And just like that, I was released. From village prisoner to village guest—the transition was jarring, but I didn't complain. Kaitarra promised me that Starr would be fine as she walked me to her monastery. The short trip was quiet for the most part. Her attention remained forward while mine wandered throughout the village, taking in its architecture and culture. Grusnabi was a quaint rural village with big hills and long cobblestone roads. Under the morning sun, the orange clay tile roofs along these stone homes glistened, reflecting a warm golden glow that bathed the village. I got to see the brighter side of Grusnabi to the left of me, where women in colorful clothes were sweeping off the porches of their homes, while children ran through the winding roads, their laughter echoing through my sharp ears. I also noticed warriors, probably from Buliba's squadron, standing on these incredibly tall trees with their eyes on the horizon, ever vigilant.
To my right, I noticed more beastkin women and children going about their daily chores. Some were carrying baskets with fruits and vegetables while others were tending to livestock. But the picture to my right and the picture to my left were a contrast of night and day. These workers weren't smiling. In fact, they looked tired and defeated. I studied the foreground more closely, where I noticed that the field along the horizon was barren. Those baskets with food were scarce, and the harvest didn't look very fresh at all.
The reality of their situation overshadowed my first impressions of the village. Despite its seemingly idyllic outward appearance, Grusnabi was a village on the brink of desolation. This was where my quest would come in. It was up to me to repair it.
Kaitarra guided me toward a private chamber at the back that contained an impressive shrine. The shrine was adorned with small, jewel-encrusted icons and surrounded by offerings of flowers and fruits. They looked a lot better than what the outside had to offer, my eyes lingering on the shrine a little longer before Kaitarra made an abrupt stop. I bumped into her, apologizing right after.
"No worries," she said softly, her face still away from me. "We have reached our destination."
Two girls walked into the courtyard from the back entrance, one with red hair and another with blue hair. They looked like twins, with curled horns at the sides of their heads.
They bowed respectfully to their High Priestess before she gave them commands, "Please prepare Lord Lucien to sit with me by the springs."
Eh, Lord?
Was it that easy to reach social status in this interesting village?
She went off while the two girls approached me. I've never met a pair of twins as bubbly and excited to meet me as they were. They must have been disciples in this monastery, and while they catered to my basic needs, they shared with me a few things about their sect that I didn't know.
Ecuzni was an exclusively female sect. They've been around for centuries and had grown in both size and influence over the years. Their mission was to promote prosperity and creation, both physical and spiritual. Their influence stretched not only in Grusnabi, but throughout other territories as well. The twins seemed proud as they narrated their sect's history, every word spoken with enthusiasm and confidence. The energy around them was infectious, making the gloomy atmosphere outside seem distant. They were young—probably younger than me even—and yet, they held an unwavering faith in their teachings and spoke of it with intelligence and prestige.
The twins prattled on about their training regimens, the meditative practices they followed, and went into light descriptions of their annual events. One was a grand feast that welcomed all beastkin to commemorate the founding of Ecuzni. Although Ecuzni were a female-exclusive sect, they didn't shun men. They merely believed that women had a stronger spiritual connection that allowed them to tap into the powers of the universe more effectively. This was because the goddess they worshiped was no other than my mother….
That still seemed pretty damn wild to say. I kept my mouth shut about that little secret, continuing to listen on as the twins told me stories of their lineage, and of the strength and knowledge their ancestors passed down to them. Their tales were filled with both culture and traditions, but I couldn't help but notice a hint of sadness in their eyes as they spoke. The state of their village was a far cry from the prosperity they once knew.
"Our High Priestess believes the prophecy will come," Phenrie, the girl with the red hair, said to me as she escorted me to my final destination. By this time, I'd gotten a proper bath, a change of clothes, and some water to drink. "And she will be glorious!"
I smiled.
"She is the only one who can save us from this unbearable desolation!" her sister Hyla added, with a passionate and fierce voice.
Soon, I found myself in a tranquil area of the monastery grounds by the springs. The sound of bubbling water echoed throughout the serene courtyard. Ancient trees towered above us, their leaves brisling in the wind. The radiant sun cast its soft glow across everything, reflecting off the spring waters and giving our surroundings a dreamlike quality. Birds sung, flowers bloomed, and morning dew clung to every grass blade beneath my bare feet.
The High Priestess Kaitarra arrived shortly after. Her entrance was as dignified as her persona, the air around her carrying an unspoken authority that commanded respect. The twins bowed and made their exit, and as my eyes continued to roam the area, I noticed that this meeting with the priestess was accompanied with breakfast.
To my right, I saw a large flat stone close to the ground garnished with a variety of fruits, freshly baked bread, and a creamy cheese. In the center stood a clay jug filled with a spicy and aromatic broth. The spread looked out of place considering the dire situation of the village.
Nevertheless, I approached her as she bowed down to me. The gesture felt odd, but I did the same and showed her my appreciation.
"Thank you for inviting me," I said behind a gentle grin.
She smiled. "You look presentable," she said, commenting on the fact that I actually had clothes on for our second encounter. The twins had taken me into a small room where a selection of fine silken robes were laid out. They helped me select an outfit, their hands fluttering about my choices as they sized me up for a fit. Honestly, I felt like a dress-me-up Ken doll, but the experience was interesting to say the least. After the affair, I committed to a deep blue robe. It was a simple design, almost looked like a yukata kimono robe, but the softness of the material made me feel like royalty. "Please, sit."
She gestured her hand toward a plush floor pillow on the ground, her seat right across from me. "Breakfast smells great," I replied as I took my seat. "And everything in this temple looks so alive," I complimented.
"That comment speaks of your witness to the bareness of our home," she said as she sat across from me. "Our land is not as fertile as it used to be. We have suffered great droughts the past few years…."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Please," Kaitarra gestured toward the food with a delicate wave of her hand, "Eat. You must be hungry."
"I don't mean to keep bugging you girls about this, but where is Starr?"
"Pardon?"
"The baby dragon?"
"Oh, the last I heard of her, she is still sleeping. Don't worry. She is in the monastery as well. Apologies for the cage. Dragons can be… unpredictable."
"As long as she is comfortable."
I made myself at home, downing the food like I hadn't had dinner last night. A well-seasoned meal after the short adventure I'd been through felt like heaven, everything melting in my mouth as I chewed and drank. As I sat and indulged, Kaitarra watched me in silence, her eyes studying me skittishly while she took nibbles of her food. Here and there she'd steal longer glances, just as long as I didn't make it obvious that I'd caught onto her staring.
My ravenous eating might have triggered some discomfort, at least that was my first assumption. But when I stared at her longer, she started to blush and look away. And then, something strange happened. I got a request from my codex:
House of Barros
Add High Priestess Kaitarra of Ecuzni to harem?
Preliminary must be met: bond with the High Priestess to appease [Fertile Charm] level upgrade
[Y] [N]
I choked on my food, caught off guard by that left-field suggestion from my codex.
My codex wanted me to reclaim my kingdom, starting with building ties and bonding with women. Except I wasn't ready to have sex with a girl I just met, let alone a priestess of a sect. Though, I had to admit, the priestess was pretty and had a hidden charm in the details of her flawless features. She was slender but shapely, her hips accentuating by the long white robe she wore. Her ivory hair was braided in a style that seemed complicated, twined with small golden rings that tinkled softly under sunlight. She'd changed her hair for our breakfast, this new style pronouncing the warmth of her gentle gold eyes.
Either way, I rejected the suggestion for now. That wasn't to say that I wouldn't try getting close to her, though. It was obvious that my attraction to her was not one-sided.
I found it pleasantly surprising that a woman of such high status would blush at my glance. That cute reaction from her couldn't stop me from smirking as she tried to cover herself by saying, "Lord Lucien, I'm sure you are wondering why you have been called here."
"In fact, I had been wondering. About a lot of things, honestly. But the first thing I'd like some clarity on is why the title?"
"The title?"
"I'm no lord," I replied. "Yet, you're the first person to address me as such."
"Does the title offend you?"
I chuckled. "No, well…. Yeah."
She gave a slight gasp.
"I'd prefer you just call me Lucien. Or Lu. On rare occasions, some people even call me Ian."
"It was not my intention to offend you, Lucien."
"It's not as big of a deal as you're making it, promise! But… I was a prisoner of your village only a half hour ago. I'm curious why you hold me with such high regard?"
She brought her fork to the edge of her plate and dabbed a napkin to her soft lips. "Well, Lucien. I'd like to be as transparent with you as possible. If I can be frank, referring to you as lord is a dishonor to who you really are. I should be calling you a god…."
I choked. I bit down into my jaw as I furrowed my forehead.
"As you are the descendant of our fertility goddess, Amossira."