As we waited for the prophet to arrive, the old woman went outside to fetch water. Finiel brought in wood and piled it up in the wood stove, starting a fire while the woman returned and began preparing for dinner. Solmar and I sat and chatted, but there was now a nervous awkwardness.
It did not take long for the prophet to arrive. He was a tall, well-dressed man with short, silvery hair. He had a kindly but dignified appearance. Behind him another well-dressed man entered the house. He was shorter and somewhat pudgy, with small glasses and a black hat out of which grew two tufts of hair, one on either side. He took off his hat as he entered, revealing the rest of his head to be completely bald, save for his bushy mustache. Cadel trudged in behind them, but stayed back a bit and watched from the door.
"Welcome your Worthiness", Solmar said, standing and giving a slight bow. Everyone else in the room stood as well. I thought it would be wise to do the same, but I found myself collapsing weakly back into the chair.
"Please, children, sit", the prophet said. His voice was like velvet, and had an almost trance like effect. "Master Theos was visiting me when I received your message and wanted to come along."
The man with the mustache dipped his head lightly in response. He had a quiet, yet thoughtful disposition. Solmar reached out and shook both of their hands, again extending a greeting while the others inclined their heads or waved back in acknowledgment.
After some pleasantries the prophet sat down in the seat across from me, “So you are nelak”, he said appraisingly, looking me up and down. He apparently wasted no time getting to the point. With the attention of everyone surrounding me I had the feeling of being boxed in. I shifted anxiously in my chair.
“Yes. I am”, I replied. I was still somewhat bewildered at everyone’s response to my being a nelak. The forest girls seemed to have no concern at all about it.
“What’s your name?”, the prophet asked. I looked up at the one they called Master Theos. He was watching me silently, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Jon”, I said, turning back to the prophet.
The prophet watched me for a time and the began to pepper me with questions. He seemed uninterested in my experience in the forest and focused his questions solely on where I had come from, what I had done there, and how I ended up in Orth. After an thorough interrogation by the prophet, Master Theos finally broke his silence. “Chon”, he said, “What knowledge from your world do you offer us here?”
There was a palpable silence in the room at the question. I deliberated for a moment. I realized my answer to this may give them reason to value me, so I went into my mind and tried to think of things I could help them with. “Well, my expertise in my world is with machines you do not yet possess. Unfortunately you also lack the equipment to build them. But I am also well versed in advanced mathematics and I may be able to assist with other things.”
Master Theos raised an eyebrow. The room was silent. I was starting to sweat. I wanted to lie down and go back to the bed. Not just to rest, but to get away from the scrutiny that seemed to be coming from all directions. I thought to myself that telling them I was nelak was a bad idea.
“What other things could you assist us with?”, Master Theos replied curiously. It was starting to feel like an interview more than an interrogation.
“Well, I have some knowledge of how you might bring water into your homes without need of a well, or a way to provide power which would allow you to light your homes at night without need of candles.”
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At that, there was a distressed gasp from a couple people in the room. The prophet seemed visibly agitated by my response. He turned to Master Theos and gave him a knowing look. The prophet then addressed Solmar, “Why don’t you let Chon get some food and rest”, he said, “He’s been through enough today.” I had been so tense due to the interrogation that I had not noticed the smell that had filled the room. I was hungry enough at this point that I had no will to argue.
I was helped to the table while Cadel and Finiel assisted the old woman with setting out the meal. While the table was being set, Solmar, Master Theos, and the prophet went outside to talk privately. I considered leaving but I knew I could not make a run for it with my injured foot.
Dinner consisted of stew, loaves of bread, butter, and jam. While the others were still absent, the old women had invited Cadel and Finiel, who she referred to as the “Odot brothers” to stay for dinner. They happily agreed, stating that “Miss Nerenne has the best food in Timbervale”. The other men had left, leaving the three of us with the older woman.
Before starting the meal, the three offered a prayer, Invoking the name of Phatia, they asked for her blessing and thanked her for the food. I lowered my head respectfully as they prayed, and then the meal began.
It did not know if was the presence of the food or the fact that the prophet had left, but the tension seemed to have disappeared. The conversation was once again friendly and lighthearted. The Odot brothers seemed to have a way of lifting any mood.
The food was appetizing, and I thanked the woman profusely for the meal. “It truly is delicious Miss Nerenne”, I said.
The old woman laughed. “Please, Call me Mirelle”, she said, “Cadel and Finiel have known me since they were little. Old habits never die.”
Finiel nodded, “She used to babysit us. I guess she’s kind of like our second mom”. Mirelle seemed to like hearing that, her face brightening a bit in response.
As we finished the meal, we sat and chatted for awhile as we waited for the others to return. Since the mood had lightened I decided to inquire about the deity they had prayed to at the start of the meal. In my time with the forest girls, Adrelia and Nuala had not mentioned any devotion to any gods. “I mean no disrespect, but I am new here and I have never heard of Phatia. Can you tell me more about her?”
Mirelle’s eyes lit up. “There is no offense taken. There are many divine spirits that govern our world. Phatia is one of them. She is the goddess of fertility and life. As we are a farming community, fertility and life are of great important to us. Devotion to her provides us with bountiful harvests, and provides righteous families with many children.”
I listened carefully as Mirelle talked about her personal devotion to Phatia. She became very animated when she talked about her beliefs, and I could tell they were very important to her.
“You should join us at the sanctuary tomorrow morning!” Finiel exclaimed. “You’d get to meet most of the town there I’m sure!”
Cadel and Mirelle shot him a look and he became silent. The uncomfortable silence was back again.
“I would love to attend, but I don’t want to intrude”, I added.
“Well, lets see what my son says about how much walking you should be doing”, interjected Mirelle, “We also should wait to hear back from the prophet. Phatia will speak to him. He is her voice.”
“Of course. I understand”, I said back, feeling uneasy at the awkwardness that had returned. It was obvious they were hiding something.
Suddenly there was a sound at the door. Solmar had returned, though without the other two. Mirelle had left a plate out for him. He smiled, thanker her, and sat down. Taking a bite of stew, he closed his eyes, savoring it. It was no longer steaming, but he seemed to enjoy it just the same, “As always, mother, your tabil stew is amazing.”
After enjoying a bite of stew, Solmar turned to me. “The prophet has decided that it would be best if you stayed with Master Theos once you are well enough. I can help you to his home tonight, but I will be checking in on you while you heal. You are of course, free to leave at any time, but I would hope you would at least accept our hospitality until you are well.”
I was surprised at the response and breathed a sigh of relief. His tone was friendly once again. The previous reaction to me still left me confused but I felt I could trust him. “Thank you. I hope I am not a burden to you.”
Solmar finished his bite, turning to me. “No person is ever a burden.” He responded.