((letter from Satetka is in the comment to Mandisa's previous blog entry)) 

Month of October, day 20th

"My lady, a message from Satet-Ka", - the maiden bowed low upon entering the doorway and stretched out an embroidered cushion with a letter upon it.
 Mandisa stood up abruptly, and marched across the room, snatching up the letter impatiently. A second maiden was visible in in the stone passage, she was standing there awaiting for possible orders, and was now eyeing Mandisa's necklace with envity.
 The priestess set her eyes upon the letter - the seal of Jade Asp. She turned her back to the doorway as she approached the window slowly, tearing the seal. 
 "Finally.." She felt slightly exhausted. The thoughts of Abiah and Laeris made her feel she was becoming paranoid. At times she thought that maybe she was over-estimating them. But then it is better to over-estimate your enemy. Were they enemies? Why, everyone is to a degree.
 And thus a letter from the High Priest was more than timely. His absense weighed heavily upon her. A source of endless inpiration, wise words of advice, perfect priest. She had yet much to learn, and she was still too diffident not to feel lost at each turn she had to make. 
 "Satetka.. What is it you wish to say to me?" She expected an instruction, a comment, a command. But..
 Her eyes ran through the lines of the poem, her heart filling with affection and trepidation with every word she read. Even more than affection.. She froze up in the middle of the room, reading. It was short, but the effect produced was astounding. She traced the letters with her fingertips, and read again, slowly walking to the window. Yet again she touched the poem, as if touching a person's lips, and looked outside. The tall trees and grass of the swamps gave way to white sands and blazing sun, the water of the sea washing up against the shore in neat foamy waves. A lone figure was visible on the very edge of the sands..
 She let the image go, unwillingly, and lowered her eyes to the parchment. There was more. "My dearest priestess.." Ah there we go, the wedding. She smirked slightly as she read his instructions concerning Laeris. "Now, for the other more important business.." Now this is what she loved about him. He knew what was important in this life.. Her scanned the lines quickly, and yet again the High Priest did not fail to convey his message. It was strong, it was enough to make her go across all of Hyborea serving one goal only.. but her eyes darted back to the top of the parchment, where the intricate glyphs forming the poem sang in an irresistible call. She felt as if her heart had two in it. And at this moment she knew which one she will listen to...
 A quiet giggle brought her back to reality. Turning her head abruptly, Mandisa saw the two maidens standing in the doorway. They were not quick enough, and parted their heads just as she stared at them. The priestess realized that her posture spoke more than clearly of her feelings about the letter. A wave of annoyance swept over her:
 "Well why are you standing there?" The voice whipped, making the girls jump second time. "Get out!" The scarried away, and their scared giggles could be heard echoing down the stone hallway. 
 "Stupid girls.." The priestess smiled and turned her face to the parchment again. She then looked to the door. The chief of the guard appeared, looking concerned. He always looked concerned, which she liked, for her mood swings were what seemed to concern him the most, and there he was highly perceptive.
 "Anything wrong my mistress? Would it be your wish to have the girls whipped?"
 She smiled at him coldly, but one could discern a trace of satisfaction and.. mischief?
 "No. Simply make sure I am not disturbed during the next hour.."
 The chief nodded, and stepped out of sight quickly, drawing the ornate rug over the doorway and closing the wooden door after himself. Mandisa let her feelings loose, it felt like the air in the room formed a mild storm raging in a sea of emotion. Holding the parchment gingerly, and not taking her eyes off the poem, she lowered herself onto the silken cushions strewn upon the floor..