Sanctuary and Secrets

The dawn mist clung to the trees as Edric, Lyraeth, and Aldrin packed their belongings and left the inn, their quiet departure thick with anticipation. The forest ride was serene, each hoofbeat a heartbeat marking their journey. The three shared a comfortable silence, the kind reserved for close companions.

After several miles, Lyraeth slowed her horse, her gaze drifting thoughtfully over the ancient trees around them.

Edric reined in beside her, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Need to rest?”

She shook her head slightly and smiled. “I have a request,” she said, her voice soft.

Edric raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Could we visit the temple of the Goddess of Animals?” she asked, a note of vulnerability in her voice.

Edric’s eyebrows rose slightly, his expression softening. “A temple? You rarely speak of them.”

“I know,” she replied, her eyes meeting his. “But… there’s a reason.”

Edric studied her for a moment, understanding flickering in his gaze. He knew Lyraeth came from the Goddess of Animals’ domain in the spirit world. She was more than just a deity to Lyraeth—she was a kind of patron, perhaps even a guide. It wasn’t something Lyraeth talked about often, but Edric had come to respect the quiet reverence she held for the goddess.

“Then we’ll go,” he said without hesitation. “There’s a small, quiet one on our route. It’s seldom visited these days, but it’s a sanctuary all the same.”

As they rode, curiosity lingered in his gaze. “You hardly ever mention your home” he ventured, “or the Goddess herself.”

Lyraeth took a slow breath, drawing strength from the forest around her. “Do you remember what I once told you about my heritage?”

Edric nodded. “Your father wasn't present, and your family is from the city of the Goddess of Animals… I know a little. But I didn’t realize you connected to the Goddess herself.”

“She’s more than a figure of worship,” Lyraeth replied, her tone reverent. “I know the rituals to summon her—not to pray, but to speak with her for a little. I learned it in case, I come to the human world and need help from home. And the Goddess may be the only one who can restore my magic.”

Edric stared at her, both surprised and impressed. “Summon her? You know how to summon one of the ten main deities? You never cease to amaze me, Lyraeth. But how will we do it if you can’t use magic?”

She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’ll guide you through it. We just need to follow the steps. Trust me.”

Hours later, they reached the temple, nestled deep in the forest. A lone priest tended the sanctuary, his faded robes attesting to years of quiet devotion. He welcomed them, but his eyes held an edge of doubt as they entered the main hall.

The temple was modest, its stone walls weathered and vines creeping through cracks, yet there was a serene beauty to its simplicity. Candles flickered before the altar, their soft glow illuminating a carved statue of the Goddess of Animals, her arms outstretched as if to embrace the world.

As Edric and Lyraeth approached the temple, the priest hesitated before speaking, his voice tinged with weariness. “You’ve come to pray,” he said, more a statement than a question. “But I must warn you… she no longer answers.”

Lyraeth frowned, her gaze sharpening. “What do you mean?”

The priest sighed, shoulders slumping as if under an invisible weight. “I have served this temple for decades. At first, her presence was strong. The forest thrived, and the animals flourished. But now…  nothing. The lands grow silent, and I remain alone in this crumbling sanctuary. Perhaps… she has turned her gaze elsewhere.”

Lyraeth stepped closer, her expression unreadable. “Faith isn’t always about answers,” she said quietly.

The priest’s eyes flickered toward her, curiosity mingling with his doubt. “And what would you know of faith, wanderer?”

Edric placed a hand on Lyraeth’s shoulder before she could respond. “More than you might imagine,” he said evenly.

The priest looked between them, his skepticism wavering.

Inside, Lyraeth knelt on the stone floor, drawing a summoning circle with a calm precision that struck Edric anew. He’d known her strength and resilience—but now, he felt as though he glimpsed something transcendent, something ancient.

When she finished, she gestured to the center of the circle. “Stand here, and when I give the signal, focus your energy on it.”

As Edric moved into place, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure she’ll answer? I’m barely a spellcaster. What if I’m not… enough?”

Lyraeth placed a gentle hand on his arm, grounding him. “Trust me; you’re more than enough.”

Edric took a deep breath and, at her nod, began channeling his magic into the circle. Just as he did, Lyraeth’s voice softened, holding a confession that lingered in the air like the echoes of a song.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” she began. “My family… it’s more ancient. My father was human, but my mother… she’s the Goddess herself.”

Edric’s concentration faltered. He stared at her, his voice barely a whisper. “You mean to say… the Goddess of Animals is my… mother-in-law? And I'm about to meet her, like this?”

Lyraeth’s small, amused smile caught him off-guard, and despite the shock, he felt he smiled back, the wonder settling in. He steadied himself, ready to continue, but the summoning circle began to glow, and a powerful presence filled the air, demanding reverence and awe.

A luminous figure formed, light coalescing into the shape of the Goddess of Animals. Her gaze, soft yet piercing, fell upon Lyraeth with warmth and then shifted to Edric, who found himself frozen in shock. Beside him, the priest let out a strangled gasp, dropping to his knees, his face pale with reverence.

The priest trembled, bowing until his forehead touched the ground, the weight of an all-powerful deity’s presence more than he could bear. “My Goddess… such an honor… I am unworthy…”

The Goddess merely glanced at him, a faint smile acknowledging his humility before turning her attention back to her daughter.

“Lyraeth, my beloved child,” she said, her voice soft but filled with undeniable strength. She stepped forward, gently holding Lyraeth’s hands, healing a faint scar with a touch.

Edric, compelled by both awe and reverence, instinctively bowed low, feeling the power in the room radiate through his very core. “It’s an honor, Goddess.”

The Goddess chuckled softly as she regarded him, her gaze knowing. “Edric Bearhold, my daughter has chosen well. I have seen much of you in her letters. Just call me Feylenora.” Her voice softened, as if speaking to him alone, her approval like a gentle but powerful blessing.

Edric looked up, his eyes filled with wonder—and maybe a touch of fear, realizing the depths of Lyraeth’s heritage. He had married not just a remarkable woman but a daughter of one of the most revered gods in the realm.

Lyraeth’s expression turned serious. “Mother, I need your help. My magic… it’s been suppressed.”

The Goddess’s face darkened, her calm exterior simmering with anger. “Who would dare cast such a curse?”

Lyraeth’s jaw tightened. “Baron Lucius Merrick. He meant to trap Edric, but I was caught in the spell instead.”

The goddess’s golden eyes narrowed, her aura radiating protectiveness. “A curse strong enough to suppress your magic… On a simple human, it would have been fatal,” Feylenora said, her tone heavy with warning. “The baron’s malice aimed to destroy.”

Edric’s breath caught, the weight of her words sinking in. He glanced at Lyraeth, his mind racing. If she hadn’t been there… if I had been the one caught… It would have killed me.

Feylenora turned her gaze to him, then her eyes returned to her daughter, her features tinged with pride. “You are no ordinary being. As my daughter, you possess the resilience of a demigod. The curse wounded you and suppressed your magic, but it could not extinguish your life. But I can even fix your powers.”

The Goddess closed her eyes, channeling a gentle light that enveloped Lyraeth. The warmth and ancient power settled over her like a mantle, and as it faded, she felt her strength returning, her connection to magic rekindled.

The Goddess gazed at her daughter with tenderness and fierce protection. “You must be vigilant, my child. Should the need arise, I will send your brothers to protect you.”

Lyraeth’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “I’ll call them if I must, Mother.”

The Goddess smiled, giving a final, reassuring look to both Lyraeth and Edric before her form began to fade. “Take care, my child. And Edric—look after her well.”

Edric, still feeling the weight of her divine presence, bowed deeply. “I will.”

As they exited the temple, Lyraeth’s steps felt lighter, and her spirit renewed. Edric stayed close by, marveling at the strength within her and feeling humbled by the revelations he had witnessed.

“You’re a demigod,” he murmured with a soft chuckle, a bit of awe still lingering in his voice. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that.”

Lyraeth laughed, squeezing his hand. “My family has many layers, but maybe someday I’ll share it all with you.”

Edric squeezed her hand back, his voice low with admiration. “I can't wait.”

The trees thinned, revealing Bearhold Castle on the horizon. The towering fortress, with its proud banners fluttering, was a beacon calling them home, filling them with a renewed sense of purpose—and of shared destiny.

As they rode, Lyraeth spoke of her childhood, her lessons, and the bonds with her siblings. Edric listened, absorbing each story, each revelation like a precious gift.

When she finally paused, he glanced at her, admiration glowing in his eyes. “You’ve carried so much, Lyraeth. Thank you for trusting me with it.”

She met his gaze, her smile warm. “There’s no one else I’d rather share it with.”

As Bearhold Castle loomed before them, their bond felt deeper, strengthened by the secrets and promises they shared, a partnership that now felt boundless and eternal.

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