Page 22 of Sands of Atonement

Suna waved a hand. “No. We’ll show you everything once you arrive. Sorrella will make sure of it! How exciting!” She beamed. “We usually have a new girl each month, but last month the girl didn’t show up.”

“Really? What happened?”

“She was late,” Ana whispered as if it were a sin. “Most families stay the evening before at the inn across from the Khraus so that they don’t chance being late. But when the girl showed up fifteen minutes late, Sorrella slammed the door in her face.”

I gasped. “No. Does she expect everyone at the same time?”

“Yep, right at noon when the bells chime, every time. Tardiness just isn’t acceptable.”

The conversation continued for an hour more before the girls expressed they had to go back to the Khraus, and I smiled, waving goodbye.

After browsing an outdoor apothecary, I walked back to the inn, next door to the tavern, and checked in for the night. I explained, when questioned, that my uncle would be here soon. The lies rolled off my tongue with no effort.

The next morning, I noticed the same woman and older man I saw yesterday when I was above the tavern. They were seated outside the inn, most likely counting down the minutes until the chimes echoed across the center of the crossroads. After covering the few bruises I had with a light brown paste, I rushed downstairs.

I asked one of the staff at the front of the inn for two cups of tea, and no more than a minute later, they delivered. Grabbing the tincture I purchased at the apothecary, I tapped a drop into the steaming tea.

Hmm.

I tapped the bottle for another three drops, splattering the surface of the herbal tea.

Better.

I poured some into the next cup.

This morning, I picked out a similar outfit to the one the woman I encountered yesterday had, but the color was sage-green. I strutted toward the entrance and overheard the conversation between the uncle and his niece.

“If only I could go right now. Stupid rules for no reason.” She pouted and crossed her arms.

“Hello there. Sorrella asked me to bring you our signature welcome tea.” I spoke in my sweetest voice.

After peering into the tea, her nose scrunched up as she glanced at me.

“It’s mandatory.” I smiled.

The girl nodded and downed the rest of her drink. I handed the uncle his cup. I wanted to shake my head at her stupidity, but she’d only be sick for a day—maybe a week—regardless, it really didn’t matter.

Either way, she was going to be late.

Sorrella would be desperate, having yet another new hire not uphold her expectations.

“Have a good day,” I said before striding back to the street. The heavily crowded street provided optimal cover to wait by the tavern, without fear of being noticed.

A few hours later, the bells chimed.

Once more, I performed a brief check of my appearance and realized I had forgotten my headdress. I plunged into my bag for my thin gold band that signified my class, then placed it around my forehead.

Lifting my dress, the jewelry encircling my wrists and elbows clanged against each other as I stepped up to the large double doors and knocked gently. I grew warmer, and my breath quickened. My eyes darted, but nothing was out of the ordinary. Everything was fine. I clenched my shaking hands.

The right door creaked open, revealing a woman dressed in rich blue with a top that pressed her chest higher. Her dark blue robes settled on her shoulders, threaded in gold.

I plastered a smile on my face.

This woman must be the Head Priestel. Sorrella. The woman had deep brown, shiny hair that flowed past her tan elbows, with gold jewelry wrapped around her delicate throat.

“Cora?” Sorrella asked.

“Hello, Sorrella. No, I’m not Cora, but I was traveling with her and her uncle’s caravan when I saw she had gotten sick.” I waited a moment for it to register. “You see, I’m also a dancer, have been since I was a child. I would love the opportunity to show you that I would be an asset to your Priestelhood.”