Zoe felt completely out of sorts. When she confided in Ava, she hadn’t expected her to actually help. If anything, she thought that sharing her greatest secret to anyone would cause disaster. 

She looked at the petite, blonde maiden that was walking before her, leading her to the sanctum by holding hands. She should have known that Ava would follow through on her word. That the small, sweet, compassionate Ava would show her kindness. The priestesses weren’t fond of her due to her unique, empathetic nature, but Zoe wouldn't be surprised if she was one of Eupheme’s chosen angels on earth. 

They moved swiftly under the cover of night. All Zoe carried with her was a tiny, tattered satchel that held the extent of her earthly possessions. A letter from her lover, a necklace, and a small blanket.

“My friend will provide you with all necessities at the end of your voyage,” Ava assured. 

“Your friend sounds too good to be true,” Zoe replied nervously. 

“She is,” Ava said dreamily. 

Zoe recognized she was taking a very large leap of faith, by trusting a total stranger, but what else could she do? Wait to be expelled from the temple and live with her child in the streets? No; this was her best option. 

“It’s nice to know I wasn’t the only one breaking the rules,” Zoe confessed. “I always wondered if I was the only person to want a life outside of the temple.”

Ava shook her head as they entered the sanctum. “You are not alone.” Zoe noticed that Ava had paused nervously, and was wringing her hands. “Damalia is wonderful,” she assured. “Just don’t ask her to pull off her cloak.”

Before Zoe could ask why, a tall, slender figure stepped out from behind the curtain.

The younger woman gestured between the pair. “Zoe, this is Damalia. Damalia, this is Zoe.” 

“Are you ready?” The woman’s voice was smokey and mellifluous. It almost sounded otherworldly in quality. 

Zoe nodded unsure of what to say. Ava released her hand and moved towards the stranger. She perched on her tiptoes to whisper something to the lithe woman. Rather than speak, Zoe just stood by dumbly as the stranger bent down and kissed Ava’s petite hand. 

The blonde turned a light shade of pink, quickly turned around, and gave Zoe a tight hug.

“The temple will miss you,” she whispered. “If anyone asks, I’ll say that I saw you go for an evening stroll in the gardens. With people still disappearing in the town, I’m sure they will assume your fate.”

Zoe nodded. She never thought she’d be grateful for the presence of a murderer in Arlen. 

“I will relay the message of your true fate to your lover when he returns.”

“If he returns,” Zoe corrected. She cradled the growing bump of her stomach. “This war seems to be never ending.”

Ava gave her a warm, reassuring smile. “I’m sure he’ll come back to you.” 

Without speaking, the cloaked figure turned around, beckoning her to follow. 

“Goodbye,” Ava whispered after them. “Please be safe.”

--

The woman, Damalia, carried a large, leather bag over her shoulder. She stopped and pulled out a black piece of fabric.

“Always stay behind me when we walk and put on this cloak,” she commanded. “We don’t want to be spotted.”

Zoe did as she asked. “This one is not quite as magnificent as yours,” she joked nervously. The emerald fabric of the woman’s garments was the finest she’d ever seen. The intricate gold patterns embroidered on it were nearly jaw dropping in design and quality. 

Rather than take the compliment, the woman merely grunted in reply. They walked in silence for another hour. Zoe wracked her brain for things to discuss. If they were journeying together for three days, she’d like to get to know her guide to freedom a little better.

“Soooo….” she started. “You’re friends with Ava. She’s a gentle soul, isn’t she?” 

“Yes,” Damalia agreed, her voice much softer than it had been before. 

“You must really care for her to do her this favor.”

“She must care for you to ask me this favor,” Damalia observed. “Were you two close?”

“Not especially,” Zoe scratched the back of her neck, thinking of all their previous, limited interactions. “I don’t think she cares for me anymore than the others.”

“Were you kind to her?” she asked, her tone sharper..

Zoe shrugged, feeling uneasy. “I was not unkind.” 

Damalia clicked her tongue. Not pleased, but not surprised by the answer.

After more hours of walking, they reached a wooded area. The thick trees obscured any moonlight they’d previously been graced with. Damalia pulled a small torch from her bag and lit it as they ventured further between the mature trunks. 

“We’ve traveled far enough from the temple; we should rest for the night. We can start traveling again in the morning.” 

Zoe nodded. She could tell it was going to be a long three days.