Justifiable Jitters? (Dor)

[DoF Archive]

Date: 3/8/1998 11:07 PM Central Standard Time
From: DoraeRasta

Thankfully, it was to be a simple affair. No pomp, fanfares, or ornate decorations. Dress as she may, as long as the sash is tied properly around her waist. Simple enough, undemanding... sort of.
She had listened carefully as Vlad explained how the ceremony will go. It sounded pretty straight forward and not terribly difficult as far as her part in all this. There were just a few things she had to do that would make her swallow, force her to grit her teeth. It was all necessary, she understood that.... but the thought of having to prostrate herself in front of anyone and then swear fealty was just not something she could easily do.
Dorae had never felt the need, or want to be loyal to anyone but herself. The whole thing had a feeling of a yolk being pulled tight around her shoulders; as if a slave.
Dorae knows she is not being made a slave, but has been molded into a society bound in honor and purpose. The patron Goddess of these people has accepted her, she has proven worthy through testing, has bested even herself at tasks Vlad has thrown at her. Determination on her part played no small favor to reach this point... the need to find a purpose and fulfill it pulls at her night and day. This is the right path, the signs were all there.
At the twelfth bell tonite, Dorae will venture up to the temple, and sit there in meditation till late afternoon, in preparation for tomorrow nights ceremony. Old fears will be put aside, reassurance from Shardonna's presence will fill her and the practice of the Ceaonite Blood Oath will be done until she can say it flawlessly. Dorae will swear fealty, will cut herself and part with a bit of blood to be tied to the Emperor and the Warriors
way irrevocably.... else if not, will be branded by a black sash, telling all of her cowardice, inability to follow through with a task, her dishonor; this last she will not allow. It will all be a small discomfort for a life's worth of satisfaction, of the further growth to herself as a person, of finding her niche in life. Perhaps nothing more will come of it, but who can say?
One more thought enters her mind as she makes ready to go to the temple... Myst will be there, lending support, his friendship and skill to cleanse the self inflicted wound she will need have to make. A slight smile; for she could just as easily cleanse the wound herself later, but it is apart of the ceremony. Small part and meaningless compared to the warmth of Myst's presence.
Dorae turns and goes to the entrance of her home, with a piece of sealed parchment in hand. A serpented hand reaches out and opens the door to reveal a messenger standing, waiting patiently for his task. She offers up the parchment and gives the address it is to be delivered to. It is a note to Myst, telling him of the time and place for the ceremony. That done, she steps outside and closes the door. With a few quick strides she reaches
Horse's flank and swings herself onto his back. After seeing the messenger leave, gives Horse a soft word and the two go off, making for the temple...

Dorae "The Dangerous" Rasta