Our Paths Crossed Again
As I finished my plea, the priestess turned on me in a fit of fury.
�How dare you even consider the notion that I do not understand how valuable life is! It was your life that I saved merely eighteen years ago when I took you into this temple. I have saved so many women from destruction with my compassion and my heart! You should be ashamed of your ignorance! To come in here and undermine my rules, and to call my judgment misled, I should have you expelled for your insolence. To follow your heart is to find death; any man you associate with will ensure that death. To bring that evil spawn of Hades in here and nurse him back to health will bring about the ultimate destruction of this temple. We do not help those who are only out to hurt us.�
I stood strong; trying to believe that I understood what was at stake. �I still cannot stand by and watch him die. I shall take it upon my soul if allowing him to live shall lead to the destruction of this temple. I will bring him in out of the rain, and I will tend to his wounds. I will attempt to keep him alive, and once he has regained his health I will send him away again.�
I turned from these women, the only family I had, knowing I must defy them to do what I felt was right.
�Eleora wait,� the High Priestess sighed, her look of anger softened, �Hanae and Lexine go with her and help her.�
�Thank you so much,� I said as I rushed back out into the rain with Hanae and Lexine. We pulled the warrior through the downpour and into the confines of the temple. All of the lower priestesses gawked at us as we dragged him onto the altar to be healed.
The High priestess joined us, and ordered everyone to circle the altar. Most of the priestesses were in awe at the sight of the warrior, not only had the rule been broken, but also most of these girls had not seen a man since they left their families.
�I know what I have told you all,� spoke the High Priestess, �It was against rules to bring this warrior into our temple and Eleora took it upon herself to break my rules. She has also taken it upon herself to be responsible for this man while he stays with us. I shall go against my own decree and save this man�s life, but if at any moment he starts to offset the balance of this temple, he will be gone, and Eleora will pay the consequences. Now circle the altar and grasp hands. Eleora stand by my side and place your hand on the warrior�s heart. Hanae, fetch my herbs, and Lexine fetch the scroll of binding wounds.�
Hanae and Lexine ran to their errands and I slowly approached the warrior. He lay silent, covered in mud and tattered clothing. He looked peaceful in his sleep, though his brawn and scars were proof of a strife filled life. I placed my hand upon his chest and shuttered. I could feel his life force steadily leaving him. I was struck by a sudden feeling of remorse for this man, and tears filled my eyes.
Lexine and Hanae returned, and the ceremony began. The High Priestess mixed the appropriate herbs and began to chant. She motioned for all of the other priestess to chant with her. Soon the whole room was filled with the ancient words of long dead tongues.
I knew not the meaning of these words, but I was so moved by the magic which filled the air that I swooned. The chanting continued on, and on. The High Priestess placed smashed juniper berries with unrecognizable herbs into the warrior�s mouth, and flushed them down with holy wine. She then leaned towards me and spoke quietly, �This man has only a small amount of life left. You must give some of your life to him so that he may survive. Shall you make this sacrifice?�
I looked to the battered man, and compassion swelled in my heart. I nodded quickly as another tear fell. The High Priestess raised her arms and the chanting grew louder, she closed her eyes and whispered, �Artemis, bring this man life and remove life from another. We beg you to be merciful and respect our request.�
I closed my eyes and waited.
The High Priestess took out a dagger and raised it above her head. She shouted out to the heavens as she brought the dagger down, and stabbed the icy blade into my back. I gasped and blood spurted out of my mouth. I lurched forward and saw the droplets that had landed on the warrior and on my hand which was still placed on his heart.
�Forgive me child,� the High priestess whispered in my ear as she removed the blade. She extended the dagger to the heavens and yelled out.
Her voice drifted from my ears; as I felt the will to stand escape my legs. I dropped to the ground, blackness swirling around my head.
At that moment, I died.