There were two guards before the temple entrance. Ox beastmen. Some even called them minotaurs despite them not having the same level of strength.
"Do you have an appointment, Miss?" One of them said.
For huge gentlemen, they were awfully cordial.
"No, we're new," she said.
The guard immediately pointed to the left.
Lenora thought he was kicking her out but the left path didn't quite lead to the stairs. It led to a reception commandeered by a beautiful sheep lady. She wore no clothes, there was no need to.
"How can I help you today?" Humanoid face, fair humanoid skin, and a rather mesmerizing glance. She was sheepy but only in terms of having wool in certain places. Very fluffy, white wool.
"Lady, can I touch your wool?" Jay said.
What is wrong with this kid? Lenora sighed but then remembered her first encounter with the boy. Not only did he have no sense of normalcy, he also had no real fear. He was just a curious young boy and a rather cunning one at that. But that was at least two years into the future. Right now, without the war…. He's just curious, I guess?
The sheep lady smiled. "Sorry, only reserved for my husband. If you agree to become my husband though," she licked her lips.
Lenora held the boy. "Sorry, we're not looking for his wife right now. When he comes of age, I'll let you know."
"I'd appreciate that," the sheep lady kept on glancing at the boy with anticipation.
The boy, not quite realizing what was going on, darted his eyes back and forth between the two ladies.
"Anyway, we're looking to speak with the high priestess," Lenora said.
"I'm afraid the high priestess is currently on leave."
"When will she be back?"
"It is not possible to say."
"I see, thank you."
"If you have an urgent message, I can relay that for you."
Lenora inched closer, just a hair's breadth away. "Jan will betray you, but for your own good. Don't lose faith in him. He still loves you." She moved back with a smile. "Please relay that to the high priestess."
The sheep lady kept staring, not quite believing, no, not quite comprehending what she just heard. What was this human of all people talking about?
"How do you know Jan?"
"We go way back. We've nearly killed each other many times but, I suppose you can also call us friends."
"Lies," the sheep lady said. "Jan is… Jan can't… Jan…"
"I know," Lenora pressed. "That's why the high priestess might do something… let's just say, unfavorable to all of us. Which is why you should tell her that, before Jan comes back."
"But," the sheep lady paused. "He's already back."
Lenora stared at the ceiling. "Huh," she mumbled, sighed. "I know you don't trust me, but I want you to have faith. I'm not lying. We need to make sure nothing happens to the high priest. Can you, no, will you tell me where she is?"
***
Jan settled down on the grass, next to the Dryad.
The Dryad was seated too but she slightly floated off the ground, glowing in a faint light.
Together, they watched over the city from the high up. How long had it been since they were last together?
"I thought they'd take me more seriously," Jan said.
"I wanted them to take you seriously," she said. "But sadly, this is the world we're living in. There's always a price."
"I never asked to be born. So, why must I be forced to pay a price?"
"No one asks to be born," she said, bringing her knees up to her face, hugging them. "But no one wants to die either. Even when you want to die… you don't want to die."
"Sometimes you do."
"And then you find people you want to live for," she said, tilting her head at the young man. "You've grown so much."
"Please spare me the pleasantries. I don't see you as my mother. She's dead."
"But I still see you as my son. You look just like your fa-"
"Shut up!" He haphazardly stood up, glaring. "Don't talk about that pig. That wretched filth!"
Her expression mellowed. "You must truly hate him."
"I despise him. I hate him with every fiber of my being. Even if my hatred oozed out of me as ink, it would still fill the deepest depths of the world; it will never cease to flow."
The lady sighed, staring at the city again. "He loved you. He used to talk to you all the time before you were born. He used to…"
Jan snorted and sat back down. "I don't care about him. That pig."
"Well… how about you? Got a girl yet?"
"The hell's that supposed to mean? Why would I need a woman?"
"You know, love, settle down, have kids. Share your time," she said. "The usual."
"I have no need for such. I'm fine on my own. Why would I need to rely on another person for my satisfaction?"
"I suppose you're still young. You still have so much to learn. So much to explore…"
"I didn't just come for the meeting. I've come bearing news from the high lord."
The lady stared from the corner of her eyes. "Go on."
"Stop this at once!" A high-pitched shriek.
Jan struck a battle pose, searching for the source.
A woman. A woman cladded in a red uniform with golden accents. On first glance Jan thought her to be a boy, but he quickly dismissed his misconception. That was definitely a woman. Only a woman could have such fierce yet passionate glare.
"Who are you, what do you want?"
"Lenora Dean," she said. "I'm here to stop you before you hurt your mother," she said. "So step away from her!" She pointed a wand.
A magician?
"Why would I hurt the high priestess? I'm destined to be her knight," he said, his sword pointed.
"Wait… what?" She cocked her head.
"Elf? High born… wait, you're-" Jan mumbled, his glare intensifying as his center of gravity lowered. "You wretched filth!" he jumped ahead, almost blazing past the distance, straight for the elf's head.