It wasn't really a conscious decision, it was born of years of habit and I only realised how foolish it was when the two women entered the room. Nym was hiding a smile behind one hard and Sharina just gave a snort. 

"Boy, I made tha' body, ain't nothin' there ya need ta hide from me."

Feeling a little silly, I moved my hands away from my crotch, we had just spent several minutes inspecting the bodies. There really was no point in modesty, it just felt weird to be in such a human-like body and be naked out in the open. Sharina walked a quick circle around me, nodding. She went over to a small chest at the side of the room, from which she produced a cheap set of wool clothes that she passed to me. 

"'ere it'll keep ya modest when ya go out an' stop ya scarin' tha kids. If tha's all ya needs then I gotta ask tha' ya be goin'. Gotta a shop ta run an' all tha'." 

Nym thanked her for her time as I quickly put on the clothes, I had to be careful as I did so as I felt that I could easily tear the cloth apart. When I was suitably covered, we left the store and entered the street. 

"Do not forget to engrave your symbol onto your body. It would be unfortunate if you were arrested so soon after gaining this body. I must say, it is nice to not have to carry you." I nodded at her words and furrowed my brow in concentration. My body had an actual face, one that was much more lifelike than my vague one and I could form actual facial expressions. I had to intentionally do them but I figure it would be a good habit to get into.

I looked at the image that was still stuck to my core and slowly began to trace the pattern into the back of my new hand, it wasn't overly complex or difficult to draw but I had the feeling that precision mattered with it so I took my time and ensured that I got it perfect. We walked for several blocks as I did this and when I finally looked up Nym had stopped in front of a building that looked remarkably like a church from home.

"I said that I would be willing to teach you how to resist weak mental effects like those from titles and such. We would need to do such things inside the temple so as to avoid conflict with the guards and I can answer any more questions you might have."

I was reluctant to go inside and Nym almost certainly noticed but she didn't mention anything. I nodded and gestured towards the door for her to lead the way. She swung open the double doors and the interior was not what I was expecting. I had been expecting pews, candles, fonts and the like. That was the only kind of religious building I'd ever been in, back home but this was different. 

Firstly it was bigger on the inside, the building was about the size of a village church but inside it was like an enormous cathedral, the ceilings were hundreds of feet high and sunlight seemed to pour in, there were thousands of people inside, way more than there should be for a town, even as big as this one. There was clearly some magic at play, was the door actually a portal to a cathedral elsewhere in the world? Was it some kind of pocket dimension? I don't know if I even want an answer to those questions.

The room was large and open. Doors dotted the edge of the room but other than that were only 7 immense pillars of crystal that poured out even more light than the roof. I was sure that if I had functioning eyes that I would be hard-pressed not to squint whilst I was in the room but Nym barely even blinked at the transition. People stood facing the pillars, heads tilted towards the ceiling and arms out wide as they basked in the light and prayed. It was a little cultish in my opinion but I had always thought that of other religious organisations back on earth too. Everyone inside was an elf it seemed, at least with my passing inspection, there were some that I couldn't really be sure of, like Nym, they didn't appear like most of the other elves I had seen.

This organisation held way too much power for my liking, it scared me and I just wanted to be away from it. Unfortunately, I needed to know how to stop people from messing with my mind and I could deal with being uncomfortable a little while longer. I began to martial my thoughts again being in this place, I had no doubt that it didn't matter, I was sure the goddess would be able to know my feelings regardless but still, it felt like a sensible decision. 

I was led, silently, through a set of doors to the right of the entrance and into a smaller, much more reasonably lit room. Inside it, there were chairs that lined the edges but it was empty. Nym sat down and winced when I was about to do the same. 

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"I apologise but these chairs are not reinforced and would break easily beneath your weight. If you would rather sit than stand I can have a suitable chair brought to you."

I blinked at her, somehow managing to do so instinctively rather than my usual still face, then it hit me, was a golem. I was made of stone. It was easier to forget since if I didn't focus on it my body was enough like my old one that I could act as I had before. I wasn't sure if it was a good sign that I was comfortable in this body or if it was concerning that I could so easily forget my nature, even after being a golem for quite a while. 

I shook my head and moved so that I would be in front of her and stood. 

"Forgive me if you do not feel it is my place to say but I would suggest getting another way of speaking at some point. Your spell leaves you rather taciturn and the voice is rather ominous in itself, you may find people are more friendly if you have a better way of conversing. There are a variety of trinkets available for such things, they are often cheaper than paying a healer to fix injuries affecting the voice. Though it is your decision." She said it with a somewhat uncomfortable smile like she disliked pointing out a flaw in me and it did not go away until I smiled and nodded towards her. 

"Before we begin, do I have your explicit permission to activate my title only for the purpose of teaching you?" I nodded. She had a glazed look in her eye for a second and then suddenly I was filled with a feeling of warmth and security. "There, now the first thing you need to know if how to recognise that you are being affected. The actual resisting part is often easier than the sensing. You will find it easier because you were aware of my title and knew that I was activating it but your mind will try to skip over those thoughts. You need to focus on them, look for a place where your mind feels fuzzy if it seems like your thoughts are interrupted by a new idea that agrees with the title. Focus there."

As Nym spoke the feeling of trust, I had in her deepened and I felt safe. I tried to do as she said, she was showing me that she was affecting my mind but that didn't matter because she was safe. Wait, I tried to focus on that thought but my mind was distracted at the feeling of warmth I felt from being near her. It seemed stronger than it had before, I remember the feeling of indignation and fear when I had found out about it after that and focused on just how silly I was to feel like that towards her. 

After a few minutes of my thoughts swirling like this, she got a glazed look in her eye again and the feeling evaporated and I was once again was terrified at the effect she had on my thoughts. 

"Don't worry, it's not something you'll be able to do immediately and I will deactivate it periodically so that you can reflect."

It ended up taking nearly three hours before I managed it, it was difficult but I could feel the seams of where the influence affected me. I could see the exhaustion that was painted across Nym's face, she hadn't complained once throughout this process and had only offered gentle encouragement. I felt bad for her, she had been showing me around for a while now and she had been working before that. As soon as I had managed to find where the influence over me was, resisting it was quite easy and I could do it naturally. It wasn't perfect, I still felt more attached to her than I should but I was in control of my thoughts and actions as much as I could tell. 

I spent another half an hour working on resisting it before telling her that I think I had the hang of it. A smile bloomed on her face as her shoulders sagged in relief. 

"That is quite fortunate as I was going to have to leave soon, I have grown quite exhausted and I don't know if I would be of much more use to you today, I am sorry. If you do need my help at any point, you may seek me out, if I can I will aid you but I do have duties as a priest."

"Thank you for your help today."

I nodded as I spoke and she stood. 

"It is no trouble, it has been an enjoyable experience to help situate you in the world. If you would like a place to rest then there are many inns to the east of here, you won't miss them. You would not even need a room, I suppose but you would need to come to an understanding with the innkeep. I would not sleep on the streets, even if it were not illegal then you are likely to be robbed. Wait here one moment."

She went through a door that was on the other side of the room to where we had entered and returned a few moments later."This is the remainder of the money I had been left for you. I have exchanged some of the gold for silver and copper coins, it is not always wise to announce you are carrying around a significant amount of gold. You can use this to buy yourself some equipment or to rent someplace to stay. Since you don't need food nor drink I imagine it would last you longer than most. I wish you luck Alex and may Arya's light reveal your path."

The light around us grew slightly more intense as she spoke that last sentence. I took the small pouch that she had given to me, gingerly tying it to the belt of my new clothes and desperately trying not to snap the strings. I gave Nym a smile and a wave by means of goodbye and left the strange temple. I was, for the first time in a little while once more free to do what I wished and what I wished was nothing more than to leave this town as fast as my legs could carry me. So that's what I did.