Branches of Time, The by Luca Rossi Page A

priestess, we should take to the sea. I spent a long time looking at it today. I saw its splendor and I felt the promises that it holds. Perhaps we would die, in fact we probably would, but what do we have to look forward to here?”
    He feels alone. Miril and I spend all day working on the tiring ritual protections, we don't even have time to think about these kinds of things , Lil thought.
    “It is a possibility,” Miril replied. “However, we don't have any nautical maps, not to mention a ship. Our ancestors got rid of everything because they wanted to stay on this island. Sometimes I wonder if there is a higher meaning to the isolation within which they voluntarily constrained us, not to mention the strength of the protection rituals for the Temple. In any case, they didn't want to return to the seas.”
    She knows a whole lot more than what she's willing to tell us. Since Lil had begun studying with Miril, she had begun to notice how much the priestess knew about the world, and how her understanding of it differed from their vision.
    The two women and the man were exhausted from the day's hard work. Bashinoir, after hearing her answer, considered the matter settled and politely took his leave. After Miril and Bashinoir had gone off, Lil took care of a few chores before retiring to her own room.
    This was her least favorite time of the evening. Spending the day in the company of Miril was comforting – often tiring, and sometimes she felt that she wouldn't be able to keep going, but those tasks helped keep her mind busy. Now, however, alone in her room with her own thoughts, she was once again wrapped in sadness and melancholy.
    A gentle knock on the door made her flinch.
    “I saw the light shining under the door and assumed you were still awake. Are you having trouble sleeping, Lil?” Miril asked. She was wearing her nightgown, her hair undone.
    Despite all the time they spent together, Lil still wasn't too comfortable talking about personal things. “It's no big deal. I'm just having a hard time getting used to my new home.”
    “As well as this sense of solitude, I imagine?” the woman asked, smiling.
    “Actually, yes,” Lil admitted. “I've slept beside him for so many years. And before then, I slept with my sisters.”
    “I see.” Miril continued smiling at her tenderly. “Would you prefer to have some company?”
    Lil's eyes grew wide. Why is she asking me that? She was the one who made it clear that, once I started out as a novice, I would no longer be able to lie beside Bashinoir. Has something changed? A spark of hope ignited deep within her soul. “Yes, I would,” she revealed, not without a hint of embarrassment.
    “Do you want me to come sleep with you?”
    Lil was dumbfounded: that wasn't the suggestion she was expecting. She hoped the priestess wouldn't feel offended by the astonishment that was undoubtedly written all over her face. “That w-would be nice; but I didn't think that was okay...” Her words seemed strange. I'm definitely offending her now.
    “We already slept together. Remember the first nights in front of the fireplace?” Miril continued calmly, noticing Lil's agitation.
    “Yes, but now...” Lil realized it would be stupid to question Miril's words. “That'd be very nice,” she hurried to correct herself. She wasn't Bashinoir, but it still would be so much better than solitude. She couldn't hold back a deep sigh.
    “Alright. Can you make a little room for me?”
    Miril seemed rather happy. Lil moved over to one side of the bed and the other woman laid down next to her.
    Lil felt tense, but she didn't toss or turn. Miril smelled so good. Her hair had the scent of floral essences.
    Maybe she really is happy. This is probably something new and pleasant for her, Lil reflected.
    The fatigue from the day got the better of her and Lil let herself fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.
    She woke up during the night, cold. In the darkness, she realized the fire had gone out. She