Chapter 31: Others Only See Our Masks

Impa stood at attention in a small tavern room, hours before daybreak. She tried her best not to let her displeasure show in her expression or voice. "And you're certain? You found nothing else?"

"I'm sorry, Lady Impa," Puraz spoke up, the youngest of the three Sheikah Needles that stood before her. He had two weapons that Impa could see the trace of; darts in his sleeve likely poisoned, and one knife in his boot. Oh, and the knife he kept at his side, but that was visible. "We've gone over everything. We doubled back over each other's work. We found nothing." He seemed apologetic, even averting his eyes in shame.

Could he tell her emotions that easily? And had she been so long out of the game that she forgot how often the only thing found on a mission was disappointment?

"I've spoken to every Gerudo merchant known to be in the city during the Moblin assault, and half the soldiers that arrived with the Matrons," Sidaj said. She looked a little more comfortable than her younger partner. Though perhaps that was the result of her mission. She dyed her hair, once the usual white of the Sheikah into a Gerudo red. Five weapons on her, ignoring the curved Gerudo scimitar at her hip. Needles in both sleeves, two knives one hidden in her hair, the other in her shoe, and lastly what appeared to be a climbing rope hid a blade within.

"There's nothing to find," Kieve yawned. The only one amongst the group who didn't stand at attention. Or at all, in fact. He slouched in a chair, leaned comfortably back his head resting on his hands. Impa had looked him over three times when he first entered, either her skills had diminished past the point of acceptability, or he had nothing. No weapons of any kind. Not even a stiletto safely tucked in a glove. Only a few papers in his hands and a rupee purse at his belt.

"Very well," Impa said. "Puraz, I want you to switch your attention from the guards to the poor. Focus on the areas nearest the walls of Hyrule Castle."

"Of course, Lady Impa," he said.

"Sidaj, the only other Gerudo who may know anything are Ganondorf's personal guard."

"Looks like I'm going camp chasing then."

"Careful, I've spoken with several of them. They are more intelligent than they at first seem."

"Of course, I understand the risks," Sidaj said, then she slouched her shoulders and gave a wild grin, looking for all the world like she had just attacked a village with a group of desert raiders. "I know how to handle Gerudo warriors," she continued in a perfect Gerudo accent, before the grin disappeared and her shoulders raised once more in a rigid stance Impa knew all the Sheikah Needles were taught to stand in.

"That's all I have, you two, dismissed."

Sidaj gave Impa a nod before she glided out of the tavern room. Puraz stayed a moment longer. "I'll be certain to bring you something useful this time. I promise, Lady Impa."

"Well," Impa said as the young man bowed as if he was speaking to a duke, "get on it then." Once he was gone, Impa looked to Kieve, who quietly giggled to himself. "What is that about? You vouched for him. I trusted your suggestions."

Kieve shrugged and started drumming the tips of his fingers on the thinning hair of his scalp. "Give the boy a break. He's working with a living legend."

"That's it?" She shook her head. "I'm not a legend."

"The Needle who managed to give forewarning of Ganondorf's raid on our home? And then after stalling his force long enough for us to mount a defense managed to carry a crying baby through the battle, past the enemy lines without being discovered?" Kieve shrugged. "What else would you call it?"

"Someone who performs their duties."

"Same thing, to a boy like Puraz, Sidaj too, she just hides it better."

"Not you?"

"No," Kieve smiled, "We went drinking together, remember? Having to drag someone back to their cot after they soiled themselves shatters the illusion of perfection."

Impa sighed, she liked Kieve, but forgot how annoying the man could be when he set his mind to it. "Please tell me, you don't spread those stories."

"Of course not," Kieve yawned and stretched before he returned back to resting his weight on the chair. "Let the young have their heroes. There are few enough in the world as it is."

This was another surprise, when she worked with Kieve over a decade ago he had been strict with his appearance and followed their training more adamantly than she. Now he lost most his hair, put on a few pounds, and looked like a bored merchant half the time. And yet, who else among the Sheikah did she trust for the task she asked of him? Everyone else she could think of was dead or far worse at their job than him.

"Is there anything further you found, about the other task I gave you?"

Kieve stopped his drumming, and went to his papers, shifting to the bottom. He passed the last over to Impa.

She could not help but smile as she looked at the paper, written in the Sheikah alphabet, backwards, and through a cipher. "Starting letter?"

"Nem."

She focused at the letters, trying to decipher them in her head. It used to be so easy to alter them. Now she had to stare at every single one, individually, and count through the alphabet to sort them out. By the Goddesses she was out of practice. Next council meeting where she did not have to look over Zelda's shoulder, she'd need to train herself again.

"This was it?" She asked once she finished the note.

"Everything he's done since I started watching him. It's normal, boring even. I expected at least a little excitement from an unmarried man of his age. But no, it's simply dull."

"And you're certain that there was no time where he was alone with any of the Gerudo?"

"The only times he's alone are when he sleeps and when he's in his study. I checked his bedchambers, twice, no one there. And yesterday, after he left his study I searched around, no one was hidden inside. Though, there was an entrance to one of our old passages on the ceiling. I inspected it, but it's clear no one's opened that thing in decades. I doubt they could if someone wanted to."

"Good, boring is what we want. Keep watching him," Impa tore the paper into pieces and threw them into the hearth. "You're comfortable with this assignment?"

"Spying on my own king?" Kieve shrugged. "Of course. We've done far worse."

That was it, no qualms, no compunctions. Just the job Kieve had to perform. It did not matter that she had technically asked him to commit treason against the crown. Kieve did not seem to care, it was why he was one of the best. Had she been that way once? Her superiors had never asked her to spy on the royal couple, but more than once she had looked upon lords and priests of some importance. She had always obeyed without hesitation. Those weren't even the missions that drove her to the bottom of a bottle.

"Do you miss this?" Kieve finally got out of his chair and stretched for the third time, Impa heard the bones in his back crunch into place. Had it truly been so long since they worked together that his body ached like her own? She still remembered him in his twenties that made other Sheikah swoon. Now he was balding and his belly hung noticeably lower. Were ten years really so long?

"Miss what?"

"The game! Obviously. You've been cooped up in this castle for over a decade. I'd have gone mad. A woman of your talent wasted on… childcare. Like you are some wet nurse."

"No, I don't miss it." She lied. "And I am not a wet nurse."

"No offense meant," Kieve smiled and held up his hands in apology. "We all know the security of the princess is important. But you could be so much more. Think on it, the princess is safe enough with all those metal clods around her. We could all use a living legend." Then he patted her on the shoulder and left the little room, leaving his papers behind.

Impa sat down in the chair and looked through each of the reports. She wanted to be bored by them, it would make it easier to know that she had taken the right path in life. Instead she worked through each of the ciphers getting faster and faster as she worked. They hardly had any more information than the Needles' verbal accounts, but how had she forgotten the simple pleasure of deciphering these puzzles.

And what little more they did provide, set her mind spinning with the potential meaning behind the small details. Kieve had been right, Sidaj and Puraz knew their work well. They gave their accounts in a crisp clear manner. No word wasted, any opinion or personal analysis distinguished and separated from the unequivocal information.

And yet, even after reading them all, it led to nothing. No new evidence to explain how the Moblins entered the city. No secret connection with the Gerudo. Nothing she could show the king or even the princess. Nothing to enforce her theories or disprove them.

Which would be better? Every part of her believed the princess, and wanted to see that leering barbarian apprehended and executed. But what proof did they truly have? That he held a scroll that might be a prophecy? That was no crime. That some child claiming to be from the Lost Woods accused him of murdering a tree. And what's worse, he did not actually see Ganondorf kill the Guardian of the Forest in the first place.

The only thing she'd have to show the king if she told him about their activities now, would be that the Princess sent some street urchin to steal from one of their guests. At best she'd be laughed out of court, and worst she'd be punished for Zelda's impetuousness.

If only she had one solitary scrap of evidence that Ganondorf committed a real crime. Not chopping down a tree outside of Hyrule's control. Not the supposed words of Goddesses that abandoned Hyrule long ago. She needed proof.

But whatever else the Gerudo was, he was careful. She almost respected him for it. Almost.

Once she finished the reports, she tore each of them up and tossed them into the fire. She watched them burn and could not help but smile. As disappointing as the lack of information was, she did love this. The gathering of information, sneaking about, living above the laws for the betterment of the realm. She did love it.

Just not as much as she loved Zelda.

Impa knocked on Zelda's door. "Princess, are you ready?"

"What?" came a voice from inside. Then after a moment. "Of course, I'm coming. Give me a moment."

Impa sighed, Zelda's voice wasn't that drowsiness of just waking up. No, she had simply lost track of time again. What had she been doing for the last few hours?

The door opened up revealing Zelda adjusting her dress. Her hair a mess, as if she had been laying in her bed until moments before. Which in truth, would suit their needs fair enough. Were it not for the cream white dress and jewels that she wore.

"Good morning, Impa," Zelda said. "I want to thank you for coming to get me today. I very much appreciate all you do for me."

"You're welcome," Impa said and shook her head. She didn't know what got into the girl recently. For the last few days, every other sentence the princess gave some passionate outcry of thanks. Which wouldn't be a problem, except it always sounded forced and unnatural, and half the time the princess forgot the act. Whatever she was trying to do, it wasn't working. "Have you forgotten where we're going this morning?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"You're meeting Father Rauru this morning, your highness. Discretion is needed, we can't have you walking through the streets of Castle Town looking like a chandelier. Go change."

Zelda groaned. "Of course, that's today. I mean- sorry- thank you for informing me, Impa." She trod back into her boudoir, returning a moment later with a worn and slightly dirty blue dress that one would see a hundred times throughout the city, with a brown cloak pulled above her head. "There, I'm ready."

"Not quite," Impa knelt before the girl and tucked some of the loose strands of her golden hair under the hood.

"Ow. Stop." Zelda said as she instinctively pulled away from Impa's hands.

"Just let me work, your highness." After a moment's hesitation Zelda let Impa fix her up to be presentable. The princess had apparently not bathed this morning, which suited her current disguise well enough. But she had a few bags under her eyes.

Father Rauru would be getting a piece of Impa's mind. Of all the spells he could teach her, he gave the girl with her nose ever in a book a means to create light from nothing? Did he expect the girl to sleep ever again when she could read all night with no one noticing?

"You're right, sorry, Impa. I did not mean to snap." Zelda said. "After the temple, what else do I have today?"

"I think it would be good for you to take the afternoon to rest. There are no meetings that need your presence for the day."

"And what meetings don't need my presence?"

Nothing gets past this one. "Your father has two scheduled, the first with the banking guilds. The next with a collection of landowners from the East to discuss how the Moblins are disrupting grain to the city."

"And you didn't think those need my attention!" Zelda pulled away from Impa's hands to look her in the eyes. "Those sound incredibly important."

"You can't do everything, princess." Impa licked her thumb and tucked away the last annoying strand of hair that refused to align with the others. "There, you're presentable."

"But I should be there for the important affairs of state. I need the landowners to know me."

"Everyone in the kingdom knows you."

"You know what I mean. They have to see that I'm just, intelligent, kindhearted."

You first have to master actually being kindhearted. "You'll have more opportunities for that in the future. There are no Gerudo involved in any of the meetings, I've checked."

"That's not the point. But since you brought them up, any news?"

Impa sighed, "No," she had to admit. "I have three of the best Needles in the kingdom gathering information, but thus far they've come up empty."

"How can they find nothing on them? You told me that one skinny one murdered both of her sisters."

"I told you she tricked both of her sisters into killing each other so she could take over the tribe. And that's not a secret to hold over her, to the Gerudo that only proves she is cunning."

"There has to be something. We must change their allegiance, through coercion or persuasion."

"I will keep trying, your highness." Already thinking like a Sheikah Inquisitor, something that was not altogether what Impa would want for the girl. It was one thing to teach her how to protect herself, to make her independent and able to survive whatever came her way. It was another to see how quick she took to the lessons that Impa's old masters taught, the necessary evils that keep a kingdom secure. And Impa hadn't even told her them.

She was far too clever. But cleverness had a way of justifying itself whatever actions it took. But what was Impa to do? Not obey her princess? It made no sense, she just sent a spy on her own king, a gross betrayal of trust of dear friend. But the thought of not aiding Zelda, whatever she asked, made the old spy balk.

"Come," Impa said. "Through the castle, without anyone noticing you. I mean everyone this time, Zelda. Not just the nobles and knights, you need to be mindful of the servants. Understood?"

And with a solemn nod, Zelda disappeared into the hall as silent as any student Impa had ever taught.

It always took thrice as long to move through the castle this way. But Zelda was definitely improving. She moved fast where they would not draw attention, slow when required. Her head always peaking around to find unoccupied openings. Patient enough to wait for them when no clear path could be found. In some ways her patience had grown too great, letting opening pass. But she would get faster with time.

It was almost infuriating. Impa did not wish her student to fail, exactly. But everything came too easy for her. She knew Needles halfway through their training who did not have her awareness. It would do her some good to fail at something from time to time.

But today was not the day of a great failure. Zelda and Impa made it out of the castle and climbed the walls without a single person catching more than a glimpse of them. And that was the true trick of needlecraft. It wasn't that you are invisible, it's that you aren't worth noticing.

Impa and Zelda slid over the wall. Zelda tumbling forward, first her knees and then her palms hit the grass. "Ahh," she said as she wiped her hands and dress.

Impa landed softly beside her. A bit showy, perhaps, but always good to let the princess know she still has a way to improve. "Very good. No one noticed today."

"Of course not," Zelda said. Then she shut her eyes and sighed. "I mean, thank you Impa. For teaching me. I hope that I am improving adequately."

"You are," Impa said. "You don't need to apologize just for being pleased with yourself."

"Of course, Impa. Sorry, Impa."

Impa sighed, they walked in silence as they made their way through Castle Town to reach the temple. All around them were people. Too many for Impa to thoroughly analyze all of them, but she gave it her best effort focusing on those who came too close, those whose movements did not quite fit into the natural pattern of the bustle of the city.

Archer, with a bow unstrung rounded a corner. No harm there. Knife salesman, his shop had not changed in any noticeable way since the last time they visited the city square. Still always keep an eye on wherever there are open knives. The baker's wife was running a bit quicker than normal toward her shop, a bit late this morning.

All normal as far as Impa could tell. Even the few Gerudo merchants that were now a common fixture in the city did not pay them any attention. She watched as one of the Gerudo entered a shop, passing by a man standing. Watching them. Wearing a mask.

It couldn't be. Why were they here? The inquisitors never left Kakariko. But there one stood, wearing the white mask with the red eye of the Sheikah drawn upon it. Several Hylian children all around him. It was said that they enchanted those masks, allowing the wearer to see into the minds of the captives Impa brought them.

And this inquisitor was staring directly at Zelda.

"Impa?" Zelda whispered. "What's wrong? We're almost there."

What did the inquisitor want? It had to know who Zelda was. Someone of strong will may be able to fool the mask, but that took training or at least mental preparation.

The inquisitor's hand reached up and loosened the straps of the mask that held it onto his head. He pulled the mask away.

It wasn't an inquisitor. It wasn't a Sheikah at all. A Hylian with short brown hair and a wide smile, waved the mask around several children that stood around him. "And other masks I have," he said to them, though his eyes never left the princess. "Wonderful masks that will delight and terrify all at my new shop."

How did he get it? An inquisitor would never give up one of their masks. What had he seen? A thorough look indicated he had no weapons on him, unless they were tucked away in the bags he had on his back. But those would be no use to him now.

"Zelda, get to the temple," Impa whispered low enough so no one nearby could hear.

"Where are you going? Impa!" Too excited, her words too loud. But Impa could not stop now.

A flick of Impa's wrist and a poisoned throwing dart slipped between her fingers. She held her hand down, so no one would see the blade, not until the very last moment.

As Impa moved toward him, the man finally turned his eyes away from Zelda. His smile never wavered for a moment. "Why children, go ask your parents for rupees if you wish to visit me. We're going to have such a wonderful happy sale. Run along to your parents now. And remember to find me at the Happy Mask Shop!" The four children around him all spread out before Impa reached him. All the better, it would be easier to deal with him with no one paying too much attention. "Hello," he pointed that too-wide smile at Impa. "What a delightful surprise this proved to be."

He did know, but how much? Impa lifted her arm, until the blade rested against his ribs. A simple nick and the poison would start to take effect. This one was no warrior, nor was he particularly large. One would do it. "Where did you get that?"

"My, you must have met with a terrible fright haven't you? Something creeping out of your past, something you wish stayed there."

Whatever he saw, it was too much. Far too much. Impa pushed at the blade.

"Stop!" Zelda demanded. She stood not far behind, staring at Impa's hand. Around her, others turned to see what the commotion was about.

The blade disappeared up her sleeve.

"My, this is far more attention than you wanted, isn't it?" The man whispered. "Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to put my arm around your shoulder and together we'll have a big laugh about the confusion of your little daughter there." Her skin crawled as the arm draped itself over her. "Three, two, one." Then he threw his head back, and Impa thought he was going to have some boisterous boom of fake laughter. Instead, a wheezing teetering giggle came from him, that sounded more ominous than joyful.

Around them, the few who watched turned back to whatever they had been doing beforehand.

"What are you doing?" Zelda demanded, at least she moved close enough to whisper. Then she got a confused look, shook her head slightly and looked at the Mask of Truth still in the man's hand.

"Oh, it was just a misunderstanding," he said before he carefully took off his packs and slid the mask inside.

"Who is this man?"

"I, my dear girl, am a happiness salesman."

"You can't sell happiness."

"Oh, but I certainly try. I suppose you would wish to know the means through which I spread joy and cheer. Masks are my preferred medium."

"Masks?" For once that normal tone of skepticism returned to Zelda's voice. "Why would you sell just masks? There can't be a lot of business in that. Why not complete costumes or just clothing in general?"

"Oh, never, never, never. How silly a thing to suggest," and again came that giggle.

"I'm not sil-" Zelda's mouth shut tight. "Of course," she said after a moment. "Well, as an apology for any inconvenience either myself of my mother may have caused. Perhaps I could purchase one of your masks?"

Impa sighed, far too verbose for a common girl, not that there was much a chance the salesman did not know who she was already.

"What a wonderful idea!" he clapped his hands together before he took a massive bag from his shoulders and laid it out before them. "You are one, I must say, who looks to be well in need of a mask."

"Thank you?"

"How better to disguise yourself?"

Zelda frowned. "What do you mean, by that?"

The man did not answer, simply smiling wider. "Or perhaps, you want a mask to reveal who you truly are inside?" From the bag the man pulled out a mask that was clearly in the image of King Liotidos. Zelda took a step back away from him. But he was not done. Next came a pirate with a bandanna and eyepatch. Then a ghost. Then a wizard with pointed hat and white beard. Then some creature made of stone. Then a mask of a Sheikah Needle, or at least, what the common people thought a Sheikah Needle would dress like with pieces of cloth covering as much of the mask's face as it could. "Do any of these speak to you? No? Wait, I have it! The perfect mask for you." His hand reached into the bag and tugged around until his smile went even wider than Impa thought was possible. He pulled out a mask of brilliant white and gold. A woman's visage, her eyes closed and a feathered hood framing her head. The goddess Hylia herself. "Such exquisite craftsmanship on this one, if I do say so myself."

"Go to the temple," Impa whispered. "And I shall deal with this one."

"No," Zelda said, she stepped back to the man and took hold of the Sheikah Needle mask. "I'll pay triple, for any discomfort myself or my companion caused you."

"Oh, no, no," the man said. "You two are clearly not wealthy enough to pay triple. Consider it a gift. But perhaps you can repay me in a different way. There is a mask I'm looking for, an old mask, in the shape of a heart. Quite unique really, perhaps you can keep an eye out for it for me."

"I don't really know of any masks."

"Perhaps not, but perhaps you've seen it before many times and have forgotten that it's important? Or maybe you'll stumble upon it. Though now I think we must say goodbye. Such a wonderful meeting, wasn't it? Full of joy and surprises. And perhaps we shall meet again?"

"Well," Zelda managed to say as she clutched the mask to her chest. "Thank you. I- yes. Thank you." Zelda nearly ran away from the man. Impa gave him one parting glare before she followed the princess.

"If you do find an old heart-shaped mask, come and visit my shop. Together we will spread such happiness."

"What were you going to do to him?" Zelda whispered as they left the man behind.

"He knows who you are."

"Obviously," Zelda said. "But we can't go around threatening people. He's not an enemy. What if others saw my protector trying to -I don't know- threaten my subjects. They would hate me."

Far more permanent a solution than threaten, for a man who robbed a Sheikah Inquisitor. "He's not a Gerudo you mean," Impa said. "The crown has more enemies than just Gerudo."

Zelda did not have a response to that. A rarity that Impa usually savored, but today she did not feel the joy in anything. She glanced over her shoulder, the mask salesman simply stared at the two of them, unblinking, his smile stretching unnaturally across his face.

When they reached the doors to the temple, one of Rauru's students had already opened it for them. "Welcome," he said, giving a respectful nod once the doors were shut and no one could see them. "Rauru has already gone below to prepare for your lesson. I could lead you to him, if you wish."

"Thank you, uhm," Zelda said, her face scrunching together as if trying to think.

"Jakob," the young priest said.

"Jakob, yes. I'll be sure to remember it this time. I promise."

"If it pleases you, your royal highness." The man seemed confused what to do for moment, then simply bowed and led the pair down into the hidden depths of the temple.

Zelda tried to engage the priest in conversation, about what Impa did not hear. She did not like walking into the temple. Never had. All the things she had done in her time as a Needle? All the lives she ruined. All for the good of Hyrule she knew. But when she was a child the priests told her that the Goddesses wanted their children to be virtuous. How could one be virtuous and perform the duties of a Needles?

What would the Goddesses do if they knew she was planning to return to that man later that night and permanently solve any problem he may cause?

"That's so fascinating," Zelda said, though for the life of her, Impa thought it sounded sarcastic. So did Jakob by the look of him, though he knew enough not to question a princess.

"Yes well, here you are. Rauru," Jakob nodded his head to the high priest and then bowed to Princess Zelda.

"Thank you, again, for all your help." Zelda said as the man walked away.

"You seem in a cheery mood today," Rauru said. "Princess, Lady Impa."

"Yes," Zelda stepped into the room and clasped Rauru's hands and looked him deep in the eyes. "I want you to know that I truly value you and what you are teaching me. And that I respect you and everything you and your order has done."

"Ahh," Rauru glanced to Impa before he smiled to Zelda. "Well, thank you princess. Get to your seat and start your exercising calling forth and releasing magic. We're going to start a new spell today. Give me a moment." He waited until Zelda sat, a look of concentration on her face before he stepped out of the room and closed the door. Moving far enough away so Zelda could not hear.

"Is something wrong, priest?"

"I was going to ask you the same question," Rauru looked over his shoulder at the door. "Has something happened to the princess? She is acting strange. And you look as though you've seen a ghost."

Impa sighed. "It is just something she's been doing the last few days. I don't know what it is, but she seems to have gotten it in her head she needs to be friendlier to people."

"Yes, well that's good I suppose," he brushed at his mustache. "Not a skill she's cultivated, I see."

"It comes across forced, I know. We'll work on it."

"My child," Rauru patted her on the shoulder. Impa tried not to shrink away from the touch. She was no one's child, even if she knew the old priest meant no disrespect. "It is not all on you to do everything for her. I think that is something we've both been in error about. What if I let her join the lessons with the rest of my students? They're older than her, certainly, but she's mature for her age. She needs to learn how to interact with more than just us crusty old adults."

"That is actually not the worst idea I've heard."

"I have been at this for awhile. Not with princesses, admittedly, but other than her let's call it intellect she is not so different from other children I've known. But I beg your pardon, my lady, but I feel there is something more. What is troubling you, my daughter? If it is not too much to pry."

"No," she could handle her own issues. The last thing she needed was a priest to give pleasant lies to her. "But there is something I think I should warn you about. There is a man outside, a new shopkeeper, he sells masks."

"I've met the man. You think something is wrong with him?"

"I know there is, I think he wants one of the items in your vault."

"Ahh," Rauru said, he did not seem particularly perturbed. "Many have tried, the temple has stood for centuries. It will not fall under my watch."

"Perhaps, but when dealing with a snake it is wisest to deal with it before it is prepared to strike."

"He will be dealt with, Lady Impa. Thank you for your concern, but we have our ways."

"I don't wish to offend, but this business does not seem particularly priestly. Perhaps allow me to deal with him." I should have just not told him. I could have returned this night, no one the wiser.

The priest shook his head. "I will take care of it. I'll make certain he does not bother you or the princess again."

"Do you truly think you're the one to accomplish that?"

"Of course. There are many ways to deal with such an issue without breaking my vows. The world is a harsh place, we must not delude ourselves on that matter. But that does not mean we must become harsh ourselves. I have dealt with such issues before, though thankfully not for many years."

"I do not think a reprimand or an exchange of words is enough, father." The priest seemed a good man, but an enemy left alive was only one more knife in the back to worry about.

"Perhaps not, but how will we know unless we try? I see you're skeptical, but I promise you the man will not bother you again." He frowned and nodded to himself. "As to what other issues you may be dealing with, I find prayer helps me, in these difficult times. Perhaps, you would like to take part in a service some day. Or we could simply arrange for a discussion just between the two of us, if you would find that more comfortable."

"Thank you, Rauru. But I am well."

Rauru gave a friendly pat on her hand. "My door is always open, if you change your mind. The Goddesses are forgiving of our flaws. Even when we are not."

"I'll keep that in mind," Impa smiled and gently pulled her hand from the old man's grasp. He meant well, but even the Goddesses must have their limits. And she was certain she had passed them decades ago.