We awoke just before sunrise and began our ascent up the mountain. As we climbed in altitude, I felt several presences around us. I was sure mother felt it too, but she kept moving forward without reacting. Just as the path narrowed, the eyes that were watching us revealed themselves. A mix of mercenaries and bandits surrounded us.

“Forgive my rudeness ladies”, the leader smiled, “but I can’t let you go any further than this”

I put on a bright smile, “Oh, dear, is it perhaps a bear up ahead?”

“Worse”, he replied.

“Ohhh?”, I questioned.

“Your death!”

I let out a laugh and tilted my head towards my mother. 

“Jylan, sweetie, if you would”, Mother raised her hand, gesturing to me to deal with this situation. 

The group of men looked confused as I jumped down from my horse. 

“It’s such a shame for you”, I beamed, “Our deaths are up ahead, but yours… are right here”

“Heh, what can you do, little lady? Two women against 20 of us. Doesn’t look like the odds are in your favor. Now...I’m willing to be kind if…”, he licked his disgusting lips at me, “you entertain us”

Smiling again, “I’m sorry, but we have a very important guest to meet”

He let out a laugh, “Oh, the high priestess? I believe once we get in touch with her, we have an appointment with her first, and she won’t be available afterwards, for about--- forever?”, he bellowed.

I smirked as mother and I covered our faces with a cloth. I flung poison into the air that instantly put them to sleep. In order to keep them from following us so soon after they woke up, I stabbed each one in nonvital, yet painful areas of their bodies. I then swiftly checked their pockets to find anything good.

“Let’s go”, Mother said calmly as I hopped back onto my horse.

Resuming our ascent, the temperature grew cold and the forest died back to a rocky landscape covered in snow. We dismounted when the terrain got too dangerous. As we continued on, we heard voices lurking up ahead.

“Where can that damn priestess woman be up here? I’m freezing my arse off”, one bandit said.

“Calm down. Remember we do this right, we get paid enough to never have to work ever again”, the other replied.

From behind a large boulder, Mother drew her bow and silently disposed of them. I quickly scouted the area, then checked their pockets. I found a letter from Maurice and a sketch of the priestess. 

“Found more evidence”, I said handing it to Mother, “This’ll definitely come in handy”

“Y-you!”, one of the wounded bandits coughed, “Who are you?”

“No one of importance to the likes of you”, I smiled darkly as I knocked him out. 

We continued forward, disposing of any bandit search parties in the vicinity of where the priestess might be, until we made it to a rock face near the peak. It didn’t look like much, but mother was sure that it was the right place. She pulled out the metal piece the priestess left behind and held it up to the rock. It instantly flew from her hands and stuck to the rock like a magnet. Soon, a doorway opened up and we swiftly went inside as it closed again. 

The inside was a stark contrast to the outside; it was warm and lush. We looked around in awe as we moved deeper into the cave. 

“You haven’t lost your touch, Gaea”, a voice echoed.

A woman in white appeared before us with a gentle smile. 

“High Priestess Deoma!”, Mother ran to her, “I’m so glad you’re alright!”

“As am I”, she replied, “How’s the situation outside?”

“A lot of hired hands roaming the mountain. We managed to dispose of a lot of them, but there may be more”

The priestess sighed as she sat down, “the church will fall if this continues and the delicate balance between the various forces will crumble. Divinity magic may not be the greatest, but it is necessary”

“Don’t worry, the priest signed his own death warrant years ago. I’ll take care of it”, Mother assured her.

She gave Mother an unsure look, “Resourceful, as always”, she sighed, “What of the other priestesses? I’m sure Maurice did not leave them unscathed”

Mother made a pained look, “We managed to rescue them before coming here, but a few had already passed”

“Using such violence… He is unfit to be a priest”, Deoma grumbled, “If I hadn’t thought fondly of his father, I would have never allowed his admittance to the order. Such a mess”

“Then what shall we do? It’s dangerous to stay here, but also dangerous to leave”, Mother stated.

Deoma chuckled, “Don’t worry too much about that. I came here to bide my time”

Mother looked at her in slight confusion, then her eyes flashed in realization, “You’ve seen something…”, she mumbled. 

Deoma smiled and, in a swift movement, tossed a cloth with something heavy. Mother caught it and opened it to find the holy seal, the only thing standing in the way of Father Maurice’s plans; without it, anything involving the church and holy council cannot be officially approved.

“Keep it safe and…”, Deoma stood with a large smile, “give him hell”

“Yes, of course”, she replied.

“The Valsa are coming. I shall remain here until then and await good news”, Deoma began to retreat back into the depths of the cave.

“Th-the Valsa? Thee Valsa!?”, I exclaimed in glee.

The Valsa are an elite force of female paladins, whose might is legendary. They are not easily mobilized unless unforgivable acts have been committed and severely threaten the power balance of the magic forces. I wanted to be one when I was a child, but a working Aniceta must remain neutral between divine and dark magic. 

Deoma turned to look over her shoulder at me, “She’s as cute as ever, Gaea”, she smiled.

I instantly felt shy and embarrassed at my outburst. Mother rubbed my head with a smirk and turned to leave.