Blackwater Islands incendiary

belen had burned with icy fire on the shoreline of the druids' grove, but now the acolyte had been reduced to a demure smolder under the listener's decree. she listened without reacting, she questioned without heat.

akashingo's gift had proven strange indeed; if this was the representative the pharaoh sent, what would be found within their borders?

perhaps, tone intentionally ambiguous, she continued. when winter comes again, you will make your decision. three paths will stand before you. only one will lead you back to akashingo.

today you will hear your options, and you may think that it is no matter for debate; you may believe that you already know your mind. all things change in time. i ask that you withhold your judgment until the time comes to decide.

she studied the acolyte as if she might find answers behind her eyes.

you may bear children. you may bear them for the druids, or for yourself. these are two of the paths ahead of you. the third path will return you to your pharaoh, whole and unchanged from when you departed.

you will be forced only to make your choice. the rest is yours to decide. the druids do not take slaves. druidhood could not be forced on a wolf; she had learned the truth of that from the stormborn, who had taught her with the failure of @Bridget's initiation. no unwilling soul could serve the unnamed god.