“Shouldn’t we do a prediction first?” Elmira asked worriedly. “I mean, just to be sure?”

Kuror glanced back at her as they walked through the streets of Tecaman. “You’re not sure?”

She frowned, annoyed at the words. “I didn’t say that,” she protested. “I want to be sure this goes all right--that my father, or someone equally as heinous, doesn’t ruin this for us.”

He laughed at her expression, stopping in the middle of the street to encircle her waist and kiss her. “I hate it when you frown,” he informed her with a smile. “You know I was kidding.”

“Do I?” she asked, fighting to keep the frown on her face. But then he kissed her again and she smiled and laughed, setting off with him again down the street. “Where are we going anyway?”

He shrugged, intertwining his fingers with hers as they strolled. “We’re just looking for a… chapel. Isn’t that the word?”

Elmira shrugged. “I suppose so. Do you think they’ll perform the ceremony for Spung?”

Kuror frowned. “I don’t see why they wouldn’t. It’s quite possible that they would be too afraid of us to do otherwise.” He glanced back when she didn’t answer and saw her smiling. “What?”

“You’re frowning,” she accused.

He laughed at her and in a minute she joined him.

“But, Kuror,” she began once they had caught their breath again. “I don’t want anyone to be afraid of us--that’s ridiculous.”

Kuror raised an eyebrow at her. “Ridiculous that someone would be afraid of Spung?”

Elmira made a face. “Ridiculous that they should be afraid of us, meaning you and me.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” he said with a sigh. “What do you wish to do then? If they will not perform the ceremony for us?”

Elmira stepped gracefully to the side as a group of small children ran in-between herself and Kuror. “Perhaps we could give them a prediction as payment?”

He shrugged, taking her hand again. “Do we really want to announce that we are oracles?”

“Excellent point,” Elmira murmured in thought. “But we will be gone soon. Whether or not anyone wished to do anything to us, we will not stay long enough to give them a chance.”

“Touché,” Kuror muttered. He pointed to the side of them. “What about that? Is that one?”

Elmira glanced at the building, a sign in front stating in Universal, ‘Unitarian Universalist Chapel’. She nodded. “Yes, that’s one. We can try there, certainly.”

The human behind the counter of the chapel looked them over with an unreadable expression. “You are welcome here, of course, sir and madam,” he said cordially, “but I must warn you that we do charge. This is a place of business as well as bliss.”

Elmira winced. Neither she nor Kuror had any money. But when she glanced at him, he seemed unfazed.

“We are willing to pay you, sir,” he said calmly, “but we do not currently have currency. We may be able to pay you in another way.”

The man raised one eyebrow in interest. “In what way do you mean, sir?”

Kuror slipped an arm around Elmira’s shoulder protectively as he spoke. “My fiancée and I have a certain… gift that we would share with you in the exchange of performing this ceremony.”

The human’s interest grew. “What sort of gift?”

“We are…” Kuror struggled to find a word that would not alarm the man.

But Elmira saw no danger in it. “Oracles. We predict the future.”

The man’s eyes widened in interest. “Really? Yes, yes, we would like very much for you to use your talents for us. In fact, it would help a great deal.”

“We cannot answer specific questions,” Elmira told him, worried he had taken it the wrong way. “The predictions come on their own. Either I or my fiancée can call on them, but we have no control over what they are about. But it is usually on the most pressing matter at the time.”

The man nodded. “It should do very nicely then. Could you come back in an hour? I would like to have some of the other members of the church to be here.”

Elmira exchanged a glance with Kuror who shrugged. “Not a problem, sir,” Kuror answered for her. They said goodbye to the human and left.

One hour later, Kuror and Elmira faced a small group of Unitarians, all looking quite interested. “Do you need anything before beginning?” the man they had met to begin with, now known as Reverend Jordan, asked.

Elmira shook her head. “No, thank you. We have all of our supplies.” From her bag she took a small pouch and slipped her hand into Kuror’s. “We’ll begin now, if you don’t mind.

“Not at all,” Reverend Jordan said, shaking his head and stepping back with his hands spread.

Kuror smiled at his fiancée as she poured out a tiny mound of dust into her palm from the pouch. Elmira liked to make a show out of her predictions for strangers and Kuror didn’t mind as long as the dust didn’t get into his eyes or nose. Sneezing ruined the illusion of magic.

Both Spung took a deep breath, closing their eyes and calming themselves as Elmira threw a handful of the dust into the air. They both felt a feeling of immense calm come over them, their powers taking over and then opened their eyes. The surrounding clergymen looked a bit apprehensive and Kuror frowned. “The prediction was not up to par?”

Reverend Jordan shook his head, his expression immediately changing from apprehension to apologetic. “Oh, no, sir, not at all. The prediction was satisfactory just a bit… vague.”

Elmira winced. “Yes, they do tend to be. You do not understand it?”

Reverend Jordan exchanged looks with the rest of the clergy. “Not exactly, no.”

“Perhaps you could tell us what it was and we could attempt to help translate,” Kuror suggested.

The human brightened considerably. “Perhaps you could. Very well. It was this:

“The solution to a quest fulfilled

Is right before your eyes

A perfect answer can be obtained

Should your oath pertain to your lives.”

Elmira and Kuror exchanged a confused glance. “What oath have you taken?” Elmira asked.

“And what quest do you wish fulfilled?” Kuror added.

“That is the real question,” Reverend Jordan confirmed, nodding at Kuror. “I have no idea what quest this refers to--”

“The mission.” Reverend Jordan whirled around to face another man, the one who had interrupted him, with wide eyes. “What?”

The new man, an older Saturnian stepped forward to address Reverend Jordan. “David, perhaps this is the answer.”

“To the mission?” Reverend Jordan’s expression was hopeful and excited.

“Yes.” The new man turned his gaze to Elmira and Kuror. “My name is Reverend Michael. Perhaps I should explain what David and I are talking about. As the only Unitarian Universalist church on the planet, we are looking to find a mission--a quest, if you will, to help others. Perhaps that is what the prediction is pertaining to.”

“It sounds quite feasible,” Kuror said with a nod.

Elmira stepped forward. “Are you satisfied, sirs? May we continue with the second half of the bargain?”

“The marriage ceremony?” Reverend Jordan asked. “Yes, of course. Do you wish to do it now?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Elmira looked sharply up at Kuror. “What?!”

He smiled at her expression. “It’s not what you think, Elly. I simply have a quest of my own that can be completed within the hour.” He smiled sheepishly at her for a moment with uncertainty in his eyes. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to not be angry with me for asking you to remain here.”

She scowled. “No, you could not. What are you trying to hide?”

“Something from you,” he said with that infuriating smile, chucking her under the chin. He glanced at the rest of the clergy. “Could I persuade you all to keep her from following me?”

“I suppose,” Reverend Jordan said slowly, with a look towards Elmira’s still-scowling face. “Could she not simply use her powers to find you?”

“No,” Elmira huffed, annoyed. “One oracle cannot see another.”

“And it infuriates us both,” Kuror added, catching her chin with a claw to kiss her. “I will be back soon.”

Elmira could do nothing but continue scowling as Kuror laughed at her expression and left her with the clergy.

“…And now he’s gone and he wouldn’t tell me where he was going!” Elmira finished with a pout.

Lokaia laughed. “Did you give him that look before he left?”

Elmira’s eyes widened and she smacked a claw against her forehead. “Oh, I’m such an incompetent fool! He would have told me if I had!”

Lokaia laughed again. “You amaze me, Elmira. Such a wonderful and powerful person and oracle and you still have the same insecurities as the rest of us. Now you’ll tell me that you’re worried about the marriage, too.”

Elmira grinned. “No, I won’t. I’m sure.” Her pout returned. “I just wish the groom was still here.”

“He will be,” Lokaia assured her. “I doubt Kuror would leave your side for any longer than he would have to.”

“And I him,” Elmira said with a sigh. “But he is gone and that’s why I’m worried.”

Lokaia smiled kindly. “I understand. Just trust him, Mira. He’ll be fine.”

“Mm.” She sighed again. “Well, all right. How is everything on the Christa?”

Lokaia winced, her kind smile fading to an annoyed cringe. “It’s…um…”

“Suzee is still annoying you?” Elmira asked kindly. She paused. “I don’t suppose you would consider telling me what secret you are trying to hide?”

“No,” the Elvian answered immediately. “Not until I tell Radu.”

Elmira watched her friend, upset. “Whatever it is, Kaia, he would not be angry with you. I’ve seen it.”

Lokaia’s eyes widened. “Y-you’ve done predictions on me?”

“No, of course not,” Elmira said quickly. “Kuror and I make random predictions and after I…” she wouldn’t meet Lokaia’s gaze here, “after I left Radu, I wanted to make sure he would be all right.” She turned to look at Lokaia again and smiled. “He loves you very much.”

Lokaia sighed and rolled her eyes. “I wish everyone would stop telling me that as if I didn’t already know. I am aware that he loves me just as much as I love him and I wish you would all just let me tell him and you in my own time.”

“I apologize,” Elmira said quickly. “Kuror might be back now so I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” She smiled at her Elvian friend who returned the smile grudgingly and woke up. She was met with the concerned face of Reverend Jordan.

“Madam? Are you all right?”

Elmira straightened and brushed her hair over her shoulder, standing beside him. “Yes, I am fine, thank you. Has Kuror returned yet?”

The Earther shook his head. “No, Madam, he’s gone.”

There was a large crash in the main room followed by Kuror shouting, “Block the door!”

“Yes, Madam, he’s here,” Reverend Jordan said as they sped off.

“Block the door!” Kuror cried, slamming it closed behind him. The clergy ran forward quickly bringing large pieces of furniture and such to form a blockade as the door lurched forward.

Elmira was at his side instantly. “Kuror, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Those damned soldiers of your father’s found us!” Kuror snapped as the door bucked behind him.

Elmira ignored the tone and helped to block the door. “They recognized you?” she demanded as she worked.

“He’s sent out wanted messages!” came the replying shout as Kuror placed a large dresser against the door.

Elmira recognized the sound of twenty or so Spung soldiers trying to force their way in. The door sufficiently blocked, Elmira and Kuror pushed against it with the clergy to keep it closed. “Kuror!” Reverend Jordan cried, calling the male Spung by his first name to get his attention. “Who are these people?”

“They are my father’s soldiers!” Elmira replied loudly. “They are looking for Kuror and me!” She turned to face her fiancée with a worried look on her face. “Kuror, we must leave these people before the soldiers break in! We cannot sacrifice their lives!”

“What do you wish to do, Elmira?” he shouted back, wincing as the door lurched and shoved a dresser into his spine. “If we leave, they will attack the church and the only other way out is to give ourselves up!”

Elmira shuddered at the thought of her father finding her again. “I don’t know! What can we do--”

“David!” Reverend Michael called. “The mission!”

“You think of the mission now?!” Reverend Jordan demanded, wincing as another piece of furniture was slammed into his back.

“Madam, why are these soldiers looking for you specifically?” Reverend Michael called over the growing noise.

Elmira didn’t even think to hide the information. “My father is Warlord Shank!” she cried. “He was angry when Kuror and I left and he is looking for me!”

Reverend Jordan’s expression was pure horror. “Warlord Shank?!” he demanded. “These are Shank’s guards?!”

“You are Sirrola Elmira then?” Reverend Michael asked, his eyes bright. “The princess destined to change the future of the Spung, and, therefore, the universe!”

Elmira felt thoroughly embarrassed to be described so. “Yes, I suppose,” she called, grabbing Kuror’s arm to keep her balance as the furniture behind her began to give.

“David….” Reverend Michael’s tone suggested that Reverend Jordan open his eyes to something incredibly obvious.

The human’s face was pale but determined as he nodded and called the remaining clergy over. “Kuror, Elmira, come with Michael and I,” he asked, gritting his teeth as a woman took his place.

“Where are we going?” Kuror demanded as he reluctantly gave his place up to another man.

“If you are to have any chance at all, we must marry you two now,” Reverend Jordan informed them, helping Elmira up when another blast at the door threw her to the ground. He and Reverend Michael led the way at a run.

“This will not help if we cannot leave!” Elmira cried as she ran.

Without turning around, Reverend Michael answered. “You will leave, do not worry!”

Exchanging a glance, Elmira and Kuror followed faster.

“Reverend Jordan, we cannot protect you against the guards,” Kuror said anxiously. “We must leave immediately.”

“You are leaving,” the human said kindly. “But you are also interrupting your own ceremony.” He and Elmira began to speak at the same time.

“We cannot and will not leave the guards to kill you all, sir,” the female Spung protested. “It would be dishonorable and I am not used to leaving people to die!”

Reverend Jordan hardly flinched. “…take the Sirrola to be your…”

“How could we even expect to leave with your church under siege?” Kuror demanded, ignoring the reverend’s speech.

Reverend Michael shoved a bouquet of unfamiliar flowers into Elmira’s claws that she paid no attention to. “Under siege from my own father’s guards even!” she cried. “It is inconceivable to--”

“Say ‘I do’,” Reverend Jordan ordered Kuror.

“I do,” Kuror complied quickly. “Inconceivable to ignore our duty and leave you here to fend for yourselves!”

“…for better or worse, for richer or poorer…”

“When you obviously cannot!” Elmira continued. “Not even my word as a sirrola will stop these men if they put their minds to it!”

“Say ‘I do’.”

“I do.”

“What is your plan of action?” Kuror asked worriedly. “How do you plan to defeat the--”

“Kiss the bride,” Reverend Jordan ordered.

With annoyed expressions on their faces, both Spung turned towards each other and touched their lips together in not much more than a peck, before turning back to Reverend Jordan. “You cannot defeat the guards without our help--” Elmira put in as Reverends Jordan and Michael led them down a new hallway.

“It would be impossible to win this fight without Shank’s permission,” Kuror added.

Both Spung continued to argue until Reverend Michael opened a new door, revealing a ship slightly larger than the Starling they had arrived in. After being pushed towards it, Kuror turned back with a confused look on his face, holding Elmira’s arm. “Wait a moment, what are you doing? Why are we here?”

Reverend Michael only smiled. “You are here to continue your destinies. May the Divine light your way.” He attempted to push the Spung into the waiting ship.

“Wait a moment!” Elmira protested, turning back. “What are you going to do about the soldiers?”

“We shall defend ourselves as best we can,” Reverend Jordan replied, putting his hands together, “and then we shall rejoice in knowing that saving your lives could bring peace to the universe.”

Elmira stared in open shock. “You would sacrifice your lives for a pair of Spung you do not know?”

Revered Michael nodded. “The mission,” he reminded her softly. “Our church has found its purpose. We were sent here to save the lives of the Spung sirrola and her chosen partner because it is told that they will one day change the Spung Empire for the better.”

“There has always been a point, a reason to our lives,” Revered Jordan added. “We are only glad to have found it, and know that it is this important.”

Elmira opened her mouth to speak, but Kuror put a hand on her arm, quieting her. His eyes were sad yet full of respect as he asked quietly, “You are quite positive that this is what you need to do?”

“Quite sure,” Reverend Jordan replied, Reverend Michael nodding in agreement.

The male Spung only nodded. “May the Divine light your way,” he murmured, leading Elmira into the ship.

Elmira twisted around to glare at him. “You cannot be serious! There is no possible way that I will leave these kind people here to die! After all they have done for--”

“Elmira,” Kuror murmured, his soft voice silencing her. “Look at these men. Do they look as if they are being forced? They understand that the empire needs us, or more accurately, you. This ‘mission’ brings meaning to their lives. Would you take that away from them?”

“Kuror.” His name was spoken with such venom and anger that the male Spung took a step back.

“Madam,” Reverend Jordan said, interrupting their fight. “He is right. We would not give up our lives and the life of our church and religion over something we did not believe in.”

“'The solution to a quest fulfilled, is right before your eyes, a perfect answer can be obtained, should your oath pertain to your lives'," Reverend Michael quoted the prediction. "The mission is the quest, you two were in front of our eyes, our oath as missionaries is to bring peace in whatever small way we can to the universe."

"And it is our decision whether or not this oath pertains to our lives," Reverend Jordan with an apologetic smile. "And it does."

Reverend Michael stepped forward, opening the hatch of the ship. “Go,” he said softly. “Leave now before the soldiers force their way in.”

Elmira stared at him for a moment before grasping his hand in her claws, and then reaching for Reverend Jordan’s as well. She bowed to them (something the Spung sirrola had never done before) and said, “May the Divine light your way.” Both men smiled back at her as Kuror shook their hands and boarded the ship with Elmira in tow.

Once in the air, Elmira stayed at the port window, watching the shrinking scene unfold. “Elly,” Kuror said cautiously.

“I need to see it,” she replied.

And as the church below exploded into a giant flower of fire and flame, both oracles felt, rather than heard, a hundred silent prayers. Closing their eyes, they added their own.

“Kuror.” Elmira’s words broke the silence that had been in the small ship for many hours.

“Yes?”

She paused before answering. “Where did you go when you left me at the church?”

The male Spung started. “I had almost forgotten!” From a pants pocket, he brought out a small box and handed it to Elmira. She opened it to find a gold ring on a chain.

Kuror smiled apologetically. “Not many sell rings large enough for Spung claws,” he explained, fastening the chain around her neck. “It was to be a wedding present, had either of us been paying attention when it actually happened.”

Elmira returned his smile more confidently. “It’s beautiful, thank you. I love it,” she said and kissed him. There was a pause before she added, “Can we think of a far more glamorous story to tell everyone else?”

Kuror’s expression changed to amusement. “Such as?”

“Such as a beautiful ceremony where we were both aware of what was happening.”

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Whatever you want, Elly.”