“Ever since the monarchy has been overthrown, the city of Callir was ruled through a council of prominent citizens. This government is exclusively composed of high-borns, even though it's supposed to be popular. The temple, of course, works hand in hand with the nobility, and in the end Callir is controlled by whichever houses manage to get the backing of the churchmen. We've traded a single king for a whole bunch of them.

-anonymous citizen”

* * *

Rina

Behind the gates was another group of waiting priests. Among them, two were standing out – they were the oldest people she had ever seen, truly. Phiramel introduced them briefly.

Elder Therenus seemed old enough to be her great-great-grand-father, if such a thing was possible, and she noticed he was blind in one eye. For all she knew, he could have been two hundred years old, because if anyone deserved to the title of elder, it was him alright. Viriane was a woman of a slightly younger age than the elder, though it was clear she was still much older than everyone else. Despite her age she stood straight, with a stern expression. Phiramel had called her the sibyl, but Rina had no idea what it meant, and did not dare to ask in front of everyone.

She was told they would have the opportunity to meet and discuss more extensively later in the day, after supper, where she would be introduced to the rest of the churchmen. Something about an evening mass.

They stepped in the entrance hall of the temple, and she was dazzled.

The room was enormous, massive pillars supported the tall arched ceiling, and because of the dimness she had to squint her eyes to observe the detailed frescos up there. At first glance, these paintings were telling of the past deeds of heroes and jousting knights, of colossal battles and armies facing off, and of demons creeping out of the darkness. Rina had no idea who, when, and what was depicted up there, but even in her ignorance she immediately knew that these pictures were important. She had that feeling.

Even Astrael looked like he was impressed. In fact, he was dragging his feet behind the group, eyes fixed toward the paintings on the ceiling. He had a strange expression, a sort of gleam in his eyes. Or is it a tear? she wondered, but she couldn't see much since with the open gates at his back, his figure was against the light. I guess he's moved by the beauty of all this...

As she walked across the hall, accompanied by an army of priests and knights, the sound of their footsteps against the smooth slabs echoed in the otherwise silent temple and only served to further intimidate anyone who'd enter.

Before she knew it, she was leading the group. She didn't even know where to go or what she was supposed to do. Yet she walked, toward a statue at the end of the hall. A strange statue. Curious. She couldn't keep her eyes off it once she noticed it. She wasn't even trying to look away, in truth. It wasn't that she couldn't – she didn't want to.

It was enthralling. Before the statue was an altar, made from marble. Rina only saw it because it was in her field of vision, but her entire being was focused on the stone figure that was overlooking the altar. The figure she kept staring at, no matter what. A most ominous statue, naked and kneeling, but of a gender unknown and hidden. Its arms were raised in front of its chest, offering its palms toward the sky as a finely sculpted trickle of blood flowed from its wrists. Bramble branches were wrapped around all of its limbs, and here, too, there was blood, running along the figure's body, from the wounds made by the piercing thorns.

The face could have been masculine or feminine, Rina wouldn't know. But there was neither pain nor suffering in its expression. Only a peaceful resignation could be deciphered on these features. It was disturbing for sure, yet oddly soothing.

...Who is this? She turned around and searched for Phiramel or Julia with her eyes, meaning to ask them about the statue, but she was surprised to see that everyone had taken their distance. They were watching her with care, as if they were witnessing some grand spectacle. Even Viriane's stern eyes had been replaced with a look of reverence. I really, really hope this isn't the sort of place where everyone claps their hands and cheers every time you fart or move a finger...

But it was obvious they were expecting something out of her, or currently misunderstanding her curiosity for something much more impressive. Left in the dark regarding whatever they were waiting for, she could only curse at her predicament. What should I do...

She spotted Astrael, and tried to beg with her eyes for a miraculous solution. He simply motioned for the statue with his head, and raised the corners of his mouth. Thank you, brother, she grumbled internally. You're so helpful.

Rina stared at the statue once more, but she still had no idea what to do. Everyone kept looking at her. She had to do something, before they started to whisper among themselves. What if they looked down on her because she made a blunder on her first day? Why was no one telling her anything? Why had no one bothered to explain her what to do? Her hands were starting to shake, so she hid them in her sleeves. But then her legs were shaking too, and her heart began to beat rapidly. She felt hot, nervous and anxious.

She felt like crying.

And here they came – the whispers. She glanced to the side, to see who it was, and the sight wasn't one she had been expecting. It was Astrael, muttering something in Phiramel's ear, and the high-priest nodded repeatedly as he listened carefully. Eventually, they exchanged smiles and the old man neared Rina.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Shall we move on, young mistress? Or do you perhaps wish to remain here for the time being?”

Err... I don't know. I just want to go away and die...

“What should I do?” she eventually whispered, low enough so that only Phiramel could hear. He raised a brow and suppressed a chuckle.

“You can do whatever you wish to do. All of us here were simply surprised, since you walked straight to the statue of the first chosen all by yourself.” She felt really dumb once she had fully grasped what he meant. “They are already impressed by your purity and genuineness,” he continued, glancing toward the priests and knights. Rina did so too, and saw they all had looks of awe and respect.

She had no idea such a mundane action could appear so important. Astrael didn't lie when he said I was underestimating the attention I would attract. In any case, it was wiser to keep silent about her ignorance, so instead of babbling something stupid that would show her carelessness, she acted her role a bit.

“I was wondering what was the altar for,” she said in an indifferent tone.

“Ah. You need not worry about it now,” Phiramel assured. “It shall be used for the consecration, when you come of age.”

She observed the altar more intently. It didn't look like the thing was used at all, as the marble was impeccable and without a single scratch. So is it only used whenever a hero appears? Phiramel motioned for the stairs on the side of the hall, and so they began to walk there, while Therenus, Viriane and some other church members left them to attend some other business.

“What happens at the consecration?” Rina inquired.

“That... as I said, is something for a later time.” She had an odd feeling, and didn't really appreciate the high-priest denying her answers, but she kept silent nonetheless and climbed the stairs, glancing back to make sure Astrael followed. She waited for him to catch up once they had reached the first floor, believing that they'd be visiting it, but it turned out they still had to go up.

“Why is the statue like that?” she asked as they climbed another volley of stairs. If she couldn't ask about the altar and the consecration, she'd be damn sure to ask about everything else.

The high-priest looked like he had just realized his mistake. Yes, I'm the young mistress, am I not? I'm a child, curious and innocent, I can't stop babbling and asking about stupid little things. Now, answer my questions. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, why is it neither male nor female? Do we not know the identity of Xito's first champion?”

“Err... We do not. There aren't many records old enough to mention anything about that era. These were very ancient days that would now be forgotten, were it not for the six heroes and their legend that prevailed through the passage of time.”

“How ancient, would you say?” Astrael interjected. He had very intense eyes, so much that Rina felt compelled to look away.

Phiramel shrugged. “Who knows. We aren't talking about centuries here, but probably millenniums. A lot of history is missing between the age of the first champions, and our current era.” Her brother wore a disappointed face, but he apparently quickly got over whatever was bothering him. “I'm glad children like you are taking such an interest in the history of our church,” the priest added.

I am supposed to become its symbol, why are you surprised? It would be weird for a servant of Xito to completely disregard the lore and the traditions of its church. Somehow, it was strange. Phiramel was kind, or at least he was putting on a kind facade, as Astrael surmised, but she was annoyed by the way he was treating her both like an idiot and a supernatural existence. He was showing wonder and awe for everything she did, yet reminded her every time that he wasn't actually expecting a child to display intelligence.

But I guess my position is special? I don't think I would know how to handle someone in my circumstances either. I imagine it is like dealing with a young prince or lord...

She indeed felt like she was a princess, what with her court and all that. Knights following her every step, priests and priestesses waiting for her to create a miracle of some sort, and now, ever since they were on the second floor, maidservants.

Maidservants! My very own servants!

The second floor was apparently where most of the church members lived. She was told she would have her own quarters at the top of the temple, along with the high ranking priests, but there was apparently the need to visit this floor. Her court stayed behind, and only Julia, Phiramel, her brother and her went on.

They stopped at a door, and the high-priest opened it. “This would be your room, Astrael. It's a bit cramped, but you'll have to bear with it for now. We had no time to accommodate for your presence.”

Rina was seething internally. It was obviously a lie, they had been warned that Astrael would come along, Phiramel even said so himself at the village. Is this their way to remind him that he is merely a guest?

“Needless to say,” Julia said, “you are free to wander around and explore the temple, save for a few rooms. I hope you're not too disappointed?”

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” he replied nonchalantly. “It's more than I expected, so don't mind me.”

Rina grunted at her brother's display of indifference, but voiced none of her protests. It wouldn't do to make a commotion here and now, and for such a small matter, she had to reckon bitterly. She would surely be able to argue about little things of the sort once she had strengthened her position in the church.

Or at least, I assume this is what Astrael would do...

“We will now show you to your private chambers, young mistress. Then we shall have a meal, for you must certainly be hungry, before we carry on with the visit.”

They went back to the stairs, and climbed several floors this time. Eventually, they reached their destination, and Rina was impressed yet again. She couldn't have expected this. The last floor was in fact the roof, where a sort of vast residence housed the prominent members of the church.

It seemed that Phiramel, Viriane and Therenus, among others, were living here, and she wondered how the elder managed to deal with the stairs. Maybe he had slaves to carry him? Maybe he spent most of his time here... A beautiful garden with trees, bushes, and a fountain in the centre, surrounded with galleries supported by arches and giving access to several rooms. Calling this floor a palace would not have been too much of an exaggeration.

It was no less than a little chunk of paradise in Rina's eyes. Julia explained that one could see the city from the balconies and windows in the rooms, which obviously made her very eager to do so. But even from here, she could see the top of the keep standing taller than the temple, as it was built on the hill. She had been told that lords were ruling the city in this building, and she wondered if they could see the garden from the keep.

Astrael looked over the place with a satisfied smile. “I think you'll be very comfortable here, beloved sister.”

Rina could only nod in approval.