When Coney hopped back into Plastikos he was exhausted. A little apart of him wanted him to go to sleep, after all he’d spent hours doing all that work, the least he could do was give his body a rest. But the rest of him had already decided, he needed to move on, to go back into that fantastical dreamworld. Maybe now that he’d advanced he could do something more special, go further.
Waking up once more in his cot he felt rested. This body had been sleeping well since he left. He hoped his real body could do the same, but they said there was a mental strain linked with being inside for too long. Once he got up there is no turning back for him, he simply couldn’t stop. It would be so easy to turn the system off and go to sleep, he felt so comfy here, but no… he had things he wanted to do. Sleep be damned, his friend had given him a challenge. He wouldn’t ignore it so easily.
Going downstairs he went to the eating hall, only to find that he was met with even more glares than usual. He didn’t really know why, at least not until he was approached by Mother Franca.
“Franca, what are you doing here?” Coney Asked, his body shivering a little as he looked up at her.
“Well, dear bunny, it would be remiss if I didn’t give you your raiment for reaching the Acolyte stage. You have not managed to reach a rank within the clergy, but as a liturgical student you have raised yourself above the common layman.” She smiled and handed him something “This is a symbol of your devotion. If you take it off the gods will take offense, for breaking their convenience without good reason makes them angry. I would not cause too much trouble now that you have gained this honor.
Coney nodded, taking what she offered. It was a ring, similar to that which he’d seen downstairs. Instead of the weirdly shaped T it was a plain gold, like a signet ring without a signet. “What’s this flat part for?”
“Do not worry, someday you will reach the time where that matters. For now, simply know that you are now an official member of the church. Whether you are clergy or not you are under church law, and will be treated as such.” She smiled softly and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry too much about it. You will do great things, I know it.” With that she walked away, leaving Coney alone with the new ring on his finger and his eyes looking around.
Everyone was staring at him. His cheeks were flushed, a deep apple red, but at least everyone was stunned silent. Even as he got his food, ate, and left he heard nothing out of everyone else. In some ways their staring was worse, but at least he could ignore that, his ears were far too good to ignore anything so blatant as whispering.
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Putting his bowl away he walked out of the building and in the direction he’d not gone before, towards the gate. There was a simple cobble path that cut right to the entrance, but with a sense of the dramatic he walked all the way to the church before turning to the archway that was directly across from it.
Walking to the gatre he found himself blocked by a man in armor. “Halt. Are you a student? You may not be permitted off campus until you have reached greater than first rank.”
“I have been made an acolyte.” Coney said, holding his ring out. With a flash it began to glow, a symbol in the center of it showing up, which the guard noted in his book.
“So it seems, alright, here’s the deal. You may leave, but you must come back within three days. Any more and you are disqualified, though you may of course re-apply.” He leaned down. “But… It costs gold. I don’t know if your family can afford that.” He had a kind tone, but his words were condescending.
“I understand the risks, but I really must do some exploring. I’m going stir crazy.” It was a lie. COney himself could have spent his time in the library doing research, and he’d had plenty of excitement, too much in the eyes of many. But the advice his friend gave him was top notch, he really did need to get some time outside. If for no other reason than he needed something interesting for his next post. Maybe he could find a dragon, it couldn’t be that hard, he’d seen several kinds of undead after all. He just needed to give a spectacle that they would not soon forget. Little did he know that his wish would be granted so soon, and so spectacularly.
Outside the abby was about what he’d seen before he left. It was slightly more open, without the looming walls in all directions, but all he saw were open fields. There were a few shrubby trees, but the area was entirely covered with hills, almost all of which had soft green grass.
The image was breathtaking, the beautiful pastoral ideal. The grass was greener out there, far greener than he’d ever seen. He wasn’t expected anywhere, but still he had to get going. If he got to town quickly he could learn easier and faster ways to gain quests.
The only lead he had was the path out of the abbey land. It wasn’t easy, his clothes were intentionally drab as he walked down the street. Of course that was the point. This was a significant trip, so many people would give up before making the pilgrimage. Given all the gold in his pockets would not make him happy. No amount of prayer would work either.
Sure, maybe he’d tried the latter, but it certainly didn’t work. Instead he walked down the dirt road.
The end of the road wasn’t actually that far. In fact, as far as Coney could tell it was just over one of the hills. He just walked up and up until he reached an apex, and there below him sprawled the town he was looking for. Something right out of a fantasy novel.