This post has the following content warnings:
This post's authors also have general content warnings that might apply to the current post.
Accept our Terms of Service
Our Terms of Service have recently changed! Please read and agree to the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy
it has not even slightly occurred to Taís that anything here might be Evil
« Previous Post
Permalink

Taís wouldn't have thought that sitting in a room all day barely doing anything could make her feel tired, but by the time the Convention lets out, she's more than ready for the day to be over.

She goes to collect Ot from the sitter and heads back towards the inn. (If anyone ever turns up to take over the inn, she'll probably move into the palace, but for now she's happy to stay somewhere with a kitchen she can use.)

Total: 33
Posts Per Page:
Permalink

Ot's face falls as they enter the inn. 

"Where's Mama?"

Permalink

"She's with the gods, Ot."

Permalink

"Want to see Mama!"

Permalink

"You can't. Stop asking."

Permalink

"Want to see her! Why—"

Permalink

She slaps him across the face.

Permalink

He stops talking.

Permalink

Good. It really shouldn't take multiple warnings for a child to listen and obey. She sets him on the counter and goes to make dinner.

Permalink

Dinner is cabbage stew and bread. She's trying to save most of the stipend, like the Sower suggested.

Permalink

He takes a bite of the cabbage stew and makes a face.

Permalink

Is he still eating it?

Permalink

Yes. Slowly, but he's eating it.

Permalink

Well, she's not going to try to stop him from making faces, as long as he finishes his whole portion.

Permalink

"It's time for bed. Do you remember your prayers?"

Ot's mother apparently never bothered to teach him that they're supposed to pray to Iomedae now. Taís is pretty sure that she's supposed to think the murder was bad, but it's not really surprising for someone who isn't even trying to be loyal to end up dead.

Permalink

"Omedae, Queen of Heaven, Lady of Light..." He trails off uncertainly.

Permalink

She hits his shoulder. More gently, this time, he's still learning.

"Iomedae. It's disrespectful to the gods to pronounce their names wrong."

Permalink

 

"Iomedae. Queen of Heaven, Lady of... Light..."

Permalink

She can walk him through the rest of the prayer, a few words at a time. 

Iomedae, Queen of Heaven, Lady of Light, Your humble and unworthy servant offers up her obedience to You this evening as every evening. Show me Your will, that I might become Your instrument in this world and the next. Purify me of weakness that I might one day become worthy of serving You. Through Your discipline Your will is made known and our souls are laid bare before You.

Permalink

He repeats it.

Permalink

"Do you remember the prayer for children?"

Permalink

"Um. Iomedae, I pledge..." He looks questioningly at her.

Permalink

She can walk him through that one too.

Iomedae, I pledge to You my obedience, diligence, and Goodness. I will obey my mother and father in their every command, for a disobedient child is a disobedient soul. I will work hard at every labor I am set to, and accept my punishments uncomplainingly if I fail. I will pursue the Good with my every action, that I may one day be worthy of You.

The part about Goodness is new, but the rest of it is just like she was taught to pray as a child.

Permalink

"I don't have a father. I keep saying."

Total: 33
Posts Per Page: