[u] lissa Thenton [/u]

"How did it come to this?" She sighed with a long exhale. rising from her bed she slowly lowered her toes to the cold stone floor. A shiver raced up her legs but she held her ground. Putting the rest of her weight on her feet she stretched and was about to walk to the dresser when there was a knock at the door. "Come in." 

The door creeked open and the sister averted her eyes to the nude priestess. "My lady please get dressed you're late enough as it is." The nun closed the door behind her and faced it.

"We're both woman of the cloth there is no need for such modesty." Lissa walked to the dresser and washed her face and arms in the suns light. Her pale skin shone in the morning light almost as a challenge to see which was brighter. She took up the dress and put one leg in then another and hiked it up to her hips. A soft cough signaled to the nun aid was requested. 

She walked to Lissa thinking how did it come to this and how the gods were truly mysterious in there dealings of destiny. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed as she laced up the back of the dress while Lissa held it in place. How daring this new priestess was it wasn't right but it was the will of the gods. Finishing the lace with a large bow at the top she took a step back and reflected on how if she didn't know Lissa's story then she would consider her regal in every sense of the word.

Truth was she did know the story of Lissa and just how she came to the temple. It was almost sixteen years ago when Lissa was left on the steps like so many children in the city. She was small and wrapped up in a silken bundle the morning light shined down upon her and the head priest saw the mark on her stomach. The same mark as was written in the book of prophecy. They cared for her and treated her differently from then on. The word spread throughout the kingdom that the voice of Ra had come to Ciaro. 

Lissa was tested time and again from when she was in her eight cycle she was asked every question a skeptic could think of and each answer was correct with out training or teaching she knew every answer. Even the high priest could find no fault in her. When a new head priest came in the first thing he would do is retest her. It was no use she knew the answer to each question put to her. Lissa never faltered. No one taught her to read and yet she did. Not just the common tongue but the ancient ones as well. It was impossible yet she excelled at it as naturally as breathing came to a baby she was allowed access to the library where she spent her days. She read everything, like a fish Lissa swam in the old tomes and their contents. From sun up to sun down she had a face in a book or scroll. At times forgetting to eat. 

When the original head priest that found her was replaced it was a dark day for Lissa. He questioned her relentlessly. It became apparent she would succeed him he was grateful for her reluctance to step into the light and her choice to remain in the library hidden away. It let him run everything and control more of the temples daily dealings. Just having Lissa was enough to bolster the offerings and the populace to Ra's teachings. He was on occasion forced by the ruling monarchy to pull Lissa out into the light and show that she was the one who would one day bring the might of Ra to every corner of Prithv. This was detestable to the head priest.

How could a orphan carry such favor with a god? Why was it not him? his teeth on edge and his mind a blade aimed at her throat. The high preist set in motion a plan to remove the heretic from his sight! Of course he could tell them any story to cover his trail. He was the head of the church. Who would dare question him? On Lissa's fourteenth cycle he set the trap. Hiring some mercenaries they took her in the night.

Lissa remembers the High priest giving her a tea that night. She awoke it was on the alter she was covered in ash and unaware of what happened. The evidence found by the guards told the story of how a building in the slums exploded in a pillar of flame. Eye witnesses reported, as the suns rays touched the roof the building she was held was consumed instantly in flame! The kidnappers burned with it. While the buildings next to it remained untouched. A single figure emerged, a girl wrapped in fire, eyes burning blue, each step she took melted the streets cobble stone. The people gathered and followed her to the temple. On the steps they stood in awe of the sight the crowd witnessed. They told how as her foot touched the temple steps, the flames around her body turned to pure light! A scream from the church was heard. Later to be found only a pile of ash in the high priests chambers.

The rumors grew into a frenzy. Soon the king himself had to issue an order, she was to have a force in ready placed at her disposal. The death of the high priest forced the inauguration to immediately follow. Lissa remained safe with in the temples walls. Only occasionally was she requested to come out and meet the people. On one of such ceremonies is where she met him. 

She was greeting the people on the market when her ears caught the melody. It was slow and seductive awakening her primal side. Lissa's eyes found the source of the soft melody a dark elf sitting on a crate and playing in the sun. What a contrast she thought never having seen a Drow till this moment she was floating on the notes drawing her closer to him. Until she was standing in front of him swaying to the tempo. Her eyes closed and a smile on her pale face. 

When the song ended he sat silently more wary of the guards then the girl before him. When she spoke it was in a different tongue. He didn't recognize it and tried something more natural. In elfin, "My what an honor to be blessed today by the priestess of Ra. You humble me." He stood and bowed deeply. He was taller the she was by a foot at least. Lean and dark but inviting with a smile that could stop most tears. The dark elf wore soft leather and a chain under shirt. On his side was a cross bow. 

In elfin "Pleased to meet the people of this city. You do it honor by your trade." Her pale skin gave a deep blush as she spoke. A hand rose to her hair as she curled a lock around a finger. Her body language told more of her intent then the conversation between them. she wanted him. It was that simple. 

They talked until a guard coughed obviously not enjoying standing in the heat of the day. She gave him a look that hid the dagger under a soft smile. She waved to the elf Johnathan and continued to walk. Smiling and waving to the people often crouching down to talk to the children and offer them coins from the temple offerings. No matter what she did she couldn't think of anything else but the bard. Lissa would look back over her shoulder to see if he had followed and felt her heart sink as she saw he was not there. 

Now dressed she stood before the over sized mirror and saw him her heart raced. Hiding her excitement she thanked the nu for the help and waved as she left the room. As the door shut she turned to see Johnathan standing in front of the window. "Hello again." He bowed again deeply. 

"The pleasure is mine." He walked toward her and she in turn walked to him. Standing face to face her heart beating fast till Lissa thought it could be seen. He saw her corset was displaying her pale skin like a tray of fruit but it was not quite ripe. He held back from using his full skill on a youth. his arms went out and embraced the priestess.

She was against his chest the smell of leather and metal was intoxicating to her and she stood pressed against him her eyes closed. She wrapped her arms around him. 

"I need you priestess. You have to help me. There is danger that looms near and only your blessing will protect me." Johnathan's lips brushed against her ear as he spoke. His hold on her was complete. 

Unable to speak for fear of waking from this beautiful dream she nodded. She softly bit her lower lip not knowing what to do. He was here in her chamber, in her very arms, and she was lost. 

"Meet me outside the walls in front of the main gate the day after tomorrow. I will wait for you." His soft words melted into her ear. Johnathan took a step back to see she was still standing eyes closed and her face a deep pink. He smiled and left the way he came. 

Lissa opened her eyes and looked around the room. He was gone but she put her hands to her face and could still smell the lingering scent of leather. A small flame danced on the tip of her finger. She would be there. For him she would cross the death fields alone. She preformed the monthly rites and blessings in the center of the temple before the alter. Just as she had done for the last two years. During the midday sun as the rays were at their strongest and Ra shined down on everything. 

At the end of the ceremony Lissa had all the temple gather for the news. Before the guards and the priestesses she stood and in a shy voice said the words, "I'm leaving." The clergy looked in disbelief at her. The guards were whispering among themselves. "I will return, the world has places in need of Ra's light. It needs me and I must go." She walked off as the whispers grew into a clamor.