---

  Sweiza finds herself in front of an ominous, but quite familiar sight. Among the villagers of Maria, no place is as sacred as the . This Temple is little more than a curio to those that pass through Maria. However, with the halls of this landmark, is the salvation that prevents the encroaching desert sands of the Muspell continent. The Temple is a beautiful sight--long ivy hangs from white pillars that follow a walkway to the main steps and main entrance; following the length of the walkway are two long stretching pools of water (a shimmering deep sky blue, but somehow reflective and clear) fill with lillypads and the croaking of frogs; rows of pink flowers of (of different varying hues) of pink follow the outer most skirts of the pools. It is a breathtaking sight to the young girl who oterwise feels she failed her inaugeration here as a tradition of Maria. She takes one step forward towards walkway, but a strange voice greets her.

  To Sweiza, the voice almost sounds like a musical note. It doesn't sound like the Goddess from her dreams, but there is no mistaking the voice; from pestering those that have stories of the Temple, the young Valkyrie knows the voice would sound musical and harmonic.

  Sweiza has little time to think about it. Almost on instinct she starts to shake and drops to her knees in a deep bow with her elbow to the ground and her hands in a praying motion. Sweiza attempt to speak, but it comes out as little more than a hoarse whisper--her lungs burn and her vocal cords do everything they can to fight her. Why now of all times does her gut and breat betray her. She tries to speak, but it comes out as a cough. A time passes and she feels as if she is going to pass out. She hears light footsteps: she looks up and sees a pair of legs--sandals with vines for laces; a flowing blue ad silver dress that shimmers in the sunlight--a long light blue sash wraps around the midsection; what appear to be vines woven into hanging bracelets around her wrists; where one might expect shoulder straps are instead woven reeds. Sweiza might remark how beautiful the attire looks if it wasn't for her fear.

  Sweiza attempts to speak again, but it again comes out as a hoarse cough; again her body betrays her and she starts to shake.

  As if my some unforeseen force, the burning in Sweiza's lungs stop and her fear subsides. She quickly scrambles to her feet and attempts to gain some composure--this is not how she wanted to be introduced to the Goddess of Fertility. Sweiza squints as her gaze falls on the Goddess's dress. She quickly looks up and gets a good look at the Goddess's face; she looks old, but young--her hair is a strange mix of blue and green; it is waist length and not quite curly, but very wavy. In her hair is a gold hairpin with everal white seagull feathers pointing backwards. The Goddess blinks once and her head tilts at the girl in curiosity. It takes a second and Sweiza realizes her rudeness. Her elbows clamp inward as she attempts to speak. She can feel her face heating up; she finally flushes red. She looks down and away in shame.

  A gentle force touches Sweiza's shouders. She flinches. Her head slowly creeps around--blue eyes and a warm face stare at her; the Goddess's face is a ghostly white, almost a barely-noticeable light blue. Sweiza stifles a frown (to an awkward situation) into one of her strong willed grimaces. Undeterred, the Goddess's eyes shift down toward's Sweiza's feet and slowly track her profile until they reach her face; a light and playful smile creeps onto the Goddess's face before disappearing. Her hands pat weiza's shoulders with a gentle touch.

  Sweiza lets out her classic "Eep!"

  The Goddess speaks.

  She takes in an involuntary breath at her uncouth posture--she feels so stupid and rude. She nods repeatedly at the offer--anything to get out of this awkward situation!

  The Goddess tilts her head once before turning away. Her hands withdraw from Sweiza's shoulders; her right hand trails Sweiza's arm and clasps her by her left hand. The Goddess takes one step forward and then looks back at Sweiza. Again by some otherworldy force, the fear and panic disappear's from Sweiza's mind; her body suddenly cooperates and she walks with the Goddess whom leads (pulls rather) with a gentle, but firm and determined hand.

  Sweiza feels a mental excitement and physical exhaustion wash over her.

  The afternoon sun slings their shadow outward and into the pool moving along side them.

  ---

  A strange and otherworldly story is recounted of a girl that makes a foolish wish on the eve she is ripped from childhood. As if clandestine fate had taken over, her world is changed when she runs into the protector of her village; a Spritekin becomes her new friend that same night. She fails her test at this very shrine some two-hundred years in the future. However, her fate is again changed by some otherworldly force as she is pulled back in time to meet a younger version of the 'protector' whom supposedly turns out to be her mother. A journey through the nine realms (and supposedly then some!) to gather an armament that might take down Odin. Sweiza has always wanted to see the world, and it seems that Salmira heard her wish. Sweiza recounts she wishes none of this ever happened.

  Her village traditions and legend now leave her at the mercy of this being in front of her...

  ---

  Sweiza blinks once at the Goddess. Is she challenging her belief? Has Sweiza angered her? The girl doesn't know what to say to her. All she knows is part of her attention was on the terrace out front; they had walked walked past a terrace out front, climbed some stairs and entered a highly decorated shrine--the shrine glowed with a transparent hue; underneath the hue was an off-white building that reflected everything around it.

  The Goddess stops when Sweiza's attention wanes. She tries to counsel her.

  Sweiza can feel her heart skip a beat as her breath stops; her chest feels tight. She has a feeling she knows where this is going.

  Sweiza's face blushes. She hasn't said much when the Goddess speaks; it is only when she is encouraged to do so. She tries to speak, but it her breath locks. It's hard for her to breath.

  Sweiza's face finally flushes red. This is embarassing; why is this happening now? She knows the Goddess is trying to help, but Sweiza can't help but feel it is futile. She tries to speak, the Goddess interrupts her with a smile and motions towards the light breaking through the stained glass windows.

  Sweiza cocks her head and winces her eyes. Her breathing finally came back to her. Did the Goddess distract her to do that? Is she that good? How? Can she read my mind?

  The Goddess makes a circular gesture.

  The Goddess stops once and looks up at the center pillar of the shrine. Various vines hang around it; plants are on various shelves at the lower section. There is a large mural of the Goddess towards the absolute center of the pillar. The mural appears to radiate light and warmth as if it were a stained glass window, but that isn't possible when the pillar is made of what Sweiza assumes to be well-polished limestone. However, it is what is above the mural that gets her attention--a very large and stretched 'V'; it radiates a dull, but light blue hue.

  Her focused attention alerts the Goddess.

  Sweiza's blinks once as her head switches to the Goddess. Realizing her rudeness, she bows her head repeatedly.

  "But it's our way! How can the village be successful when I turn my back on tradition and spurn the harvest?"

  Sweiza's outburst echos through the temple. Her eyes shutter open with surprise when she realizes her mistake; her hands clasp up to cover her mouth and she lets out a muffled whimper.

  The Goddess takes one step forward; her arms thrust out and her right hand rests on Sweiza's waist; her left arm under Sweiza's arm and around her back. Sweiza is pulled forward in a gentle, but firm manner. Body-to-body, the Goddess holds Sweiza to herself firmly. The Goddess leans forward with her eyes closed. Sweiza shakes in fear. Is the legend true? Does the Goddess steal the breath of trespassers and evil-doers? Will she be punished?

  A hushed murmur of wisdom.

  The Goddess's hands release and a tense Sweiza feels her tension drop. How? How is she doing this?

  The Goddess backs up and her hands pull Sweiza's arms up; gentle hands hold the girl's hands precious and firm.

  Sweiza's hands slack. What does she mean?

  The Goddess smiles at the girl's confusion. Such a guest is a delight in her presence; both have a purpose.

  An old nursery rhyme. It never made much sense to Sweiza--until now.

  Suddenly, there are large trails of light of all colors that flow here and there--a stream of light slowly fades behind them. What is going on? Is it the Bifrost Bridge?

  Sweiza shakes her head upon realization of what is happening.

  Sprites!

  A pink Spritekin flies up to her. It lets out several clicks and much chatter. It pulls its mouth with both fingers and shows its teeth to her. A big grin covers its face as it looks up at her with all manner of innocence--a clear lie. It wants something.

  "You were right; one of those nasty things visited the village. We saw it."

  Sweiza looks at it strangely.

  "A giant statue of metal that moves! It breathes fire! It's scary like a dragon!"

  Despite the dreadful thing the Sprite is describing, it's playful nature seems to take precedence.

  It again looks up at her bright-eyed as a pink hue envelopes the creature.

  "You helped us with chores!"

  It flies up to face level and sends a stream of pink light at her. It smells of flowers. It bops up and down once at her and flaps its wings. It lets out another smile and flies off to join several other light streams.

  Sweiza looks from them to the Goddess; the Goddess watches the Sprites and then follow's Sweiza's gaze.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  The Goddess's speaking style is starting to be understood to Sweiza. It sounds like a variant of High Speak, but it is an older style and used by those in authority that choose to remain humble with humility. The speaking style is one Sweiza had the option to learn in school, but she found it too difficult. She now wishes it is something she learned. Perhaps she can change that in the future.

  She faces the Goddess. She closes her eyes and gives a deep bow of respect, "I request penance for defying tradition and polluting your garden with these pests."

  When Sweiza's bow ends, she looks up to see a Goddess with her hands clasped firmly in front of her and closed eyes.

  The Goddess's voice is more natural without the older style of High Speak.

  The Goddess's form suddenly pulses a shimmering golden light, and then her form begins to fade.

  "Wait!"

  The Goddess's voice rings through the halls.

  Sweiza's eyes close and her face grimaces in determination; the Goddess has a very enchanting, but encouraging and determining effect on her.

  The flowing light of Spritekin freeze and bop in place as a long bell begins to ring.

  That is Sweiza's cue. This one is easy!

  Always with the start of a bell, the ceremonious dance is enchanted and trapped several times over as it is practice by everyone in the village. All know it by heart, and yet now Sweiza feels a tinge of exhilaration as she gets to do what she was fearful of the first time.

  Her pair of favorite chakrams appear in her hands; solid oak, stained a light brown and grafted together with a green handle that has been stained a dark green.

  A flowing dance begins as a girl practices the art of a young maiden. A bell tolls under certain formation; her hands move in a graceful pattern; her legs move her body slowly up and down in a fluid motion. The bell tolls a different pitch and tone in harmony as a boisterous girl transforms into a graceful maiden. This is her original purpose and moment--even if spurned; a second chance to make things right.

  The bell stops tolling; yet the girl continues dancing an extended, but more casual and cultural variant of the dance.

  In Sweiza's mind, she can hear the Goddess's voice...

  Tears drip down Sweiza's eyes. She continues for some time; her muscles burn. She staggers once. She hears what sounds like rapid bells ringing... pipes? But why?

  As she staggers once more, everything around her beings to fade. Whether out of joy or sadness, the girl can't tell; but her tears continue to betray her.

  ---

  A disoriented Sweiza appears in front of the temple. She looks around, confused at the architecture. It looks old and dilapidated. She hears a click behind her.

  "Well?"

  It is Sprite; Trust is on the ground some feet aside him.

  She had quite literally commanded them to stay outside as it wasn't their place to follow. But with all of the Sprite in the building, she can only wonder if it would have been better to allow them entry.

  Sprite suddenly flies up to Sweiza's left side, "Where did you get that hair pin?"

  Sweiza's hand comes up on instinct and she pulls down an object from her hair. It most certainly feels like a hairpin...

  It is! It is the same hairpin the Goddess had. It is quickly reattached to her hair. Her eyes close and she feels a great deal of thanks, if not melancholy in her mind. Sweiza jumps when she hears the Goddess's voice in her head.

  Sweiza hears a strange pitch emanate from the temple. A green light suddenly flashes out from the temple and it looks as it did before. A thin pillar of light jumps from the temple and flies skyward. Two thin pillars of light--one blue, the other red--jump from the sky to the temple. A few seconds pass and the tail of the blue and red light jumps to the temple as the two pillars disappear. A wall of green light jumps to the left and right of the temple and hastens to the distance. A confused Sweiza doesn't have much time to determine what is going on as she suddenly hears thunder from the sky. She looks up. A green aurora--with clouds turning rainbow colors. A pillar of green light jumps down at the entourage and they are suddenly lifted from the ground.

  Sweiza can feel herself becoming weightless as she is suspended in the air. Looking down, she is quite surprised to see the temple has become dilapidated and marked with age again. She shudders once when she feels her body shifting as she seemingly moves in a random direction. The ground under her begins to move quite quickly as an aura of rainbow colors (but predominantly green, blue and yellow) surround her.

  Her thoughts are

  -—

  The bright colors around Sweiza subside into something less blinding and manageable. She no longer shields her eyes as she sees movement and patterns in the distance. At first it appears as part of a rainbow fog, but then she realizes it is just an ordinary fog in motion around them Circling in place once, she sees the entire area swirling as if the inside of a tornado. Is it a tornado?

  She continues scoping around. She hears a click from Sprite, his wonderment is about as par on hers. He clicks again while looking up; her gaze follows his. There is a large open area above them; above the fog is dark storm clouds with lightning, the clouds rise up almost as high as the sky itself—they swirl in a vortex. Sweiza agrees with herself that they are in a tornado. Surely only the Myrkvellir Triangle or as she suspects, it being part of the Bifrost Bridge—is the only way to get here. Further up she sees the calm of the storm; a massive opening with sunlight shining down. Perhaps that is the only way they can see inside the vortex?

  Sprite suddenly alerts and jumps towards Sweiza. Her eyes narrow as he jumps to her mid-section. She looks down at him and starts to tap her foot with impatience; he motions his head down at the ground. She looks down at her foot and jumps back—they are standing on water—rather, they are standing on something just underneath the water. Sweiza falls backward from the sudden surprise and splashes with water all over her clothing, Sprite jumps at the last second to avoid her fate. He lets out several chirps at her and she scrunches her face at him before sticking out her tongue. It has been awhile since he has seen her do this to him.

  “That is an undignified position for a Valkyrie…such as yourself…”

  Having nothing to lose at this point, Sweiza simply lets herself down gently to her back and looks at the being behind her. Even in an upside down state, towering over her, it is the unmistakeable form of Salmira.

  “…might I suggest righting yourself up so that we may speak?”

  Sweiza scoffs.

  “…and what enchanting errand does the great witch Salmira have for Miss Serif this time?”

  Sweiza’s sarcasm is unmistakable, but otherwise unphases Salmira. Salmira snaps her fingers once and Sweiza is suddenly hoisted upright, dried of any excess water and then standing on her feet.

  “Would you quit doing that?”

  Salmira’s hands clasp in front of her figure and she approaches Sweiza. She looks down at the ground and then to the girl.

  “I’m sure by now you know I’ve involved you in greater things at work, they…”

  A frustrated Sweiza stammers, “My fate is my own! Quit meddling!”

  Salmira’s eyes close.

  “Miss Serif…”

  “Sweiza!”

  Sweiza finally turns her back and crosses her arms. She drops to the ground and sits crosslegged with her eyes closed.

  Salmira snaps out of existence.

  Sprite’s concerned voice echo’s in her ear, “I think you made her mad.”

  Sweiza pops her left eye open at him, “…I think you’re right. But I’m hungry, care for a bite?”

  The Sprite zooms in front of her face and nods enthusiastically.

  —

  Sweiza remains stubborn in her resolve for a time, but the seconds turn into minutes—which turn into hours—and then she finally falters. Boredom finally sets in. How did she end up in this situation? Agreeing with Salmira? Maybe she should have disagreed with the witch to begin with.

  The whirlwind of fogs and storm clouds doesn’t let up. Sweiza feels her mind become numb and the urge to pass out takes her. But on top of whatever is below her? Nah, a few inches of water shouldn’t hurt!

  Her dreams take her to strange lakes and rivers, she isn’t certain as to why; it always feels like it is raining or that she is taking a bath…

  Her eyes bolt open and she realizes she dozed off. She sees Sprite and tries to quickly assess her situation.

  “Sprite! How long was I out?!”

  He looks at her strangely while he bobs up and down in the air, “You weren’t asleep for very long; a few minutes I think.”

  Sweiza looks up and sees the sun hasn’t changed position. “That’s a relief!” she thinks to herself.

  She hates the thought of admitting in.

  …

  “Salmira!”

  —

  Despite the girl's cries, Salmira does not come. As it always does, time passes. Sweiza is left to mull and explore her surroundings. With something flat underneath her, it almost looks as if she is walking on water. The flat surface gets her curiosity. The water is dark and she cannot make out anything underneath. She finally chances laying down on her side and looking sideways underwater. She can see something, it is a deep slate, but reflects a blue hue. It looks like a giant wall; perhaps a basement. A basement? That is absurd! Why would there be a structure out in the middle of the Ginnungagap? She pushes the thought out of her mind; this is Salmira's doing; maybe it is Mantara... but their kingdom is further north of the Midgard continent. It surely must be a rock that she is standing on; a very big rock. She's never heard of such a thing.

  Thunder in the distance catches her attention. She looks around. It feels weird seemingly stand just below water; a vortex of fog and storm clouds circling her; lightning in the distance. Just what is this place? She eyes the calm of the storm over head. The sun has shifted from high noon and continues to taunt her as her time runs out. She has to figure out something before night; this would be a scary predicament indeed. She does have a torch-light; she would have some trouble starting a fire... can sharks get above the rock below her? How many hours does she have left? Her hands drop to her hips with elbows out. She isn't going to go down so easily; she will not lose to Salmira!

  Sweiza looks over to Sprite and lets out a chirp. He knows the drill. He flies about ten feet above her head and then flies out in a straight direction. She starts counting as he flies away. After a time he flies back. In total she counts about twenty minutes.

  He hovers in front of her; his tell tale signs of curiosity are ever abounding, "Well?"

  Sweiza gives out a "Hmm...". Sprite is not impressed by her and crosses his arms. She fakes a giggle, "I think about seven miles in either direction."

  Sprite's eyes widen, "Really?"

  Sweiza nods, "Mm-hmm. More importantly, what did you see at the edge?"

  "Lots of fog along the water; at the edge is storm clouds. I didn't want to try flying into them, they are moving fast."

  Sweiza nods her head with her eyes closed in agreement. Unlike Salmira and Strife, she doesn't normally cradle her arms--they do cross however.

  Her eyes snap open and her hands drop. "Sprite, you can hold your breath under water right?"

  He cocks his head and looks at her funny; such a strange question!

  "I need you to dive underwater and see ahead for me. Come out of the water occasionally so I can see where you are."

  His eyes narrow. He sticks his tongue out at her and prepares to launch some air converted into water at her face; she knows the drill and holds her hand up in front of his face.

  "I think we are on a rock or some kind of structure... it looks slate like a cement basement. I'm not sure... but, whatever it is, I don't want to fall over the edge and into the ocean."

  Sprite thinks about it once.

  "Sprite, who will find you all those sweet things you like?"

  He looks up, then back to her. He nods. "If you call me Dewey from now on..."

  She scrunches up her left cheek and narrows her eyes playfully, "Right, let's go then Dewey."

  Hopefully her gambit pays off...

  —-

  Most of the surface area they explore is nothing more than flat; there are a few areas that stick out a few inches—including a few that actually stick above the water. At one point the duo sees a rod sticking out, but it is rather unremarkable. However, after about thirty minutes of searching, Sprite flies up with some unexpected news.

  “There’s some kind of door. It’s big enough for an orc!”

  Sweiza looks up at him wide-eyed, enthusiasm on her face. She stoops over and looks down. Sure enough, there is something under the water that is a slightly different color, it is a deeper slate than the surrounding area. However, what is most remarkable is the triangular light that shines underneath only what she can describe as a window; there is some kind of light coming from the room adjoining the window, but it does not flicker like a candle—it is constant like that of the sun. The only time she has ever seen this is when they used electrical lighting from the water-wheel in Maria Village.

  —

  Sweiza feels something wet behind her—the feeling is all around her. She feels her breath escape her once. Suddenly, her eyes jut open and she sees the sky above her. The sun is high noon. Did she fall asleep? Wait… she fell asleep earlier… was it a dream? She remembers the Temple, the Myrkvellir Triangle… Sprite testing the distance, Salmira suddenly getting angry and disappearing… exploring to find an opening…

  She’s on some kind of rock or structure, that’s right!

  She sees Sprite gazing down at her.

  She blinks once. Her only words are, “How long?”

  “Maybe half an hour?” He looks down at her weird. “Were you going to lay down all day? You didn’t move… the next time you might drown!”

  Sweiza shrugs. The water is only a few inches deep over ‘whatever’ is just below them. She realizes she is still laying down on her back. She pushes herself up to a squat and then hoists herself to a standing position. Her first reaction is to dust herself off, but then she realizes she is just making the rest of her clothing wetter than it already is. She frowns and looks up at the sky.

  “Salmira!”

  In an instant a red bolt of lightning jumps from the sky and crashes in front of her. The sound reverberates like whatever is underneath their feet is hollow with metal here and there. To her it sounds like a barn. The red lightning lets out a flash of red light that takes a ghostly red form. As it takes shape, it gradually fades.

  “Miss Serif, you have come to your senses?”

  Sweiza blinks once, continuing to frown. “Yeah.”

  “Very good… I…” Salmira is cut off.

  “Was I dreaming again?” Sweiza sounds quite dismayed as her hands come down to her hips.

  Salmira’s head tilts at her and she lets out something akin to a chuckle, but it sounds alien. “Yes, if you want to call it that. I was conversing with your armor’s spirit. We wouldn’t want you to end up face first in the water while in a trance.”

  Sweiza’s face jerks to the side. She can feel a type of embarrassment in her being; she chooses to ignore it and stares Salmira right in the eyes.

  “Can you dry me off?”

  Such a simple request to Salmira is easy enough. Salmira’s eyebrows shoot up. She points her hand at Sweiza and away. As if by some unearthly force, the water is suddenly pulled from her skin and clothing. Sweiza jerks over at it to see water droplets and waves of water that look almost like her body profile. She stares at it curious. The water suddenly loses form and drops to the ocean below them.

  “Now then Miss Serif… If I may call you that…”

  Sweiza looks up at Salmira with some disdain, but otherwise says nothing.

  “I’m involving you in a great number of things. These help my agenda, but I feel they help you as grow as both Valkyrie and an individual…”

  Sweiza’s eyes narrow. All she can think of is, “”

  “I’ve helped you more than I have helped Valkyrie Strife…”

  Salmira trails off and pauses. She looks up at the calm of the storm and then to Sweiza.

  “I would say you have proven yourself…”

  Sweiza frowns the right side of her mouth.

  “And…?” Sweiza can’t contain it anymore.

  Salmira’s hands clasp in front of her.

  Sweiza’s irritation is now evident; her arms cross. She stamps her foot down in typical Valkyrie indignation. Maybe she shouldn’t do that? It doesn’t matter at this point. She takes in a breath of indignation. Her urge to yell is rising.

  Salmira approaches her; there is something approaching a good mood on the woman’s face. She stops just mere feet from Sweiza and leans in towards her face. “How would you like to see the great giant Ymir?”

  Sweiza’s mood suddenly changes; but it is as if her stance melts and forms into something new. “Ymir is dead! Odin killed him!”

  “Miss Serif, you remember the history lesson I gave you about Myrkvellir and the Monuments?”

  Sweiza looks up; she knows she is going to lose.

  “I had mentioned a ship from beyond this world. You are standing on top of it.”

  Sweiza looks down, then back up at Salmira.

  “When Odin and Salyra went their separate ways they turned their back on our mission. I feared the worst if they got a hold of Ymir, so I searched for a place I could hide it. Many wind and water currents merge in the Ginnungagup—there is also a large trench that runs underneath the ocean floor here. While I don’t normally believe in altering affairs to great lengths, I felt it best to crash land the ship here to hide it. I set a maelstrom and vortex around it to keep it from being easily accessed. So far no one has been able to get to it… until now.”

  Salmira’s glasses flicker a red light and she backs up from the girl. She raises the tip of her left boot and taps it on the surface below them; she does this three times. There is a large splash and a hiss of steam as a white plate swings open from the water below. It is the door with the same glowing blue triangle; the window of the door is unmistakable.

  “Miss Serif, I will come with you on this errand. I’m not saying I don’t trust you—you have more than proven your worth… but I would rather keep you out of affairs that might cause you a great deal of trouble.”

  Salmira doesn’t wait for Sweiza’s reaction. She turns to the entrance of the ship below her and begins bobbing up and down. Sweiza reckons it is a set of stairs.

  Salmira is gone for a few moments; her head appears above the door again. “Miss Serif, is there a problem?”

  Sweiza looks over at Sprite. He shakes his head with a fake smile and shrugs. Sweiza looks over at Salmira. Salmira shoots her a look and begins her descent again. Sweiza takes a few steps over and around the door and sees a set of stairs.

  Sprite charges up to her side and spouts out, “Onward to destiny!”

  Sweiza lets out a self-loathing groan and starts her descent.

  Her thoughts and memories run wild: Ymir is the giant that Odin slew and then used the giant’s body to create the world. If Salmira’s story is true, then the truth isn’t that far off from the legend. Nine monuments that control the weather… What happens if all of them are reactivated? Does the weather in this area change? For that matter, the Temple of Fertility also struck her as being a monument, but of a different type.

  Sweiza betrays her thoughts; this is getting ridiculous! No doubt she will meet Lady Hella herself at this rate. She rolls her eyes while mouthing silently to herself, “That will be the day.”