Chapter 21

We met with Terrance and the other guards as we walked towards the front doors. The Baron had left no one alive. We left the Keep and split up to restore order to the city. Shalyndria, Terrance, and Petra left for the council chambers to figure out where to go from here. The town was now missing a ruling Lord and three-quarters of their council. Nadine and I headed to the Church to see what we could do to return the religion to its roots.

As we entered the cathedral, I gave Nadine my current thoughts, “For now, I am placing you in charge of this Church. Once we have some new clergy and a trained replacement, I’ll have them take over for you.” She seemed to mull it over for a few minutes as we searched the Cardinal’s office for religious and worship texts. We gathered what we found and sat on the couches as we read through them.

The growling of our stomachs roused us from our discussions. I checked on the others through our bond and found them sleeping in Shalyndria’s bed. I looked to the beautiful naga, “Nadine, let’s grab these books and head back to the Manor. It’s late, and we need to eat.” We gathered the books and headed home. Tessa greeted us at the front door and led us to my room, where a warm meal waited. We spent another hour eating and talking before calling it a night. As I laid in my bed alone, I wondered what dreams awaited me.

I opened my eyes to the void. A point of light appeared in the distance before growing in size as it approached. I was forced to close my eyes when the blinding light became too much. A feminine voice broke the silence, “You have done well, my Arbiter. The people of Verilant are already praying to me again. All I can tell you now is that Cardinal Reichleau won’t return for another two weeks. Train hard; his power will be substantial when he returns. We have time for you to ask two questions. What would you like to know?”

I thought over what was most important before asking my first one, “Cicerene, are you manipulating the girls into loving me? I don’t have much experience, but the strength of our feelings and pace seems odd to me.”

I could hear the smile in her response, “You have nothing to fear there. Most of your concerns are the differences between the two worlds. All I did was place you in Shalyndria’s path, knowing she would lead you to the others. All the emotions are real and genuine, helped along by the fact I tuned your mana’s resonance to harmonize. You may open your eyes, Shaun.”

I opened them to find myself in Shalyndria’s study. Except behind the desk, I found a veil of shadows covering where she would be sitting. The laughter at my confusion sounded oddly familiar, “You aren’t quite ready to see me. Now ask your next question quickly. We haven’t much time left.”

Of the two questions in my head, I picked the one I feared the answer to, “Why me? Is a broken Marine what you wanted?”

I could hear the exasperation in the goddess’s voice as she replied, “You are not broken, Shaun. A truly broken warrior, either killing everything or unable to wield a weapon, would be no use to me. Nightmares are the sign your mind is functioning correctly. They show you still have empathy and care for people.” I floated there pondering her words as she faded away, “Our time is up for now. Keep fighting for a better world, my Arbiter. We will talk again soon.”

I awoke at my regular time after that strange dream. Slowly getting dressed, I let the fear and guilt from the nightmares fade. I pushed my body to the limit and then a little further during my workout. I felt a thousand times better as I walked back to the room. After thanking Tessa as she delivered my breakfast, I washed up and ate my breakfast. I figured spending the day around the Manor would be useful and dressed accordingly.

Leaving the room, I ran into two irate ladies. Petra and Shalyndria blocked the hallway, apparently waiting for me. Shalyndria was the first to speak, “Look what we have here, Petra. Someone so self-important, he decided to neglect the women he professes to love.”

I stood there with a confused look on my face, “What? You two were asleep when I went to bed last night.” My head cocked to the left as I tried to figure out what I did so wrong.

“Your place at night is in bed with us. Understand,” came the chilly reply from Petra.

“Next time you forget, we won’t be so nice,” replied Shalyndria. My feet suddenly felt ice cold as I realized they were frozen to the floor. The next second I was drenched by a freezing ball of water. “Now that your punishment has been handled, get changed, and come to my study. Terrance and Milla want to discuss something with us all,” Shalyndria ordered as they walked away.

I used magic to melt the ice, holding me to the floor. After changing into dry clothes, I found my way to the Princess’s study for the meeting. I found everyone already seated. I paused to look at my girlfriends as I apologized, “Petra and Shalyndria, I’m sorry about last night. I will sleep in whatever bed you are from now on.” I kissed each of them before taking my seat.

Terrance spoke once I settled, “Milla and I have come to a decision. Due to recent events, our wedding plans have been accelerated. Shaun, will you marry us as Arbiter Friday afternoon?”

The expectant looks on my friends’ faces made my decision easy. “We will use the cathedral. I would be honored to perform the ceremony at midday,” I informed them. All the women cheered as Terrance stood and shook my hand.

As the women started talking about dresses and colors, Terrance and I left the room. “I have an errand to run, and I would like you to accompany me,” Terrance said as we walked down the hall.

“That would be good. I could use some guy time,” I laughed as we left the Mansion. As we walked and chatted about the wedding, I kept my senses sharp. I wondered where we were heading as we walked into the merchant district. “So, where are we going today,” I asked him as we walked.