The first rays of light shone into the house and loud bells rang, indicating the arrival of Lauds. The night before, The Antithetical had a talk with Finola while Guillalme tended to the cattle. During their conversation, The Antithetical struggled to get more information without arousing suspicion. He learned that Glisford was indeed the location of the Manor of Iesos and that it was currently the 249th year of the Luchilos era, almost at its end. Today was Sunday, and every believer was required to attend church on time for Prime, which was one of the eight hours of the day, named Matins (nighttime), Lauds (early morning), Prime (first hour of the day), Terce (third hour), Sext (noon), Nones (ninth hour), Vespers (sunset), and Compline (end of the day). The Barre's were aware that The Antithetical was not from Glisford, but they felt pressure to question him and didn't fully trust him. Despite this, it was against their beliefs to meddle too much in other people's affairs, so they continued to provide him with shelter and observe him, with the eventual plan to hand him over to the ecclesiastical authorities. Finola spoke to him about Glisford and The Antithetical remembered the information well.
Glisford was a bustling naval city located on the outer rim in the south of the Emuna Region. It was a part of the Fiafergian Theocracy and bordered the Citriciliano Parish and the capital city of Citriciliano to the west. With a population of 20,000 and over 1,200 buildings, Glisford was a thriving hub of commerce and trade. The town comprised of 9 landmarks, including four orchards, the Manor of Iesos, North Town, Mistbrook, Fish Road, the Barre Farm, Five Shades, the South Gate, and Lostlodge. The Four Orchards was the most luxurious and sought-after area, with the noble families residing there amidst the lush greenery, blooming fruit trees, and the Chapel, while the Manor of Iesos was home to the town's most influential resident, the head of the Queen's Council and Chief Advisor. North Town was the most populated area and was bustling with activity, while Mistbrook was known for its peaceful and serene atmosphere. Fish Road was a bustling market street where fishers sold their daily catch. In the poorer area of Five Shades, the common folk made their homes and worked hard to make ends meet. The South Gate served as the city's main entrance, while Lostlodge, so named because it was the last refuge for those lost to the curse, housed those who had fallen into madness. Despite its reputation, Lostlodge provided much-needed care for those who would otherwise be left to suffer in solitude. It was clear to The Antithetical that the town of Glisford was a diverse place and had something for everyone who was part of the big wheel. This meant that they had to enter Glisford through the Westgate and follow the streets where Fish Road was located on the right and North Town on the left. This should not have taken more than 30 minutes, yet they had to set off slowly, being late was not an option.
For the first time in two days, he stepped out of the safe environment of the house. He had not realized it before, but he felt so much more at ease with walls around him. This must have been an aftereffect of the years in the mine. The Antithetical chuckled as he thought about it. What an irony, to have been tortured for years and have the feeling that there was a greater presence watching him, judging him, pressuring him when he was out in the open. He looked up at the sky and suddenly heard a voice in his head again. A long time had passed and he had almost forgotten it, or rather repressed it. Words formed again in his mind's eye.
“____ _____ _____, pronounced dead ___ ____ ____ __ ______ ______
___ inheritance __ ____ __ ___ ___ __ _________
_____ ___ ______ __ _____ ____ __________ mortality __ _____ ____”
It was difficult to shake off the shiver that ran down his spine, as if something was building in his mind. But it felt different from the time he spent in the mine, when words would form in his mind in the unknown language the miners spoke. He had gone through so many terrible things for God knows how many years, and he was close to accepting that he was slowly losing his mind. Everyone seemed to know more than him, and no one was trustworthy, as if the entire world was out to get him. Even though he felt like a madman in disguise, he wanted to stick to his plan. Attend the church service, find out more about the ruling church and the Manor of Iesos, and try not to draw too much attention to himself, while also trying to find any clues that might help him regain his memory.
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They had already left the Barre Farm, entered Five Shades, and were nearing the Northwest Gate. The change in environment was immediately noticeable as they went from the muddy ground to a paved road. The Northwest Gate was, in general, nothing out of the ordinary. High stone walls surrounded the city, and it was clear that watchtowers were built at strategic points, such as the Northwest Gate. On either side of the gate were two circular towers with pointed terracotta roofs, staffed by guards and displaying standards.
The Antithetical's eyes were fixed on the standards as they approached. The standards were impressive, captivating, and familiar. They depicted a red heater-shaped shield, divided into four black backgrounds filled with a cross pattée. A golden globus cruciger was crowned in the center. His gaze was fixated on the standards as they drew closer and closer. The guards started to shift their attention in their direction, and at that moment, Guillalme and Finola lowered their gaze, folded their hands, and walked forward. In an instant they noticed that The Antithetical was staring at the standards, not even noticing the Guards. Guillalme elbowed him in the side and whispered, “Come on, what are you waiting for! Do not stare!” His gaze freed itself from the flags and he made himself like the others. He folded his hands, lowered his eyes, and walked slowly forward.
The shadows of the gate approached and although it was a normal gate, he began to tremble slightly. He knew that if he took another step, if he entered Glisford, there would be no turning back. He paused for a moment. He heard the guards behind him turn back in his direction, he guessed, as they exchanged glances. He took a deep breath, lifted his foot, and stepped into Glisford. There was no turning back.
A broken man behind his mask laughed as he lifted his gaze.
A bustling city with a rich architectural style revealed itself to him. The houses in Glisford were built of stone and brick, with sturdy wooden beams supporting their steeply pitched roofs. Many of them were adorned with intricate carvings and stone cornices, giving them a grand and stately appearance. Some houses had small gardens, filled with colorful flowers and shrubs, adding to the charm of the city. The streets were narrow and winding, with cobblestone pavements and shopfronts lining both sides of the road. People bustled past them, hurrying about their business, but Guillalme and Finola kept their gaze low, and their hands folded, showing respect as they made their way towards the church. The Antithetical followed suit, keeping pace with his companions. To his right he saw a wooden sign saying, “Fish Road”. The smell of salt and fish from the nearby port mixed with the aroma of baked goods and fresh produce from the Fish Road Market reached his nostrils. The market street of was particularly lively, with vendors selling their wares and shouting to attract customers. The sound of bartering and haggling filled the air, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the city. As they continued down the road he saw another shield, now attached to one of the houses that said, “North Town.” North Town seemed to stretch so far that he could not see where it ended. It seemed that North Town was the part of Glisford where most of the inhabitants resided. With street vendors, musicians and performers adding to the cacophony of sounds, North Town was bustling with people going about their daily lives. While he took a closer look at the surrounding houses, he realized something. Yes, many houses were adorned with intricate carvings, but the arrangement was always the same. Beyond that, he saw more in them. Some parts within the carvings were deeper and different, they stood out overall. It's like a constellation. He recognized a pattern or an outline but could not really connect the lines. The miasmatic shapes were too random, and on the other hand, at first it felt like there was no pattern at all. Suddenly he connected some dots. He saw a pattern, and his forehead began to burn again. And he could hear something.
“My Liege, I've come to bid you farewell,” a woman said.
“Oh, I expected as much,” a man answered. “You think now that you are worthy.”
The woman answered, “–We were only mortals, and you’d wish you’d be mortal again. Your mind is yet to perceive.”
“By the gods, you’ll fear it,” the man replied.
Perplexed, he looked away from the walls of the houses and looked around. Everything was as it had been before; the people were still milling about; the merchants were still shouting, and it was as if nothing had happened. Had he just imagined it, were performers rehearsing their lines, or was it all in his head again? He had already accepted that his mind was broken like a glass that fell to the floor. He searched for Guillalme and Finola, found them and followed them quickly. To the Church it is, to find some answers, of even more questions.