The midday sun beat down on Ellanora's head, but she didn't mind. Walking along the dusty path, she sighed contentedly as she looked around at the bright countryside. She'd always loved summer, especially out in here in the flatlands, and as she kept moving, she made sure to keep her eyes peeled for wildlife. To her amusement, two starlings flew overhead, spinning and dancing in the wind. She sighed again. Life was peaceful.
All around her, great fields stretched off into the distance, filled with a mixture of golden wheat, barley, and other grains. As she walked, she passed the occasional farmhand or fellow traveller and said hello before passing on her way. She even bumped into a young merchant couple, on their way to Redthorn, who travelled with her for a few hours before turning away, their journey taking them off in a different direction.
No one was ever unhappy to see Ellanora. Her kind eyes and bright smile put even the wariest at ease, but it was the blue and white robes she wore under her mantle, signifying her as a priest of Iluvia, that really made her stand out. Clerics were rare in the flatlands, especially outside of the towns big enough to have a temple, so when people saw her coming down the road, they always had something to ask her.
Ellanora loved her job. She'd always loved being helpful, even from a young age, and knowing how much of a difference she made to people filled her heart with joy. A lot of villages weren't big enough to support a full temple, most not even a chapel, so when it came to matters of faith, the villagers either needed to travel to somewhere larger, an often dangerous and expensive trip, or wait for a priest to come to them.
And that was what she did. She travelled around the countryside, visiting the villages and providing them with all the clerical care they needed. From officiating marriages to blessing newborns, there were always reasons for people to need a priest, and she was always glad to help. A lot of clerics demanded payment for these things, but not her. The satisfaction of helping people was more than enough. All she ever asked for was a place to sleep, a hot meal, and occasionally donations for the temple back in Windcliff.
A lot of the time, when she visited places, she would offer to deliver a sermon. While she was quite handy at healing the sick, a talent all clerics learnt early in their training, she also knew how important it was to look after the villagers' spiritual health as well. Reminding them of the gods, and their love for all mortal beings, filled her with a great sense of pride. Even after devoting herself to the goddess of art and beauty, she still revered the entire pantheon, giving thanks to all the gods in her nightly prayers. After all, Illuvia couldn't make the world on her own, or maintain it without their help, so why shouldn't she give thanks to them as well?
Walking down the road, she started humming to herself nonchalantly, a cheerful little song about a dormouse her mother had taught her when she was a child. After a while, she started to sing along, under her breath at first, but soon loud and proudly into the warm summer air.
"Under the hedge, I found a little conker, found a little conker, dum-de-diddle-dee"
As she sang, she heard a voice start to join in.
"I'll put it in my pack and save it for the winter, save it for the winter, dum-de-diddle-oh"
Looking over into the fields, she saw the grinning face of an old man, dressed in dirty overalls and a large straw hat. She gave him a wave, and he waved back.
"Hello there!"
"Hello, missy!" The man replied. "Fine day isn't it?"
"It is indeed." Ellanora looked up at the clear blue sky, with a deep breath of satisfaction.
"Forgive me askin', but are you a priestess?"
"I am indeed. I'm on my way to Heatherdale, is it near here?"
The man pointed a finger in the direction she was travelling. "About two miles that way, you'll be able to see it before long."
Ellanora smiled thankfully at the man. "Wonderful, thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it, missy. Gods be with you."
"Gods be with you too." Over her heart, Ellanora traced the Sign of the Nine. The man nodded in thanks, before turning back to his crops. With a spring in her step, the cleric carried on her journey, and before too long the farmer's prediction came true. Cresting the top of a small hill, she looked out over the farmland below and saw a tiny huddle of buildings, nestled in the crook of a small river, no more than a mile and a half away. She smiled to herself. The village of Heatherdale.
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Arriving in town, Ellanora found herself in the middle of a hive of bustling activity. Dotted around the small central square were about a dozen market stalls, each flogging a variety of fresh produce to the eager villagers. Looking around, she caught the eyes of a young man, working at a stall selling fresh fruit. He had a soft look to him, with light brown hair and a clean-shaven face, and as he made eye contact with her, she saw him start with surprise, before looking away sheepishly. She giggled to herself. He was pretty cute.
Weaving her way through the crowd, smiling as a group of children ran past her, laughing happily to each other, she made her way towards the stall. Seeing her coming, the man started to blush awkwardly, not sure what to do. Reaching him, she gave him a friendly wave.
"Hello."
"Oh, uh, hi." The man sounded even more nervous than he looked. Undisturbed, the cleric carried on.
"Could I buy an apple please?"
"Oh, of course, yes. They're two copper pieces each."
With a smile, Ellanora reached into her pouch, withdrawing her coin purse. She took out two copper and gave it to him, and he took it with an awkward nod and a smile of his own. Before Ellanora could move away, he blurted out a question.
"Excuse me for asking, but... are you a priestess?"
She couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, yes I am, of Iluvia. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, uh..." Clearly, he hadn't thought that far ahead. "Just... curious really. What brings you to Heatherdale?
"Well, I'm a travelling cleric. I go around villages, helping people who need it."
"Oh. Right." Simon struggled to find something else to say, looking for a way to extend the conversation. "How long will you be staying?"
"Well, that depends how badly I'm needed. Usually not more than a few days, maybe three?"
The young man nodded in understanding. Changing topic, Ellanora had a question for him now.
"Is there a mayor, or village elder I could speak to? I'd quite like to hold a sermon while I'm here, and I think it's polite to let people know."
The young man shook his head. "Sorry, no, Heatherdale's a bit too small, but it might be worth asking Herschel if you want to get the word out? He's the landlord of the local tavern."
Ellanora's face lit up, which made him blush slightly. "Wonderful, thank you so much!" Offering her hand over the counter, she introduced herself. "My name's Ellanora by the way. What's yours?"
"Oh, uh, Simon. It's Simon." The young man shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Simon."
