Chapter 5: The Goddess's Warning

The words followed Lysandra as she hurried through the darkened corridors, searching for Saren. The confrontation with Ravenna had been more dangerous than she'd anticipated. The woman clearly suspected something unnatural was occurring, and worse, she seemed to have some knowledge of Velmira.

She found Saren waiting anxiously in their current quarters. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Something worse," Lysandra whispered, closing the door firmly behind her. "Ravenna knows, Saren. Or at least, she suspects. She mentioned bewitchment, and prayers to forgotten goddesses."

Saren gasped. "How could she know about Velmira?"

"I don't know, but she had a warning for me, about gifts from the gods having a price." Lysandra sank onto her bed. "The way she looked at me... it was almost as if she recognized something in me."

"This is bad," Saren murmured. "If Ravenna decides you're a threat…"

"I know." Lysandra closed her eyes, exhaustion washing over her. "But I can't stop now. This power is the only advantage I've ever had. I need to learn to control it better, to understand its limits."

As sleep claimed her, Lysandra found herself once again in the moonlit garden of her dreams. Velmira appeared, her form shifting and flowing like liquid silver.

"You've begun to use your gift," the goddess observed, circling Lysandra. "But cautiously. That's wise."

"Ravenna suspects something," Lysandra said. "She mentioned forgotten goddesses and seemed to recognize your influence. You warned me about a woman who once served you. Is Ravenna that woman?"

Velmira's expression darkened. "Ravenna sought my blessing once, long ago. She showed great promise, but when faced with a choice between power through me or power through marriage, she chose the latter. She abandoned my path for a more conventional route to influence."

"Then she knows what's happening," Lysandra said, alarm rising.

"She suspects, but cannot be certain." Velmira cupped Lysandra's face. "Listen carefully, child. Your power grows stronger each time you use it. Soon, even a kiss or seductive glance will trigger its effects. You must learn control, or you risk creating chaos around you."

"How do I control it?" Lysandra asked. "I barely understand how it works."

"Intent matters," Velmira replied. "When you touch a man with desire in your heart, the connection forms more strongly. When you touch with calculation, the bond is more manipulative, but potentially more fragile. And when you touch with true affection..." The goddess smiled enigmatically. "Well, that creates something else entirely."

Lysandra absorbed this information. "And those who are immune? You mentioned men born during a specific alignment."

"The Eclipse of the Sister Star occurs once every twenty-eight years," Velmira explained. "Children born during that alignment carry a natural resistance to divine influence, including my gifts. You will encounter such men. They can be your greatest challenge... or your salvation."

"What do you mean by salvation?"

But the goddess was already fading, the garden dissolving around them. "Be careful with Ravenna," Velmira's voice echoed. "She knows more than she reveals, and fears what she once desired..."

Lysandra woke with a gasp, dawn light filtering through the small window. Saren was already up, packing their meager belongings for the move to their new quarters.

"Another dream?" Saren asked, noting Lysandra's expression.

"Yes. And I was right about Ravenna, she does have a connection to Velmira. She was once a devotee who turned away." Lysandra swung her legs over the side of the bed. "The goddess said my power will grow stronger with use. Eventually even a kiss or glance might trigger it."

Saren whistled softly. "That's... terrifying and amazing. But Lys, we need to be strategic about this. If Ravenna is already suspicious…"

"I know." Lysandra stood, resolution hardening within her. "But I'm not going back to being powerless, Saren. For the first time, I have a chance to control my own fate. Maybe even help others like us."

As they finished packing, a young page appeared at their door. "Master Theron requests your presence in the main hall, Lysandra. There are guests arriving, and he wishes you to be present."

Exchanging concerned glances with Saren, Lysandra smoothed her dress. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."

When the page left, Saren gripped her arm. "Be careful. This feels like a test, either from Theron or Ravenna."

"Or both," Lysandra agreed. "But it's also an opportunity. I need to learn how my power affects different men. What better chance than a hall full of Theron's associates?"

"Just promise me you won't take unnecessary risks," Saren pleaded. "Ravenna isn't someone to underestimate."

Lysandra embraced her friend quickly. "I promise. After all, we're in this together now."

Making her way to the main hall, Lysandra steeled herself for the day ahead. Her new life was just beginning, and with Velmira's gift, she finally had the means to shape it on her own terms, if she could master her power before Ravenna found a way to destroy her.

The game of influence had begun, and Lysandra was determined to learn its rules quickly. The stakes were simply too high for failure.