“Jal, please pack a case for travelling,” Jan said that night at dinner. “We’ll go to Nik in the morning, then we’re going to Shifos for several weeks.”

“More trouble?”

“No. We are going to help with the census.”

“The census? I thought that was finished.”

“It’s finished on Iragos Peninsula, Kop and the surrounding area, and in Nek. A few of us have been assigned to Shifos. You and I are going to start at the north end of Haybuti.”

“Does this mean that efforts are going to be made to get past the mountains?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“If the Protectors would want to count the people on the entire planet, they need to cross the mountains to get to the Stafriez settlements. Maybe a team of people will be put together to go through.”

“The mountains are impassable.”

Jal didn’t respond.

“You don’t agree with me.”

“I should think that the officials would be able to figure out a way to get through them.”

“Jal, I don’t want to get into this right now.”

“Okay, but I have one last question. Is it possible that the Protectorate leaders don’t want to go through the mountains? Maybe they’re afraid of what’s on the other side?”

“I doubt it.”

As Jan moved toward the door, it turned. “Jal, when you pack your case, include clothing that’s not city-wear.”

Jal scratched its head, “What does that mean? Jeans and shirts?”

“Yes. And boots.” Jal waited for an explanation. “I’ll make sure you get a chance to go mountain-climbing.”

“Thank you.”

“Is there anything else we need to talk about?”

Jal knew there was, but it wasn’t certain how to put it into words. “I suppose I should take my questions to the Spirit Guardian,” it ventured. “I’ll make an appointment, then pack my case. Maybe I can see him this afternoon.”

“I’m not as capable as the Guardian is when it comes to spiritual things. You can test your questions on me, if you’re trying to figure out what to ask and how to word things. I probably won’t have the answers.”

Jal took a deep breath, unsure if it should ask. “We talk about the Protectors, but we never see them. Can I meet one of them? I’d like to know who they are and what they’re like.”

“They’re very busy. They manage all the things that happen on the planet.”

“Have you ever met one?” Jan shook its head. “What can you tell me about them? What do they look like? Where did they come from? How did they come to oversee the entire planet?”

“I’ve never met one. The Creator put them in charge of the planet, after the planet was created.”

“Created?”

“Zuphreon was created millions of years ago. Let’s go down to the sitting room,” it suggested. “There are some things down there that might help you.”

Only a minute later, the two stood at the shelves. Jan ran its finger along the books. It took a bit before it found the text it was searching for. “This might answer some of your questions.” It slid the book off the shelf.

“Zuphreon’s Earliest Beginnings, Volume One,” Jal read. “It takes a book to explain who the Protectors are?”

“The Protectors have overseen the planet since its creation. These are the notes from conversations between the Creator and them.”

Jal turned the pages of the book. “You’re saying that someone made the planet, and that someone put these people in charge.”

“The Protectors are not people. They are beings.”

“Beings?”

“They don’t look like people. Well, they do, but they don’t. They can make themselves look like us. But they are typically in a different form.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t understand it all either, Jal.”

“If the Protectors are in charge, then why haven’t they made it so that the Stafriez on the far side of the planet are connected with the ones on Trazene and the lower half of Shifos?”

“I don’t know. That would be a question to ask the Spirit Guardian.”

“Why hasn’t anyone else asked the question and had this issue addressed?”

“Well, maybe no one but you has ever brought it to anyone’s attention.”

“How can the other Stafriez not know? They communicate with me when I’m meditating. Don’t other Stafriez meditate?”

“I don’t know. Stafriez are typically very private people. We discuss many things. Spirituality isn’t one of them.”

“Spirituality?”

“Spirituality is the world that is not physical. It’s the soul inside of you, who you are, not what you are physically.” Jan studied Jal’s face; it was earnest and listening intently. “I thought you were talking about these things with the Spirit Guardian.”

“I’ve been talking with Aren about the voices that call to me when I meditate. The discussions that the others are having and have had for the past three centuries, trying to figure out how to get through the jungle, to the mountains and across them.”

“Aren?”

“Aren Moshe.”

“Is Aren an acolyte?”

“Acolyte?” Jal’s eyes widened. “What is an acolyte?”

“An assistant or follower. Floe Kyris is the Spirit Guardian.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I don’t know who that is,” Jal responded, shaking its head. “There is no one else at the Sanctuary when I go.”

“I’m sure there is. Who rings the bells?”

"Bells?”

“The carillon in the front of the building. It is rung before the community gathers in the morning and in the afternoon.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Jan.”

“It’s a row of bells that are sounded in sequence. The acolytes and other people come together to hear Floe Kyris teach. They meditate together after she is done.” Jal’s confusion was very evident, and Jan suggested that it read the text it held. “Would you mind if I go with you this afternoon? I’d like to meet Aren Moshe.”

***

Sage Elvan took the driver’s spot in the speeder, and it wasn’t long before they were at the Sanctuary grounds. “It looks very different today,” it observed. “As if the grounds aren’t being maintained like they used to be.” It looked around. “Where are the bells? They were right here. “This entrance is different too,” the sage muttered as Jal knocked and opened the door.

“Come in, come in, Jal!” a voice called from the far end of the room. “I see you brought someone with you.” An elderly man with a long, grey beard walked slowly toward them. His robe looked worn and Jal wondered if he ever walked on it and tripped.

“Sage Jan Elvan. It is good to see you again.” They embraced and greeted one another.

“It is good to see you too, Floe Kyris. It has been a long time since I was last here.”

Bewildered, Jal looked from Sage Elvan to Aren Moshe. “Why do you call him Floe Kyris?”

“We are one,” Aren said. “To some, I am Floe Kyris, to others Aren Moshe.”

The inside of the temple flickered and changed. “This is what Sage Elvan sees.” Jal looked around. The afternoon light streamed in through colored windows. The inside of a dome reflected the light and appeared gold. Jal glanced at Aren. In his place was a young woman. Her shoulder-length red hair emphasized the green of her pupils. She wore a dazzling amethyst colored dress that glittered when she moved.

“You tricked me?” Jal asked querulously.

“There is no trickery involved. I meet each person in the way that it can relate to me.”

“Are you an acolyte or are you a Spirit Guardian?” Jal wanted to know.

“I am the Spirit Guardian for this temple.”

“Temple?” Jal shook its head. “I am so confused.”

“This is the Sanctuary of Revelations, Temple to Vitos and the Other Protectors of Zuphreon. Most people shorten it to ‘the Sanctuary of Revelations.’ It is here that I welcome travelers of the universe to discuss questions about life, the origins of the planet and the universe, and the spiritual sides of ourselves. Please sit with me, and we can discuss why you have come together.”

“Jal was talking with me about coming to talk with you, and I wasn’t certain who it was talking about. It told me that it was seeing Aren Moshe and I didn’t realize that was you,” Sage Elvan took an offered seat. “I knew that Jal was coming to you to learn how to meditate, and I tried to answer its questions. It’s better that you do so. I’m sure that you deal with questions all the time.”

“Can you tell me one of your questions, Jal?” Aren asked.

“Before we get to my questions, who is Vitos, and why do you call this a temple?”

“Vitos is a Protector. Vitos oversees love, life and the interactions between the various people on Zuphreon. He has a temple so that people can learn to communicate with him, offer him gifts, and thank him for answering their requests.”

“Are you saying that Vitos knows about all the races on the entire planet?”

“Yes. What question can I help you with today?”

“We’ve spoken several times about meditation. I’ve done what you’ve taught me. The voices in my meditation time have become stronger and clearer. They’ve told me that there are people who would help me. I thought that perhaps you might know who that might be.”

The old man rubbed his beard but didn’t respond.

“Maybe there are people who come here from other places that might help me?” Jal proposed.

“Most of the people who come here are from the Iragos Peninsula.”

“Perhaps there is someone in Nik that you know?” Aren sighed. “Maybe someone in Kauflen or Dagmon?” Jal pressed for an answer.

“I only go to Ebenbell.”

“Oh.” Jal looked at Sage Elvan.

“Do you have a question for me? Perhaps it is time to teach you about things of the Temple and the Protectors?”

“I guess so. We were talking about this today. We talk about the Protectors, but we never see them. Can I meet one of them? I’d like to know who they are and what they’re like.”

“Let’s start with some basic things,” Aren proposed. “This is the Sanctuary of Revelations, Temple to Vitos and the Other Protectors of Zuphreon. Most people shorten it to ‘the Sanctuary of Revelations.’”

“Sanctuary,” Jal responded. “This is what my Uncle Eiske offered me. He said his facility was a sanctuary. I would have received protection from my, my parents, if I would have come here. You would have helped me and kept me safe?”

“In a way, yes. Those who work at the Protectorate Enclave offer things that are physical in nature. They make sure you have a place to stay, food to eat, and so forth. I am here to help with things that are spiritual in nature. The things you cannot see. A search for meaning to life, who we are inside our bodies, and those who exist around us. What our purpose is and why we exist.” Aren stopped so that Jal could think about this. “Do you have any questions about that?” Jal had questions but couldn’t find a way to voice them.

“A Sanctuary of Revelations is where people come to learn about themselves and the world. Truth is revealed to those who ask for it.” Aren paused. “The truth about themselves as they go from day to day, month to month, and on and on.” Jal nodded as if it understood. “The Sanctuary is also a Temple to Vitos and the Other Protectors of Zuphreon.”

“A Temple?”

“It is a place of worship. In temples across the world, we pray to the various Protectors and the Creator. In this temple, we worship and offer prayers and gifts to Vitos.”

“I don’t know these words, worship and prayers.”

“When we worship, we honor and show reverence and respect for him. Prayers are ways of asking Vitos for help and expressions of thank you for answering requests. I can teach you how to ask Vitos for help.”

“Do you talk with Vitos?” Jal was curious about who Vitos was, and what kind of help he could provide.

“I talk to Vitos.”

“Does he come here to sit and talk with you?” Aren looked at Jal and waited. Jal was used to this. Sometimes, during their conversations about meditation, Aren would sit quietly for several minutes before answering one of Jal’s questions. “Does Vitos talk to regular people like me?”

Aren didn’t respond. Jal felt an uneasy feeling in its gut and a sense of dissatisfaction forming. “When does he come around to talk to people? I would like to speak with Vitos, please. How often do you talk with him? When was the last time that Vitos talked to someone here? What was that like?”

Aren was not forthcoming with answers to Jal’s questions. “Could you pass a message to him that I would like to meet with him?”

“I pray to Vitos daily. I can teach you how to worship him. Then I’ll teach you how to ask him for help.”

“Please tell me what this word ‘worship’ means?”

“It means to show great respect or admiration for him. To be devoted and to love him.”

“To show respect for him,” Jal echoed. “To love him.” This wasn’t making sense at all. “If I ask to meet with him, when would he get the message? How long does it take for him to respond?”

Aren didn’t answer the questions. Instead, he pointed out that Vitos was responsible for all the interactions between the various peoples of Zuphreon.

“So Vitos knows about the Stafriez on the west side of the Megace Mountains,” Jal remarked.

“I don’t know.”

This response irritated Jal. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”

“I don’t know if Vitos knows.”

“But you just said-”

"My awareness of what Vitos knows is limited. I am human. Vitos is a different type of being. I don’t understand everything he does or doesn’t do.”

“Sage Elvan said this too, that Vitos is a different type of being. What does that mean?” Jal asked quizzically.

“He is not human.”

“But he can make himself look like a human?” The silence within the room grew. “How can this be?” Jal wondered. “What does that look like?” The old man turned away from Jal’s piercing eyes.

“Can I see if I understand you correctly, Aren Moshe?” The elderly man nodded. “This is a temple to Vitos. Vitos oversees love, life, and the relationships between humans of the various races on the entire planet of Trazene. Vitos isn’t a human, but he can make himself look like a human. You’re telling me that I should be respectful, honor, and care about Vitos. You pray to him and ask him for help. But you don’t know how he can make himself look human. You won’t answer my questions about what it looks like when Vitos comes or when the last time was that Vitos was here. Is this all correct?”

“Yes.”

Jal looked at him silently. It thought, “At our first meeting, the Spirit Guardian told me that he was forty-six years old.” Jal said quietly, “Aren Moshe, it seems to me that you are expecting that I’m going to be respectful, love, and talk to someone that hasn’t been here for over forty years.”

“Why would you say such a thing?”

“Because you answer the questions that you can speak positively to, but you are silent at the others. I have come to the conclusion that you don’t want to say no. No, you’ve never seen Vitos. You talk to Vitos, but not with Vitos. You don't know if Vitos is aware of the Stafriez on the far side of Shifos. You may have prayed, but he hasn't answered. You don’t know when Vitos comes around to talk to people or the last time Vitos was here. You don’t know if Vitos speaks to anyone. Is this true?”

Aren did not move or acknowledge what Jal said. He was still sitting there mutely when Jal and Sage Elvan left nearly three hours later.