Soon enough, everyone bowed their heads, murmuring, “Blessed be.”
Aloisia hurried to join them, only a beat behind. Tristan descended from the dais, leading the procession of priests down the aisle to the doors. Behind them, the congregation followed.
Ma prodded Aloisia. “Move faster, girl.”
“I’m going, Ma.”
Once outside, many gathered to speak to Tristan about his sermon, whilst others waited to have a word with High Priest Silas. Aloisia, Brighde, and Ma hung back until people had dispersed since they intended to commandeer Tristan. Gradually, the crowd lessened, and they pushed through to him.
“Good lad.” Ma squeezed his shoulder. “You’ll do well as a Brother of the Divines.”
“What a wonderful sermon,” Brighde said, embracing him. “Fynn is sorry he couldn’t attend.”
“Yes, it was very inspiring. Fynn missed out.” Aloisia nodded.
Tristan arched his brow. “You don’t have to pretend you were paying attention, Lis.”
“Of course I was paying attention!”
“I can see everything from the pulpit. I know you were looking at the ceiling.”
Aloisia scoffed. “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t listening.”
“Really? What was my sermon about then?”
“Uh.” She searched her memory for even a single word he’d said.
Brighde waved her fingers over Tristan’s shoulder and mouthed a word.
“Forgiveness,” Aloisia said.
Tristan glanced over his shoulder, and Brighde smiled innocently.
“I may not have seen that,” he said, “but the Divines did.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.”
“Hurry and change, boy,” Ma said. “We’ve got a pie waiting for you.”
“Of course, Elinor,” Tristan said. “I’ll be quick.”
He ducked back into the Temple and they awaited his return as he changed out of his priest's robes. The sun began to dip into late afternoon, casting a warm amber glow across Temple Green. Tristan returned as quickly as he’d promised and they strolled to the smithy, entering the kitchen from the back.
Ma brought out the rabbit pie, and they all sat at the table, wishing Tristan a Happy Name Day and eating their fill.
Fynn appeared from the smithy, poking his head around the door. Ma waved him inside and cut him a slice of pie as well.
“Oh, sure, you can show up when there’s pie,” Aloisia said. “But you didn’t have time to attend the sermon.”
“Some of us are working,” Fynn said. “I’ve got to eat sometime, and I wanted to wish my good friend Tristan a Happy Name Day whilst he’s here.” He clapped Tristan on the shoulder.
Aloisia set down her empty plate. “Present time.” She jumped up and headed for the door into the smithy.
“Aren’t we waiting ‘til later?” Her brother frowned.
She turned to smack him on the arm.
