His Only Reward **Completed and Free**

Chapter 9 : Temple Visit*

Two years later

Fairbridge - The Crone’s Head Stable Loft

Jamie as per normal was woken up by Fluff licking her face. 

“Get up lazy bones. You want to go to the Temple before she finds you!“ Fluff Mind-linked

“ Fluff, I just want five more minutes! “ Jamie moaned and turned over in her straw bed and snuggled deeper under the two old horse blankets. 

Jamie's loft space over space did not have luxuries, it is always cold and damp. Fluff was great and managed to keep it pest-free. Her favourite thing about this place was that she could remove the ladder up to her space denying access to anyone. This included her cousin who had like to try and give her newly formed breasts a squeeze

"Urgh, he is a disgusting t**t!” Thought Jamie. 

“Of course he is. You do know Fluff is not my real name, right?” Fluff mind-linked.

Fluff revealed his true name as Night-Song about a year ago. Jamie thought she had lost her mind at first, but Fluff explained about mind linking. Jamie regularly questioned where Fluff has come from, but he refused to answer saying “A cats business is his own!”

Fluff had grown into a very large Tom. His hair was long and midnight black that he kept impeccably clean at all times. His most stunning feature apart from his long black mane. He looked almost regal.

“Yes, but by the time you mind linked me, it was too late. You always be Fluff to me!“ Jamie mind linked. 

Fluff whacked her on the nose showing displeasure. Jamie smiled and knew Fluff liked the name but would never admit it. Jamie felt another whack on her nose. 

“Alright, alright I am getting up!” She said grumpily.

Jamie flung back the old horse blankets, groaned and stood up. She stretched out her back and then dropped the ladder down. After climbing down, she drew water from the Well and washed. If Jamie was not fully awake before, she was now! She brushed her now hip length hair and put it in a large bun. She tied the bun securely with a leather Strip.

“Come on, come on!“ Fluff mind linked, he was pacing.

“That is weird!” Jamie thought, he is always so patient.

“I'm ready to go now Fluff. Do you want a ride or are you happy walking?“ Jamie inquired.

“I will walk today!” Fluff responded and dashed out of the courtyard on the main road.

“Oi, wait!“ shouted Jamie and ran to catch up with Fluff. 

When Jamie did they both slowed down and walked down the main road to the Temple. It was a large stone building, that showed signs of wear and tear. Jamie stopped and picked some wildflowers that were growing nearby. Jamie walked up the worn stone steps and her nose smelt the Incense. 

“ I have to go somewhere, I will be back in 10 mins!” Fluff mind linked and dashed off.

 Jamie rolled her eyes and walked into the Temple. Temples would normally be dedicated to one main God or Goddess. However, in small towns and villages, a Temple space can have multiple Alters. The main Alter in this Temple was dedicated to the God of trade Monsole. There was also another large Alter dedicated to the Moon Goddess and then a smaller one to The Crone. The first two alters had many offerings of food, jewellery and flowers. The Crone Alter was bare. 

Jamie walked over to The Crone’s alter and placed the flowers on it. She then kneeled bowing her head in prayer “Thank you Crone Mother for guiding my parents to the next life on this day two years ago. I don’t know why you did it, but I am grateful!”

“You look too young to be asking The crone for revenge!” A male voice said.

Jamie turned her head and saw the Temple's Monk. He was dressed in a long orange robe with circular tattoos on his bald head. The Monk also had bright blue eyes. 

“ I not asking for revenge, Sir!” Jamie replied.

“Oh?” The Monk’s interest piqued.

“No Sir, I just say thank you for guiding my Ma and Pa to the next life.“ Jamie explained.

The Monk’s eyebrows went up in surprise as he said “ Very few people know about the Goddess's other areas. A shame really, she is a high Goddess and deserves more respect. Oh hello!” 

Fluff had returned and was rubbing himself on the Monk’s legs purring loudly. The Monk bent down and stroked Fluff.

“I am sorry Sir, do you want me to move him?” Jamie was not sure if animals were allowed in the Temple, even one as intelligent as Fluff.

The Monk smiled “Absolutely not, in fact, the Crone loves cats!”

“She does?” Jamie said surprised.

“Oh, yes! They are great allies, always breaking the rules and annoying the God of Death. The Crone Goddess is often drawn with a cat on her lap.” The Monk explained. 

A question suddenly occurred to Jamie. “Why is it the Crone is only remembered for revenge now?” She asked.

“That is a good question little one. There are many answers from scholars, but the one I believe in is that The Crone Goddess was consumed by revenge when her Niece was captured and banished by the Empress of Chaos. Being unable to have children of her own, she viewed her Niece as a daughter.“ The Monk said sadly.

“She had a Niece?“ Jamie asked surprised. Jamie had not heard of this before!

“Oh yes, the Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Sun God. She is supposed to be a powerful High Goddess of Wild Magic.“ The Monk answered.

“Wild magic?” Jamie had never heard of this term before.

“Yes, a very strong connection to the elements, animals and plants. Anyway, the legend goes that the daughter fell in love with a Powerful Demon Hybrid who was a General in the Chaos Army. He mated with her but they were captured by the Empress. The Empress cursed the Moonchild to suffer the six sorrows of a mortal and to be banished from the realm. Some Monks believe the Moonchild will be reborn as a human and fight in the Great War, once the curse had been lifted.“ The Monk explained.

“The Great War?“ Jamie asked.

“The Great War, the next war between Chaos and Light!” The Monk said.

“But the Empress and her army are stuck behind the Starlight Barrier?“ Jamie pointed out.

“That barrier won’t hold her forever. She is starting to find weak spots and sending soldiers through.” The Monk said.

“Oh!” Jamie said. 

“This Monk seems to know an awful lot of what was happening in the Realm of the Gods!” she thought before asking “What about the General?”

“What?“ The Monk asked surprised.

“What happened to the General she fell in love with?” Jamie asked again.

“Oh, well the Mating bond was torn, but not fully broken when the Moonchild was banished. He escaped the prison with three other hybrids and defected to the side of light. He was instrumental in setting up the starlight stones for the barrier. He now guards the barrier whilst he waits for her.“ The Monk said quickly.

Jamie’s heart suddenly felt tight. She was suddenly desperately sad for the General and she did not know why. People lose their Mates all the time.

“Time to go!” Fluff mind linked interrupted her thoughts.

Fluff was right of course she spent far longer than to plan to in this Temple.

“Thank you so much for your time, Sir!” Jamie politely said to the Monk.

“ You are welcome back any time child!” The Monk said kindly.

Jamie smiled and turned to walk out of the temple and down the stairs with a big black cat following her. 

When Jamie was out of sight the Monk’s body started to glow blue and it shifted into the shape of The Crone Goddess. Bastet came out of the shadows and sat next to The Crone. The Crone clicked her tongue.

 “My, they have both grown up fast!” The Crone mind linked to her friend

“Yes, Fluff is a credit to his parents and Clowder. It was nice to see him for a few minutes!” Bastet admitted.

“Fluff? Thought you were upset about the name.” Mused the Crone.

“I was!” admitted the Marmalade Queen. “But, the name was given by the lost Princess, so it is an honour really!” 

“I see!” chuckled the Crone. Cats were so contrary, one of the reasons she loved them.

“ Do you think the plan will work?” asked Bastet.

“When have our plans ever failed, look at my younger Brother! How long has he tried to keep us out of his Realm? Jamie needs to start to learn to use her power soon. Her sixteenth birthday is only a month away. She needs someone to help her train, no one is remotely suitable in this wayward cesspool!" The Crone said.

“The plan is a bit brutal. Fluff will find it hard to stay away tonight and Richard will kill you for putting a dampening spell on him. I still don’t understand why her parents are not getting involved!“ Bastet said 

“It has to be done, and they can’t interfere. You know why! They are light order, they can’t disobey laws it is against their nature.“ The Crone explained.

“Luckily we a light neutral, I could not stand being so constrained. It's time to go home I think!” Bastet said happily.

“You are right!“ The Crone agreed.

They shimmered silver and The Temple was empty.

.