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Lesker

A loud gong went off, signifying the start of a new day. I'm tossing in my bed, I don't really want to stand. I spent a lot of time on research the previous night and I barely got a wink in. The gong sounds again and I'm pretty sure someone is messing with me. I throw my middle finger in the air and go back to bed.

A few hours later, I'm awake. I drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom. Unlike others, I have no magi so I have to do everything normally. It's really a hassle but what can I do? After an hour of dragging myself around my room, I'm ready for civilization.

I live in a monastery. It's not as bad as it sounds. I don't have a bald head, at least not anymore. I wore what I liked and ate what I want. I've lived in the monastery as long as I can remember. I don't know where I come from but honestly, I don't care.

I'm a scholar. I study the gods. I know, it's weird but they're fascinating. For example, Burmi. He's one of the few male gods worshiped in Ataliya. Legend has it that he was a monk who gained the power of immortality and ascended to a higher plane through his virtues; chasticity, righteousness and justice. I know more about this god because I live in his monastery, the biggest in the Kingdom.

The Abbot here is like a father to me and support my research. To study the gods is an honor and a gift, he says, cherish it. I do, I like my work. It's just some days, I feel something is missing. I want to go into the world and explore but I'm a broke little scholar living off a monastery. I needed to earn my living before I could wander off into the world.

My first stop for the day was breakfast. The chef was nice and gave me a hearty meal. After breakfast, I go up to the Abbot's abode. I do that everyday to receive assignments from him. There are little monks serving by his abode who told me to wait because he is in a meeting. And so I waited.

An hour later, a veiled woman walks out of the Abbot's visitor house. The Abbot follows after. The woman points to me and whispers something to the Abbot. I could see him struggling but he couldn't refuse her. He just slumped his shoulders and nodded. I thought nothing of it, I was used to women mocking the monastery. If only I had known, I would've just slept the whole day in my room like I intended to.

"Lesker, come in" The Abbot says after the woman had gone. I obey and walk into his visitor house. It's decorated on the inside. Filled with charms of the god, incense and fur. The monks were very odd, I've known this for a long time.

"Ashai" I greet him. He says it back to me. It literally meant heavenly peace to you. It was a common place greeting in the monastery.

"Lesker, do you have an idea who that woman was? The one that just left?"

"No Abbot. Who's she and why are we talking about her?"

"Ah this boy. Your naivety is both a gift and a curse. That was the queen mother"

"Hmm, What's she doing here? I thought the royals hated the male gods" I say, confused.

"Hate's a strong word Lesker. They tolerate them. Anyways, she was here to find a consort for the queen"

"And what does that have to do with me? If you want me to help you chose from the monastery, count me out. I'm bad at things like that"

"Actually, she already chose and she chose you" he said and I felt like my life was crashing before my eyes. Fear rose in me and I shook my head violently.

"No...no! no!"

"I'm sorry Lesker, I can't argue with her. They're coming for you later today. If you try to run away, they'll slaughter us all, including you"

"Abbot, why me? There are a lot of handsome men around here. Why me?" I ask in a pained voice.

"I don't know Lesker but I'm sorry about this" he says and begins to chant. My eyelids grow heavy and my brain is getting fuzzy. I couldn't resist. The last thing on my mind before I pass out was how much life was a bitch and how I wanted the world to go fuck itself.