Myka rolled her eyes when Sid started imitating Zeke. “Men,” she said, shaking her head. “Though I have to admit, I’ve met Zeke, plus I’ve heard a bit about him from the others. Can’t quite imagine him and that person you just described being the same fellow.” She nodded along when Sid explained how healers’ minds worked. “Sort of like being around warriors and fighters. You see how their minds work, calculating their odds. Even during peacetime it never stops.” She grinned. “But at least healers do a whole lot of good. I’m a fighter, myself, but hats off to healers, I say.” 

She liked this woman. Sid had that no-nonsense air about her, but she wasn’t completely humorless. A trait often found among the crew of the [i]Wench[/i], but also what had drawn her to Kire. Myka observed her politely, hands behind her back as the healer busied herself. “Ehm,” Myka cleared her throat. “After you’re done with the immediate tasks, you’ll probably need to be told what’s going on here. Properly, I mean.” She could almost here Narda chastising her to behave. 

--

Kire ignored Risa’s tone, waiting for her to introduce the priestess. When the woman finally came out, she was both what Kire had expected, and not at the same time. Priestess Zeltzin looked so ordinary, besides the slight strangeness of her priest’s garb. And given what Kire had been told by Sireen about worshipping Solaralai, the easy, warm smile that creased the priestess’s face was also unusual to her. Kire bowed her head slightly in greeting, though she didn’t feel like smiling back. 

“Thank you for seeing me, Priestess Zeltzin.” The way the woman asked Kire her question gave her a chill. Like they were all just puppets for this goddess to use. But then again, all priests talked this way. “I want to know why she is—[i]gracing[/i] my world with her warmth,” Kire said, biting back her frustration. “My people have been getting visions. Riddles. None of us understand fully what the Goddess wants. I just don’t want my people to get hurt.” She debated on telling her about what happened to Envy, but she didn’t want to bring that up in front of Risa. Especially not in front of Risa.