Once more, as the Elder chanted the single drop of blood turned golden and began to shine.

"Hold forth your sigil, and receive your new matron." The elder instructed once the incantation was done.

I reached out my left hand, my right holding Laliera's hand in mine. Looking at her, she was perhaps only an inch shorter than me. She met my gaze happily as the orb touched my hand and I felt the painless searing heat weave its way into my sigil, down my arm, to my heart, and spreading through my body.

"You are now bound. May the gods... bless..." She trailed off.

Two of the alcoves were...