"Rowan, explain yourself!"

Obed's green eyes were sharp despite his age. He was a no-nonsense sort of person whose orthodox ways were well known to the members of Eos' congregation. 

The anti mage stood up and faced the eyes of judgement that were pinned to him. Despite having angered the priests that served his goddess, Rowan's heartbeat was steady and he felt free of guilt. If it was a sin to love Syryn then Rowan was willing to die a sinner.

"This is Lucien. If I had a son, I would love him as much as I love this child. He is Syryn's, and he is also mine." Rowan exchanged a short glance with Red and what he saw surprised him. The redhead's eyes were uncharacteristically wide. The child's breath seemed to have gotten caught in his lungs. 

"So you're saying that he's adopted," a priestess said in relief.

"That doesn't change anything. The champion of Eos isn't allowed to unanimously decide who he will marry and have a child with," Monick reminded the others. Rowan's continued disobedience had become a problem that could no longer be ignored. 

Rowan remained silent because he had made up his mind about what he was going to do. Nothing they said would change his mind or the path he had chosen to walk. 

"Rowan, I am disappointed," the oldest priestess told him in unhappy tones. She looked at him with eyes full of compassion but also of disappointment. It was supposed to make him feel guilty. Unfortunately, Rowan didn't care. 

"Then I shall carry the sorrow of knowing that I let you down, grand priestess." 

"Then repent!" The old priest shouted at him. "Say you're sorry and throw away that seductress of a man. Carry the yoke that you have been chosen to bear as the champion!" 

"Seductress?" Rowan incredulously repeated. "If any seduction were involved, I can assure you that it was I who did it and not the other way round. Now If you insult Syryn again, I will walk out of here and none of you will see me again until the day of the choosing ceremony." 

Rowan's threat had the priest bristling. 

"He dares to threaten us," a middle-aged priestess with dark brown hair dryly commented. "Is this really the champion chosen by Eos? Or have we amongst us an imposter determined to upturn the traditions that have followed the children of Eos through all these years?"

Rowan chuckled at her words. He was standing up now with his hands in his pocket. The anti mage looked at one face then another as he replied to his attackers. 

"The choosing ceremony hasn't even begun and you've already decided that Syryn can't be Eos' chosen?" He asked knowing how it would stir up a storm in the room. 

And he was right. The priests and priestesses began to speak in unison again. The spirit of meekness, humility, and peace was nowhere to be seen amongst the group of horrified clerics. 

"What are you talking about?! You cannot be serious, Rowan!" Obed's voice could be heard the loudest. 

"He's gone insane!" 

"To think that someone who doesn't even worship Eos would-"

"SILENCE EVERYONE!" 

Rowan had zoned out when they all began shouting. He was thinking about Syryn's amnesia and when they might be able to do more than kiss.

Obed's shout silenced everyone but himself. "Rowan Windwalker! Are you suggesting that we let Syryn become a candidate to priesthood and union with you?" It was so ridiculous that Obed had to confirm it with the blond who looked far too relaxed for the situation he was in. 

"You are right. I will be informing the relevant priests about this development," Rowan replied. He wasn't afraid of what they could do to him so he spoke without reservation. 

"I refuse to let it happen!" The oldest priestess stood up abruptly and challenged the anti mage. "If you insist on going ahead with this foolishness then you be banished from the temple. You and your children and your servants will never be blessed by Eos so long as the sun shines upon Sigil!" 

"Sit down, grand priestess," Rowan politely told her. "Your back must be tired from carrying all that outrage and anger." 

"Insolence!" 

The clerics stewed in their thoughts while Rowan and the grand priestess stared at each other in the eyes, both refusing to back down. Ultimately, it was youth that prevailed. The old woman collapsed into her seat and began to weep silently. She was horrified at how Rowan was destroying tradition. 

"Look what you've done, Rowan," Obed softly told him. Sighing, he asked the youngest priestess to escort out the weeping priestess who could barely stand on her own. 

Rowan's expression didn't change when the old woman began to weep. He appeared apathetic to the sadness that she was displaying. He knew it was just emotional blackmail. Rowan had fallen for it before but not this time. 

"If there's nothing else, I've already said my piece and I'm ready to go home," Rowan announced. 

"You will not go home till you've knelt before the goddess and asked for her forgiveness!" The weeping old lady suddenly shouted while pointing a shaking finger at him. "Kneel before mother Eos!"

And that was that. Rowan had had enough. 

"I'll be leaving then. I shall see you all on the day of the choosing ceremony," he told them solemnly. 

The anti mage turned around and held a hand up to Red. "Come, it's time to leave." 

The clerics attempted to stop Rowan and Red from leaving but they were unsuccessful. If the anti mage had even a shred of respect for the ones in the Blessing Hall, he wouldn't have left them behind with unresolved tensions between them. But he had no respect left for anyone. 

"Rowan, I'm worried for Syryn," Red told the anti mage as they left the Blessing Hall together. 

"Afraid of them hurting your brother? Don't worry, I'm here, aren't I?" 

"You're right. Take good care of Syryn, Rowan."