The sound of cutlery in the dining hall mingled with soft murmurs and gentle laughter. Six priestesses, along with Mara, Tessa, and Liriel, sat around a long table lit by oil lamps that cast a warm glow over the freshly served dishes.
Erian moved carefully among them, balancing a tray in each hand. When he leaned down to set a bowl of stew in front of Tessa, the young woman smiled at him.
"Erian, have you gotten used to the rhythm of the temple yet?"
He simply smiled.
"Not yet. I'm still learning."
"You're so quiet," said one of the older priestesses, raising her voice just enough for everyone to hear as she broke off a piece of bread. "If we didn't see you moving around, I'd swear you didn't breathe at all."
The others laughed softly, as if sharing an innocent joke.
"Maybe he's afraid of saying something improper in front of us," added another priestess playfully.
