Starsinger
A cloaked woman paused at the doorway for a few seconds before entering. Ashlyn had seen enough visitors already that evening that the woman hardly seemed worthy of further attention. That is, until she recognized the arrival to be the very Stelana she had encountered twice before.
Stelana spoke with a young boy close by - the one with the strange eyes that had been introduced to Ashlyn as Domic - then hurried over to where Ashlyn and her guardian priest were seated. Ashlyn's muscles tightened involuntarily, her body tensing as she wondered what the woman could want.
"Fayne," she said urgently, "may I speak with you in private?"
The priest Fayne glanced at Ashlyn, who sat wondering if she was about to be abandoned again.
"She is a safe audience," he offered, his gaze meeting the woman's.
"She associates with rogues," Stelana countered.
"Your mother is rather fond of rogues, as I recall," he replied, earning a scowl in response. "Look, sweetheart, she has nowhere else to go, no-one else to turn to. I want to show her that some people can be reliable and trusted upon, as she must see that others will give out their trust as well. Vhessa would not wish us to deny our help to anyone, much less an innocent such as this."
Ashlyn did not have the opportunity to protest the 'innocent' title.
Stelana sighed audibly, as if his declaration did not surprise her in the least.
"Fine," she conceded, "but if word passes to Galdegan's unholy flunkies without my getting killed in the repercussions, I'm taking it up with her."
"I wouldn't say anything," Ashlyn offered quietly. "I don't even like Galdegan. You were the one who helped me when I got in trouble for telling some Galdegan kids off, remember?"
A slight smile crossed Stelana's lips.
"Fair enough," she said acceptingly, turning her attention to Fayne as her features immediately became more severe. "I have a bad feeling about tonight. We know the Order is up to something, but in light of recent events the Dark Moon might prove to be their time to strike. Starsinger's recent return only verifies that."
"Who's Starsinger?" Ashlyn could not resist asking.
Stelana grimaced at the interruption.
"A mainlander that visited Lunaria some time ago and stole something from Fleara that had enabled her to leave the Twilight Gardens with her magick, as opposed to walking around as a mortal like the rest of us," Fayne answered kindly.
"A hated criminal that conned Fleara so cunningly she is yet to understand his maliciousness," Stelana snapped. "An evil bard responsible for the rise of the Order as a political instrument; before Starsinger, the council had equal representation from all types of Lunarian residents."
"He might not have even understood what he did," Fayne proposed calmly. "Is it possible your blaming your father for more than he's responsible for?"
