image [https://i.im.ge/2024/04/20/ZqUkCm.chapter-24.webp]
----------------------------------------
Life quickly settled into a routine. Every day, Gage would wake and give a small offering to the tent shrine, his shrine. He had been shocked by the small surge of power he had received on his way home, later to discover Elfric had not only picked up and dedicated a small shrine but had given prayer and left an offering to Kin as well. Since then, everyone in the tent occasionally left a small offering at the shrine, usually a bit of broth or food. Faelenor had even used some allowance to pick up an incense cone to light on special occasions.
Outside the tent, water was still scarce, but food was starting to become more plentiful. Hunts were coming back with consistent results. Sandhoppers were still among the common meats brought back, with the occasional hynta and other creatures that had been found out in the desert. Elfric and his hunting party were quite skilled, and the tent had meat on their table more often than not.
Gage was at the healer’s hut every day and he had learned much from his Daja, Hye-jun. At first his healing lessons were separate from his Breath lessons. He learned how to properly assess a wound and injury, to dress and bind it. He learned how to apply stitches with a steady hand. Not only did he learn of the many new anatomies, but Hye-jun made sure he learned his plants and herbs, both for how they affected the body and how they could be used to make medicines.
This had led to an interesting experience for both of them, as during one mediation period Gage’s mind had wandered. He began thinking about his other lessons of herbs and their uses when he managed to actually sprout a batch of feathery moss, called xik, that was used for making a poultice for burns, from his chitin. Hye-jun had thought it hilarious while Gage grumbled. The harvest and removal of the moss had been uncomfortable, but painless. After that, Hye-jun made sure there was a sufficient break period between teachings to help prevent such an incident again.
While Gage had not yet been allowed to use his Breath to help any of the patients that came into the hut, he had progressed to the point of being able to treat many of the less serious cases on his own. He had treated sprains and cuts, and even set a few broken bones. Hye-jun did not charge anyone for any healing services, though donations were often left in the hut daily. They left water, herbs, and other basic medical supplies such as gauze and thread, needles and food. Tally was also donated to the hut, most often on collection days to ensure the hut would stay.
As the days passed, an important profession began to emerge: the translator. Along with the small number of tabs that were in play, there were a few talented and industrious individuals who managed to learn important bits and pieces of a variety of languages. Taan was one of them. The talasqar had managed to learn a few different languages and was one of the very few to learn the tongue of the kumdahari.
After a few weeks, it had started becoming apparent to the settlers that the old gods were no longer responding. Prayers went unanswered. Those few who had wielded divine power by the grace of those they had served, were dryer than the desert sands. The personal connections people had felt with a god of their people, that had brought them warmth and comfort, were now flat and empty. Tension had risen and panic boiled just under the surface.
It was subtle at first, so much so that Gage did not even notice as he focused on his studies. Faith, no, Hye-jun had called it Nimbus, began to flow into his Haven. The whispers of a new god, especially one that was said to protect people and give generously, began to move about the settlement. People stopped Gage in the alleys on his way to and from the healer’s hut to give offerings to Kin.
The first time this happened, Gage had spoken with Ma’tuk, surprised that not only anyone had heard of Kin, but also knew that he was a cleric of the god. It was then that the archon let him know that a few small shrines, similar to the one in his own tent, had been set up and dedicated in the village. Offerings were being laid out nightly to the young god. Ma’tuk had not been certain but thought that perhaps the family were the ones spreading word about Kin’s existence.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Shortly after Kin’s name had begun to circle about, another name began to be spoken of. Xarax, who was said to embody the desert that surrounded them, grew in popularity as well. From the sun that beat down, drying them out, to the reserves of cold water buried deep beneath their feet, all was Xarax. The largest surprise was that this god began to be spoken about by the kumdahari, who were known to be ancestor worshippers rather than devotees of gods.
As worship for the two gods spread, a divide seemed to form through the community. Among the followers of Xarax zealotry began to take root. It had not led to any violence, but sharp words could often be heard being uttered towards the refugees.
With what felt like a collection of moments, thirty-two days had passed.
…
Gage sat before the tent’s shrine. His shrine. It looked like a little box cabinet with its doors open, roughly the size of a bread box. Inside was an open space with a little alcove in the center of the back wall. Set in the alcove was a roughly humanoid figure carved from stone, the representation of Kin. The rest of the shrine had felt empty, so Gage purchased a flat bowl and placed it in the center where he surrounded it by a few small rocks. In the spaces between the rocks, he planted some of the xik moss and then filled the bowl with water. It made a very rough facsimile of his Haven.
Elfric was out hunting while the family had stepped out to do some shopping for the tent. They had taken Eshu with them so he could stretch his legs. This left Gage and Ma’tuk alone in a rare moment of privacy. “How? How did this, did I spread so quickly?”
The orb hovered over the shrine, pride shining through it. “Because you are awesome! People are noticing Those-Who-Came-Before are no longer answering them. They need something to believe in, and Kin is perfect for that! He protects people and promotes generosity. In a place like this, that kindness is desired.”
“But I haven’t done anything for them. I mean, I guess… I haven’t done any miracles or anything divine.” Gage sat back, staring unfocused at the little effigy of himself.
“You did not have to, not yet anyway.” Ma’tuk began twirling slowly. “I would check in on their prayers and see if there are any you can answer. Oh, and you might want to start collecting offerings from the shrines, let them know you are actually there.”
Gage’s gaze lifted from the shrine to the orb. “You do realize, I have no clue how to do either of that, right? I have been so focused on learning how to heal that…”
“That you have been neglecting your divine duties? Hmm?” The archon zoomed forward to press its foreball to Gage’s forehead. Very slowly it drifted back to the shrine. “We can fix that. First, let’s do the offerings. You can do the prayers later. Those are often not responded to right away anyway.”
“Okay, how do I collect the offerings without breaking into people’s tents?” Gage asked.
“That! That is… huh. That is a good question.” The orb began to sway side to side. “Normally that would be the job of priests and other little minions. You do not really have those, besides yourself.” A smile slowly began to spread across Gage’s face. Ma’tuk flickered slightly and floated away from its charge. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well, it just so happens that I may actually have a ‘little minion’ to go collect the offerings.” Gage chuckled a little, feeling a little maniacal.
“YOU DO?!” Ma’tuk flared and bobbed forward, “Who is it?” Gage just kept smiling at the archon and lifted a brow. “Oh. OH! It’s me, isn’t it?”
“Look, I won’t ask you to do it if it isn’t something you are comfortable with, but I would ask that you consider it, alright?” Gage offered out his hand and the archon plopped down into it. “You are right though, I have been negligent, haven’t I? More people have been speaking my name and I can feel the power flowing in. I will attend to their prayers tonight before I rest, alright?”
The orb bobbed slightly. “Very well, my Lord. I shall collect the offerings, and as you do not have a temple yourself yet, I will store them in your shrine.”
“A temple?” Gage blinked, and then put his open palm to his forehead. “I haven’t even thought about a temple. I’m guessing that would be important, huh? Maybe I can look into building one in the outskirts? That is going to be expensive though. I’ll try saving up for now. We can go over it later. I don’t even know if I have any formal followers instead of those who worship out of convenience.”
“I am most certain you do, my Lord!” Ma’tuk blazed, causing Gage to squint against the light.
“Cool it! I get it! ‘I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.’” Gage quoted from a tv show.
“Exactly! And don’t you forget it!” The orb ‘hmphed’ at him, before dimming slightly. “Ah, my Lord.” It added on sheepishly.