Night VI Excerpt | Weaver-Aligned Zealot (Part II)

Here is our next excerpt from the Weaver-Aligned Night VI, picking up right where we left off last time. I've included the final paragraph and choice as a reference. I chose some answers with the Zealot being extra Zealot-y, but your scene will play out differently depending on what you choose!

[[All Zealot-y opinions are the opinions of the Zealot and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mortish. Mortish is merely a vessel drawing from the wellspring that is the collective unconscious of humanity. In that sense, the Zealot is none of us, and all of us. Namaste.]]

[Excerpt Context] This is Bound Mode, some choices may not be available in Unbound Mode.

Serax gives you a meaningful look. "When you accept—and we both know you will—don’t get too attached to him. When he dies, he’s going to pass his threvyna to me. It’s a darksinger’s final song. With it, I’ll be more powerful than any living darksinger. You can stay by my side as my progeny and I will care for you."

✧ Would that be safe?
✧ Why would he want you?
✧ What if you don’t want to wait? (Serax MF ★) (Bound Mode only)

Excerpt:

"That's kind of you, but..." You avert your gaze. "After what happened before, are you certain it would be safe?"

Serax goes still for a moment, and then says, "I didn't know. Now I do, and I'll be more careful next time."

''Next time?'' You like Serax, but you doubt you'll ever let him bite you again. You keep this to yourself, as anything you have to say on the matter isn’t likely to be well-received.

You say, "The last thing Valdricht said, about...finding me desirable. It feels rather sudden, does it not?"

He lets out a dry laugh. "You can't tell when a man wants you?"

"No."

Silence settles between the two of you, presided over by a curious interloper.

Shame.

Not shame that you're casually discussing your potential debauchery, but shame that you're so unequipped to navigate the new world you’re in. Every hour there are new words thrown about, new rules to learn, and even the fundamentals of womanhood are a nebulous concept.

How frustrating it must be, for them to converse with me.

Serax says, "I've never known Valdricht to take a lover. I know he has, in the past, before he made me, but he's not as..." He pauses, considering his next words, and then continues in a drawl. "For many men, lust is a persistent affliction. Every day, every hour, they crave carnal satisfaction."

You perk up. "Oh, yes, I've heard of such things."

"Right. Well, then you know that such thoughts can be all-consuming."

"Indeed. Doubly so, absent prayer and a proper confession."

"Naturally," he drawls. "In any case, Valdricht isn’t like that. I've been with him for a century and the first time I felt him lust after a woman was the night we found you."

You swallow. "Oh. What do you mean by felt him?"

Dare I ask?

"I'll explain another time," he says. "Just trust me when I tell you, it isn’t sudden and he wants you far more than he’s letting on."

It’s difficult to believe him, but you try. "What do I do with that information?"

His lips slant. "Are you asking me how to manipulate my maker?"

✧ Of course not.
✧ Perhaps... (Coy +)

You're shaking your head before he’s finished. "No, that wasn’t it at all. I’m just overwhelmed. Last night I was being brought back from death, then I found out I’m a changeling, and now I am being asked to be Valdricht’s...bedmate. However far in the past my former life was, for me it was not but half a year ago that I was in the sanctum, my life and my virtue pledged to Elodine. I understand that is behind me now, but none of this is normal or natural to me."

He sits up as he says, "Be calm."

"I am calm," you say, a touch too loudly.

"All those things they taught you in your sanctum and your holy books, it’s just bullshit they made up."

You cringe, struggling not to tune him out as he carries on.

"Why do you think they’re so obsessed with female virtue and purity?"

You explain, "Because your maidenhood is a gift to your husband, and your virtue ensures you don’t bring afflictions or illegitimate children to the marital bed."

Also, fornication is an affront to the gods. Not that you would care.

Serax rolls his eyes. "No, it’s about controlling people. If men and women could bed who they pleased, whenever they pleased, no one would ever concern themselves with temples and gods."

✧ That makes sense.
✧ That is an intriguing perspective. (Pious +6 required)

"An intriguing perspective," you say, giving him a weak smile. "But I don’t find the prospect of bedding men in various places to be liberating. If I were to give my body to a man, I would want it to be my husband."

You can hear the foolishness in your assertion, but you won’t apologize for it. You know what your orders are and what’s at stake, but The Weaver is not the only divine being you serve. If she’s right and you are able to conceive a child, you will also hold a duty to him. How shameful it would be, for a god to be born to an unwed mother. And all because you didn’t advocate on his behalf.

"The more I consider it, the more certain I am that I must insist," you tell him. "If Valdricht wishes to share a bed with me, he must first marry me."

Serax opens his mouth and begins to form words, but is then gripped with a fit of laughter. You bristle, your shoulders tense and your head dipping low as you endure his mockery.

"You think... Valdricht would want to... to marry you?"

✧ Unlikely.
✧ Perhaps.

"I’d wager it would give him more comfort than living in sin," you say. "Besides, it’s my understanding that such things are far more pleasurable when both partners are joined in matrimony."

Serax wipes at his eyes. "Yes, how could I forget?" His laughter quelling, he says, "The time you’ve known Valdricht can be measured in hours. Even if he were inclined to marry—which he is not—what makes you think he’d marry a girl he hardly knows? One who’s an aufyrn, likely sent to fuck with him?"

Wincing at his vulgarity, you say, "All time can be measured in hours." Idiot. "And half the monarchs of Elovyr were betrothed to their spouses sight unseen."

"You’re not a monarch, and Valdricht isn’t going to marry you." Voice softening, he says, "All else aside, he takes things like that seriously and so do you. You think he’s going to marry you knowing that he’ll be gone by summer?"

✧ It doesn’t matter.
✧ He could change his mind.

"Perhaps marriage will give him renewed purpose," you suggest.

Serax’s expression hardens. "Don’t start that." He leans back in his seat. "Not with me, and definitely not with him. But you should ask him if he’ll marry you."

Your back straightens. "Really?"

"Just be sure to do it when I’m in the room so he and I can share a laugh."

Exhaling a sigh, you cross your arms and look to the door. "What are we even doing here? I thought I was getting clothes."

"They’re going to fetch you clothes now. Have patience."

Silence once more settles between you, and you quietly pray he breaks it. Even when Serax is mocking you, it’s better than being alone in the confines of your mind. Not more than an hour ago your head was spinning with confusion about your dream, your body, and your orders to conceive a child. Now, you’re fixated on marrying a man who only wants you as his bedmate.

Serax asks, "Do you plan on proposing to him?"

You purse your lips in an effort to appear annoyed. "Proposals are for men. I will simply explain to him that I would like to be married before...performing the marital act."

"And when he says no? Will you stay here?"

"If he says no," you mutter. "And no. It's as you said. I’ll accept his terms and...do as I must. But I won’t enjoy it."

This time, his laughter is subdued. "I’ll remind you that you said that."

My thoughts:

Oh, sweet Zealot. She's in for a crazy night. I think she actually might try to get Val to marry her.

This will be the last Weaver-Aligned Zealot except I do for Night VI. Believe it or not, both excerpts combined are only a fraction of the overall night. I'll be doing a progress report in a couple days and go into more detail, but this night will likely be released in two parts, with both the first half of the Zealot & Heretic nights out next week. To put it in context, the previous night added around 100 new passages, this night will add well over 200 new ones, hence why it's taking longer.

In the meantime, I'll be back either tomorrow or Monday with the Serax POV episode. Next week I'll also drop a few Heretic excerpts before the update. I'll be giving priority to the Heretic NSFW route.

Thanks for reading!

-Mortish