I gathered my meagre possessions and travelled with the three adventurers to the forward camp. We first went to the healer's tent, where we were all cleansed of the Zombie Curse.
“Standard procedure, even though we are going back out shortly,” Rufus said. “We have to be careful to stop the spread. It is going to be decades before this area is declared clean. It may never be truly free of the curse now.”
I could see how difficult that would be. It will only take one carrier to die and restart the plage again.
“There seem to be a lot of Priests here,” I said.
Farrah nodded. “Everybody rallies around when the Undeath God shows his head. He caused such destruction. Healer obviously sends cleansing priests, and Death is particularly against Undeath, But Warrior and Hero always send people. The Adventure Society runs the show, and the Magic Society is always around when forbidden magics are in play.”
“It is their only chance to study them,” Rufus muttered.
“Come with me,” Farrah said. “Rufus can report in for us as he is our esteemed leader. I will get you registered as a refugee and arrange for your portal to Stillwater, where you can finally relax.”
“I wonder where the food is,” said Gary.
“Come on, Gary, you were only just eating,” Farah said, “Come and let's get Theo sorted.”
I registered under my full name, and when they wanted to know where I was from, I said Ironwwod Logging Village #3. I didn’t want anyone really connecting me to Ironwood City. I am moving on from all that and will stay a free agent and be an adventurer like Rufus, Farrah and Gary.
I stopped. I am looking forward, already? Yesterday, I wanted to die. Visions of Dad and Olivia rose to mind, and things came crashing down.
Where is Mom? I checked the refugee list, and she wasn’t listed. I made sure to leave her name with the staff there so they could message me. I was given some paperwork to take through the portal.
I was waiting in line for the Portal. There were two specialised Portal people, but their powers were on cool down for a few minutes.
Then I heard a commanding voice call my name: “Theodore Narelli! Theo! Please wait a minute.”
I stopped and turned. So did everybody else. This was an important person. Farrah and Gary bowed at her approach. I didn’t know who she was. She was a tall elf in black leather who had obviously seen recent fighting. She had daggers on each hip and a bow over her shoulder with a half-empty quiver of arrows. She was followed by two others, one in chainmail with a sword and shield and another in dark mage robes. They all looked like they had come from recent fighting.
“Theo, thank you for waiting. I am Catri Glaynor, High Priestess for the Goddess Death’s temple in Stillwater.”
“Please to meet you, ma’am,” I never hurt to be polite.
“No, I am pleased to meet you. My Goddess is very pleased with you.”
“Ma’am?” I asked, puzzled.
“How much do you know about the Goddess of Death, Theo?”
“Almost nothing, ma’am,” I said truthfully. There were some shocked gasps around, but I didn’t care much. I couldn’t tell if it was my lack of knowledge that caused them or my blunt answer. I didn’t care either way. I didn’t even care if she struck me down at this point, but that seemed unlikely if her goddess was pleased with me.
“The Goddess has two main roles in this world, Theo.” The High Priestess seemed to fall into teaching mode easily. “The first is to gather the souls of the recently departed and see them safely into the hands of the Great Reaper in the Astral. This curse of the undead does not allow the person’s soul to be released but binds it to the dead flesh, and it is powerless and tormented rather than released and free.”
I nodded in understanding.
“This is why my Goddess is so pleased with you, Theo. You personally have released three hundred and twenty-one souls into the care of my goddess. Thank you, Theo.” There were a lot of surprised looks now, especially as it was clear I was not even Iron rank.
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I dared to correct the priestess, “Ah, I only counted three hundred and twelve, ma’am.”
There were some more gasps. Seriously, can't people control themselves?
The High Priestess smiled, “My Goddess includes those you freed in Ironwood city before you escaped and did the goddess’ work in the village. You are clever and resourceful, Theo, even before you are Iron rank.”
I just nodded. I realised the high Priestess was doing this in public for her own reasons.
“The Goddess has a thank you gift. You can collect it from the temple when you are ready.” Then she stepped closer and lowered her voice. The public show was over, but that didn’t mean people stopped watching. “Theo,” she said much quieter. “The second role of my goddess is caring for the living of those who have departed and guiding them back from grief. She knows what this has cost you. She wants to help. The gift is part of that. It should bring you some peace.”
“Can you tell me about my Mother?” I asked.
The High Priestess put an arm on my shoulder and said, “I can tell you her soul passed into the care of the goddess two days ago.”
That broke me again. I was truly alone. Everything went blurry. I had the vague sense of Farrah closing in on one side and the giant Gary on the other, sheltering me from watching eyes. The High Priestess guided us to one side.
Rufus marched up. “What’s going on here?” he demanded. He pushed past the two who were with the high priestess and trying to keep people away. “Lady Glaynor.” he greeted the Priestess politely but no less demanding.
“Theo has just found out his mother passed away as well,” Farrah said.
“I am sorry, Theo, the goddess warned me, and it appears I am still capable of making mistakes. The goddess is pleased with you, even though she is a bit upset with me. Nia!” She called, and the robed girl that came with the high priestess came forward. I noticed she was human. “I want you to go with Theo to Stillwater. He is to stay as a guest at the temple. Make it happen.”
“Yes, High Priestess.”
“The temple is a place of peace and remembrance, Theo. That should help. While anyone is welcome in the temple, you will always be a special Guest of the goddess. Remember that. I will go and leave you in peace. Nia will be nearby.”
I didn’t understand what she said. I guess staying at the temple would be nicer than the refugee centre, but I didn’t really know. I have never set foot in any temple.
The High Priestess had left, and Rufus was acting like a guard dog for some reason. I couldn’t make sense of it, and I was suddenly tired. Gary and Farrah were there like pillars on which I could lean.
Eventually, I pulled myself together and got up.
“Do you want us to come with you?” Farrah said.
I shook my head, “I will be fine,” not really believing it.
Nia came forward, “They can if you like. I can arrange a portal back in time for their next mission.”
I saw Rufus looking at her doubtfully.
Nia shrugged, “The High priestess said to make it happen, and he is a special guest of the Goddess. I can make it happen.”
I pulled myself together, “No, that's fine. I will be fine.”
I don’t think anybody was convinced, but they let it go. Farrah said, “We should be due a rest rotation in four days. We will come and see you then.”
Nia guided me back to the portal users. We skipped the queue and went through the next portal to Stillwater. It was the first time I had ever been through a portal. I felt queasy after stepping through, but I held it together and didn’t throw up. I noticed a lad nearby with bags for people who did throw up, so it was not uncommon.
I had never been to Stillwater before. It seemed quite a bit larger than Ironwood. It was situated on the edge of a large lake. What is it with the naming of places around here?
Nia led me to the official who was recording arrivals, and she presented her ID and then indicated that I should do the same. She informed the official in no uncertain terms that I would be staying at the Temple of Death, and if they wanted any further information they could come to us. I had not been concentrating, so I didn’t know what they were asking.
Whatever.
Nia led me through the streets. The Temple of Death was across the road from the beach at the lake's edge. I am sure it would have been lovely if it had not been windy; the water was choppy, and a rain squall was heading our way.
The temple had a small office area at the entrance. Then, it opened out into a large, carefully manicured garden. The paths winding their way through were nice. The main chapel area was straight ahead, but Nia led me to the right, and we entered a temple worker-only area. There was a communal kitchen and lounge area, and she introduced me to several people whose names went in one ear and out the other.
“The communal areas are open to you, so feel free to come and go. I will get you an official temple ID soon. The bedrooms are upstairs, and the bath areas are at the end of the hall. If you have any questions, there is always an acolyte on duty at this desk, or the office at the entrance always has someone in it. If you want to go to the main city, the main shopping areas are further along the shore to the north. I like walking along the lake edge to get there. It is very pleasant, but we can arrange transport if needed.” we went upstairs, “This is your room. Take your time. I will be cleaning up and then hanging out downstairs if you need me.”
“Thank you, Nia. You have been very kind and efficient. I will probably wash and then crash for a bit.”