Feena gave Julith a fast glance, then drew herself up tall and lifted her chin boldly.
"The same person who authorized the expense of a new gown, Velsinore. Me. Isn't it my right and duty as Moonmistress-Designate to dress in a manner that does credit to Selune and Moonshadow Hall?"
Mifano's eyes narrowed at the sound of confidence in her voice, but Velsinore didn't even pause.
"That… cobweb is two hundred years old! It hasn't been worn in a generation. Mother Dhauna wouldn't touch it!"
"I'm not Mother Dhauna," said Feena. "The tiara and circlets that she wore belong to her generation. This" She touched the opal crescent, "is a fine piece of our temple's history. It should be worn proudly."
Velsinore gasped. "I'm in charge of Moonshadow Hall's internal affairs!" she spat. "The regalia is in my keeping as part of the temple's treasury."
"The regalia isn't part of the treasury, Velsinore," Julith said. The dark-haired priestess stood firm at Feena's side. "It isn't an account. It can't be spent or sold or traded for food or supplies for the infirmary. It doesn't fall under the purview of the Waning Crescent. It's entirely within the charge of the High Moonmistress." She inclined her head toward Feena. "And her designated successor."
Velsinore turned such a violent shade of red that Feena thought she might give herself a nosebleed. Mifano, however, remained tense and cold.
"Speaking of the High Moonmistress," he commented, "who is watching over Dhauna Myritar tonight?"
"No one is 'watching over' her, Mifano," Feena said as she turned to look at the priest. "I gave Jhezzail a break from the gate and asked her to stay close to Mother Dhauna's quarters in case she needed anything. I also," she added before he could raise another objection, "told Chandri that we would be out, just in case the infirmary was needed."
Mifano's lips pressed together. "The assignment of gate duty," he said thinly, "is my charge."
"As the infirmary is mine!" snarled Velsinore.
Feena took a deep breath. Moonmaiden favor me, she prayed silentlyand looked down on both of them.
"And 7," she reminded them, "am the Moonmistress-Designate, heir to the High Moonmistress and entrusted with her responsibilities." The wolf within her stirred, but she held it back, allowing only the force of authority to enter her voice. "You say you've sent to Waterdeep and the House of the Moon for advice on Mother Dhauna's condition. You haven't had a response yet, have you?"
Neither Velsinore nor Mifano responded.
Feena raised an eyebrow and continued, "No? Then until you hear back, I think you should accept Mother Dhauna's decisionsand mine."
Velsinore glowered at the ground, but Mifano glared at her, two spots of color high on his cheeks. Feena met his glare and waited. Finally, he looked down and gave her a stiff bow.
"As you wish, Moonmistress," he growled under his breath.
"I'm glad we spoke," said Feena. She stepped around the priest and priestess, her fine gown swaying around her feet as she walked confidently down the tiled path. Julith followed her without a word until they turned a corner and were out of sight of the twothen she let out a long breath.
"Feena…" she began in awe.
Feena held up a hand. "Don't say it." She groaned and sagged, stopping for a moment to catch her breath, then said, "Moonmaiden's grace, if the House of the Moon speaks against Dhauna, they'll turn me out faster than a burned griddlecake." She glanced up at Julith. "I don't think you'll be especially welcome either."
"If that's the way Mifano and Velsinore choose to act," Julith replied, "I'll stay while Mother Dhauna needs me and no longer." She surveyed the party. "Do you feel up to going on? You're doing very well tonight."
"Aside from acting like a girl around Manas, coming close to walking away from Strasus Thingoleir out of boredom, and causing a scene with Mifano and Velsinore…?"
"No," Julith said, "in spite of that. Strasus and Dagnalla Thingoleir, Endress Halatar, Arthagus of the Miraclesnone of them are fools, Feena, but they all respected the Moonmistress-Designate."
She stepped back a pace and bowed. Feena drew a deep breath.
"Moonmaiden's grace," she said again, "they did, didn't they?" Feena felt warm and confident all through her body. "And Mifano and Velsinore?"
"Have been put in their place," said Julith.
"Bright Mother of Night. Thank you, Julith." She straightened up. "But I think that's enough. The Moonmistress-Designate has had her evening and can retire for the night with dignity."
"The Moonmistress-Designatebut not Feena," Julith said, and made a face as they turned toward the entrance to the garden terrace, the stairs back down to the street, and the waiting carriage. "You'll still go back to the Stiltways?"
"I need to get out," said Feena. "Especially after that." She tossed her head in the direction of Velsinore and Mifano. "Besides, you heard what Manas said. The city guard knows nothing more about the Sharran. They don't even know he was a Sharran. I have to try to find out more."
"You could go to Manas with what you know. I think he'd appreciate it."
Feena gave her a dark glance, and Julith shrugged.
They had brought Feena's linen blouse, homespun skirt, and sandals with them in the carriage. As they rattled along, Julith helped Feena slip carefully out of the gown and into her own clothes. Feena sighed and rubbed the silk of the gown between her fingers.
"I don't think I've ever worn a dress this fine before in my life."
"I'm sure it won't be your last chance," Julith said. She folded the dress, then held out a velvet bag.
Feena exchanged the silver filigree and opal crescent for her plain chain and battered medallion, hiding the medallion under her blouse.
"How do I look?" she asked.
Julith grinned and reached out to mess up her hair. Feena spluttered, brushing hair out of her face. "And now?"
"I wouldn't let you into my party," said the younger priestess, her lips pressed together. "Moonmaiden watch over you, Feena." She reached up and banged on the carriage roof. "Driver, slow down!"
"I'll be back by dawn," Feena promised.
As the carriage slowed to a walk, she opened the door and hopped out carefully. The driver twisted around and gawked at her, but Julith rapped on the roof and ordered him to pick up the pace once more. Feena turned away from the carriage and down a street that led toward the chaos of the Stiltways.
She trotted through the streets in silence. It felt good to be out on her own again. Even with Julith's support and quiet suggestions over the past several days, even with her performance that night, Moonshadow Hall had started to wear on her once more. Ceremonies, rituals, prayers, meetings with the temple staff, meetings with important followers of Seluneeven when she had left most of those things to Velsinore and Mifano, it appeared there were responsibilities she couldn't delegate away. Thanks had been delivered to the temple on behalf of the ruling council and the Nessarch, Yhaunn's mayor, for the swift action that had prevented an epidemic of disease in the slums. Feena had been forced to stand and accept the honor, though Mifano had somehow arranged to make it seem that the idea was entirely his. Velsinore was busy preparing for the New Moon Beneficence, only a few days away, and seemed to want Feena's official approval on every last detail, even though she'd clearly gone ahead with everything beforehand.
If there had been any benefit to the night's confrontation with the tall priestess, Feena hoped, maybe it would be that Velsinore would stop bothering her. How had Mother Dhauna put up with the woman?
Feena clenched her teeth. And there was Dhauna. The High Moonmistress had woken on the morning after her seizure claiming no memories of the event. Mifano and Velsinore had given Feena knowing looks. Even in private, Feena hadn't been able to coax Dhauna into admitting that anything had happened. Julith, however, reported that she was skimming through materials in the temple archives with a new and frantic energy.