Dhauna Myritar had given no explanation for her actions at the Full Moon Blessing. She hadn't even spoken to Feenaor Mifano or Velsinoreinstead closeting herself in her quarters and refusing to respond to any and all protests. She didn't even come out for meals, instead sending Julith down to the temple's refectory to fetch a tray. She might as well have left Moonshadow Hall entirely. Feena felt like she wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. Velsinore and Mifano, she was quite sure, would be happy to hold one up for her. Preferably one that was very big and very heavy.
But she had agreed to help Dhauna, hadn't she? And no matter what opinions she, Mifano, or Velsinore might have had on the matter, the simple ceremony of succession had been performed. Dhauna had at long last named her successor. A successor undeniably responsible for fulfilling the duties that the High Moonmistress could notor would notcarry out.
Feena of Arch Wood village, Moonmistress-Designate of Moonshadow Hall. Bound by her word to Dhauna and her duty to Selune. At least Mifano and Velsinore had the pleasure of seeing her fail miserably at every turn.
The informal council of Yhaunn's religious leaders was only the latest disaster. In spite of Mifano's reluctant coaching, everything she did made her feel like nothing more than a backwoods yokel attending a high society dinner. She was fairly certain that most, if not all of the high priests and priestesses present had also immediately recognized that she was a werewolf. Colle had taken one look at her and flinched away, as if avoiding something unclean.
It didn't help that Velsinore had peevishly insisted on outfitting her in Selunite high regalia. Moonshadow Hall's seamstresses had hastily altereddrastically-some of Dhauna's old vestments to fit her. Feena had never worn so much fabric in her life. Layer upon layer of crinolines poofed out her skirts, a tight bodice made it difficult to breathe, and a high collar of starched lace scraped her neck every time she turned her head. Topping it all off, a coronet decorated with the mark of the approaching half moon dug painfully into her skull.
The wolf in her longed to run back to Arch Wood with her tail between her legs.
Just as it seemed Colle was about to heap another indignity on her already throbbing head, Mifano spoke up. 'Your pardon, High Luck, but isn't one of the teachings of Tymora 'conduct yourself as your own masters, showing your good or bad fortune as confidence in the Lady'?'
Colle turned his scowl on Mifano, but quiet snickers were already rippling around the table. At its head, Endress Halatar, the elderly high priestess of the goddess of joy, laughed out loud and said, 'He has you there, Colle. Grin and bear your fortuneyou've been beaten.' She nodded to Mifano. 'Well played!'
'But I…' Colle ground his teeth in frustration and spared one final glare for both Feena and Mifano, but sat down.
Mifano leaned back with a smug look on his face. Feena held back a glower of her own. The silver-haired priest had turned her awkwardness to his advantage.
'I believe that's all of our business,' said Endress. 'We meet again in one month at' she rifled through some papers. A twitch crossed her smiling face' Moonshadow Hall.'
Uncomfortable silence fell across the table until Mifano broke it. 'We look forward to welcoming you all.'
He rose gracefully. Feena tried to stand as well, but the expansive volume of her skirts stuck between the arms of her chair and threatened to bring it up with her. Without looking down, Mifano offered her his arm while bracing one foot against the chair's leg until she had managed to pull herself free. Chin held high, Feena took his arm, and they paced out of the room. She tried to ignore the renewed round of snickers that followed her.
Velsinore was waiting when they arrived back at Moonshadow Hall. 'Moonmistress-Designate,' she said, 'there's a matter we'
'must discuss,' Feena finished for her. If there was anything she was growing to dislike more than tending to matters outside of Moonshadow Hall with Mifano, it was tending to matters within the Hall with Velsinore. 'What is it this time?' she asked in resignation.
'The New Moon Beneficence.' Velsinore turned as she spoke and walked briskly through the gate into Moonshadow Hall, the Waning Crescent sword banging against her leg. Feena had to hasten to follow, lengthening her stride as best she could in the billowing skirts.
'What's the New Moon Beneficence?' she asked.
The nights of the new moon were generally a quiet and contemplative time for the followers of Selune, a recognition of the only time that the moon didn't sail the sky. Feena couldn't recall any significant events of Selune's worship that took place during the dark of the moon.
'A charity feast instituted by Mother Dhauna several years ago,' Velsinore replied. She turned along an inner corridor, heading for the long hall that was the temple's refectory. 'She conceived of it as a way of extending Moonshadow Hall's good works in the city. All who wish to attend are welcome, whether they follow Our Silver Lady or not, and together we drive back the darkness with song.'
As she spoke, a warm note entered Velsinore's voice. Feena looked sideways at her. She had known Velsinore almost as long as she had known Mifano, though not so well. When she and Mifano had been novices and later acolytes together, Velsinoreseveral years their elder-had already been a priestess, with little time and less patience for her juniors. Ironically, she had ended up in charge of the acolytes' dormitory. She had found a swift distrust for Mifano and his flirtatious manners, but it had always seemed to Feena that she reserved a special and immediate dislike for her. If punishments were handed out for bad behavior, they always seemed to fall more heavily when Feena was involved. Eventually they had developed a cool distance that had enabled them to get along, and before she left Moonshadow Hall to rejoin her mother in Arch Wood, Feena had even discovered a grudging respect for Velsinore. The priestess might have been cold and stiff on the outside, but her passion and devotion ran deep.
'That sounds like a wonderful way to pass the new moon,' Feena said.
'It has been one of Mother Dhauna's wisest innovations,' agreed Velsinore. 'As the new moon is less than a tenday away, it's past time to begin planning the next Beneficence. The High Moonmistress has always been closely involved in the celebration. I presume you will want to keep up that tradition.'
Feena's stomach sank. 'You want me to speak at the feast?'
'It is expected.' Velsinore pushed open the doors of the refectory. The temple's cook waited for them beside one of the dining hall's long tables. The table had been stacked with account books. Velsinore gestured toward them. 'But for now, you need to plan the menu.'
Feena stopped dead. 'What?'
'You need to plan the feast,' said Velsinore. 'Idruth can give you suggestions, of course.' She laid a hand on the stacked books. 'These are accounts of our food stocks and of the sums budgeted for the event. You'll find menus of previous Beneficences as well, if you want to follow the easy path and duplicate one of them. Naturally, I can understand if you would prefer'
'Velsinore,' Feena interrupted, 'is this really necessary?'
She fought to keep anger out of her voice, but didn't succeed. The cook flinched back. Velsinore stood firm. When she answered, her voice was cool. 'The Moonmistress-Designate assumes the High Moonmistress's duties, does she not?'
Feena's hands were trembling. She forced them to be still.
'Fine,' she growled. She glanced at Idruth and the cook flinched back another step. 'A side of beef,' she ordered, 'and four- young pigsmore to round out the servings if that's not enough to feed the number of people who come'
'Ah, meat,' said Velsinore. She picked up a reed pen and made notes on a scrap of parchment. 'Of course.'
Feena sucked in her breath. 'What do you mean by that?'
Velsinore looked up from the parchment. 'Nothing at all, Moonmistress-Designate.' Her voice was as calm as ever, but her eyes were hard. 'Now,' she asked, raising the pen, 'would you like all this meat cooked or should we just leave it raw?'
Wo^f. Beast. Monster. Velsinore didn't say it, but she didn't need to. It was clear where her feelings lay.
Feena whirled aroundskirts rustling, bodice clenching, coronet pinchingand stormed out of the refectory without another word. In the hallway outside, novices and clergy alike scrambled out of her path. Feena strode down the hall and up the ramp to the temple's second floor and Dhauna Myritar's quarters. She raised her fist and hammered on the door.
