"You're not ready."
"Yes I am!"
"You are not old enough."
"Yes I am!"
"You are not an adult.. We cannot possibly let you.."
"I don't care. I'll go on my own, if I must. I am doing as Elune bids me! You cannot keep me here.. I am smarter than you and I'll find a way around it..."
And, finally, the child's will broke that of her teachers. The young girl, so quiet most of the time, yet passionate about what Elune bids of her. A war that would not be won so easily, even her parents relented under her insisting to go.. Even her brother had, but, he was to follow her to make sure she didn't get herself into too much trouble. Not that Amaetha minded all the time... But, at least now she was able to leave the Temple..
---
Her first task, under the bidding of Elune.. Kill beasts. How lovely. Slowly, she wrinkled her nose at the thought as she did examine the area.. Well, there were too many.. And, the killing began. A little task to be done, though quite heart-breaking...
I suppose... This is a balance.. Death for life.. Life for death.. It was meant to be...
A chant to get her through the deaths of the animals, though, it all quite seemed like slaughter...
---
The next task, killing more.. And, finding a lost man over near the cave of spiders. "I really hope he hasn't been poisoned..." She noted towards the woman who lost her friend, and, a nod of agreement was all she got. Perhaps she insulted the poor woman, but she wasn't one for subtle and gentle words.
Shrugging, she gathered her things and started in the direction of the cave, being stopped by another man. "Venom sacks... You want me to cut open the spiders?" A look of utter and complete disgust before she nods a slow compliance before she continues on her way. Finding the man and cutting open the dead spiders to get the venom sacks. A simple task, perhaps...
Upon finding the man, her lips part in a soft sigh. "You've gotten poisoned." She points out, simply looking at him with a frown. "Your friend is worried yet she hasn't come to find you herself.. I suppose I shall return to her to tell you of your state. Maybe she'll come help you then." A bright smile, despite her almost harsh words as she left him with his thoughts to venture into the nearby cave.
---
It was cold, not entirely dark as she entered. Her breathing spiked up in fright as she looked around for the spiders, slowly, she held out her hand to light up the area she was in to better see where the spiders were. As soon as the light formed in her hand, it was gone just as quickly as a scream ripped from her throat and she backed into the wall of the cave. The horrid sight before her, making her body tremble with fear. "I don't want to do this..." She whispered, trembling more violently as her mind drew back to the dead body laying on the ground. The odd color of his skin leading her to believe he was poisoned... And quite recently too. A shuddered cry, gathering her strength as she slowly crept along to wall to avoid the body that lay before her. Soon, free from it, she lit up the area again before spotting the spiders. Oh, not little things either. Rather large causing her to tremble more violently before she slowly gathered strength.
"Elune.. Please bless me with your presence.. So I may complete this task at hand.."
And one by one, she began to take down the spiders. The fear slowly evaporated as she was able to down the first, the second, and the third. Continuing until the task was done. Covered in spider guts, and blood, she escaped the cave.. But, not before lifting the poor body of the other man and taking him with her. He would need a proper burial, for there was no way that he could be brought from this death. At least by means of her own. She felt for him, to die so soon into his adventure and not being able to return to his body with the guide. It had been his time.
She pushed forward, moving to complete her next tasks. She would not give in so easily, even if she had been frightened.. This was her path...
The Mourning Rogue
Many tasks complete, eleven seasons gained. So far, so good... Perhaps, she would continue to grow. Stronger, and as a priestess. Learn to be an example, to say what it right.. Rather than to say what is wrong, as she so often did. But, what child knew of loss so early? When her parents are still only 400 and some odd years, she would not experience loss soon. Odd that such thoughts on the way to the Temple were plaguing her. Nonetheless, she went to go about the training with the other young women of her age. For a good while, she had not noticed the man praying beneath the statue of Elune. When she spotted him, the others did as well. Warned away from him, she frowned. Was he such a horrid person that all must avoid him?
A better look at him and she spotted the shadows around him, her eyes flickering curiously and she broke away from the group with ease to settle down beside him. A bright smile as she began to speak, such blunt and almost harsh words that were meant to be encouraging. "Rogue? What is it that you seek? An answer? Perhaps you should take a step back, look around you rather than pray yourself sick." She points out, smiling brightly still before he looks to her.
"There are always reasons to pray, priestess. One does not need reasons to pay homage to our beloved Goddess. I seek to know why.. And I cannot stop until I know."
A look of confusion and she frowns, the poor man looking so upset and broken. She needed to say something, but, she didn't know what. Maybe something that angers him will perk him up a bit rather than looking so sad. "Well, to me you look like a ragged man seeking easy answers. The Goddess will answer yes, but, perhaps you need to seek it in yourself, first. Rather than trying to find the easy way out." Well, that wasn't encouraging, she imagined. But, perhaps he would perk up a bit.
No, the man seemed to grow angry as he drew his eyes onto her, snapping at her. "You are blind if all you see is a man seeking for the easy way out. You wouldn't understand my loss. I need to know why she was taken from me... You, who are so quick to judge. Calling me rogue and expecting me not to pray.."
Those words shocked her, her bright smile fading and the light drawing back. She turned her head away, mumbling an apology. "I did not judge as you say.. But.. I simply was trying to make you have some reaction rather than just mourning." She points out, though, a slow smile forming as he did react in a way other than just woe.
He seemed to roll his eyes, at the statue before looking towards her again. "It was no coincidence that we met today, priestess. We shall meet again, but for now.. I'd like to pray. Without judgement, alone." He seemed to smile though, bringing back her full smile before she nodded. "As you wish.." She chimed before turning to leave.
"We'll meet again, rogue."
He didn't laugh, instead, he paused her. "One, do not call me rogue. My name is Kelvaar."
She nodded, turning to him and smiling brightly. "My name is Amaetha. I may be young, Kelvaar. But I am smart. Elune guides my very path.. You are starting on your own, the right one.." A pause and she nods. "And, I will live up to my name. Just you watch." She bowed then, turning and leaving him to his prayers. Knowing that she would meet him again, indeed. Perhaps on a lighter note, when she was stronger even. And, when she knew what to say without making anyone upset anymore.