Hero of Treason, Chapter 3

                                                                                        Betrayals

            As the story unraveled, Aurora’s mother could not believe her ears.  Even for Amaris this was a terrible act.  When Aurora finished, her mother turned to her.  There was fear in her eyes.

            “Aurora, you must go down to the temple and tell the high priest what you have seen!  We are all at risk if you do not and such acts must not go unpardoned.  Hurry!”

            “Mother, must I?  All Aarav will do is exile her.  Please, I don’t want her exiled!”

            “Go child!  There is not much time!”

            Aurora hurried out the door, her heart heavy, for she knew her friend would be exiled.  After she had gone, her mother breathed a sigh of relief.  This was everything she had hoped for!  Amaris would be out of the way, and Aurora’s willingness to tell the priest was a sign that she understood how bad Amaris was.  She could breath easy knowing her child would never do what Amaris had done.

                                                                                     *          *          *

            Aurora walked slowly along the main road.  She would delay telling the priest for as long as possible.  She glanced around.  Had anyone heard her exchange with her mother?  Aurora felt worried and sick.  Any option she took, she would betray somebody; her best friend or her family.  It made Aurora sad it had to be this way. 

            Aurora was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t see Amaris walking towards her until she called out to her.

            “Hello Aurora!”

            “Oh, uh, hi Amaris,” Aurora answered startled.

            “Are you ok?  You look a little worried.”

            “Oh I’m fine, I’m just going to Mistress Mayset’s house to pick up some milk she promised my mother.”

            “I’d come with you but I have to give this meat to my mother so she can make dinner,” Amaris said, indicating the deer on her shoulder.

            “Yeah, uh, maybe we’ll go somewhere later,” Aurora managed.

            “Sure, I found a nice stream in the woods we could visit.”

            “Ok, I’ll see you later then.”

            “Yeah, bye.”  Amaris glanced at Aurora over her shoulder as they parted.  Why was she acting so weird?  She couldn’t possibly know of what she had done in the woods could she?

                                                                                     *          *          *

            In the church, all was quiet except the occasional sound of a whispered prayer from those visiting the temple before evening prayer.  The huge cat statue at the front of the church glared done at Aurora.  Its eyes told Aurora she must have Amaris serve her due justice.  Aurora walked forward among the benches to the front of the room.  There she met Nitry, one of the ten attendants who kept the temple clean and conducted prayer with the high priest Aarav.

            “I must speak with Priest Aarav immediately,” Aurora whispered to Nitry.  Despite her quiet tone, she was still heard by others and they raised their heads to look at her, for it was rare for someone to make this kind of request.

            “Please follow me,” said Nitry.  “I cannot guarantee Priest Aarav will see you, but I will try.”  They walked in silence for several minutes until they reached a door with the words “High Priest” carved into the wood.  Aurora knew that down the hall would be rooms for the ten attendants.  Nitry knocked on the door.

            “Priest Aarav, there is a young woman here to see you.”

            “Let her in Nitry,”  Aarav said.  Nitry turned to Aurora.

            “You may go in.”

            “Thank you.”

            Aurora entered apprehensively.  The priest welcomed her and gave her a chair.  Then he asked her what she wanted to see him about.  Aurora looked at the floor, the ceiling, the cat statue on his desk, anywhere but him.  Finally she drew a breath and said, “Today, in the woods, Amaris shot a panther.”