's quests Daughter.
"Hero's quests are overrated Father."
Not so Daughter. Steel is always stronger after it's been forged in the fire.
"Now you're sounding like you're the Oracle and speaking a prophesy."
Aaron smiled and looked at her in the way he'd do when he was giving her lessons and there was a point he was waiting for her to get. Zoe felt like a cold wind washed through her body and her fur stood on end.
"Please tell me that I'm not mentioned in a prophesy!" Zoe begged.
Would it matter if you were? Aaron asked, looking at her with his eyebrow raised.
"Well, yeah! It would give me a place to start looking anyway. I've accepted that I'm The Chosen, but it doesn't make me happy. I'm getting the feeling something bad is headed for Zootopia and my family and I don't like that."
Just a feeling, or foreknowledge?
"Just a feeling." Zoe said, then she thought about it and sighed. "A very strong feeling. Not quite a nudge."
So what do you think you're going to do? "I'm going to have to research The Chosen and see what I can find. By the way you sneaky wolf, don't think I didn't notice that you never answered my question when I left for Bunnyburrow."
And which question would that be Daughter? Aaron asked with a sneaky smile on his lips.
"You know very well which one Father! I asked what you knew about The Chosen but you smoothly distracted me. I didn't even realize you hadn't answered my question until I was driving out of Zootopia!"
And what makes you think that I'd know anything about that?
Zoe could see Aaron trying to look innocent but not succeeding very well, probably on purpose. "Father, you were alive for over 124 years, I'm sure that during that period of time you would have heard something about The Chosen."
Did you know that it used to be the habit of high-ranking members of the priesthood to keep journals? Written records of their personal relationship with their god or goddess? And were you aware of how Zootopia began?
"No Father, I had how idea. How did Zootopia begin?"
Daughter, please tell me that you haven't been neglecting your college studies."
Zoe sighed. "No Father, they're on hold right now since I was attacked and gave birth. I had planned to get back to them before all of this 'Chosen' stuff started. Now I'm not sure when I'll be able to get back to my studies."
Well, I think you should do so at your earliest convenience.
"You're trying to tell me something aren't you?"
Would I do that? Aaron's amused expression putting the lie to his words.
"Father!"
What? Isn't it a parent's duty to help get their child to think?
Zoe sighed. "By the gods I'm going to miss you Father."
And I you Daughter. Do you plan to stay here all night? Don't you need to sleep?
"Yes, and... yes. But I'm not as tired as I thought I'd be."
No, I didn't think you would be.
"What do you mean Father?"
Have you looked at yourself astraly since you slew Epiales?
"No, I haven't had the need to."
Look now Daughter and tell me what you see.
Zoe shifted her sight into the astral, and gasped. Aaron was standing before her as solid as ever, still armored like a knight of Melinoe. Unthinking, she ran to him and jumped only to be caught in his arms. Zoe's spirit was infused with joy, to be able to touch her Father one more time.
"Why the tears Daughter?" His voice now sounding in her ears instead of her mind.
"I never thought I'd be able to touch you again! To be able to hug or kiss you. At least I'll be able to tell you goodbye properly!" She said, hugging and kissing him again.
Aaron chuckled. "I am happy that we can say goodbye properly as well, but I suggested coming here for an entirely different purpose."
He said, waving his hand by his side, causing a full-sized mirror to appear. Releasing Aaron, Zoe noticed that she stood a tall as the wolf and exclaimed in surprise, making Aaron chuckle again. "Daughter, here... size is relative. The stronger you believe, both in our goddess and yourself, the larger your avatar on this plane of existence. Now look into the mirror and tell me what you see."
Zoe sidestepped in front of the mirror and her jaw dropped. In the mirror stood a warrior, a knight of Melinoe just like Aaron, but she was still armored in Hephestus's armor, and she still carried the shield of Athena and the Spear of Ares.
"How?" She asked, awed by what she saw.
"Gifts from the gods when you accepted your destiny Daughter. Did you think they were only given to help you defeat your demon?"
Zoe nodded, still staring at her reflection. She saw herself standing tall, full of confidence and conviction.
"Look to your feet." Looking down, she saw the tiny wings on her ankles, the sign of Hermes.
"You will have other gifts Daughter, this is only the beginning. Seek your answers and be well on your journey."
"Seek my answers where Father?"
"Where do all journey's start Daughter? Now, it's time for you to leave this plane, your wife is waiting for you."
Aaron leaned forward and kissed her between her ears again and Zoe could feel the love from Aaron, just as she knew that Aaron could feel her love for him also. They parted and then saluted each other, right paw over their left chest, warrior to warrior. Zoe retreated back into the physical reality to once more see Aaron standing at the head of his body, smiling at her before he faded.
She turned to the doorway to see her wife in the robe and mantle of an Acolyte of Eileithyia, standing tall and proud with a grin on her face. Zoe's heart leapt at the sight of her, and Zoe ran to her wife, enveloping her in a huge hug. As soon as Zoe released Abby, Abby backed up and bowed saying, "Priestess."
It was like an arrow to her heart, she'd never had Abby be so formal around her before, even though it was technically the proper protocol between orders. "Abby... why so formal?" Zoe asked her, her hurt feelings seeping into her voice.
"I'm sorry Priestess, but while we're in our official garb, it would be best to follow protocol."
Zoe growled, sending shivers down Abby's spine right to her core, and then sighed. "I understand. And I can't even spank you for it since you are correct Acolyte of Eileithyia."
Abby gave her a coy smile and said "Well, if you really want to after we get home."
Zoe's face fell, making Abby's follow as well. "I'm sorry Abby, I'm standing vigil tonight and tomorrow, then I'll be home after the funeral."
"Oh. When are you supposed to be elevated to High Priestess?"
"The day after the funeral. Then I'll have to start in on all the paperwork so I may be spending a few days here getting everything caught up."
"What about college?"
"I'm going to have to take a leave of absence for a few months it looks like. I still have this 'Chosen' thing to look into. Something is telling me it's important."
"A nudge?"
"No, nothing that strong, but I need to figure it out and I don't have a lot of time."
"Your life has gotten complicated."
"Tell me about it! I have to take a journey and the only piece of advice Aaron was able to give me was to, basically, 'seek my answers where all journeys start."
"Oh!" Abby exclaimed, showing both surprise and understanding.
"What? You know something?"
"Baby, I mean, Priestess, where do all journey's start? At the beginning."
Zoe's eyes opened wide as she looked at her very wise wife. Then she grabbed her and kissed her hard and deep, taking Abby's breath away. Protocol be damned.
oooOOOooo
Zoe sat in the temple after sending Abby home, continuing her vigil. It was a silent one this time since Aaron refused to show himself. As the skylights in the ceiling began to lighten, heralding the coming dawn, Zoe moved to stand by Aaron's head and waited. Mammals began to trickle in, some from other orders, most from their own, and even some mammals that belonged to none of the orders. Each would come and say their goodbye's, some would talk to Zoe and mention something personal that had happened between them and Aaron, usually how he helped them or their family. When Oscar showed up, his face grave, she pulled him into a hug, and he hugged her back. When they parted, he bowed and whispered "Mother."
As the day progressed, more and more mammals began to show up, mostly members of their order, until there was a line going out the temple door and down the steps into the hall. It wasn't until midafternoon that Mayor Lionheart showed and paid his respects. It wasn't that he was late, but he would be escorting Zoe as she led the procession to the funeral pyre in the center of Temple Square.
As the sun set, a half dozen Priests and Priestesses of Melinoe, all similar in size even though they were of different species arrived. They folded the black cloth with the symbols of Melinoe on it over Aaron's body, forming a shroud. They picked up his body and waited for Zoe to take her place at the head of the procession. With her first step, Zoe began singing the funeral songs, accompanied by the multitude of her order that were in attendance, the sound reverberating throughout the hall and spilling into the square. Zoe sang from her heart, her tune laden with the love she had for Aaron and her goddess.
As she had when she arrived, tears flowed down her cheeks soaking her robe. Yet her voice never wavered, and her chin was held high and her ears erect. The Temple Square was packed except for the area around the pyre where they were kept at a distance for their own safety. And a corridor formed of Acolytes, Priests, Priestesses, as well as the heads of the orders, keeping the people back allowing the procession to walk unimpeded to the pyre.
The pyre itself was something of a misnomer. In the days when Zootopia was founded, there would indeed be a funeral pyre of naphtha-soaked wood that the body would be laid upon. In these modern times it was now similar to a crypt where a small door would be opened, the body slid in, and then the door closed. The officiate would push a button and then place a lit torch into a recess. Flammable gas under pressure would incinerate the body in minutes instead of hours. After cooling, the ashes of the deceased could be removed from a basin at the bottom of the block.
A set of stairs had been added to allow Zoe to climb and address the crowd. Slowly climbing the steps, which had been adjusted to allow for a rabbit sized mammal to comfortably ascend, Zoe reached the top all too soon. She looked across the square at the mammals gathered there before sighting Aaron standing at the foot of the pyre. The gentle susurrus of the crowd fell silent as Zoe approached the microphone set at the front of the stairs.
"Thank you for coming today to pay your respects to one who has left us. You could feel Aaron Darkwater's presence the instant you entered the room with him. And even though he was born blind, he could see better than most. I was always in awe of how he could move and find things that he couldn't see with his physical eyesight. His astral presence was that of a giant, clad in armor befitting a Knight of Melinoe, power radiating off of him like heat from a furnace. Aaron Darkwater was the High Priest of Melinoe and was beloved of her, and of me. To me, he was Father in all sense of the word. And when he called me daughter, it filled me with joy.
Those of us who serve the gods and goddesses of life and death know better than most of the Wheel of Life. So we know that death is not the end, that life will continue in another place, in another form. So, while Aaron may be gone from us, his journey continues. So one day, however many lives I may live, I hope to meet the soul of Aaron Darkwater once again and be able to walk with my Father."
Zoe stepped back from the microphone and climbed down the stairs. When she reached the end of the pyre, Wendy held the torch out while Dan lit it. Bowing to Zoe, Wendy handed her the torch and stepped back. Zoe's heart clenched and she hesitated a brief second before pushing the torch into the recess. Being so close, she could hear the 'whoosh' as the flames inside ignited. Zoe wasn't aware of time as she stood there, knowing that the physical remains of her friend and father were being reduced to ash. She was also aware that, one day, it would be her turn and her successor to place the torch.
That was a rather moving eulogy Daughter.
"Thank you Father. It's one that I wish I didn't have to make for many more years though."
No Daughter, it was my time, and I was ready. I no longer feel the pain in my joints or the weight on my shoulders. I have faith in you, as does our goddess.
"Still, even knowing all that I do, it still hurts to lose one that has such a large part of my heart."
"That is truth." Zoe heard beside her. Turning, she saw Baron, artic wolf and High Priest of Hades.
Zoe bowed. "My lord."
Baron laughed, bowed, and said, "My lady."
"Not until tomorrow."
"Still, it was interesting to hear your conversation with our brother. And your eulogy was well said."
"Thank you, my lord."
"You are welcome, and my Lord Hades sends his greetings and... affection... as well."
"Both are well received my lord; I will give Lord Hades an offering in thanks."
"He'll like that. Now, should you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know."
"I will."
Baron still seemed amused when Zoe bowed to him. It seemed she was going to be a stickler for protocol. Zoe waited until she could retrieve Aaron's ashes and, escorted by Mayor Lionheart and her two aides, carried the silver urn back to their temple and placed it at the feet of Melinoe's statue. Turning she addressed the mayor. "Mayor Lionheart, thank you for your presence today. May our goddess bless you for your friendship."
"Anything you need Priestess; he was a good mammal and I'm sure he's proud of you."
After the mayor left, Zoe turned to her aides. "Dan, Wendy, if you're willing, I'd like to have you continue in your position. If not, then let me know where you'd like to be sent and I'll do my best to make it happen."
Both Dan and Wendy looked at each other before Wendy spoke. "Mother, both of us would like to continue as we are and help you in any way we can."
"Then Dan, Wendy, I appreciate your assistance."
"You're most welcome Mother. Now, we've scheduled your investiture for tomorrow at noon and have already taken the liberty of inviting your friends and family. If there's anyone else that you'd like to invite, let us know and we'll make sure they will be present."
Zoe's eyes rounded into saucer shapes as she suddenly remembered. "Oh gods! I forgot! I was supposed to have a date with Gabriel last night and forgot to call him!"
Both mammals winced as Zoe pulled her phone out from underneath her mantle and turned it back on. There were several messages as well as texts from Gabriel and some from her family as well. Putting in Gabriel's number she heard it ring twice before he picked up.
"Gabriel! I'm sorry, something came up and I couldn't make it. I'll make it up to you I promise."
"Zoe, don't worry about it! Your mom and dad explained what happened. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm back in Zootopia, so if there's anything I can help you with just let me know."
Zoe sighed in relief. "Thank you Gabriel. I'll call and we can set up another date as soon as I can get things settled here. Love you."
"I love you too." Zoe hung up to see both mammals looking at her.
"Oracle. Dream from Apollo. Future husband."
Dan still seemed flustered, but Wendy snorted. "Well, that takes the mystery out of courtship."
Zoe smiled. "Not entirely, they don't know when you'll say 'yes'."
Both Wendy and Zoe chuckled as Dan felt the need to step back from both mammals.
"Okay, now I've been up for over 36 hours. I'm going to head home and get some sleep. I'll be back at 7 in the morning so we can start going over whatever we need to."
"There won't be much Mother, mostly a council meeting after your investiture. It's mainly a formality, kind of a meet and greet with the other High Priests and Priestesses. As for your investiture, you may choose who you wish to officiate. Do you have anyone in particular that you'd like?" Dan informed her.
Zoe thought for a second, grinned, and said, "Actually, I do!"
Zoe met up with Abby, who was wearing her Acolyte garb, and they took a cab home. The driver, a bobcat, felt confused to see two priestesses from different orders going to the same residence but ended up just shrugging his shoulders. Who could figure out religious officials?
oooOOOooo
When Zoe wearily entered their apartment, she was gratified to see Nick and Judy with their kits and, to her great surprise, Gabriel. Nick and Judy had decided to put all ten cribs in the spare bedroom, leaving just enough room for a single bed for Gabriel. The plans to move to the house in The Meadowlands had been put on hold.
There were only chaste kisses and cuddles amongst them all, Gabriel hanging back until Zoe took his paw and pulled him in to the pile. It was later when Abby's stomach rumbled that Zoe realized that, as long as she'd been awake, she hadn't eaten anything either. Gabriel heated up the supper he'd made in the microwave and both priestesses enjoyed a very good vegetable soup.
Zoe enjoyed the feeling of her husband and wives snuggled up around her. She replayed the memory of kissing Gabriel goodnight and seeing his surprise when her wives all did the same. Nick looked a little funny about that but, when asked, assured them that there was no jealousy involved. Zoe felt Morpheus grab her and take her to his realm, her last coherent thoughts about tomorrow being a busy day.
A/N: Well, it finally happened, Zoe's mentor is no longer among the living.
Surprises await in the next chapter so hold onto your buttocks.
I had considered making Gabriel a Priest of Hebe, but I'm not sure about that as of yet. He does have a great heart and loves kids so who knows? Maybe.
Officially, this is now the longest story I've written, 24 full pages and many more yet to come. I'm currently working on Chapter 30 and working on Chapter 3 of Project Gateway.