Role

Chapter 14

Lasentia sat on the balcony, looking out across the waters of Loch
Terridian, rambling to herself about the situation with Telene. She failed to
notice the presence of Iunna as she rambled, but the goddess there Lasentia
had much she wished to speak of with her. When the discourse began between
them, Lasentia still bore a mark of resentment towards the goddess over
Telene. And for all Lasentia's words, there was always a response, one's
Lasentia did not always wish to hear. As she listened she would come to
understand what Iunna was saying and more importantly why Iunna was saying
them.

As much as she did not wish to admit it, Iunna spoke only spoke with
the truth and wisdom Lasentia was hiding herself from. She had changed, from
an aspirant writer to a woman obssessed, caring for Telene alone. As Lasentia
spoke of Telene, how she would never sing again, Iunna looked at her, puzzled
to a degree almost, by how consumed they had become with one another. But
Iunna was right, about both of them. The words were not easy to hear, but
Iunna bore no reservations about speaking her mind, and Lasentia knew most
all the goddess said was true.

Iunna shrugged off much, more at ease and calm than Lasentia would
have expected. Then the goddess inquired about Lasentia's place among the
heralds, letting her know she did not have to remain, that to be a herald
means so much more than a place in the inn. What stuck out to Lasentia was
Iunna's remarks about the inn, how it is just a place, that what heralds were
supposed to be was something more, and how often it was heralds forget that.

The flash of light from her departure left Lasentia alone once more,
pondering exactly how she had gotten here. And what was more important now,
was where she was to go. Perhaps Iunna was correct, she should learn to
celebrate what she has while she has it, and not worry about anything else.
Iunna had not comforted her any about what was to come. She did remind
Lasentia of what life should be about, what Lasentia had desired to become,
and how far away she had gotten from there. The decision was now before her,
to remain a herald. And for now, there was nothing more pressing that she
would need to answer than that. She would stay away from the Inn until she
knew for sure if she truly belonged there.