“Mistress Snape, little one, your destination is only a short ride from here,” Cadmus greeted them. “The high priestess is eager for you to get settled in little one,” he tousled Nimue’s hair as he took her bag from her. “Aias, take this!” he tossed the bag to one of the warriors accompanying him. He grabbed Nimue around the waist, eliciting a squeak of surprise from her, and tossed her up behind the other warrior who had not dismounted.
“It’s so high…” Nimue whispered.
Cadmus chuckled, “nothing to fear. Just hang on tight to Polykleitos there, he’ll see that you don’t fall.”
Cadmus remounted his own horse and Aias handed up Morgan to ride behind him. As soon as Aias had mounted his own horse, with Nimue’s belongings secured behind him they set out. “How far is it?” Nimue asked timidly.
“Not far little one,” Polykleitos answered her, “we have about an hour of riding ahead of us and then we will take a ferry to the island of the temple.”
The ride itself was fairly uneventful. Cadmus had used an old tribal spell to cloak them so that they would not be seen as they traveled across the countryside. He provided a running commentary on the landmarks they passed as they road in hopes of relieving some of the tension that hung so heavily in the air. He didn’t doubt that both mother and daughter were in emotional turmoil at the moment.
The sun was high overhead by the time they reached the shoreline.
“Where is the ferry?” Morgan asked.
“It will be here soon,” Cadmus replied as they dismounted. “Would you ladies car for something to eat while we wait? No. I suggest you at least drink something, it is very warm out.” He passed around a wineskin that he took off his saddle.
The warriors laughed good naturedly at the face Nimue made when she took a drink. “You’ll get used to it little one,” Polykleitos assured her, “be thankful it is at least watered down. I can only imagine the face you would have made if it had been full strength.”
The warriors kept up a light stream of conversation as they waited out in the sun. “Ahhh… there she is,” Cadmus said as he shielded his eyes to look out across the water.
A rather small boat, which Nimue swore had appeared out of nowhere, was soon pulling up to the shore. A priestess swathed in white linen stepped out to greet the travelers while the two oarsmen remained seated.
“I am Ariadne,” she said bowing to the group, “the head priestess awaits your arrival.”
“In you go then,” Cadmus made sure the women and his warriors were in the boat before he himself joined them after giving a shrill whistle that sent the three horses running down the beach.
“What will happen to the horses?” Nimue asked as the boat pulled away from the shore and out into the blue-green water.
“They can find their own way back,” Cadmus said as he tried to settle his large frame comfortably on the small wooden bench, “they are sacred to Poseidon, He will make sure they reach the island safely.”
Nimue gave a slight nod as she slipped her hand into her mother’s. She tried to view this as her siblings had told her to, as a great adventure. But she was terrified. She wasn’t sure if she could do this. She felt like a coward.
“The island is hidden?” Morgan asked as they headed further out into the choppy waves.
Cadmus grinned, “of course, although a bit different from how you wizards hide things, but it’s the same basic principle. Any who do not know the way will not even realize there is an island here, they would simply sail through the area it occupies. But for those who know the way…” he gestured to Ariadne who had lifted her arms up, palms facing the sky while she chanted in Greek.
The island seemed to rise up out of the waves as Ariadne continued her chant. The waves crashed against the rocky cliffs that rose up above them. The oarsmen deftly navigated the boat into a hidden cave in the rocks and pulled the boat up next to a rocky outcropping in the still waters inside.
Cadmus climbed ashore first and gave the women a hand out as Aias retrieved Nimue’s bag. “Our escort service ends here. We’ll see that your belongings are delivered to the temple little one. You have nothing to fear, you’ll grow to love it here, and I will make sure to check in on you frequently. And I will keep an eye on her for you mistress,” he bowed in Morgan’s direction.
Nimue barely had a chance to mumble her thanks before the three warriors each took a turn embracing her roughly, Cadmus lifted her bodily from the ground in the process.
Morgan and Nimue followed Ariadne through a series of tunnels out of the cave and out into the sunlight at the base of the temple. “I will take the girl up to the temple by herself now,” Ariadne said, “you will have a chance to say goodbye later, but I must request that you remain here for the time.”
Morgan nodded slowly, not trusting her voice, as she gave Nimue’s hand an encouraging squeeze.
Nimue wanted to protest, but thought it might not be wise. With one last desperate look back at her mother she turned to follow Ariadne silently.
Morgan felt the tears coursing down her cheeks as her daughter walked away from her. She didn’t know if she’d be able to let go.
“It’s for her own good you know. This may be the only way to keep her safe.”
“That doesn’t make it any easier,” Morgan replied.
Remus rose from his seat under the laurel tree by the rocks and approached Morgan slowly. He gently brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumb before wrapping her in his embrace. He gently rubbed her back as she sobbed against his shoulder for awhile, just letting her get it out.
“I’m sorry,” Morgan sniffed as her tears slowed.
“For what?”
She pulled back from Remus a bit and wiped at her eyes, “that you have to deal with me while I’m such a mess. Poor Severus held me while I sobbed for what must have been hours this morning and now here I go falling apart on you. Everyone I come into contact with is going to start thinking I’ve gone round the bend.”
Remus gave her a soft smile, “we all thought you went round the bend years ago when you married that greasy git you call your husband. I have it on good authority that several other offers were made as soon as the Order members found out about the engagement. Not only that, I’ve heard that several fine men offered to help you run away from Snape and marry you themselves.”
Morgan managed a small smile, “personally, I’m glad I stuck it out with Severus. As honorable as the Weasley twins’ offer was… I think I’m better off where I am.”
“Now you know they’re not the only ones who offered…”
Morgan actually laughed, “I know, I know…”
“Now let’s see how many we can list off,” Remus gave her a wicked grin as he ticked the names off on his fingers, “there was also Charlie Weasley, Oliver Wood, Sirius…”
“He was only joking,” Morgan reminded him. “And trying to get under Sev’s skin.”
“I believe Mad Eye Moody threw his lot in too.”
Morgan rolled her eyes, “that’s only because he never trusted Sev. The whole ‘once a death eater always a death eater thing’. He thought he was doing me a favor.”
“Feeling better now?”
Morgan leaned against Remus as he slipped an arm around her shoulders, “a little. You’re good at distracting me.”
“I thought you could use the distraction.”
Morgan smiled at him as they sat down on a large flat rock under the laurel tree that Remus had been under before, “so, how are you doing?”
“I’m married to the woman of my dreams, how do you think I’m doing?”
“I would wager that you’re not seeing a whole lot outside of the bedroom.”
Remus put on his best teaching face, “I’ll have you know Mrs. Snape that I have been training with Cadmus’ men everyday.”
“It shows, you’re starting to get quite tan. And I’m sure Kalliope is enjoying the increased stamina I’m sure it’s giving you.”
“You’re getting quite indecent.”
Morgan decided to be kind and back down a bit, “are you counting down the months now?”
Remus’ facial expression softened, “yes. It’s not too much longer now before the baby is born.”
“Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?” Morgan noticed the way Remus seemed to tense up, “Remus, what is it?”
Remus sighed, “It’s the only thing about life here that I have trouble accepting. If the child is a boy he will be raised by the women, and will in no way be mine, until he is seven years old. At that time he will become my son to be raised as a warrior. If it’s a girl… I can never claim her as my daughter. She will be Kalliope’s daughter alone.”
“I can’t imagine Kalliope ever keeping your child from you. She does not strike me as that type of woman.”
“She’s not. But it still hurts knowing that I may never be able to claim my own child.”
They sat in silence for awhile, staring out across the landscape.
“It’s your turn,” Remus said, finally breaking the silence.
“For what?” Morgan asked him.
“To try and cheer me up.”
Morgan thought for a moment before a sly grin crept across her face, “if it’ll make you feel better I’m sure Severus would gladly sign over at least one of our other children to you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Kalliope walked with Nimue from the sleeping chambers of the novices towards the temple itself. “You are here because of the threat Voldemort presents, it is important that you understand that his death eaters have penetrated temple defenses in the past.”
“Is it really safe here then?” Nimue asked, her eyes wide.
Kalliope sighed as she chose her words, “further precautions have been taken since then and I believe that no harm will come to you while you are here. But, in case there should be an attack you must come here,” she gestured towards the temple.
The temple itself was surrounded by the sleeping chambers of the devotees, the kitchens, and other functional buildings. The marble structure sat in the middle of a flourishing courtyard surrounded by a covered colonnade and a low wall. A stone altar carved with the figures of women, arms raised in a ceremonial dance, sat before the temple.
“Once you are within this wall,” Kalliope gestured to the low structure, “you are within the temnos and you will be safe.”
“What is the temnos?”
“It is a sacred enclosure. Once within it you are on sacred ground, you will be protected. No harm can come to you once you are within it.”
Nimue looked skeptical, “does it really work.”
Kalliope’s eyes hardened, “yes it works. The last time the death eaters came… the last time they came the novices took refuge here. One of the dark lord’s minions tried to rape one of them here by the altar. He was struck down by lightening before he could violate the girl. I have told you before the goddess protects her own, she would never let one of her daughters come to harm while claiming Her protection.”
“What will I do while I’m here?” Nimue finally asked as they continued their walk around the complex.
“You will have duties around the temple. You will assist with the collection of offerings, you may be asked to accompany the healers to collect the herbs they use, you will learn what the priestesses have to teach you.”
“Basically I’ll be trained for the life of a priestess?”
Kalliope smiled, “in many ways yes. But that is not all. You will spend some time with Remus everyday so that you may continue with the education you started in the wizarding world.”
Nimue couldn’t help smiling, her former professor was the only connection to home that she had here. She was truly looking forward to her lessons with him. One look at Kalliope told her that the high priestess knew exactly how much this connection to the wizarding world meant to her.
“Come child,” Kalliope said as she guided Nimue back down the hill, “it is time to say goodbye to your mother.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I hope you are packed.”
“Nope.”
“Dierna…”
“Dad, we’re not leaving until tomorrow,” Dierna rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to her book.
“Precisely, we are leaving tomorrow provided you are ready to leave when I am. If you are not you can stay here.”
Dierna snorted, “That doesn’t mean I have to go pack now, its not like it will take me long.”
“If your attitude does not improve I may change my decision about allowing you to accompany me,” Severus warned.
Dierna tried to figure out exactly how far she could push her father before he would really get angry, and she tried to figure out if it would be worth the risk. She didn’t want to jeopardize her chances of going to Italy.
“There will be a formal reception the second day we are there. Make sure you bring something appropriate to wear.”
Dierna frowned, “I just want to hear al-Rashid’s lecture. Do I really have to go to the reception?”
“Yes.”
“But…”
“If you keep arguing with me you will not be attending anything at all.”
Dierna sighed in frustration, “what am I supposed to do at this reception? Its going to be some overdone formal gathering and you’ll be the only one I know there.”
“Exactly, which means you will be by my side for the entire evening so that I can keep an eye on you.”
Dierna’s scowl deepened, “I’m starting to question how much fun this trip will really end up being.”
“You were the one that asked to go.”
“I know, but I didn’t think you were planning on acting like my jailer instead of my dad the whole time.”
“Considering the current state of affairs you should feel lucky that I am allowing you to go at all.”
“Fine, you can be as overprotective as you want, but it doesn’t mean I have to behave myself…”
Severus’ eyes narrowed, his daughter wanted something, he could tell. “What precisely are you aiming at?”
“I want to spend some time in the muggle part of Florence.”
Severus’ expression remained dark, “and you are saying that if I allow you to explore muggle Florence you will act like the responsible young adult I expect you to act like anyways? That is not much of a bargaining tool considering I will send you straight back home if you give me any reason.”
Dierna pouted, “please… I want to see the cathedral and the shops…”
Severus sighed, knowing she could have asked for worse, “fine.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
