The evening breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine from the royal gardens below as Brandon and Rheanne stood on the private balcony of their guest quarters.
She reached out and grabbed Brandon's ear, pulling it firmly "You... went and told him to build churches? You scoundrel?"
Brandon winced slightly but a dry, sheepish smile spread across his face "It's for the people..."
Rheanne kept her grip on his ear and tilted her head as she looked at him with narrowed sky-blue eyes.
"For the people?"
Brandon raised his hands in mock surrender, "I already told you my reasons... The people need something real to hold onto when things get dire."
"The people call you 'Goddess' because you've saved them time and time again. Building churches in your name... it gives them a place to pray and to find strength when the monsters come. It turns fear into hope."
