Location: Temple, Midday
The three young women were daughters of Lavellan, Cordane, and Westreach-families tied closely to the Luminarchs and noble court. Their visits weren't just for tea-they were quiet assessments, veiled in lace and etiquette.
"Daughters of high nobles. Of course. This wasn't tea. It was an interview-with smiles sharper than daggers." Jinn's inner voice
Jinn sat perfectly straight in her seat, teacup poised just so between her fingers. Across from her, three noble daughters smiled like flowers-but their words were knives wrapped in silk.
"Border towns must be quaint," one said, sipping delicately. "I hear they still bless livestock personally."
Another giggled behind her fan. "Your accent is so... charming. So unpolished. It's refreshing."
Jinn's inner voice, flat: "This isn't tea. This is a verbal war in porcelain disguise."
She took a slow sip, expression calm.
"Three hours of this and I'd rather scrub chamber pots."
That night, in the quiet of her quarters, she called her maid.
"Tomorrow, during the second cup, interrupt me. Say it's time for my daily temple task. Be loud enough for them to hear."
The maid blinked. "But... what task, Miss?"
Jinn leaned back with a smirk.
"The one I'm about to invent."
---
The next day mid-tea her maid entered the lounge.
"Pardon, Miss. It's time for your temple duties. The High Priestess requested it directly."
Jinn stood at once, bowing politely.
"My apologies, ladies. I'm afraid I must excuse myself. I cannot say how long it will take, so it may be best not to wait."
They smiled and nodded-gracious on the surface, but clearly annoyed.
Jinn exited with perfect poise.
The moment she rounded the corner she ran.
She wasn't running from the girls themselves, none of them ever cared enough to follow. But gossip had legs in this place. If anyone saw her skipping lessons, it wouldn't take long before it reached the young noble's ears. That was the real risk.
Through the courtyard, down a shaded hall, and around the far wing.
"Somewhere quiet. Somewhere no one looks."
She passed rows of rooms until she found a storage space left ajar. Just as she stepped in, she heard footsteps.
Panic.
Her eyes darted around. The robes. Plain, brown robes hung neatly on the wall.
She grabbed one.
Seconds later, the door creaked open. Out walked a calm-faced junior nun, hood low, hands tucked.
No one gave her a second glance.
---
"Are you the new one?" a gentle voice called.
Jinn blinked.
A healer nun with soft eyes and tied-back chestnut hair looked her over.
"Eh? Y-Yes, I am," Ji- I mean Vierra, I am Vierra, she said.
"Good. I need help. Come with me."
Thus began her second life.
Sweeping halls. Prepping incense. Folding robes. Scrubbing floor tiles.
"What am I doing here?" Jinn muttered under her breath, bent over a mop.
"I thought nuns just prayed and handed out food. But these ones? They work like trained staff. At least it's easier than that maid gauntlet back at the estate."
She kept her head down, blending in-until her hand slipped. A ceremonial relic tipped, nearly crashing.
She caught it.
Barely.
A sharp voice cut through: "Be careful, new girl. We don't drop relics here."
Ailee. Stern, young, and proud. She scowled at Jinn.
"Sorry," Jinn said calmly.
Ailee scoffed. "Try not to embarrass the rest of us."
Before Jinn could reply, another voice interrupted.
"What's going on?"
Sister Melca. Soft voice, sharp eyes.
Ailee backed off quickly.
"Nothing, Sister."
Melca looked to Jinn. "You alright?"
Jinn nodded.
Melca gave a short sigh. "Let's get back to work."
Later that day, the Mother Superior arrived.
The hallway froze. Nuns lined up, hands folded.
Every step the Mother Superior took echoed like judgment.
She inspected every detail. Cleanliness. Order. Posture.
Then her eyes narrowed.
"Who handled the ceremonial holders earlier?"
No answer.
Her voice rose. "Raise your hand, or I'll raise it for you."
Jinn slowly raised her hand.
"Step forward."
She obeyed.
"Rule thirty: sacred objects must not be mishandled. Did you know that, novice?"
Jinn bowed. "I apologize. I'm new. I didn't mean-"
Melca stepped forward. "It's my failure. I should've supervised her. Let me take the punishment."
"What's your name, girl?" the Mother Superior asked.
" Vierra."
"So, you admit fault. And you, Sister Melca, claim responsibility. Hmm..."
Ailee smirked from the corner.
Melca dropped to her knees. "Please reconsider."
Jinn stepped beside her. "No, Sister. Don't kneel. I'll take it. I made the mistake."
"Both of you? How touching," the Mother Superior said. "Then I won't choose. You both get punished. Fair, isn't it?"
Jinn muttered under her breath,
"Guess we share the blame now."
Melca chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I'll heal you."
"Very well," the Mother Superior said. "Follow me. This isn't the place to scream."
The nuns watching turned pale as the door closed behind them.
---
The two knelt, bracing.
But instead of a whip, a light crack! tapped across the back of their hands-a wooden stick, sharp but not punishing.
"That's enough," the Mother Superior said firmly. "Consider this your warning. Not all errors deserve blood-until they're repeated."
She looked at both.
"And you will never speak of this. Because if word spreads... then next time, it will be real."
Jinn and Melca bowed in silence.
"Now go. Recovery wing is short on hands today. You'll be assisting patients. No damage there, I hope."
As the heavy doors closed behind them, the echo faded down the corridor.
Jinn rubbed her stinging palm. "Ow. That's what she calls not punishing?"
Melca winced beside her. "You got off light. Last girl who dropped the censer spent two days scrubbing chamber pots."
"...Okay, fair."
They walked a few steps before a junior nun ran up, breathless.
"Sister Melca! We're short on hands in the recovery wing. Can you spare help?"
Melca glanced at Jinn, still dressed in borrowed robes.
"She's free."
The nun nodded, then rushed back ahead.
Jinn blinked. "Wait, wait. What's recovery-"
"Don't worry," Melca said, already walking. "No relics to drop there. Just beds, herbs, and people groaning in pain."
"...Great."
They turned the corner. The soft scent of veilroot filled the hall.
And for a moment, with the crowd gone and duties ahead-
Jinn exhaled.
Peaceful? Not quite. But quieter than the nobles.
She could live with that.