Bregorn, a prince of Viapacis, was lounging on a south-facing balcony outside of his chamber. His bare feet were crossed on the daybed. He was 17 years old at this time and was very unsure of himself. There were very few things that he did that he took pride in. The greatest desire in his life was to prove himself, not to his friends or to his family, but mostly to himself. In this feeling of worthlessness, even though he knew he was not worthless, he had little motivation to take on challenges. He did what was required to him by his commitments and he did them well and with enthusiasm, but he felt that he was meant for something else. He had a sweetheart named Mâr, who was 16 years old at this time. She worked as an apprentice to a miller on the Eastern side of the city. She had a very slim figure and only stood about five and a half feet tall. She had a very quiet and reserved personality. Drawing with charcoal was her favorite hobby, her illustrations were as detailed as a photograph. Most of the time Mâr and Bregorn spent together was walking or sitting in the gardens or fishing in Lake James; but with the amount of time she spent working with her master, they did not spend as much time together as they would have preferred too and Bregorn would not dare bother her while she was working. It was seen as disrespectful to disturb someone's work.
An occasional soft warm breeze carried the smoke of burning incense to the west before melding with the aether on the balcony. The sun shines low in the sky with a glassy red hue near the time of sunset. He looked out and saw a Deorling sitting on the small beach of Lake James in prayer. Upon the lake, he saw a small boat with two Domaelings casting lines. To the left, he saw another domaeling lead her brown horse on the road to Viapacis. He could hear the soft distant clicks of loosed bows answered by thuds from arrows punching straw targets.
There was a knock on this door, hitting thrice.
"Enter!" yelled Bregorn in response.
The heavy wooden door creaked as it opened slowly. "My lord, the Queen requests your presence," said Arah, one of the maids.
"Thank you, where is she?" asked Bregorn.
"She is speaking to the Kalev ambassador in the great hall, sir," said Arah.
"Thank you." said Bregorn as he arose from the daybed. "You may go, Arah."
"Thank you, sir." she said as she retreated back down the spire.
Bregorn followed her descent down the spire and into the archives. There was always a guard at the entrance of the spire that led the Bregon's chamber. He continued down by turning right and down the stairs that led into the lesser hall. The Citadel had three main halls. When entering from the main entrance, the first hall was the foyer. It was long and coved in a thin red carpet. In line with the doors was the main stair that split off into the North and South wings. On either side of the stairs were two doors that led into the lesser hall. This was a hall that was mostly used for almost any reason: celebrations, prayers, or education and much more. Another two doors led into the Great Hall. This was mostly used for dining and meetings. It was covered in several red rugs. There were several long tables that filled the room, leaving plenty of space to walk between them. In the back of the hall was an elevated platform of about 5 steps with a table that was perpendicular to the length of the hall. This is where the head staff and royals would eat.
Bregorn entered the Great Hall. His mother was speaking to a Deorling with two other Deorling escorts, one of them being a female Deorling, which they called shedeors. The male Deorlings were simply known as Deorlings.
There was incense burning from a waist-high sensor with six legs next to them. Bregorn's mother was taller than most Domaelings. She had a very loving yet just personality. She wore a blue dress and a thin platinum crown that had engravings of roses. Her hair was tied behind her.
Conrad and Kunigunde, Bregorn's siblings were also there sitting at the table near the Queen and the Deorlings. Conrad was one of the Burning Ones. He had been living in Viapacis for the past year during his time away from Excelus Heights. The Burning Ones shifted along a list of rotation every six months.
Kunigunde, on the other hand, was a very lively woman. Her love of children led her to work in the nursery in the hospital that was a few hundred yards away from the city. She was the one who took care of the city while the queen was gone and head of the musketry in the Viapacis Militia. About once a week she would take cartridges and matches from the citadel magazine and drill with the other musketeers about a half of a mile west of the city. They became very good at hitting their marks and reloading in haste and firing in volleys and counter-marching.
"Bregorn. Here." the queen said as she signaled Bregorn to approach with her hand.
Bregorn walked up. The Deorlings looked at him with friendly eyes.
"Hello, sir," Bregorn said to the noble Deorling.
"Greetings, Bregorn." The Deorling responded.
Bregorn extended his hand informally to the Deorling. The Deorling then took his hand and kissed his missing finger. The deorling then bowed his head low, as Deorlings were much taller than Domaelings, and Bregorn kissed his missing part of his ear. This was a regular greeting between Domaelings and Deorlings and was a sign of respect for ones' holiness as a servant to the Creator. They called this the Kiss of the Marks.
"It is lovely to see you again," the Ambassador said.
"You as well, sir," Bregorn said with eye contact. Then his eyes fell and stared at the buckles on the Ambassador's vest.
"You have grown much since I last saw you. Four years ago I believe it was." He turned to the queen and smiled, "A very fine young man, milady."
Conrad and Kunigunde approached and stood next to Bregorn.
"Indeed he is," the Queen responded.
"Would you like to be shown your rooms?" the Queen asked the ambassador.
"Very well." the Ambassador said.
"Kunigunde, would you please show them?" the Queen asked.
"Yes, Mother. This way, my lords." Kunigunde said as she led them out into the minor hall and up the stairs to the Northern Wing.
She turned to Bregorn, "Now Bregorn, I will be departing with the Ambassador tomorrow to Kalev, and it is also time for Conrad to return to Excelus Heights. Since I must leave, Kunigunde will be tending my throne."
"It is dangerous to go alone up the Blue Pillar. I would like you to accompany me since Kunigunde will not be available. You're old enough mother and I decided and I thought you might like to see the land from the mountain. It is certainly one of the most beautiful sights I have ever beheld. Also, if you would like, I can take you to the Domain of the Petals and the Sanctum of the Flower." Conrad said. "of course you may stay here if you wish. I am sure another Burning One would be pleased to accompany me."
Bregorn felt a definite rush of excitement. He had never before had the opportunity to climb Excelus Heights, see the Domain of the Petals, and adore the Creator's Flower in the Sanctum of the Flower. He also looked forward to spending time with his brother. Since Conrad became a Burning One, the time he was at home was very limited. Bregorn also looked up to his brother as his main role model. He thought that Conrad was the perfect man.
"I would love to, Conrad!" Bregorn exclaimed. "When would we depart?"
Conrad could detect Bregorn's excitement. "We would also depart tomorrow. It would be best if we left before four o'clock in the evening. That way we can make it to the first plateau before the sun sets behind the Western Hills." Conrad said with a smile.
Excelus heights were made up of nine plateaus and the peak, which was the Domain of the Petals.
Conrad's face turned serious. "But remember Bregorn, this can be dangerous, people have indeed perished attempting to climb the Blue Pillar. Reality indeed can seem to bend or break while on the mountain, forming unnatural phenomena. Do not tell Kunigunde that I told you this. Last year when she accompanied my ascent, she fell off of a small cliff because the fog was so dense and the road was hidden. Luckily, it was not very far to fall. A different time, I was surprised when I awoke to find my company and myself on the plateau that I had started the day before, even with our horse and supplies. You may hear sourceless calls for your name. So, you will have to do what I say." Conrad said.
"I would love to go!" Bregorn said with excitement.
"You must promise me that you will take great care, Bregorn. Listen to your brother well." the Queen said.
"Of course, mother," Bregorn said.
"Also, I will be taking Baldur's place. He will lead you back down. I believe that you have met him before several years ago." Conrad said.
"I do not remember him," Bregorn said.
"I would say that you will remember him when you see him," Conrad said. "Regardless, you will be safe with him. Now, after breakfast tomorrow morning, find me. I will tell you how shall we prepare. For now, you should go to sleep early if you can. For the journey will be difficult."
Bregorn returned to his chamber and wrote what had happened that night and of his excitement in his journal. He spent the next hour in a prayer of contrition, thanksgiving for the opportunity to step upon the peak of the Blue Pillar, and petition for a safe journey.
The next day came and Bregorn was well-rested. As always, he helped in the kitchen in the morning to bake bread for the cooks that would use it to serve to the honor guards, clerics, maids, and valets. They came to the dining hall at scattered intervals between two hours. A common breakfast at this time consisted of eggs, wine or beer, potatoes, cheese, but most of all was that bread. The guards came from outside the citadel from the barracks, the clerics, abbesses and the assistant acolytes from the Monastery, and the maids and valets from the northern wing of the citadel. Throughout the morning, pleasant conversations filled the Great Hall. Kunigunde and Conrad were also there.
"Have you yet eaten your breakfast yet, Bregorn?" asked Conrad.
"I have eaten heartily," Bregorn answered.
"And do you still intend to accompany me up the mountain? You must remember that it will take about six weeks for you to return. The ascension will take about three weeks and another three for the descent."
"Yes," Bregorn said.
"Then go pack three weeks worth of provisions," said Conrad. "We will share it. Salt for the journey would be too heavy for a horse. So we will only be able to bring three weeks for us and three for the horse. So, bring a rifle with plenty of cartridges. That way we can hunt a buck. When you are done, find me in the stable. I will ready Equinox."
"Very well," Bregorn said.
Conrad then walked out the main hall entrance as Kunigunde followed him. Bregorn left the back of the spire and into his room. He placed into his pack a map, a compass, a container of pitch, oil, rope, bandages, a signal horn, several canteens, 20 paper cartridges, his pipe, and a coat. He clothed himself in heavy leather boots, sturdy pants, and a leather vest over a long-sleeved shirt. On the right side of his belt, he attached a pouch with some extra paper cartridges and flint. A rifleman had to be careful not to set aflame his unused cartridges on his belt. Their rifles used a system similar to a wheel-lock. A lever on the side of the rifle wound spring to tension. When the trigger was pulled, the spring would grind against a disc of flint and create the sparks needed to fire the rifle.
He slung his rifle over his right shoulder after tieing his cloak to his vest. The cloak was black and was embroidered with white roses on the edges. He tied his hair unbrushed hair back and departed down the spire after writing a short note to his sweetheart.
On the stairs, he passed one of the maids, shoveling more incense into a censer hanging from the wall.
"I am leaving, my chamber will not need to be cleaned," he said.
"Very good, my lord. I will tell the master housekeeper." the maid said.
"Also, please give this to Mâr," Bregorn said as he handed the folded parchment to her.
"Yes, my lord."
The letter was a simple message telling his sweetheart where he was going and an apology that he could not attend her 17th birthday celebration.
Bregorn continued down the spire and across back into the storeroom. There, he gathered the appropriate amount of food for the trek and placed it into a separate bag. He placed pipe petal in a leather pouch and placed that into his pack.
He stopped to look admire the beauty of the earth once more. The aroma of a breeze blowing across the courtyard gardens waved across the air. The gardeners took their job very seriously and did it with pride. They would pay attention to every little detail in the courtyard. Every plant was pruned every day without flaw. There were gravity powered fountains that sourced from the Blue Pillar around the courtyard.
He exited the courtyard out the gate where his mother stood the previous night and turned right towards the southern gate. People walked about for many reasons. Some people walked toward the market in the center of town. Some people were walking back into the town from Lake James with their catch. There was a procession entering the south gate as he turned right again into the stable. It was about 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. The stalls were mostly empty but there was a variety of horses and goshens in a few stalls. Goshens were large creatures that were similar to tigers, but they were black and had white eyes like the moon. Goshens were not used to carry heavier loads as a horse could. They were used to travel in haste as they could run speedily and for further distances.
They made a great effort to keep the animals roaming but the animals. Domaelings seemed to be able to communicate with animals on a deeper level. Animals did not completely understand what domaelings would say, but they had a strange, perhaps spiritual, understanding of each other.
Bregorn walked down the stable and met with Conrad. Kunigunde was with him. Conrad had just begun to attach the bags to the horses back.
"Good girl. Good Equinox." Kunigunde said as she stroked the horse's dark brown snout.
The horse licked Kunigunde's nose and flapped its lips and she laughed.
"Now, take care of these dolts, pretty girl," she said with a smile.
This made Conrad laugh and Bregorn crack a smile. Conrad finished buckling the bags on. The bags contained a tent, several blankets, two small barrels of water, a hatchet, some tinder, and flint, and Conrad had strapped his sword to Equinox's side. It was similar to Bregorn's sword. The pommel had a hole in the center. The quillons were flat and had blunted points on both sides.
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"We must depart soon. It would be best if we were to at least make it at least to the lower plateau at the base of the Blue Pillar before the sun drops below the western hills. I do not wish for my colleague to have to work past his round." Conrad said.
"I am ready presently," Bregorn said.
Kunigunde was still stroking Equinox.
"May I have my horse, Kunigunde?" Conrad asked.
"Of course," she said with a laugh.
Kunigunde handed the leads to Conrad and pushed Equinox from the behind to assist in leading her out of the stable. Equinox was well fed and well rested. She had horseshoes nailed in only the day before. The sound of her hooves heavily thumping the straw-covered ground left a feeling of vigor and pride.
They continued out of the stables and out of the southern gate of the city where they stopped to say goodbye to Kunigunde.
"I pray that your stay will be free of trouble and you Bregorn, I pray that your pilgrimage will be bountiful in revelation," said Kunigunde. She then gave Conrad and embrace and then Bregorn with a kiss on his cheek.
"Goodbye, dear Kunigunde," said Conrad.
"Adieu," said Bregorn.
They then turned to the East to head around the city and toward the mountain. It was about three o'clock in the afternoon. Kunigunde watched them walk away until their silhouettes were gone behind the East wall.
The road up the Blue Pillar was as a winding ramp with several plateaus that served as excellent camping grounds. The mountain itself was a blue pillar made of marble. Interestingly, there was a whole independent ecosystem that was native only to this mountain. There were scattered trees growing about and they were inhabited by many strange species like a squirrel-type creature that was black with a black ring on its tail. Like foxes, a type of omnivorous canine lived in burrows that it dug. The only species that lived on the mountain that could be found in other places was the mountain buck.
It took about five hours to arrive at the base plateau. The dirt road had a very static and low incline. Yet, it was still an exhausting hike. They had pitched the tent that Equinox had carried for them. They started a fire near the drop of the plateau and sat with their legs over the edge. The soil where the camped was fine, dry, and loose. There was not a very far distance to fall, there were several other ledges under them before the larger main cliff. When they looked out to the south they could see their hometown below them and slightly to the right. Above them and to your right was the uncompleted organ.
They let Equinox roam free to graze on what grass or fruit she could find after taking the loads from her back and the leads from her mouth. They heated jerky on the fire and both enjoyed their pipes. Bregorn took his boots off to let his bare feet breathe as he hanged over cliff. The isolation from the activity of the city was quite relaxing. The cool breeze carried the smell of a cool spring day just like it had the day before on Bregorn’s balcony.
"Do you ever feel desolated when you stay on the mountain, Conrad?" asked Bregorn.
"I certainly feel heartache in my absence from home, but I am not the only Burning One who stays on Excelus Heights at once," said Conrad.
"I thought that you were to be taking Baldur's place. Are there other people there?" Bregorn asked.
"I am, and are other Burning Ones there. They shall be staying. One of them is named Benjamin. There will also be a woman there I believe, she is named Naomi." Conrad answered.
"That was generous of him. But do you otherwise regret accepting the offer of the position of a Burning one?" said Bregorn.
"Not at all. I enjoy being the Creator's Flower's caretaker. It is an honor and a privilege to be one who cares for the Creator's Flower in such an intimate way." Conrad said as he inhaled his pipe. "The enjoy the solitude. It lessens the struggle of prayer and meditation."
"I understand your purpose as a Burning One, I believe. What are the specific details of your duty?" Bregorn asked.
"On the days of my work, I clean and maintain the Sanctum of the Flower. I always keep incense burning. I till the gardens outside of the Sanctum. But most importantly, I pray and listen for the words of the Creator's Flower. Should I hear them, I am to scribe them into the Edict of Crataekur." Conrad said. He paused for a few seconds as they both continued to stare out from the plateau.
"The Creator's Flower has never yet spoken to me if you were wondering." continued Conrad with almost an inflection of disappointment. "I have longed to hear the voice of the Creator. The other Burning Ones say that it is more beautiful than any music. It brings a state of completeness that no earthly intimacy can give. They say that truthfully cannot be expressed by the tongue."
"Truly?" Bregorn asked.
"They do indeed say so," said Conrad.
They paused for a few minutes, as they continued to look out.
"Thank you again for inviting me to accompany you," said Bregorn.
"You are most welcome, brother," Conrad said with a smile.
"It really is beautiful up here. It feels as though my eyes are looking through a clearer lens than at home. I feel sorrow at times as I feel there is no way I can give back to the Creator for giving us such beautiful land and generous land." said Bregorn.
"Remember Bregorn, the best way to give back to the Creator is to live the way we are meant to live. Living in her law and glory as we were made to, is more pleasing and gives her more honor than any adorational prayer can. Do not think that prayer is not worth doing, however. Verily, any prayer does indeed honor her and please her." Conrad said.
This brought some happiness back into Bregorn's eyes, but he still indeed was sad that he could not return the gifts he has been given so graciously.
"You may have also heard that the only way to obtain eternal happiness, is to follow the law. Do not be fooled by this; not that it is untrue. Indeed, this statement is true. It is more pleasing to the Creator, I would say, to live by her law because it is what is expected of us and our purpose." continued Conrad.
"I understand," said Bregorn.
They continued to look out for the next hour as they ate their supper and drank their wine. As the sun fell below the Western Hills, the sky became red glass. They retired shortly after so that they would be well rested by the morning. They slept in a single canvas tent with a lantern for light. He fell asleep with his arms crossed and his head resting on his bag.
He was in his chamber when there was a knock on his door. It was very surreal but felt very vivid.
"Enter!" He answered.
The knocks repeated louder.
"Yes?" he said.
There was no answer. He walked toward the door and opened it.
He was outside the city walls. The wall was torn down in two places and a ramp of earth was on the east wall. The sky was a vivid dark red. It was raining embers, and the soil soaked with blood. Thousands of dead Domaelings and Deorlings laid about. The mountain organ was half destroyed engulfed in smoke. He could hear the horrors of small skirmishes near and far. A weak and desperate sounding voice calls out to him, "Bregorn."
He turned and saw his older sister Kunigunde, wearing long and tight-fitting sleeveless leather armor, sitting on her heels. Her eyes were unfocused as if she has not slept for many days and one of her eyes was closed and bleeding. There were several lacerations on her body. Her rifle was chipped and splintered, the bayonet shattered. Her left hand was pinned to her own chest with her palm outward with a knife in her sternum through the weakpoint of her armor, making it well rooted. She grunted in pain trying to pull it out with her hands and then sniffled and rubbed her nose with her hand, marking a streak of blood.
Bregorn tried to move but is muscles were lifeless. It was as if his limbs were exhausted to the point of paralysis. This threw him into a panic.
Kunigunde coughed blood as she again tried to draw the knife from her chest. Her hands kept falling. When she would try to grip the knife again, her fingers could not find it. Arms dropping, she stared at the knife. "I do not understand. What did I do wrong?" she asked.
In the ancient tongue of the kings, she then prayed,
"Oh, Loving Creatrix, what did I do wrong? Forgive me."
Her head started to slowly tilt back; her eyelids heavy. Then her eyes closed with a guilt-filled tear dropping. She fell backward lifeless and with a thud. He still could not move. He could only look at the horror of seeing his city in ruin and his sister inanimate.
"You had best awaken before you forget how, prince." a gargled voice said behind him.
Bregorn awoke in a jerking fright. He even questioned for several minutes whether he was really awake. He had never had such a vivid dream and the sudden awakening left him feeling drowsy and unrested. The light from the sun rising over the plains to the East radiated softly through the canvas walls of the tent. Conrad was no longer in the tent. He could smell the aroma of pipe petal and bacon.
"Conrad?!" cried Bregorn.
"Yes? Is something wrong?" asked Conrad.
"No. I… Nevermind," said Bregorn.
There was a short pause.
"Hungry? This bacon is waiting for you," said Conrad.
"Oh?"
Bregorn tied his boots tightly on his feet. He retrieved his pipe out of his bag and exited the tent. Conrad was reclining against a rock with his feet crossed, his hands behind his head and his pipe in his mouth.
"Good morning," said Conrad. "Did you sleep well?"
Bregorn pressed petals into the bowl of his pipe as he sat next to Conrad.
"I feel quite fatigued, to be honest. I was awoken by a very dark dream," said Bregorn.
"Do you wish to tell me of it?" asked Conrad.
Bregorn had never seen such dark things in life or in his mind and at this time, one of the things he desired most was his brother's respect. He felt that telling Conrad of his dream would make him see less of him.
"No. It was just a dream," said Bregorn.
"Very well," said Conrad.
They sat for about another hour as Bregorn ate his breakfast. When they were ready to continue up the mountain Conrad called Equinox with a high pitch whistle. She came briskly and then loaded her back with the provisions. They were just about to continue their journey when they heard the faint sound of voices in song. They looked out down the mountain to the East and saw a procession of perhaps 200 people, Domaelings and Deorlings on the road around the mountain, that was perhaps a mile down.
They led with a processional banner on a long staff. Behind them were four people holding lanterns, despite it being a bright day. They waited for them to pass until they continued their ascent.
"The next major plateau will most likely take us three days to reach," said Conrad.
"Truly?" ask Bregorn.
"Indeed. And each day will become more difficult to keep our pace," said Conrad.
The road gradually became narrower, steeper, and dangerous with each plateau that they passed. The days were long and slow. Bregorn, several times, felt the desire to discontinue his ascent because of his exhaustion; but those desires quickly passed from the great joy that the beauty of the land brought to him.
When they had reached the ninth plateau, Excelus Heights, the moon was as a sphere of ice with a heart of white fire; bright enough to light their feet enough to clearly see the road. Excelus Heights was the smallest of all the other plateaus. The road ascending from the eighth plateau ended as a flight of stairs ends unto a flat floor. As Bregorn's head could peek over the edge of Excelus Heights he saw a wide structure of marble. It had four sculptured pillars of spiraling vines in the front a large and thick wooden door with large iron rings as handles. Conrad took the bags and supplies off Equinox's back and some of them to Bregorn before they had entered the Marble Structure. The large door required the strength of both brothers to pull it forth. It made a loud and very deep creaking with open. It seemed that the house was empty yet there was a bright lamp sitting in the middle of the first room that appeared to be a foyer.
"Our friends must be sleeping. There is a room at the far end of that hall, you may sleep there." Conrad said as he pointed to a long hallway facing west. "Sleep for as long as you would like. Your work is done."
Bregorn did exactly as Conrad had instructed him. He walked down the hall slowly. There was a pattern of diamonds polished into the floor. His boot's impact on the floor was loud and resonated well of the marble and stone walls. The room at the end of the hall was round and had a dark red carpet. There was a large bed on the far side.
Bregorn slept extremely well that night.
Bregorn slept extremely well that night. He did not awake until nearly the next day to the bright light of the sun penetrating the white curtains. He rubbed his eye like a child as he rose from the bed and walked back down the hall into the foyer. The glass skylight in the center of the room left bright patterns of plantae on the marble floor.
"Conrad!" he called.
"Here!" Conrad's voice called back.
Bregorn followed Conrad's voice into a long back hall with a high ceiling and several large cathedral shaped windows with various shades of blue, violet, and red stained glass. A long table was in the center with enough room for about fifty people to dine at. However, there was only four people on the end, one woman and three men, one of them Conrad, of course. There were several platters of sausages, bacon, tomatoes, and grapes which they were all eating out of. Near the entrance to the back hall was a stand with burning incense.
"You're finally awake," Conrad said, "come and eat. Let me introduce you to some of the other Burning Ones."
Bregorn hesitantly sat at the table next to Conrad. He felt intimidated by the three other people whom he had yet to meet.
Conrad pointed to a woman at the other end of the table. "This is Naomi," he said, "This is Baldur," as he pointed to the man on the opposite side of the table, "and this is Benjamin." he said pointed to the man next to him.
"Hello. I am honored to meet you," said Bregorn.
"The honor is ours, my lord," said Naomi.
Bregorn only made a nervous smile in reply. He picked up a small vine of grapes and began to eat them.
"I trust that your ascension was without incident," said Benjamin.
"Oh, yes. Our journey was quite calm. We are sore as expected, but the Creator granted us a safe ascent." said Conrad.
"What of you, Lord Bregorn? What did you think of the ascent?" asked Baldur.
"It indeed was most exhausting. But I never thought that it would be so beautiful to look out from the Blue Pillar." said Bregorn.
"Ah, yes. It is indeed very beautiful. It is strange however, I always feel as if the sight of my eyes is clearer than it is away from the mountain," said Baldur.
Their late morning breakfast ended with cleaning the back hall. Bregorn and Conrad then lounged in a courtyard behind the back hall facing the Domain of the Petals for the remainder of the morning.
"Do you wish to depart today or tomorrow?" asked Conrad.
"Honestly, I would rather rest today," said Bregorn.
"I thought so. Would you like to see the Creator's Flower? We would be back in plenty of time for you to rest." asked Conrad.
"I would." said Bregorn.
"Remember Bregorn, you must remember to respect this privilege. Not only that, I trust I need not tell you to respect the Creator's Flower with utmost care." said Conrad.
"You can trust me, Conrad." said Bregorn.
"Very well. Get your boots. The Sanctum is still about a mile up the mountain. If you are ready, we will go immediately." Conrad said.
They left out the same backdoor that lead to the courtyard after they gathered what they needed. Several hundred yards from the courtyard was a forest of trees and a dry dirt road that lead within. Above the entrance of the dirt road was an arch of white brick and an insignia of flowing water. The road was winding around different cliffs and various sizes of streams and ponds. The forest was filled with so much life. Ivy wrapped itself around the trees to reach the sun. Moss grew in the dark. Mushrooms grew on the side of the trees. Lilies covered the waters and at this elevation, any other mountain would have been bitterly cold.
The road eventually open to a large clearing of trees that was the peak of the Blue Pillar. The series of hills that covered this domain appeared most fragile and delicate: so precious. Up a larger hill in the center of the was the Sanctum of the Flower. It was domed structure of black granite with four entrances facing the cardinal directions. On top of the dome was a flower shaped sculpture of glittering white opal. It was a very powerful sculpture in that its two leaves that branched from the stem opened like arms of stone open wide in graceful glory.
"There it is, Bregorn!" exclaimed Conrad.
"It is more awesome than I imagined." said Bregorn.
"Isn't it?"
When they arrived at one of the entrances of the Sanctum, Bregorn was intimidated by the wooden cathedral shaped door towered as high as a monument. A series of pulleys and the strength of both of them were needed to open it just enough to slip through.
"Now Bregorn, only one of us may enter at a time. I will go into first to clean and offer incense." said Conrad.
There was a long rope tied to a ring out of the ground. Conrad took off his shirt, his earrings, and his boots and tied the rope to his ankle.
He grabbed a broom that was left outside the door and the incense from the bag that he had brought with him. While Conrad was performing the offerings, Bregorn sat on the ground among the flowers in prayer, again thanking the Creator for the opportunity to see her. There was a sense of anxiety, however. What was in that Sanctum was the meaning of existence itself. What should one feel? Conrad seemed confident enough. However, the breeze was soft and the sun was comfortably bright. He prayed there for about an hour before Conrad returned.
"Are you ready?" Conrad asked.
"I am." Bregorn replied.
They returned to the towering door and just like Conrad, he stripped himself to his trousers and tied the rope to his ankle. He slowly entered the Sanctum. There was a short and wide hallway of very smooth stone with two open frames on either side. At the end of the hallway was a thick and opaque black curtain tied shut in three places, behind which was the Creator's Flower. He felt an intimidation from the curtain. Fairly dim it was, also. There was a potent sweet smell of incense through the Sanctum. He entered into the room to his right. The open frame led immediately to a pool of water.
He removed his trousers and sat on the edge of the water, putting his feet in. The water was quite warm, which he did not understand. He pushed himself off of the edge of the pool and fell in. As he arose back to the surface, there was a blanket of peculiar relief that covered him. He climbed out of pool with a smile as genuine as if he were reunited with a loved one. "What a strange experience?" he thought to himself; but then the water behaves oddly as well. They fell quickly from his body and crept its way back into the pool. He was as dry before he had submerged himself in the pool in only a few moments. He stood still in amazement for a while, still feeling the blanket of relief. A great amount of thoughts went through his head. "That is this water? What was this wave of joy that I felt? Was this some sort of touch with the divine?" he thought.
Regaining his focus, he dressed himself in his trousers. He exited the room and went back into the stone hallway. The black curtain was still intimidating to him. He felt great and powerful aura spill forth from behind the black curtain: a spiritual wind fighting to push him away. With each step that he took forward, the aura became more powerful. Eventually reaching the curtain, he undid the knots with great care.
When he split the curtain, he was awestruck with a weave of overwhelming fear, security, and euphoria that he fell to his knees in tears with a gasp. He could not interpret what he had briefly seen in the chaos that he felt. There is truly and literally no words that can describe the awe that Bregorn was in at this moment. He shut his eyes tightly, even putting his hands over them. This fire-like emotion did not cease, but he was able to recover from the impact to again look at what was making him feel such amazement.
It was the Creator's Flower. It was one large blue bloom on top of a thick bush in the center of a circular garden below a skylight; much larger than Bregorn imagined. Its thorned vines grew forth from the center bush wrapped themselves around four rectangular pillars at the corners, almost appearing to grip the pillars with great force. The bloom of the Creator's Flower, appeared far more fragile and delicate; like a single light tough could destroy it. Its colors were very vivid.
There ere very quiet sounds too. Many masculine and feminine whispers in a very many languages that were unknown to Bregorn fell through the air. The high pitched ringing of quiet and distant bells stirred in his mind.