That doesn't make the desperate fragile precious person in his arms any less important or any less Sataro's to protect. 

Not for the first time, Tholassi wishes that Kirasu were his prophet. Kirasu wouldn't care if it's taking advantage of someone to give Tholassi a new convert.

It's probably for the better that Sataro can't hear that. 

It's probably lucky for Sataro that the ten days before Winter Solstice are always busy. 

Every inch of the keep has to be cleaned, and there aren't enough people for anyone to get away from the work; Sataro sees Kirasu scrubbing out a grate at midnight and Ashka conspicuously cleaning a floor. (When no one's looking, he says 'eh, clean enough' and kisses Sataro instead.) There are endless endless rituals of purification: prayers and incense and baths and confession and always the mortification of the flesh. There are the late-night vigils and chanting and the brief naps before dawn prayer that leave you hazy from sleep deprivation. Dhavilot washes Sataro's feet, as a sign of his humility; it is astonishing how proud he can make the act.

Sataro is supposed to fast, but Tholassi forbids him, and Ashka is practiced at stealing food.

And then Solstice comes and there are prayers and celebrations and he is pure.

Tholassi has never heard of half of this shit.

Sataro cleans and washes and prays and self-flagellates confesses to anything that isn't Tholassi or Ashka. He doesn't fast, even though food sits heavy in his stomach; he shoves down the discomfort around Dhavilot. 

Most years he feels like he's floating by the time the Solstice arrives, hazy from lack of sleep and lack of food and exhausted and devoted and happy and pure. This year he feels that way.... less. 

Ashka gets the maximum amount of virtuous reputation with the minimum amount of effort, steals snacks and hits himself so it looks dramatic but doesn't hurt and thinks about philosophy during prayer. He thinks about sleeping with his lovers but none of them seem particularly appealing; in fact they seem distinctly unappealing, like food made out of ashes. (None of them are Sataro.)

And after Solstice they're on a boat to Tarev.