The wide oak door did not make a sound as Kassen opened it; releasing the sweet music that was being held captive within the church walls. He had decided to visit the religious building in the hope that Sa Raliena would be there, as she had said she was visiting her departed mother that day. He had left Derio to his own devices in the town who was eager to spend his winnings in the nearest tavern.
The building was just as vast and elaborate as the village and Kassen couldn’t help thinking Verxia should be spending more money on protecting it.
On the windows here there were also pictures of Unisayan, bowing to maidens dressed in white flowing frocks, adjacent to the traditional images of holy men.
The ceilings were high and painted grandly in gold and silver. Pillars held up the wooden beams supporting the roof and a marble floored isle led to the altar, ordained with flowers and ornaments of gold and crystal.
Kassen spotted Raliena sitting alone in the middle of the pews and walked quietly down the far side of the centre aisle, so as not to get in the way of the men worshiping.
He slipped in beside the Araman silently, she had a large travel bag in the space between them and her eyes closed. Her expression was serene and peaceful, as if her soul was at rest. She looked as she had sat before the sunrise that morning, high up in the tree.
The worshipping men finished walking down the aisle and ended their song at the pinnacle of the church.
“I did not think you were of religious inclination.” Kassen stated.
“I am not.” Raliena replied, not opening her eyes. She seemed not to be surprised that Kassen had sat down beside her.
“I see you have made use of the village blacksmith.” Raliena indicated Kassen’s new armour. He had decided to spend his gold disk in the town as suggested and had been surprised at how much he could get from it, due to the respect that came with it, rather than the value of the disk itself. The blacksmith had probed him for all the details of the fight, which Kassen had been happy to let Derio tell, although he exaggerated the story. With it he had bought a new lightweight shield and a new leather belt with metal studs for decoration.
“Yes, it was a gift.” Kassen answered.
“You fight well, General Kassen.”
“You were watching, Sa Raliena?”
“I was passing.” Raliena stood and walked towards the priest stood on the stairs of the altar, all the other holy men had left.
Raliena had a small velvet bag in her hand which she gave to the priest. Kassen assumed it was money for the church. She had left her travel bag on the stool and the General resisted the urge to open it.
He watched the priest thank Raliena then wag his finger at her; as if he was scolding a child.
Raliena replied to him calmly and glanced at Kassen, then at the floor. The priest turned to stare at Kassen with interest, then ushered a reluctant Raliena towards him.
Kassen slid his way along the pew and stood to greet the priest who embraced him heartily.
“General of Attashar, welcome.” The priest said smiling broadly, he was not as old as he looked from afar and only had a few grey hairs showing from under his hooded white cloak.
“Thank you sir.” Kassen replied, taken aback by the embrace and unsure how to officially address the holy men of Verxia. The priest did not correct him either.
“We are all grateful to have you here, are we not?” He directed at Raliena.
“Indeed.” The Araman replied, avoiding eye contact with either of them. A habit, Kassen had realised, she adopted when uncomfortable in a situation.
“It is a pleasure to be here, I have been greatly enjoying the views Verxia has to offer.” Kassen said smiling at both of them.
“We are pleased to hear it.” The priest said, answering on behalf of Raliena as well. “Perhaps General Kassen could escort you back to the castle my dear? If he has had his fill of the village for the day? It is getting late.”
Kassen nodded in agreement and looked to Raliena, eager to have her alone again.
“No, that will not be necessary...” She began but stopped short when the priest put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her with a knowing expression.
She gave him an exasperated look and resigned. “Very well.” She sighed then grabbed her bag from the pews with ease, despite its size.
“Let me,” Kassen said taking the bag before she could protest. It was rather heavy and he was surprised at the facility in which Raliena had taken it.
His expression must have shown his confusion as Raliena’s posture was suddenly defensive and perhaps a little hostile.
“Shall we?” Kassen gestured, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Raliena was hugged by the priest in farewell and made her way to the doors.
General Kassen was in turn hugged by the holy man and made to join the Araman when the priest held his arm to make him pause.
“Have patience General.” The priest said glancing at Raliena who was waiting by the door. “A sword that is a labour of length is sharper and far more reliable than one made in haste.”
Kassen raised his eyebrow and nodded, though he found the comment perplexing.
Raliena waited outside for him and avoided his gaze as usual.
“What did he say to you?” She questioned once they started walking down the narrow path to the gate of the church grounds.
“Uh, I think he called you a sword.” Kassen replied.
Raliena smiled affectionately. Kassen had most likely been subject to one of the priest’s many cryptic lessons. He believed nothing should come without a little hard work, though usually discarded this sentiment if it suited the lesson.
“How was your mother?” Kassen asked, perhaps a little tactlessly, but he was never one for fancy words and dodged questions. He was also too used to people answering him, no matter the phrases.
“Still dead.” Raliena answered without hesitation or reservation.
Kassen was even a little taken aback by her bluntness.
“Good to know.” Kassen said carefully as if testing how far he could pursue the subject.
Raliena said nothing but did not seem antagonistic towards him. No more than usual anyway.
They walked for a little in silence down the forest path leading to the castle. The fallen leaves crushed beneath their feet and whispered through the trees above them on a breeze that didn’t reach the ground.
Kassen changed the shoulder with the heavy travel bag, grunting as he did.
“I can take that for you if you like?” Raliena offered, a touch of amusement in her voice.
“I’m fine thank you.” He replied curtly, not wanting to wound his pride. “The strap is cutting into my shoulder.”
He couldn’t help looking at her then, hoping she might reveal something, but she kept her eyes on the road.
They reached the gate of the castle and were let through by the sentries immediately. Raliena greeted both of them by name and they couldn’t help smiling at her as she passed, reverting back to their serious faces once she had.
Kassen was impressed and perturbed that she knew their names or even bothered to greet them. No noble woman in Attashar would have done the same. Perhaps it was part of being an Araman. He knew so little of their culture and wished he had been better prepared before coming as an envoy for his King; his illness had prevented him from doing so.
He had had little time once he had recovered as they had left so soon. Kassen knew that Attashar was just as in need of an alliance as Verxia. What Verxia lacked in military, Attashar lacked in resources. They could not bring enough trade into the capital and for all their defence force; Attashar could not afford to equip them all with swords and armour.
It was a surprise either Kingdom had survived without major threat for as long as they had until the time had come when King Dagerten had fina
lly been prepared to use Verxia’s resources by any means necessary; even if it meant taking it by force.
However, the Lords of the west grew inpatient at their own lack of resources and luckily Prince Derend had suggested an alliance as the quickest way to gain Verxia’s gold and strengthen the East-North boundaries.
The General and Araman stopped in the courtyard of the castle and Kassen dropped the bag on the floor with hidden relief.
“I heard the King holds a ball in honour of the hunt.” Kassen said to Raliena before she could leave. She seemed to tense at the subject. At the ball or the hunt, Kassen couldn’t tell.
“I would be highly privileged if you would join me.”
“An Araman is expected to attend.” Raliena replied, with a touch of bitterness.
“I meant for you to join me personally as my... companion.”
“Companion?” Raliena raised an eyebrow at him. “I do not think that would be appropriate. You should ask Lady Nanerter.”
“But I was informed by Zea Dergen that it was custom for the knight to accompany the Araman.”
“Only if she consents.” Raliena bristled at the mention of Dergen.
“So, I shall collect you from your room before the ball?”
“I did not say yes.”
“But you will.” Kassen looked smug, so used to woman swooning at him and knowing that the Araman could not deny her traditions.
He knew less about her than he did about their culture.
“Then you shall be waiting a long while.” Sa Raliena replied coolly and taking up her bag she walked away from him, not looking back.