Session 0 - The Serpent Cleric

Artwork by HungrydamyArt

The letter arrived late last night, while Coada was at the orphanage. She had been busy helping Ovar with dinner and the children’s lessons. By the time she returned to her dorm, the sun had long set, and the biting cold of the evening air cut through her layers. Retha, who had stayed up waiting for her, noticed Coada’s weariness and chose to let her rest, it could wait until morning.

As dawn broke, Coada spent the first hour dressing, layering her armor with extra fabric to fend off the unrelenting chill. The cold seemed to seep into her very bones, a harsh reminder of her Yuan-Ti heritage. While she struggled with her armor, she heard Retha’s soft, measured footsteps approaching—an ironic echo of her elven grace, now marred by the limp of an old injury. “Coada, we need to talk,” Retha said, her tone stern but gentle as she gestured for Coada to sit.

Coada sank onto the edge of her bed, her gaze fixed on the letter Retha handed her, sealed with the high priest’s stamp. “Orders,” Retha said simply.

With a cautious breath, Coada broke the seal and unfolded the letter. Retha’s eyes were fixed on her with a somber intensity.

Reassignment Orders

Coada Alba - Cleric of House Arcea - 25 Aeg 1529

Report to the Ten Spire Stables by noon tomorrow to retrieve a horse and supplies. You are to report to Riverside Town in thirteen days for a new position as chapel assistant.

Order approved,

Brosvis Moltenlash, High Priest

“They’re sending me away?” Coada’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes glued to the page.

“It seems so,” Retha replied, her hand resting lightly on Coada’s shoulder. “We don’t know for how long. Wora will be coming by to help you pack and say goodbye. I can notify Ovar if you’d like.”

“No. I need to say goodbye myself,” Coada said, determination in her voice. She wrapped herself in a thick cloak and moved out into the biting cold. Her frustration was evident as she navigated through the busy streets towards the North Corner. Why was she being sent away? Had her success as a “beast” threatened someone? And with Remuth now vying for Wora’s attention, was that the real reason behind her reassignment? Her jaw clenched. It wasn’t fair.

Turning the familiar corner, she passed the old wall of the orphanage, where Ram and Nise played on the doorstep. Their faces brightened upon seeing her. Coada’s stern expression softened into a gentle smile as she greeted them. Inside, Ovar was tidying up after breakfast.

“Well, good morning!” Ovar called, poking his head out from the kitchen. “Just finishing up.” Coada took a seat at the dining table, waiting for the clatter of pots and pans to cease.

A flash of dark green caught her eye. Setil, a young Yuan-Ti girl with long, dark hair and yellow eyes, peeked around the corner. “Good morning, Setil. How are you today?” Coada asked.

Setil shuffled into the room, wrapped in blankets. “Come here,” Coada said, pulling her into a warm embrace. “It’s cold for us, isn’t it?”

Setil nodded, snuggling closer. “There,” Coada said, settling her on her lap. Ovar emerged from the kitchen, his tousled brown hair and light green eyes at odds with his priestly duties.

“You should have come earlier; Setil actually finished a whole plate of breakfast today!” Ovar chuckled, but Coada remained silent.

Ovar’s smile faded as he assessed her. “Setil, could you gather Ram and Nise and start preparing for your lessons? And make sure Vitrene finishes cleaning her room?”

Setil nodded, hugging Coada tightly before fetching the others. Ovar sat across from Coada, his expression growing serious. “So, I take it you didn’t come here just for my cooking. What’s wrong?”

“I received reassignment orders. I’m being sent to Riverside Town,” Coada said, her voice strained.

Ovar’s eyes widened in surprise. “When do you leave?”

“Today,” she replied with a forced laugh.

“Today? That’s... quite sudden. When do you think you’ll return?”

“I’m not sure.” Her chest tightened. “I’m convinced this is all Remuth’s doing. He’s always resented me, and now that he’s after Wora, he wants me out of the way.”

They sat in a contemplative silence. “Do you want to say goodbye to the kids?” Ovar asked, nodding towards the stairwell.

Coada nodded and stood. As she reached the top of the stairs, she saw Ram standing by his door, his face set in a scowl. She called out, but he merely stomped away, slamming the door behind him. Coada sighed and approached his room, knocking softly.

Inside, Ram sat on the bed, his head bowed. “You’re leaving us, aren’t you?” he mumbled.

Coada sat beside him. “I am, but only for a little while. I’ll be back before you know it. While I’m gone, I need you to look after everyone, especially Setil and Nise. You have to be the big brother, okay? Ovar can’t do it all alone.”

Ram leaned into her side. “I don’t want you to leave.”

“I know,” Coada said, wrapping him in a comforting embrace. “But I promise I’ll return soon.”

He hugged her tightly, and whispered, “Okay.”

After a long moment, Coada left to find the others, who were gathered in Vitrene’s room. She knocked gently on the doorframe and entered. The girls looked up with excited smiles. “Coada!” Nise called out. “Are you staying over today?”

Coada laughed softly as she gathered them in a big hug. “I love you all so much. I hope you know that.” She whispered.

“We’ll miss you,” one of the girls said quietly.

“I’ll be gone for a little while, but not long. I’ll come back with gifts and stories. You have to promise me you’ll look after each other and keep Ram out of trouble. Let Ovar know if you need anything.”

As she turned to leave, she heard them quietly following her to the top of the stairs. Ovar waited at the bottom. He pulled her into a long hug. “Take care of yourself,” he whispered. “And don’t freeze out there. Get warmer clothes before you go.”

Coada returned the embrace. “Thank you,” she said, then headed back to her dorms.

Wora was waiting for her there, her dark olive skin glowing in the morning light. Her long curls were pulled into a tight bun, and she tried to mask her worry with a smile. She pulled Coada into a tight hug. “I’m so sorry. This isn’t fair.”

“It is what it is,” Coada replied, trying to sound resigned. “I shouldn’t have expected anything else.”

Wora’s face flushed with anger. “That doesn’t make it any better. You’ve done everything right. You’re more qualified than anyone here to be a priestess of Arcea, and yet they send you away because of what you are. It’s ridiculous.” She began packing with a sense of urgency.

Coada joined her in packing. “It won’t be long, and I’ll visit as often as I can.”

Wora’s anger softened. “Besides, with me picking up your duties, I’ll be even busier. And Remuth doesn’t like me like that—he’s just friendly.”

“To you,” Coada mumbled with a smirk.

Wora stopped, her eyes filling with tears. Coada froze. “I don’t want to lose my best friend. I don’t want to be alone again.”

Coada pulled her into a comforting hug as Wora began to cry. “It won’t be long. I promise I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

“You don’t know that,” Wora said, wiping her tears. “But I’ll make sure you come back as soon as possible!”

Coada laughed softly, and Wora’s expression softened. They finished packing together, sharing a final, poignant moment.

By eleven, Retha arrived. Wora hugged Coada one last time before returning to her duties. Retha led Coada to the stables, where they prepared her horse. Before Coada mounted, Retha gave her a final hug. “Don’t be a stranger,” she whispered.

Coada mounted her horse and set off for Riverside Town.