“Um...I…”

  “Eh? You’re going to have to speak up, Miss Callidora.”

  “If I may speak, Sir,” Fragan said with a bow. “Rowkis Fragan, Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Office. I am the guardian of this girl, Sir, and I wish to relinquish my guardianship.”

  The judge’s gray eyebrows knitted into a frown. “What is the reason?”

  Fragan proceeded to tell how he’d adopted his orphaned niece, motivated by a desire to do good; how he’d arranged for her marriage to a wealthy gentleman, securing her a position in society. But Phia turned out to be wayward and selfish, running away from the man who loved her.

  “I’ve done all I can for her, Sir. And, frankly, she’s too much trouble. I’m willing to return her to the Sisters of Feron, or perhaps—”

  “Alright, Mr. Fragle, that will do.”

  “It’s Fragan, Sir.”

  The judge turned his gaze on Phia. Her ears were pointing down and she was clenching her fists. “Do you agree with Mr. Fragle’s account, Miss Callidora?”

  “No, Sir.” Phia played with her hands, suddenly shy.

  “Why did you run away?” the judge said in a kindly voice.

  Phia looked at him and rubbed her eye. “I didn’t like it there... I didn’t like Mr. Vladnoch. He’s an odious man.”

  The judge knitted his brow. “What did you say his name was?”

  “Vladnoch, Sir. Bozhidar Vladnoch.”

  “Bozhidar Vladnoch,” the judge repeated quietly. “Bozhidar…”

  “I didn’t want to marry him, but I wasn’t given a say. I didn’t want to live with him, either.” She gestured to Fragan, who had a large vein popping out on his forehead. “He was mean to me, and once he tried to make me sleep with him in his bed, until I scratched him.”

  The judge continued asking questions until he’d gotten the full story, including Brune and Endellion’s involvement. Then he rubbed his beard, repeating quietly, “Bozhidar Vladnoch, Bozhidar... Vladnoch.”

  He looked up at the waiting area. “Mr. Stilkins!”

  A black-robed lawyer stood up and bowed. “Sir.”

  “Why do I know that name? Bozhidar Vladnoch.”

  “Runs some brothels in Skrull.”

  “Yes! Of course.” He looked at Phia. “Is that the same Bozhidar Vladnoch?”

  Phia nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

  The judge looked at Fragan as if he were a pile of excrement. “You married off this young girl—your own niece!—to an infamous pimp? You claim she’s your niece. I wonder about that. But this court isn’t concerned with that today. I rescind your guardianship of Miss Callidora.”

  Phia grabbed Brune’s arm and looked up at him, tears wetting her cheeks.

  The judge looked hard at Brune. “Why didn’t you deliver Miss Callidora to Mr. Vladnoch, as you were hired to do?”

  Brune cleared his throat. He hated talking about touchy-feely stuff, especially in front of a packed courtroom.

  “I just couldn’t do it, Sir. Not after I got to know her. Couldn’t even think about it.”

  “You care for this young lady?”

  Brune felt Phia’s hands squeezing his.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He reciprocated Phia’s squeeze. He felt closer to her than ever.

  The judge pinched his nose. “I want to make sure I understand. Instead of bringing Miss Callidora back to Skrull, you decided to take her to Bambioch, in order to... What?”

  “I was hoping a court would rescind Fragan’s guardianship, Sir. I figured her new guardian would cancel her engagement to Vladnoch, since it clearly isn’t in her best interest.”

  The judge frowned. “But where did you expect her to go? Whose care will she be under?”

  Brune hesitated. He knew this was the part when he was supposed to bring up the Sisters of Feron, like he’d planned.

  The judge looked at Phia. “Where would you like to go, Miss Callidora?”

  “I want to be with Brune, Sir.” She hugged his arm.

  The judge looked at Brune with a glint in his eye. “Do you have the means of caring for Miss Callidora, Sir?”

  Brune’s tongue felt like lead. He swallowed. “Well, the thing is…” he meant to explain all the reasons he couldn’t take Phia. How he couldn’t give her the life she deserved. Her lack of adventuring skills. The danger it would put her in.

  But the words got stuck in his throat, especially when he felt Phia intertwining her little fingers with his own.

  “Yes,” he said hoarsely.

  “Are you willing to take on the responsibility of Miss Callidora’s guardianship?”

  A warm feeling flushed over Brune. Phia smiled up at him. Her face was like sunshine.

  I could have that face beside me forever.

  It was like setting foot on a sunny island after a lifetime of being tossed on dark seas.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Then the matter is settled. You will be Miss Callidora’s guardian until she turns 25 or such time that... she is married.” The judge’s eyes twinkled again. “Good afternoon.”

  * * *

  Phia held Brune’s hand as they walked over the marble floor of the court hall.

  Lilly skipped around them, the cittern under her arm. “Ph-ia and Br-une,” she sang. “We should go somewhere and sing songs.”

  “Yes!” Phia said. “Maybe we can go down to the beach.”

  Endellion walked ahead in silence. As for Fragan, the instant the matter was resolved, he’d slinked away as if he’d just been exposed as a criminal.

  “It’s raining!” Lilly said as she trotted down the stone steps of the court building.

  “Only a little,” Phia said. “And there are some gazebos down near the beach.”

  “Well, I guess we could go there for a bit,” Brune said.

  But when they walked through the stone gate, a magnificent carriage was parked on the street. It was ornately decorated in purple and gold, and pulled by six white horses. In front of the carriage, and behind it, steely eyed cavalrymen with glinting helmets sat tall on their warhorses.

  “Woah!” Lilly said. “Is this royalty?”

  Endellion stood ahead of the others, looking at the carriage. She turned to Brune and took a deep breath.

  “It’s the Head Cardinal.”

  Brune, Phia, and Lilly all gaped at her, waiting for an explanation.

  A liveried footman climbed down from the carriage and opened the door, and a broad-shouldered man with flowing white hair and a beard stepped out. He wore purple robes and carried a long staff. He moved with the careless ease of supreme authority.

  A guard, wearing the same uniform as the cavalrymen, crossed the road and walked towards the adventurers.

  “It’s no big deal,” Endellion said. “I just thought we should reach out to the Cardinal. My detective friend said he’s been interested in Phia for some time.”

  Phia blinked at Endellion. “The Cardinal… interested in me?”

  Brune looked at the elf with disdain. “You thought you should reach out to him behind our backs.”

  “Look, Hargish. I didn’t know anything would come of it. I didn’t know he’d show up here.”

  “Good day,” the guardsman said, bowing to Endellion. “You are Miss Grimhold?”

  “Yes.”

  “The young lady is with you?” The guard looked at Lilly and then Phia, focusing on her ears.

  “Yes. This is her.”

  Phia curtseyed, a look of bewilderment on her face.

  “His Eminence Leopold Cardinal Waldemarr wishes to speak with you—all of you. Please, come this way.”

  “The Cardinal?” Phia said, covering her mouth. “Speak to us?”

  Brune warily gazed across the road. The cardinal looked formidable—like a man used to getting what he wanted.

  “There may be an opportunity for Phia at the temple,” Endellion said.

  “Oh?” Brune narrowed his eyes at Endellion and scratched his chin. It was so unexpected.

  “W-what kind of opportunity?” Phia said.

  “I’m told there’s a position open,” Endellion said. “But I don’t know much more than that. He’ll explain it all to us, presumably.”

  Brune nodded to the guard. “Let’s hear him out.”

  They followed the guard across the road. Phia clasped her hands in front of her chest and walked with delicate steps as if she’d entered a holy temple. The Cardinal’s gray eyes watched Phia intensely as the group approached him.

  “Good afternoon,” the Cardinal said in a deep, resonant voice. “I am Cardinal Waldemarr.”

  He glanced at each of the adventurers, but his eyes returned to the cat girl.

  “Hello, Phia,” he said. “It is an honor to meet you.”

  After a moment of confusion, Phia gushed, “Your Eminence,” and made a deep curtsey.

  “I trust everything turned out in your favor?”

  “I... oh…” Phia looked at Brune and Endellion.

  “Yes, Cardinal,” Endellion said. “Phia’s guardianship was transferred to my colleague, Mr. Hargish.”

  Brune made a slight nod.

  “Very good,” Cardinal Waldemarr said, turning to Phia. “I’m sorry to spring this on you so suddenly, Phia. You are more well-known than you think. We’ve been discussing you at the Temple. The Sisters of Feron have told us about your virtues. In short, Phia, an opportunity might be available to you—a very special opportunity.

  “I would like to discuss it with you as soon as possible. And that is why I am inviting you and your friends to be my guests at the Cardinal’s Palace. Tonight.”

  The color left Phia’s face. She swayed on her feet. Brune prepared to catch her in case she fainted.

  “The—The Cardinal’s Palace!” she finally squeaked.

  “Yes. Please come for tea and—”

  “For tea!”

  “—stay the night in our guest suites.”

  Phia looked up at Brune with a huge smile. This was a dream come true for her. Lilly giggled and hugged her friend.

  “I know this is quite sudden,” the cardinal continued. “But it is imperative that we discuss the matter right away. If you’d like to come, you may all ride in my carriage.”

  Phia’s chest heaved as she looked at the extravagant conveyance. She turned to Brune, a hopeful smile on her face.

  “Alright,” Brune said. “Let’s go.”

  It wouldn’t hurt to find out what was on offer. Even if they decided to refuse it, Phia would still get a visit to the palace.

  She hooked her arm in Lilly’s as they walked to the carriage. “This day just keeps getting better and better!” she beamed. “I’ve never been so lucky.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  IT WAS ABOUT a twenty minutes’ ride to the Cardinal’s Palace, which was near the Temple of Sol.

  The four adventurers sat, rather squished together, on one side of the carriage. The cardinal and his guard sat facing them on the opposite side.

  Phia ran her fingers over the silk-upholstered seat and glanced out the window. People walking on the street stopped and stared at the carriage, probably wondering what important figures were inside.

  Lilly cupped her hand over Phia’s ear and whispered, “I feel like a princess.”

  Cardinal Walemarr smiled, the skin around his intense gray eyes crinkling into crow’s feet.

  “I know how you are well loved by the Sisters of Feron, Phia,” he said.

  “You do?”

  “Yes. I spoke with Sister Cassia.”

  “Sister Cassia!” Phia’s voice vibrated with happy memories.

  “She praised you highly. Said you excelled at everything you did. And she emphasized your unwavering devotion to Feron. Told me she’d never seen anyone with stronger faith than yours.”

  “That was kind of her,” Phia said, pinching the fingers of her right hand one by one. “But there are lots of girls with just as much devotion as me.”

  The cardinal smiled. “Your modesty forbids you from admitting it, but I know you’re exceptional. The sisters had hoped you would join their ranks... before you were taken away.”

  Phia clasped her hands together. “I love them... I always will. But...”

  “We’re entering the estate now.” Cardinal Waldemarr gestured out the window. The carriage had turned onto a dirt road with a forest of pines on either side. A light rain pattered on the roof.

  “Yes... I remember it,” Phia said. “I visited the gardens here as a girl.”

  The Cardinal smiled. “I heard about how you sang at the Ascension ceremony, too.”

  Phia nodded eagerly. “It was one of the best days of my life.”

  “You see? The Temple of Sol has always been a part of your life.” The cardinal’s deep voice was melodic, and there was something serene about his flowing silver hair and cool gray eyes.

  “Yes,” Phia said. “I suppose it has.”

  But Brune didn’t like the cardinal’s smooth way of talking. It was too much like a politician. Why didn’t he just come out and say what this was all about? And it was beyond irritating that Endellion hadn’t told him what she was up to.

  The elf sat beside him with a business-like demeanor. She was as calm as a glacier, and a pitiless look was in her eye. It was the same look she got when they were receiving a new commission at the guild.

  The road led them through a gate into a large garden with beautifully manicured hedges and stone fountains.

  “It’s beautiful,” Lilly said, leaning over Phia to look out the window.

  “Please pardon my bluntness, Cardinal,” Brune said. “But what position is Phia being considered for?”

  The guardsman clenched his fists. “This is not the proper way to speak with His Em–”

  “That’s alright, Ethlerod. I was... going to wait until we were having tea, but I’m happy to tell you now.

  “As you know, Phia, the most important position at the temple, next to the Cardinal, is the High Priestess. Well, that office is currently vacant, and we are considering you as the next appointment.”

  Phia yelped and put her hand on her chest. “M-me? I... I don’t know what to say.”

  Cardinal Waldemarr smiled reassuringly. “You don’t have to say anything now. Nothing has been decided yet, but we’ll talk it over inside.”

  A heavy feeling turned in Brune’s stomach. All those visions of happiness. Were they about to vanish like smoke?

  Maybe.

  But if so, he’d have to accept it. He couldn’t keep Phia if she didn’t really want to stay with him. That would make him the same as Vladnoch. It wouldn’t be happiness at all; it would be hell.

  Besides, he’d already acknowledged that he couldn’t provide Phia with the life she deserved. But this was an opportunity few people could dream of. The High Priestess was part of an elite class, up there with cardinals and nobles.

  The palace had two parallel wings connected to the main building. The facades of these wings fronted the gravel road where the carriage stopped. In between the wings, a courtyard led to the main building.

  “What a grand house,” Lilly whispered as she descended from the carriage.

  “I’ve always wanted to see what it looks like inside,” Phia said.

  A light rain speckled the gravel as Brune stepped out. He looked over at the palace with a shrewd eye. Lattice windows peeked through ivy-curtained walls, and the fragrance of flowers perfumed the air. It was a pleasant place. But the palace’s symmetry was thrown off by a gloomy tower that loomed over the left side of the main building. Brune stiffened when he looked at it.

  The cardinal’s guard cagily watched as Brune looked at the tower.

  “Please, follow me,” Cardinal Waldemarr said pleasantly.

  Phia and Lilly followed him into the courtyard. Brune wanted to speak to Endellion, but the guard lurked at his side.

  “Please—After you,” the guard said, gesturing towards the courtyard.

  Brune and Endellion followed the others while the guard walked behind.

  * * *

  The broad hallway was so long it seemed to go on forever. Portraits of past cardinals looked down from the walls—stuffy men in clerical robes. Marble statues also lined the hallway on either side. Many of them were nudes of Sol in various poses.

  Lilly snickered and put her hand on Phia’s shoulder. “I didn’t know Sol was so—”

  “Lilly! Shhh.”

  “...well endowed.”

  “Lilly! You’re horrible!”

  The cardinal looked over his shoulder. “It’s a bit of a journey to the tea room, but you get to see some of the palace on the way.”

  “Certainly, Cardinal,” Endellion said.

  They passed many more statues. The most elaborate one showed a beautiful girl lying with her legs open and her dress hiked up, while a naked nymph kissed the inside of her thigh. Two other nymphs were ripping open her blouse to expose her breasts.

  Phia made a little gasp when she saw it.

  “Who is that?” Lilly said, pointing at the statue.

  Phia pushed Lilly’s arm down. “I... think it must be Saint Theodosha. She was Sol’s first High Priestess.”

  “She was?” Lilly stared open-mouthed at the statue as they passed it.

  Phia laughed awkwardly. “Lilly… just don’t ask.” She lowered her voice: “I’ll tell you the story later.”

  The cardinal led them into a red-carpeted tea room with polished oak tables. Large windows looked out on the gardens, which were now being swept with heavy rain.

  “My goodness,” the Cardinal said. “Really coming down, isn’t it? Please, sit.”

  Phia perked up as servants appeared with buttered scones and an assortment of freshly baked cookies. She immediately began stuffing her face with such abandon that Brune couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed for her.

  Good gods, Phia. Show some decorum.

  Lilly was just as bad. “Try these ones,” she said with food in her mouth. “They’ve got mint in them.”

  Phia snatched one, whispering back, “Did you try the chocolate chip?”

  “Mmm hmmmm. So yummy.” Lilly slurped her tea.

  The cardinal continued his small talk until they’d eaten and drunk their fill.