Voah’s Prayer Tent (Part 1)

JP with Voah and Gonyaul:

Voah readied herself hastily that morning, not knowing when Gonyaul would show at the shrine. She sighed, thinking of the letter, holding on to each word. It made her flustered all again. She shivered with anticipation.

Due to all of merriments of the night before she had almost forgotten about the cult of Slivikhi.

Depending on what information she got from this Balt person, she would either head into Fang or turn back to Ostiarium. Being among friendly faces sounded better than killing. She wanted to stay… but she wasn’t one to give up on something until she saw it through.

But by Vastad… she wasn’t beholden to anyone but the Pillars and herself, so she she was free to go where she wished. So long as she could survive in the wilds. Where would that leave Hunter? She still wondered why he chose to follow her, there seemed to be a bit of a break through on occasion, but she doubted whether Hunter had begun to believe any of it. That would be another conversation.

She wore her hair high up in a ponytail. Looking into her hand mirror of Hoi, she noticed there was still a streak of red staining her skin from Zin’s Ward. That thought warmed her heart.

As she went out for her morning meditation, she waved to the fair Islana. A very pretty young lady she was, and a fantastic singer. The Arbiter wished to know her better, all of them for that matter.

Gonyaul had risen extra early with a thrill in his spirit and a sweet anticipation that kept perpetually building as time ticked by. He wanted to bathe and wash his clothes before meeting her. While they hung out to dry he noticed Islana was taking off early, being almost nude he decided not to startle her by popping out and saying good morning. He had been trying not to wake anyone.

The sun was an hour up from the horizon when his clothes were finally dried. He ceremoniously dressed himself in his Arisha Ikeburer. He had already braided his hair in the same feline-looking updo style for the Ashen Hoof party. He then exited the camp with a brisk pace to his walk towards the location she gave him for the shrine; he wanted to run.

Upon arriving he paused outside and took a deep breath. One of three options awaited him on the interior. The woman of his dreams, hopefully still willing to reciprocate. A trap that could end in his eventual torture and death. Or, option three a swift death upon entry. He was feeling giddy and vulnerable. Butterflies in your stomach didn’t even come close to the sensation.

She was worth the risk. Gonyaul proceeded to enter.

Her mouth was dry and tasted of salt and sage. She made sure to clean her teeth this morning with a cloth and do a rinse with a paste that refreshed. She hadn’t eaten but prepared an herbal tea for their conversation and was just nervously taking a sip. It was almost perfect drinking temperature when she heard the shuffle of loose mountain gravel and the rustle of cloth. She knew the time had come.

As Gonyaul entered, Voah set down her tea and rose to her feet to greet him. His hair was done up into double buns. It made him look a little feminine but that didn’t bother her. She worshipped the female form. Voah whet her lips.

“Hi.” she breathed.

Gonyaul entrance was precious. He carried himself with confidence, sure footed and calm; however, it was very obvious from his innocent expression that he had never been inside a pillar shrine and didn’t know what to expect if this was going to go well. He was out of his element.

He paused right at the entrance when he saw her and smiled starting with his eyes and then his mouth. His entire expression lit up gently upon seeing the radiant beauty before him again. This time was different though, they were looking at one another, really looking. Voah was probably used to seeing men only lust after her, but with Gonyaul he was genuinely appreciating not only her beauty but something much more breathtaking deeper within.

He bowed slightly and signed good morning with his hands. He responded softly, “Hi”.

Inwardly he dropped a little of his nerves. So far he was still alive and things were going better than he could have imagined. Though he wasn’t quite sure if there was protocol he was supposed to follow when inside one of these Pillar shrines.

The floor was an arrangement of furs, two folded specifically to serve as padding for sitting or kneeling. It was impromptu and comfortable, not at all luxurious or grandiose as a dedication to Gods could be... but one did what they could on the frontier.

Voah noted the sign in her mind for later and grabbed Gonyaul’s hand, pulling him further inside and sitting him down across from her in front of the altar.

“Come, sit darling.” she said.