The characters are from Sentinals Banished, the 5^th book in the Sentinal series- though these events are all made up for the #12DaysOfTurvywriting challenge and are out of sequence and do not exist in the book.

Chatacters:

Leyarille is Jerrol and Taelia’s daughter, born at the beginning of Book 4, Sentinals Across time. She is now 17, as is Jared, Alyssa and Jennery’s second son.

Marianille and Birlerion are Sentinals, and step-brother/Step-sister.

Niallerion is a sentinal and Marianille’s husband.

Dec. 12: Wildcard: Evening Service

“That was never a Darian,” Birlerion said as they walked through the temple gardens.

“You got it though,” Leyarille replied with a laugh as she snuggled in the warm shawl Jared had given her.

“I’m a good guesser.”

“You were just throwing words out there,” Marianille called from behind them.

“That’s because her miming was so bad!”

“Well, how would you have mimed a Darian?” Leyarille asked.

“Not by prancing about on my toes!”

They all laughed and slowed as they reached the temple entrance. Waiting their turn, Leyarille shivered as other people entered. Birlerion wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she snuggled into his side. “It won’t be long,” he reassured her. “We used to live to the north of the city, it used to be quite a walk through the streets, but good for working off the dinner.”

“Ma used to think she was feeding the whole town,” Marianille agreed.

Birlerion chuckled under his breath and stepped into the temple. He smiled at the frisson of welcome that rippled through the air and led the way to a row of empty seats. They all sat, loosening their cloaks as they stared around at the candle lit interior. Alcoves were festooned in greenery and berries, candles cast a warm golden glow over everything and the white marble glistened. The statue of the goddess Lady Leyandrii watched over them all, her arms full of flowers and fragrant evergreens.

“It’s so beautiful,” Leyarille whispered.

Birlerion inhaled the fresh green scent of the evergreens and spice, a hint of roses mingling with aroma, and he smiled at Leyarille. Her silver eyes sparkled with happiness and he relaxed as the service began and music filled the vaulted ceilings.

***

“Lady’s blessings on you,” the Father said, as they filed out of the temple after the service.

Everyone was silent on the walk home, lost in the music and the atmosphere of love and belonging.

“An exquisite end to a beautiful day. May the New Year be just as wonderful,” Marianille said as they arrived home. “Welcome to our home and the New Year,” she said as she flung open her arms and embraced each one of them as she welcomed them over the threshold of her home. The air was soon filled with cinnamon and fruit as Niallerion heated up the mulled wine they had left ready for their return.

They all raised steaming glasses. “Happy New Year!”