“We shall gather in the temple and offer our prayers there,” declared King Regis. “The High Priest is delirious and needs his rest. All of you come with me.”

Vand scowled as the king led the others out of the room. When they were finally gone, Vand shook his head with disgust, rivulets of perspiration spraying the bed covers.

“Delirious?” snapped Vand as he pushed the covers away and painfully swiveled his legs to the side of the bed. “I am the Voice of Kaltara! I do not need others to pray for me. It is through me that Kaltara’s word is carried to the people.”

Vand struggled to his feet and pulled a robe over his head to cover his body. He wasn’t sure exactly where he was going, but he knew that he had to do something, or his high position would be taken by one of the upstarts under him. He was not about to cede power to anyone else. He was the High Priest of Kaltara.

Vand slipped out of his chambers and into the alley outside the building. Several passersby looked at him with curiosity, and Vand scowled at them. The citizens averted their gaze and quickened their steps away from the priest. Vand wavered on his feet as he walked along the alley. He stopped and leaned against the wall for support. His mind whirled in a fog as he tried to figure out what it was that he must do to get well. The greatest healers in the city had already visited him, and there was nothing that they could do. Maybe his only course of action was to ignore his pain and carry on with the duties of the High Priest.

“May I help you, High Priest?” a melodic voice interrupted his thoughts.

“I need no help,” spat Vand as he stared at the young woman. “Be on your way.”

The woman frowned as she gazed at the High Priest. She shook her head sadly and said, “Kaltara would wish me to help others in any way that I can, but I will not fight with the High Priest of Kaltara. Still, others will continue to offer their help if you continue to travel unaided. You appear to be deathly ill. If you do not wish to be bothered by others, let me walk with you. I shall accompany you to wherever you are going and nothing more. Is that acceptable?”