Poem: "Divergent Paths"
This is the freebie for today's Poetry Fishbowl, prompted by technogeekslass. It also fills the #19 Divergent slot in the Rainbowfic Sunlight list.
Divergent Paths
"We will stop here," Shahana declared,
"and trade for some honeybuns."
"I don't see what this has to do with my question,"
Ari said as she followed Shahana
into the little bakery that smelled fragrantly
of fresh bread and caramel and roasting nuts.
Ari had been asking about vocations
and whether everyone had one,
or only people like paladins and priests.
"You will," Shahana said to her
as she approached the baker.
"Good day, Leavitt.
It's nice to see you again.
This is my novice Ari."
The round little man smiled at them,
sweet as honey, and came
out from behind the counter.
"Shahana! A very good day indeed!
Welcome to Her service, Ari,"
he said to them.
Ari shuffled a little as she
tried to figure out Leavitt.
"Who is he, really?"
she whispered to Shahana.
"Is he a paladin of Gailah,
like us, or something else?"
"You tell me," Shahana said.
"Leavitt studied in the bright temple
with me and the other novices.
Look at him and see what you think."
"Go ahead," Leavitt invited,
and Ari looked, baffled,
shaking her head.
"So, is he a paladin or not?"
Shahana asked.
"I ... don't know?"
Ari said on a rising note.
She frowned, eyes narrowing
as she peered at Leavitt.
"I can't tell. It's like ...
he belongs to Gailah,
but She isn't sending him
even the trickle of magic
that we get from Her?"
"I don't need it,"
Leavitt said gently.
"Why not?"
Ari asked him.
"This is my service," Leavitt said,
motioning to the warm bakery,
"though it took me a while to realize that.
I like taking care of people, keeping them fed.
It's very important work. It really needs
someone dedicated to do it."
"You left the bright temple,"
Ari said slowly,
"to become a baker."
"It's where my vocation led me,"
Leavitt said. "It's just a different path."
"In that case," Ari said,
"we've come to trade for some honeybuns."
On the counter she set the box of spices
that they'd gotten from a grateful merchant
in exchange for guarding his caravan.
Leavitt brought out a tray of honeybuns.
"This novice of yours will do well,"
he said to Shahana.
"I have faith in her,"
the paladin agreed,
and set to bargaining.