Temple Town was on the road south of Shadow Gate. On the way, they passed through vast swaths of cultivated land broken up by towns. The province was reminiscent of the Southlands in that way. There were also a number of differences. Sod and concrete buildings were more common than those made of wood and stone. The Construction Guilds were not cheap, so stone buildings were particularly expensive to build. Wood was the least common, since Shadow Gate was built up from grasslands, and wood with good grain had to be imported from the north or the south. Sod was used for unimportant structures, like barns for animals or to shelter grain. Concrete was made by craftsmen instead of the Tradesmen of the Guilds, so most of the estates they saw were made from bricks of concrete.

  The differences between Shadow Gate and the lands to the south extended to their fashion. In the south, heavy fabrics and covering the body from neck to toe was common. The further north they had come, the looser the fabrics people wore, and the more skin they exposed. This far north, some of the Southlanders had difficulty looking at the people, who met a minimum of modesty for bawdy houses while walking along the villages and towns. The people were also darker skinned, as even the fair-skinned had deep tans. Among the people of the north, a fair-skinned woman like Biyu was a rarity. The sun refused to tan her.

  Temple Town was a city, not a town, but among cities in Shadow Gate Province, it was one of the smallest. The city was broken up into a series of districts, each of which fell under the governance of one of the major temples. The Halls of Judges, the Temple of Vraa in her aspect as an adjudicator, also served as the court of the Temple Town, and her local Champion served as the High Marshall of the joint garrison of Temple Knights. Temple Knights patrolled their own districts, and also the districts that catered to the local craftsmen or the pilgrims who came to the city to petition or worship the gods.

  Each of the Temples were unique, embodying the nature of the god it was dedicated to. Gunthar's Temple was a fully functioning farm. Here he was revered in his aspect of the god of agriculture, whereas the temple in Lonely Knoll worshiped him as the god of charity and kindness. Priests and acolytes worked the land, and the estates that made up the farming residences were all modest and functional. Pilgrims, the sons of farmers, came seeking a remedy to some hardship that had befallen their farm.

  The Halls of Judges, Vraa's Temple, was a series of halls where courts of judgment were held. Priests conducted the hearings and rendered judgment under the auspices of Vraa as her aspects fair judgment and law. Her pilgrims were those in dispute, who were dissatisfied with the judgment of law. To seek the Halls of Judges, the case either had to be passed over by the nobles who should render judgment, or the noble must grant an appeal for them to proceed to the Halls of Judges. The conclusion of the Priest superseded any former resolution, but it also superseded the law as written. In the latter case, the Priest would write a treatise on why his finding conflicted with the law, which would be presented to the original noble overseeing the case, and the Imperial Government.

  Gillas's Temple was succinctly called The Pleasure Palace. The Temple was a large, luxurious estate full of beautiful gardens. One paid to visit the Palace, and it was said that for enough coin one could indulge in any depravity without consequence. There was a play about a man who convinced his wife to join him in The Pleasure Palace, where he murdered her. He was never charged, even though he had murdered her before a crowd. The Priests assured the people that even Arliss turned a blind eye to all that occurred within The Pleasure Palace. Clio refused to go near the Temple, and even requested that they take a detour around it. Her request hinted that she would detour alone, if she had to.

  Those were the temples to the Dragon Gods, but there were other temples in Temple Town. One small one was to a god risen up from the Order of Severing Twilight. A new Temple, one made of concentric stone walls of ever-increasing height, was being erected in honor of Lady Chelsea's grandfather. Other Temples to Imperial gods, Humans who had ascended, filled the city, and there were even a few Temples that had been abandoned. Those were to gods who were no longer worshiped. Their Temples were cared for, for no one would upset a god by neglecting their Temple, but their care was seen to by whichever Temple managed their district.

  In addition to Temples, there were also shrines. Most shrines were composed of an alter and an icon under a shelter, but there were a few erected without altars to gods not known to accept any form of offering, and other unmarked altars where only those who knew for whom the altar was erected left offerings.

  They met the City Lord of Temple Town, who greeted them solemnly. They were granted an estate for noble pilgrims just outside the city, on a piece of land within a copse of cultivated trees. The courtyard had a lovely garden. The estate was walled, and the main residence faced north. It was a single courtyard house, but the courtyard was a large one. Servants were assigned to the estate, and would serve them while they were in residence. Settling in was quick. Except for the Princess and Prince, Biyu refused all requests to greet them until after they formally arrived in Shadow Gate. The soldiers and Knights set up a guard rotation, with the remaining squires from the Order of Sweepers preparing for their Awakening.

  Clio was uncharacteristically nervous and fidgety. More than once she had been found staring absently in the direction of The Pleasure Palace, event though it could not be seen from their estate.

  "Something wrong?" Allie asked her one day. Clio looked at her Master, and shook her head. "No polite lies, Clio. Tell me." Demands met better results than requests, which Clio usually treated as idle comments.

  "I do not want to go back to the Temple," Clio said. Her voice trembled. It was the most emotion Allie had heard from her.

  "The Pleasure Palace?"

  Clio nodded. "You know I was a Temple Girl."

  Allie did, but she tried not to think about it. "From there?" She nodded in the direction the Temple should be.

  Clio nodded her head. "Sir Bridget and I both came from Shadow Gate."

  "Your family is from Shadow Gate?" Allie asked.

  Clio nodded. "Not the main city. They are in West Terminus. The western border of the province."

  "Do you want to see them?"

  Clio shook her head.

  "Okay. Here, sit with me." She patted beside her, and started to brush Clio's black hair. Clio started to relax at the soothing attention.

  "Have you been painting?" Allie asked Clio.

  Clio started to shake her head, but her training stopped her. "No, Master. I have been too…"

  "You will paint today. Understood?"

  "As you demand, Master."

  "You said it was something you enjoyed doing."

  "I am not supposed to—"

  "You are not a Temple Girl anymore, Clio. You will do things you enjoy. So long as you do not slack in your duties. Understood?"

  Clio shivered a little, and weakly replied, "Yes, Master."

  Allie was having tea with Lady Claudia. She would rather be studying the notes Wizard Bob had given her, but Lady Claudia was always quite sharp in her reminders that she also needed to study her duties as Defender Elderwoods. That meant she had to learn how to take tea and gossip with nobles. So, Allie sat sipping a fruit tea, or maybe it was a compote with the fruit removed, while Lady Claudia prodded her with conversation.

  "Defender Elderwoods, will you select me as your companion in Shadow Gate?" Lady Claudia asked out of the blue.

  Allie paused in sipping her tea. She carefully put it down, considering the older girl while thinking furiously. "I thought you were trying to attract my brother's attention?"

  "Yes, and I have come to accept I've failed. He barely sees me as a woman, let alone a romantic option." Lady Claudia affected a pout, her painted face exaggerating the cute gesture. "You could tell him to marry me, but you won't, will you?"

  Allie shook her head. "I… can't. He's done a lot for me. Choosing who he'll spend the rest of his life makes me feel… ungrateful." Finding polite words was a pain, but Allie was getting better at it. She envied Da's easy neglect of such things, although she would rather not have her peculiar method of speaking.

  "But the object of his affection is completely uninterested. Almost violently so?" Lady Claudia said. She shifted in her seat, moving just a little closer to Allie. Not close enough to touch, but closer than was polite. "Sir Bridget isn't interested. He's too young for her, she says."

  "She is a lot older than us," Allie replied. She shifted, moving just a little away from Lady Claudia. Noticing, Lady Claudia halted her advance. She frowned briefly before covering her discomfort with a biscuit.

  "Well, your brother isn't interested, and your family won't arrange for us to be engaged without his consent. However, you and I do get along well. We could be a fine match."

  Allie opened her mouth to speak, but thought better of what she was going to say. "Remind me again what your goals are?"

  Lady Claudia openly scowled at her. With a dramatic sigh, she quoted, "I want to play music, and to bear and raise the future family head." She looked pointedly at Allie. "That is to say, I would like my child to become Defender Elderwoods, should I remain with your family."

  Allie gave a nod of her head. "Impossible if you stay with me. I can bear children of my own, and any child you have…" She left the thought unfinished, since speaking about infidelity would be inappropriate except in backhanded statements and innuendo. Even this little bit was a little too direct, but Lady Claudia did not reproach her for it.

  "If you approve of any dalliance I have, then it would not be inappropriate. Then, you'd adopt them into the family." There was no doubt in her voice, and she was being rather more frank than Allie had expected. "Trysts like this might be frowned on, but they are not unacceptable."

  Allie frowned. "That… being a noble…" she shook her head.

  Lady Claudia lifted a brow. "This isn't being a noble, Defender Elderwoods. This is being the head of a family. Being a Defender."

  Allie sighed. "My brother could also have children, and they could be the family head. Da," she used the familiar address for Lady Bringer, since Lady Claudia was ignoring good manners, "could also decide to have children still. But that ignores the major issue. Neither of us like women." She regretted her words immediately when she saw the amused look Lady Claudia gave her.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "I am not attracted to women, but I'm also not averse to the idea. As for you? That isn't the truth, is it?"

  Allie shifted uncomfortably. "I will admit to some curiosity," she admitted.

  "Curiosity? You do not know?" Lady Claudia asked, lifting a brow. Her eyes shifted to Clio, letting that little gesture to do all the speaking for her.

  Allie did not have to defend herself. It would be better if she merely ignored the insinuation. But, Allie could not bring herself to do so. "We shared a bed for warmth. No one does those things with Clio." She felt a sudden wave of guilt as she looked at Clio, who was waiting to see to any need they might have. It felt wrong, to talk about Clio as though she was not there.

  "Why is that?" Lady Claudia asked. "I would have thought Lady Anya would have taken advantage of her, given what people say about her."

  Allie felt a surge of anger, even as she recognized it as being a completely fair observation of Lady Anya. "Clio was a Temple Girl."

  Unlike everyone else she knew, Lady Claudia did not wince at hearing that. She only tipped her head. "That just makes it more curious, doesn't it?"

  Allie shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not sure what you mean."

  "Temple Girls are taught to be obedient. To do whatever they are ordered to. That is the point, Defender Elderwoods." She reached out a hand to Clio. "You will not do anything unless you are told to, correct?"

  "Of course, Lady Claudia," Clio replied.

  Allie felt a little sick, as she understood what Lady Claudia meant. No, it was better to say she saw the difference in viewpoint between the daughter of a powerful branch family, and her own. For just a moment, she found herself disliking the young woman she had spent so much time with during the last few months. A woman she did, admittedly, find herself liking, even if she was a little too like Iris.

  "Lady Anya prefers her companions not be living dolls," Allie explained. She tried to keep the ire out of her voice. She couldn't tell if she managed it, with the pause before Lady Claudia replied.

  "I suppose she isn't like a man, eager to sate his lusts," Lady Claudia allowed. Allie felt another flare of anger at the slight against Lady Anya.

  Schooling herself, wondering if Lady Claudia was saying what she thought or testing her again, Allie made a decision. "Lady Claudia, perhaps you do not realize it, but you are disparaging a member of my family. I must ask you to be more considerate of your words."

  Lady Claudia flashed her an approving smile. "So, will you consider…"

  "I think you made a mistake, Lady Claudia. If you intended to test me, doing so while also entreating to court me was… ill-advised."

  Lady Claudia paused, considering her words. "I was trying to demonstrate why I am useful to you?"

  "I'm afraid," Allie said. She paused to finish her sweet and tea, forcing Lady Claudia to remain silent as she finished her biscuit and tea. When she was done, she finished as though she had never paused, "that you have rather demonstrated to me why I might find a relationship with you trying. You are a fine lady-in-waiting, but I think I shall look elsewhere for 'companionship'."

  Lady Claudia frowned as Allie excused herself.

  Before they left for Shadow Gate, Iris had a conversation with Biyu and Anya about Allie and Bert. It was something that was necessary, but might make them and the youths uncomfortable. Biyu had agreed with her, while Anya had tried to argue against it. She had looked unhappy when Biyu told her that 'it is the way it is'. The problem turned from if they should discuss it with the children when the time came to who should talk to the… no, they were not long children. They were youths. Allie was Defender Elderwoods, even if she and Anya were considered to be her guardians until she was a bit older.

  Anya was the more worldly between them, while Biyu thought she was a little too dry or disconnected. However, being on the 'for' side of the argument, Biyu was in the end the better choice than Anya, who was 'against'. In the end, they agreed to be together for the conversation, but it would be up to Biyu to convince them of the need. Anya's role would be to clarify if necessary, especially if there was anything awkward that Biyu 'did not get'. She would also be allowed to talk the youths out of it.

  That led to this moment, where Alison and Albert sat facing them during tea. Bert, as May's apprentice, was usually spared learning manners and etiquette, which Biyu was starting to realize was a mistake. If he wanted to be a Knight, he would have to learn much of what Allie was learning. The youths squirmed, worry on their faces, while Biyu and Anya struggled to bring up the topic. The longer it took, the more worried the youths became.

  Anya eventually pinched Biyu's thigh, and she yelped to all of their surprise. Scowling at Anya, she finally began. "The two of you will require companions before we enter the city."

  The youths blinked at this. "Can't we escort each other?" Allie asked.

  "Or, Wizard Bob could escort Allie?"

  Biyu shook her head. "Allie is a Defender. Were she younger, then it would be fine for a guardian or sibling to escort her. She is too old for that. It would be unseemly. Iris advised we should hire you courtesans. Asking local nobles to escort you might incur favors we do not wish to honor. Unless one of you would like to have Lady Claudia join you?"

  Allie scowled at that suggestion, and Bert sighed and leaned back in his seat. "I mean, she's alright, but… I feel like a lout around her."

  "Like a flower upon a midden heap?" Allie asked.

  Bert gave her a light shove, but sighed. "Yeah."

  "She's a bit too keen," Allie said. "She's already asked after a match with me. I wouldn't want to make her any more eager."

  "You two don't actually have to have an escort," Anya said. Biyu gave a disapproving look at Anya, but she did not contradict her as she had promised. "You two are a bit young, and Elderwoods is a minor hold. Iris might be plotting to make Elderwoods into a power, but frankly I think it's better we just play the bumpkins and disappoint Shadow Gate. Save the political niceties for Lost Lakes. You're both still learning."

  "This is a chance to learn and make mistakes away from Lost Lakes," Biyu said. Anya gave her a dirty look as Biyu brought up a point they had not talked about earlier. "Take the opportunity to try things. Meet the local nobles. Play the games nobles play. Perhaps find someone to play at courting with. You are young enough that we can excuse youthful indiscretions."

  Anya sighed, and then nodded. "Lady Bringer's right, I suppose. Just… don't feel like you need to push yourself, just because Lady Bringer is recognized as a god now."

  Allie shot Biyu a sympathetic look when Anya referred to her as Lady Bringer. Biyu only managed a weak smile of thanks in return, while Anya and Bert were blissfully unaware of the exchange.

  "Neither of you wish to take up Lady Claudia as a companion for social engagements?" Biyu asked. At a shake of both of their heads, Biyu gave a nod. "I will make a request for a brothel to send us their courtesans, then." She lifted a finger in warning. "They will only be companions. The two of you are too young to engage in other pursuits. Do you understand?"

  Bert and Allie both blushed, but they nodded at her admonishment.

  It was the appointed day for the courtesans to arrive at the estate. Allie and Bert had been dressed up in their finest and were waiting for them to arrive with Anya and Biyu. Reglads drew the carts of the courtesans rather than oxen. A dozen men and women dressed in scanty clothing exited to kneel in greeting to Defender Elderwoods, Lady Bringer, and their household. They wore less than the whores who attracted customers for the brothels in Lonely Knoll.

  The men ranged from slender and pale to broad shouldered with skin as dark as midnight. Most of the men wore little more than loin clothes with thick belts, or vests cut to frame their abs and pecs. A few had tight trousers that strained against muscles and other, more intimate, parts. The women were similarly dressed, although they covered their chests in clothe and string that nearly revealed those with fuller assets. None of them quite reached the same level of indecency as the men in loin cloths, but it is a near thing.

  Neither of the youths knew quite where to look, after gawking at the flesh on display. Their eyes nearly rolled from their heads as the courtesans wiggled alluringly to draw their attention, until the madame struck the ground with her cane. Bert and Allie automatically bowed at the authoritarian poise of the madame, to her amusement, but she made a point to bow even lower to her esteemed customers.

  "Can we get inside? Not good for the merchandise to be out in the sun, even this time a year. Y'know?" The woman spoke with an uncouth accent, her voice low and gravelly.

  Anya was gawking at the women, and only with the madame's 'request' did she call for the servants to lead the courtesans inside to be interviewed. Biyu remained impassive, watching the reaction of the others with a rare feeling of relief at being different.

  In the estate's hall, the two children sat with Anya and Biyu while each of the courtesans were presented to them. Each made an appeal, listing their talents while trying to flirt with the flustered siblings.

  One of the women, a tall woman with skin like cream and red ringlets that caught Biyu's attention, flexed her thin hips in a way that had Anya, Allie and Bert all staring. She smiled a devilish smile, aware of the eyes on her, despite having her back to them. The madame noted their interest with an almost disgusted amusement.

  "She's my star, when she's working," Isabelle remarked. "Expensive too, if she accepts the job." The woman turned her head to spit, but thought better of it.

  The woman sashayed over to the watchers. She wore a thin green vest, tied in two places, thin green fabric over her loins, and a sheer skirt around her waist that hid nothing. She looked them over, considering each of her prospective employers, including Anya and Biyu.

  While the others had mentioned instruments they played, or recited poetry or songs in dulcet tones, she danced for them without saying a single word. Biyu reflected that, except for the woman's obvious flexibility and control of her body, she lacked the generous curves that made Anya and Iris appealing. Then again, she enjoyed the warm softness to snuggle against at night. The woman was not bony, like her, but willowy or lithe.

  Biyu was not surprised to find Anya staring at the woman with open appreciation, even though it gave her a pang to see. She was surprised to note the way Allie's eyes stared at the woman's thin hip and tapered waist. It was bemusing. Bert was the least affected of them, looking at her curves of her posterior and the tight fabric that hid her breasts.

  "Would you like me to buy her for you?" Biyu asked Anya when the courtesan's time was up. The madame had shaken her cane at the grinning woman when she didn't leave right away, and even scampered a few steps when the woman swung her cane at her.

  Anya looked at Biyu, her eyes searching her face a moment, before she shook her head. "It'll be expensive enough getting escorts for Allie and Bert. I don't need a courtesan."

  "You liked her."

  Anya flushed. "I— not her. She makes me stupid, and she's not what I like."

  "If you change your mind, let me know. We have a stipend for a mistress for you. Iris set the money aside."

  Anya opened her mouth to speak, but turned to look at the next courtesan instead. Biyu sighed, and noticed that Allie was watching them with a grumpy expression.

  Bert's choice was quickly made when a woman similar to Sir Bridget was presented to them. She was a little shorter than the Knight, and a touch broader in the hips and chest. Her skin was olive, and her blonde hair was wavy and fuller than Bridget. Her name was Shelly, and she preened when Bert selected her. She took her seat beside him, laying a hand on his knee until Anya scolded her.

  Allie, in contrast, was indecisive. The red haired dancer from before fluttered her eyes and blew her a kiss during a second viewing. Another option, a broad shouldered dark skinned man, flexed his oiled muscles for her. A third option, a thin blonde haired man who looked near in age to Allie, was singing in a high tenor. Allie flushed when looking at each of them.

  "Still undecided?" Anya pressed.

  "I don't know! I mean, they caught my eye, but him," Allie pointed at the slender man, "he's probably the closest to what I thought I wanted."

  The red-headed woman stopped dancing and flirting. She stood up straight, folded her arms, and stared at Allie with consideration. The oiled man sighed in disappointment, no longer flexing, and looked at the thin man with an expression that said 'I don't get it'. The thin man was at first startled, then he beamed at her.

  "No," the woman said after a moment regarding them. "You like them. Or, at least, you think you should like them. But I'm the one you couldn't take your eyes off of, Defender Elderwoods. You should pick me. You'll regret it if you don't."

  "Don't you go threatening my clients!" Isabelle said. "Besides, yer more than they can afford." Turning to address her clients, she said, "I brought her along because she's popular. Makes the rest of the stable look better, y'know? But she usually works for traveling Marches. Not many Lords of the Fortress could afford her, so don't pay her any mind."

  Allie bit her lip, looking at the redhead briefly, before she addressed the slender man. "What instrument did you say you play?"

  "Pipe," he said. "Like a flute, but longer and thicker with a deeper sound. I also play the harp, but I'm only okay with it. Learned it so I could sing along but… uh… I'm not good at doing both at once."

  Allie gave a slight nod. "Can you play for long periods of time? Like, two hours?"

  "Yes," he said. "If you give me a break each hour, I could play for most of the day."

  "I'll take you, then," Allie decided, avoiding looking at the two she had passed over.

  "It'd have been more fun this way," the slender woman said. She stretched languidly, drawing the eyes of Anya and Allie, before giving a low bow. "I'll be seeing you soon, Defender Elderwoods, Lady Bringer." She turned to Isabelle. "I won't be accepting a contract this season."

  Isabelle eyed the woman. "Why's that?"

  "I've an assignment. Could have done it as their courtesan, but it is what it is."

  "Ah," Isabelle said, looking at Biyu. "I understand. Pity." She drew herself up, while Biyu tried to parse their conversation. "Shall we settle?"

  Anya and Biyu dickered over the prices, but they both regretted not having Iris with them. The contracts were signed, fees paid, and the courtesans were moved into their own rooms.