The Priestess Visit (2)

The Priestess Visit (2)
❤️  The Priestess Visit (2) ❤️

Dika Chamber:

Early the next morning. Dika was already up in her chamber, moving with urgency. She quickly bathed in the warm water a palace maid had brought her. There was no time to waste, she had a mission to complete for Nyxoria, and her only prayer to the gods was that the priestess would be home. Nyxoria wouldn’t be able to keep up her act for too long, and Dika needed to move fast.

After drying herself off, she dressed quickly, slipping into her black leather pants and a fitted long-sleeve tunic, stitched at the middle for easy movement. She grabbed her swords, strapping them securely across her back, and took one last glance at herself in the mirror. She wasn't that beautiful but she was very okay with her looks.

Unlike Nyxoria, who loved riding her favorite horse, Penelope, Dika preferred relying on her own speed. Running was her strength, and she knew no horse could match the way she moved.

Without wasting any more time, she stepped out of the palace gates, inhaled the morning air, and took off in a blur, her feet barely touching the ground as she raced toward the mountain where the priestess lived.

††††

Daisy Home:

Dika arrived as quickly as she could, her legs carrying her at an unnatural speed. She had never been to the priestess' home before, but she remembered her mother once giving directions to someone in the palace. That was enough to guide her.

Reaching the wooden door, she knocked rapidly, her heart sinking a little when there was no immediate response. Just as she was about to turn back and head straight for Tharros' castle, the door creaked open. Standing there was Daisy, a knowing smile on her face.

"I was expecting you," Daisy said, leaning against the doorframe. "Didn’t think you’d be here this early though. That was how Nyxoria came to meet me too."

Dika exhaled in relief. "Thank the gods," she muttered before bowing slightly. "Good morning, High Priestess."

Daisy chuckled, stepping aside. "Come in."

Dika entered, taking in the simple and almost empty surroundings of the priestess' home. She returned Daisy’s smile with one of her own before getting straight to the point.

"Nyxoria sent me here," Dika stated.

"I know," Daisy replied smoothly. "I told you, I was expecting you."

"Dika narrowed her eyes. "Oh really? Then you also know where she is?"

Daisy grinned, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Are you testing me?" she asked.

"That doesn't answer the question."

"Of course, I know. She’s in Tharros’ castle." Daisy answered and clapped her hands. A single wooden chair appeared and she gestured to it. "Sit."

Dika hesitated for a moment before taking the seat. "Okay, you got it right and I am sorry for being rude, I just wanted to be sure you are not messing with my brain," Dika said. "Thank you." She added almost immediately.

Daisy laughed softly. "I understand. So, why exactly did she send you?"

"She sent me here to tell you that she will like you and her to put on a little show." Dika said and proceeded to tell Daisy, Nyxoria’s plan, detailing how she needed the priestess to put on a little show to help her regain her voice and hearings in front of Tharros.

"That’s easy," Daisy said after a moment of thought. "Give me a few minutes to change, and we’ll be on our way." She added.

Without waiting for a response, Daisy disappeared from the room, leaving Dika alone. Ten minutes later, she reappeared, now dressed in a flowing white gown, her long hair pulled into a ponytail.

Ten minutes later she reappeared and was putting on a white gown with her hair packed in a ponytail.

"Alright, let's go," Daisy said, placing a hand on Dika’s shoulder. "I don’t have the patience to run all the way to Tharros’ castle like you do, so we’re teleporting."

Before Dika could even react, the air around them shifted, and in the blink of an eye, the room was empty.

★★★★

Tharros Castle:

Nyxoria’s eyes fluttered open to the warm glow of morning sunlight spilling into the chamber. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, before realizing she was alone.

Where had Tharros gone?

She stretched, pushing aside the soft covers, and that was when her eyes landed on a gown placed neatly beside the bed. It was a deep blue, made of delicate flowers woven together like silk. It wasn’t her usual style, too regal, too princess-like, but she had to admit, it was beautiful.

Sighing, she picked it up and made her way to the bathroom. The warm water soothed her, washing away the stiffness from her sleep and then proceeded to she washed her mouth. Once she was done, she slipped into the gown, surprised at how well it fit. It hugged her waist and brought out the curves she hadn’t even realized she had.

She sat back on the bed, smoothing down the fabric, her mind already shifting to the day's plan.

Was Dika already on her way with Daisy? She hoped so. The sooner they pulled off their little act, the better. But another thought nagged at her, her dream with Ora. She needed to talk to Tharros, to ask if she could visit her uncle and dig for answers about the ruined palace she had been in her dreams.

As if on cue, the chamber door swung open.

Tharros stepped inside, his presence commanding as ever. But what really made her smile, hard, was the sight behind him.

Dika.

Daisy.

And Vyrelen.

Nyxoria barely held back a smirk.

Alright, time to be dramatic.