Another year had passed.

Sorach was on his way with Bishop Martinez to the town of Everflay. It was a 3 Day journey by foot. It was the furthest Sorach had gone from the Holy City. Everflay had an outbreak of some disease and the Temple dispatched some of its force as measures to fight the darkness.

Sorach had been assigned with Thomas, another young acolyte. Thomas however had already had his coming-of-age Ceremony and could not yet speak. Thomas was diligently training his healing and Sorach was envying Thomas. Sorach also wanted a new tongue. Thomas was continually making incisions in his arm and closing the incisions back up.

The coming-of-age Ceremony was done by all young acolytes. Where They cut out their own tongue. If you are able to become a good enough healer you would heal your tongue back and if you were unable to master healing you would Become a silent, protecting and maintaining the temple grounds. As well as Caring for all who seek the Temple. The Silent are the foundation of the temple.

It was forbidden to have your tongue healed back by a different person other than yourself. And it is considered a great shame.

As young Acolytes they had joined along with bishop Matrinez , and they went on a Missionary Journey to a nearby Town in the bordering region. They would heal the sick and afflicted spread the light.

They Got to the local Monestary early in the Morning.

Sorach could feel the heat of the sun starting to light up on his skin. They were traveling by cart. There were 2 donkeys pulling the cart and Bishop Martinez was sleeping whilst Sorach was manning the reins. Thomas was looking super exhausted. Now is it wise to let the blind kid man the reigns? No. But Sorach wasn’t totally blind. He could sense mana signitures in all living things and His mana perception has reached a level that is very high for his age. A better mana Perception than almost anyone. This is both because of raw talent and being blind forcing him to rely only on mana perception. He couldn’t see the cobblestone path or any obstacles, but the donkeys were not blind, and they know most of the path to follow. He could also see the life in the town which they were approaching. People sleeping leaking mana into the environment. Like little whispt of pure light. Waking up and some already starting early.

He Could smell the fires from the Bakery and the Blacksmith, and he could slowly but surely hear the rustling of people. They were very close. They were approached by someone, and he woke the Bishop. The Bishop a little annoyed that he had been woken up, immediately regained his posture and showed the emblem of the church. They were passed without a hassle, and they proceeded to the monastery. There they did their morning prayer and the local priest was very excited to have people from the Holy City here in his small town.

Word had spread about their arrival, and one could hear the bustling of the town. All of its needy denizens making their way to the religious building.

The food was wonderful. It was not luxurious. No foods Sorach had ever tried were, but the local wildlife had made for a fine stew. That was reheated this morning for the Children of the light to enjoy. Along with that the priest made sure they had gotten fresh bread and clean water. When they had finished their food the priest wanting to talk with the Bishop in private, however he was shut down.

The Bishop would address the people and spread the word of the light. His Authority held power over all things good here and he was to teach the people of the Light. The Bishop went atop the Balcony so all of the town could see and he began his Sermon. And it was a good Sermon.

Stolen novel; please report.

Sorach found new revelation in how the Duality brought new life into the world and how all things had to die so new things could be born. And they all had to be made anew in the light. Thomas was pretty sure he saw some of the people crying. Even Sorach who was prone to expression very little emotion. And it wasn’t that Sorach could net feel emotion. It was just that he had never seen a face or learned how to react in expressions.

They all sang a Hym, based on the Duality where the first half consisted of soft orderly singing and everyone began chanting and dancing to the end. The Bishop was about to have an alter call when a large Horse drawn Carraige arrived. It stirred up the crowd a bit and one of the horses almost mangled a poor peddler. The person stepped out. Surely It was one of the local nobles.

The door was opened and a rather peculiar well dressed man stepped out. He was a local noble. And one of the local ministry informed the Bishop that it was the son of the count and he was ruler of this territory, and had come to have his daughter healed.

The Bishop seemed stiff. Sorach could see the light in him burn with a brighter tint. Almost like the sun, burning on your skin. The Bishop spoke. “To disturb a sermon of the Blessed light and to then try to receive a blessing without having paid penance. Abhorrent. “The Bishop lifted his arm in the air and pointed 3 fingers towards the heavens Declaring: ”Three!” The noble only now realising that the rank of the man he had disturbed far outmatched his own wore a look of confusion. “Three what? ” the local noble questioned. “Three digits for 3 months and you will wait in line. Does the sun shine more brightly on the heads of nobility than that of the common man? No, I say to you as the sun shines evenly on all, the light does so as well. You will wait and Will pay penance for disturbing the peace and making light of the workings of the light.”

The young noble was confused. The Cult of the light had not sent people from the Holy city to this region for over 20 years. They were near rivers had very few natural disasters. He had been warned by his father of the power the church possessed but had yet to witness it first hand. He paid his tithe and the local church was merely a tool in which he could keep the local populace in check. Having them all walk in straight lines. Making them easier to manage. Up until now his authority was absolute. And not only was this Bishop telling his sickly child to stand in line between these peasants. He also had to give something as penance. What exactly digits were he was not sure but his child needed healing and he was sure he could afford it, even if it was more expensive that he bargained for.

Therefore knowing he can buy 3 of almost any item he agreed to the price of penance“ I will pay the Penance” What could they possibly request of him?

For a moment the Bishop seemed slightly shocked. “Admirable, we should all seek to repay our sins at the speed of this man. Bring him to me so that he might not lose faith and change his mind.”

Having that said that the was grabbled by several locals, all whom have had their faith stirred up by the glorious faith of the bishop and proceeded to carry him to the altar. The Bishop took out the ceremonial cleaver. “Hereby son of count Edward the third asks forgiveness, 3 digits penance for 3 sins. For disturbing the light, for looking down on your fellow man as you would look at an animal and for disrespecting the authority of the light. ” With that said the ceremonial cleaver was swung once, 3 fingers from the right hand of the son of the count were severed and his penance had been paid. His sins washed clean in his blood. Sorach could only admire the authority of the light as the iron smell of blood filled the air. With that dispensed, all who were ill were healed. Their mana had to recover So it took them many days and nights. 1 month in total.

The stay in Everflay was a success, they had enjoyed their stay and the locals had strengthened faith. All who were sick were healed. Some who waited in line had unfortunately succumbed to their ailments. Among them was the daughter of the son of the Count. Sorach did feel sorry for all of those who had sadly lost their battle against the disease. Over 200 people had been healed. And on the cart ride home Thomas finally had the strength to heal his own affliction. Having only been a silent for 8 months was a remarkable achievement. And Sorach could not wait till he had his own chance one day.