Crowning Fantasy Book 1 by Coral Russell

been trying to explain to you mother, I'm done."
    "Rektor, do something!"
    "Fine and then this discussion is over. Furstinna will not continue her studies or worship with the Prast. I've thought it high time she went to study with the Forskare. However, she will continue helping with the charities. Surely, Furstinna, your definition of good includes doing good works for those less fortunate?"
    "Of course, but I've been thinking Father, shouldn't the government be doing more to lesson the reliance on charity?"
    Fina gave the Rektor a look saying, "See?!"
    Furstinna held Rektor's gaze longer than he would have liked for a pacific daughter. Instead of answering he stabbed the food on his plate and shoved a mouthful in and forced himself to chew.
    ***
    A fter signing up for classes with the Forskare, Furstinna took every opportunity to be out of the house. Today she wandered the market with the excuse of buying fresh vegetables for the food pantry charity. A half hour later her basket was still empty.
    Furstinna felt a jab at her ribs and turned around to see her best friend Ganska.
    "How'd it go?" Ganska asked.
    "As well as can be expected."
    "And... ."
    "I start with the Forskare the first of the week!"
    Ganska and Furstinna squealed and linked arms. "So what are you doing at the market?"
    "Other than hoping to run into you, to pick up vegetables for charity food pantry and spend as little time as possible at home."
    "Save some kindness for your mother, there has to be a reason she leans so heavily on the Goddess." Ganska slipped a note into Furstinna's basket. "You must get into Kunskap's class, here's the information."
    Furstinna looked at the note and handed it back. "I tried but they said the class was closed. It's the only class I couldn't get with you."
    "That's odd. Kunskap knew I was inviting you." Ganska's face tightened with concern.
    Furstinna didn't notice and exclaimed, "Ask if I can spend the night at your house. Please! The whole weekend. My mother is going to be intolerable until I finally start classes."
    "I'll ask. I'm sure it'll be fine. Wait by the fountain for me."
    Furstinna threw a coin in the fountain and circled it several times dipping her fingers in the water. The statue in the middle of the fountain was one of Goddess Gudina standing tall and serene looking out over the market and Fond in general. The statue did not move her as it used to only a few years ago. It wasn't any particular teaching of the Prast that she disliked, but rather the unwavering attention demanded from supplicants. At no point did the Prast ask Manskliga to contemplate or look inward, search themselves. All attention was focused on the battle between Gudina and Jakel. It was a perpetual, albeit, spiritual war. Even though Gudina was the official deity of Varlid, a holdover from when the Manskliga ruled all of Varlid, the Prast no longer sought inclusion of all who lived in Varlid. It was now strictly a Manskliga Goddess. The Elyun had brought their God Gala and he held an equal place alongside Gudina in Varlid.  The Prast hinted Gala was really just an extension of Jakel. That had been the last straw for Furstinna and she'd been slowly severing ties with the church. Her declaration to her mother had been the final tie to break.
    Ganska skipped toward Furstinna. A good sign that Furstinna would be welcome in Ganska's home over the weekend. "Yes! Lets get your vegetables delivered and then pack a bag for the  weekend."
    Finna didn't put up a fuss over Furstinna's wish to spend the weekend away from home. She seemed relieved. "That will be fine. Rektor is busy with some current crisis so I can take time to attend church."
    Within minutes Furstinna had packed a bag and called a quick goodbye as she fled the house.
    Ganska's house was alive with siblings jostling for position around the dinner table, to use the bathroom, and the new communication device, Skal. Her parents watched on patiently, teasing when necessary to stop any