One thing I really wanna write about is Forneus and Narinder’s dynamic before and after he was trapped.
I love the headcanon that Forneus used to be Narinder’s high priestess, so of course I’m gonna roll with that. Considering how Narinder canonically bargained with the Mystic Seller, he would’ve gotten at least one golden necklace from them and gifted it to his most loyal and closest follower.
They never had a romantic thing, neither of them even know if they could be considered friends, but there was some care for each other.
Forneus was one of the only people who got to see death before his heart was hardened. Narinder felt compassion for mortals and their fleeting lives and often grieved with them when they passed, which was part of the reason he came up with the idea for resurrections in the first place. He was death at its kindest, as the sweet release from mortal afflictions and rest eternal, like laying on a comfortable bed and never having to get up.
These were all things the masses never got to see, too enraptured by their fear and hatred of death to comprehend its gift to life itself. But Forneus did, and even if she wasn’t exactly close to her god as a true friend would be, she cared for him in a way a lot of faithful from before, and especially after, the resurrections did not.
She’s pregnant with the twins and on medical leave when Narinder is trapped by his siblings and the old faith destroys all monuments associated with the red crown and kills its faithful. That’s how she becomes the only one to survive.
Her kits are taken from her when they are five. She hasn’t exactly taught them about the red crown in fear of being found out, but she keeps her high priestess crown and her golden skull necklace as mementos. She isn’t recognized when Shamura comes knocking thankfully, but it’s a hollow comfort. She’s left waiting for Narinder’s freedom just as much as Narinder himself.
When her children are returned to her is the first time she hears of how death has changed. How the betrayal of his closest kin and the time spent alone in the gateway hardened his heart and lead him to embrace mortals’ fear of him, making him much similar to the bishops he despises so much. It breaks Forneus’ heart, because she knows how kind he used to be, even if he could be too serious and maybe even a bit scary.
And yet, she notices how her children don’t show any scars from being with him, physical or mental. He may have been a serious guardian, but he has trained them well and raised them to have love in their hearts. Despite Narinder’s change, Forneus knows the god she met so long ago is still alive in there, and it brings her comfort. She secretly hopes to meet him again in person and thank him for taking care of her kits.
And maybe when they meet this time, they get to be real friends.
