1

The next day Elwin awoke after the best night’s sleep he had since leaving his bed back home. It was also the first time that his dreams (or were they more like nightmares?) were not filled with images of Levka’s lifeless body or the smell of charred human flesh. Was he finally getting over it? He wondered. He rubbed his sore shoulders. The weeks spent on the road had left him drained of energy. All of them really, not just him. His muscles and bones ached dully, but after a good rest he felt more refreshed finally. Even the cot was more comfortable than a thin bedroll. This was something the adventure books did not prepare him for. The daily grind of constantly walking, making camp, wondering where the next hot meal was coming from, keeping watch at night to protect themselves. The books it seemed deliberately left all of this out.

However, the meal they ate the night before was also one of the best they had in weeks. They retired to their rooms directly after dinner, not even bothering to down a few pitchers of ale as they would normally do. The road had completely worn them out. Was this adventuring? Is this the life that they wanted? Elwin had no answers. Only time would tell. Maybe this is why Tram walked away from it all?

From outside the small window, Elwin could hear the festival-like atmosphere that permeated the Old Verant Quarter. It was both unfamiliar and something he felt he could get used to. Hundreds of people were going to and from the shops, taverns and inns that lined the Grand Bazaar. The spacious avenue was more than just a mundane place where people bought food and goods. It was a social gathering place where citizens came to relate stories or listen to the latest news. The south end of the Grand Bazaar was the Imperial Square. In the center near the main fountain, was a podium where representatives of the emperor would relate news to the general public. Anyone could go over and listen to the older gentleman with the loud boisterous voice reciting the latest government laws and imperial orders.

That first night in the city the group was so tired, they slept right through the usual youthful Verantian revelry. Their two rooms were near the back of the Griffin’s Tail on the second floor, away from the street. The companions knew that they would only have few days to explore to the capital of the world as some folks called it. A full belly and a solid night’s sleep were far more important that first night.

Elwin felt good about getting out and exploring the city for the first time. He stood looking out the only window in the room, while the other two still slept, loud snoring filled the room. The northern view was not spectacular. The small window looked out upon the shiny copper dome of the Grand Temple of the Fire Lord. Normally pure copper would turn green in a few months, but a special lacquer was used to protect the copper, so it kept its natural shine for years. The Verantian people were filled with various innovations, he mused.

As he stared at the Grand Temple, he wondered if they could make it to the noon call to prayer. Traditionally there were three calls to prayer during the day, sun up, noon and sun down. The faithful were only expected to go to at least one of the calls, preferably the noon call. But sometimes it was impossible to make the noon call, so the other two times were offered as well. All who wanted to pray at the Grand Temple would have the opportunity.

Elwin mused that Salome Hollow did not even have a country church, let alone a temple. The nearest temple would have been in Ardyn’s Keep, yet they never went to it the day they were there. As such Elwin had never been to an actual temple. He was growing anxious to visit the Grand Temple of the Fire Lord and pay his respects to God.

The others would come willingly, he thought. Well, Emerson would have to be dragged along. He was not much for religion, but Elwin could not blame him. Warriors were not keen on such things. Religion got in the way of doing what they were born to do. There were war Gods that Emerson could have prayed to instead, but the Fire Lord was supreme God in the Verant Empire. With that being said, the empire was not a theocracy by any means. Elwin had already noticed a few other temples dedicated to other Gods inside the walls of Verant City. But their followers were small in numbers and the Grand Temple could never be threatened by such minor Gods. The Verant Empire had learned very early on, back when it was still a kingdom even, that if you let people have their own religious belief, it caused less in-fighting. Conquered people’s Gods always became Verantian Gods, added to an ever-growing pantheon.

2

Elwin snuck out of their room. He through his light brown traveler’s cloak over his shoulders, made his way down the stairs and across the empty common room. Emerging from the main door onto the veranda, he stared out at the cobble stone street. He was forced to squint in the morning light. It was a bright cloudless day. The Grand Bazaar had no opening or closing time. Merchants arrived when they wanted. Some were already open for business. Others were just arriving at their booths, carts full of goods to stock their booths and fill store shelves. The red tile roof of the central marketplace stood out against the backdrop of the bustling crowd of people. It’s supporting white fluted pillars were painted red on alternating flutes matching the tiles.

Sniffing at the air Elwin could smell sweet bread. He headed in the direction of the scent. A baker was just setting up his wares. Elwin bought four small loafs, some olive oil and a few dried herbs. He went back to the Griffin’s Tail Inn.

Instead of returning to his room, he knocked on Anna’s door first. “Are you awake?”

“Yes, come in,” she replied. He opened the door and brought in the food. The smell of fresh baked bread filled the room.

Anna explained that she had woken up a little earlier. She had trouble sleeping alone in the room in a strange city despite the comfort of the bed. She could hardly believe it, but she felt safer outdoors in the tent knowing that three strong men were only a quick shout away. Her room was across the hall and her little window faced south where the bright sun was streaming in.

Elwin found her sitting at a table brushing her blonde hair straight. She was already dressed. Gone were the rough hand-made wool shirts and boy’s breeches, now she wore an actual dress. It was a simple white sun dress that came modestly down to her ankles. It was late spring and it looked as if it would be a hot day, but the dress was made from a light breezy weave that would keep her cool. It was the first time in weeks she had worn a dress at all. She shifted uncomfortable trying to get use to the feeling again.

“Very beautiful!” Elwin said noting the dress. “I come bearing gifts. A traditional Verantian breakfast!”

He handed he one of the fresh loafs of bread.

As was traditional, she broke it open and poured a bit of olive oil down the center, then sprinkled some herbs on it for flavour. “Thank you!” She beamed.

Elwin turned as if to leave, but he stopped for a moment and said. “We’re going to meet in the common room in about an hour. Is that okay?”

Anna nodded in agreement.

3

Elwin returned to his room where Emerson was already awake. He bolted up right when he smelled the bread. Rith also woke up sniffing the air like a squirrel.

“Ah, smart thinking Elwin!” Emerson said taking one of the loaves being offered.

Elwin passed one to his brother before preparing the last one for his own breakfast.

“I figured this was a good opportunity to eat some fresh food,” Elwin commented as they all bolted the food down. “You should see the Bazaar, fresh food coming in from all over the Empire right now. I don’t know how long we will be here, so let’s indulge while we can!”

“By the Gods! Just like mother use to bake at home!” Rith praised between bites.

Rith was right, Elwin thought. It was damn good bread. Elwin remembered his mother’s cooking. Before the plague came, before she got sick. She had been sick for weeks of course and Rith had done most of the cooking during that time. Elwin did not think that Rith minded all that much, besides he was a pretty good cook. At least that’s what Elwin thought. But of course, their mother had still been a far better cook.

“I told Anna we would meet her in the common room in an hour,” Elwin said once half of his loaf was gone. He checked his pocket watch. “It’s almost nine o’clock now so we can decide what to do then, but I have a few ideas already.”

“Go ahead,” Emerson encouraged him. They listened while finishing breakfast.

“Well, I don’t want to wander around the city smelling like the road and this beard has to go as well,” Elwin said scratching at his face. The hair had been coming in slowly, but after two weeks even Rith was wearing a noticeable goatee accompanied by a thin moustache. “I’m sure Anna is feeling just as dirty, so I thought a trip to the Imperial Bathhouse might be our first order of business.”

The two nodded in unison and Elwin continued. “If I buy a map of the city, we should find the place without much trouble. It’s not far away.”

“Maybe we can get our clothes wash?” Emerson suggested. “I hear they can do that at the bathhouse.”

“Do we have the money?” Rith asked an important question.

Elwin nodded. “I heard it’s only a gold coin for full service. That includes laundry and a slave massaging your back!”

They all agreed to pay the innkeeper for at least one more night. This gave them the room to keep all their gear locked up in. Emerson did not like paying out so much money since it was only their second day in the city, but reluctantly he agreed. He used the gold he had taken from the dead warrior in Golden Meadows. He briefly thought about the ring and possibility of trading it in for a bit of coin if needed.

“We’ll be a good two hours or more at the bathhouse. What do we do after?” Rith asked.

“Let’s meet in the common room and then decide,” Elwin said.

He was reluctant to plan more without Anna’s input. Not the Anna would complain or argue with them. She was happy just to be in the city for the first time. She would see any site that the rest of them wanted to see. But Elwin had finally forgiven her for sneaking off to follow them and he wanted her to feel like she belonged to the party.

They finished dressing in simple trousers and shirts, but they still looked like farmers. Their clothes were all hand made, spun from wool and cotton they harvested themselves. Thus was the way of the farm life. They stood out as country bumpkins among the more affluent and elegant city folk. These people wore fancy clothing made in local shops from imported gossamer, velvet, silks, satins and other foreign materials. Styles were much different, fancier with concern for lace and design, even in the stitching. They all felt a bit embarrassed about looking so shabby in comparison. Unfortunately, new clothing was not a priority for them. They simply did not have the funds for it.

Later in the common room, they all sat at a large table in the center of the room. The odd guests sat at other tables, but for the most part the place was empty. Anna had no objections about going to the bathhouse as their top priority. She sat forward excitedly, her long blonde hair tied behind her with a purple ribbon. “Sounds great!” She commented straightening her dress out self-consciously. Elwin supposed that she had gotten use to wearing boy’s breeches for the last few weeks. She looked a little uncomfortable in her dress.

“By the time we are done, it will probably be around noon. If we can make it, I would like to answer the noon call to prayer at the Grand Temple,” Elwin stated.

Emerson rolled his eye looking leaning back in his chair and looking up at the ceiling. “Do we have to go to the temple?” He questioned.

“Yeah Elwin,” Rith added in surprise. “We’ve never been to a temple before. We didn’t even pray at home, at noon or any other time for that matter.”

“What’s with you people? Are you atheists now?” Elwin questioned. “Besides we still observe Yule and the summer festival.”

Emerson laughed. “Everybody observes the holidays, even people who don’t believe! Those are just fun times!”

“So, you don’t believe in the Fire Lord?” Elwin asked. He knew Emerson had never been keen on religion, but if he did not believe at all it would come as quite a shock.

“It’s not that Elwin,” Emerson said with a sigh. “I just think that if the Gods want me for something, they’ll let me know.”

“I’ll go,” Anna said with a shrug, but for Elwin that was already a foregone conclusion.

Rith also nodded passively.

They all looked at Emerson and Elwin said. “I’m not arguing with you. It’s a historical site if nothing else. We’re seeing it. Sacrifice the time. It’s the least you could do for your friends.”

“Alright, alright!” Emerson said waving his hands dismissively.

“This is all fine for today, but we need money. We should look for work after prayer,” Rith said concerned.

Emerson suddenly pulled out the ring. He tossed it on the table in front of all of them. “What do you think that is worth?”

Anna picked it up, examining it closely. “Where did you get this?”

“Remember when Rith killed that warrior? He was wearing that ring. I think its solid gold with rubies,” Emerson said.

Rith winced at the mention of the warrior. It was not a pleasant memory.

“O.B.C.” Anna said reading the initials. “I don’t know. These do look like rubies though. I bet you could get ten or twenty gold coins for it.”

“That’s enough money for the four of us live for a week. Even here in the city!” Rith reasoned. Anna handed it to him. He inspected it closely before passing back to Emerson.

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“Elwin and I studied the initials trying to figure out what they might mean, but we had no luck with it,” Emerson commented. He stuffed the ring back into his leather belt purse. “The point I’m trying to make is that we are all in this together. If we need to, the ring can be sold so we can survive.”

“I agree,” Elwin said. “Maybe we can take it to a jeweller and find out its real value at the very least, perhaps later this afternoon. Still, it would be a temporary solution. What we really need is solid work that pays gold. I think we should find the government offices and join the guild. The work may not be as exciting as exploring ruined forts or other such things, but the guild can give us steady work and good pay, or so I’ve heard.”

“What about your map?” Emerson reminded him.

“We’re going to be here in the city for a few days at the very least. I think we can find the time to see about a translator,” Elwin said.

He always kept the map in the back of his thoughts. It was important, but they had a bit of time to do some research. He needed to find out what the map was really illustrating.

“I think we have a good plan for our first day. Bathhouse, temple, guild and whatever else we might have time for. Back here for dinner and drinks,” Emerson summed up the plan neatly.

4

Emerson paid the innkeeper for one more night at the inn so they could lock away their gear and take only what they needed for the day.

Stepping outside, they adjusted their eyes to the brightness of the mid-morning light. Elwin quickly found a vendor who sold maps of the city. He bought one for three gold coins. A steep price he thought, but they were valuable commodities. No maps came cheap. The cost drained him of his funds, but Emerson had a ring that was worth something and the inn was already paid. He could spend the money without feeling it had been wasted.

Studying his new map, Elwin found that the Imperial Bathhouse was less than a mile away from the Grand Bazaar.

Hurrying along they made it to the bathhouse faster than expected. They had to fight a crowd of people. It was mid-morning already and thousands of people milled about the streets. From several street corners they could hear bards preforming. It made Elwin think about Auldric, the man who helped in the bar fight. He wondered what the man was up to now.

The Imperial Bathhouse was an immense complex. The dome on top was easily fifty feet high or more, towering over the surround streets and buildings. The outside was completely faced with white marble polished to a high gloss. It shimmered in the bright light. A large hundred yards square grass courtyard was fenced in with a brick-and-mortar wall over ten feet high. One of the aqueducts arched high above, ending at the massive pool of water next to the bathhouse which served as the reservoir. It poured down clear mountain spring water brought from several hundred miles away. They could see clay pipes of various sizes running into the bathhouse from the reservoir.

The main building had two entrances that were clearly mark, one for women and the other for men. Anna separated from the group, disappearing into the women’s entrance. She was so excited she seemed to be skipping on a cloud as she entered the building.

“See you guys later,” she said as she bounded away.

The three young men entered the male side of the bathhouse for the first time in their life. For Verant City, Palantine, Militar Akademia, or any other major city, the bathhouse was a way of life. The classes mixed here. Everyone was on equal footing. But any family that was wealthy had their own bathhouse on their private estates anyway. There were dozens of other smaller bathhouses all over the city, but this one was the most opulent by far. Right away the boys saw whole families, fathers with children, old men, wealthy men, soldiers, men with dark skin. It was like looking at a cross section of any street in the city. People were talking, their laughter echoed around the marble halls. The whiff of incense filled the rooms.

They even perfume the air! Elwin thought with wonder. For three farm boys, the extravagance was an overwhelming experience. This was a place where people come to be pampered for a relatively cheap price. The front desk was near the entrance. When they got to it the clerk asked what kind of service they wanted. For one gold coin they choose the full service, it was a small price to pay for all access to the bath pools, the common swimming pool, sauna and the yard outside. They would get their hair washed and trimmed. An attendant would even shave their faces and message their backs.

An attendant working with the clerk gave them a clay chip and took their laundry. This chip was the pass that got them all the services. The chip had a series of numbers that ended in a 3 carved in it. That must have indicated the type of service, Elwin thought looking the clay chip over.

Next, they entered the huge changing room. There were over two dozen people changing in the room and this was the slow time of day. In the afternoon this place would be packed. The walls and ceiling were white plaster with traditional square patterned designs painted in dark red. On the back wall was a mural of the Imperial Palace, reminding everyone of who made this service possible.

There were attendants everywhere. Their dark red togas stood out among the crowd. They handed out towels and loin clothes, which the boys took graciously. Everyone got a small cubicle that could be locked. They put their valuable in the boxes that lined the two long side walls and tucked the key in a secret pocket in each loin cloth. Most of the men seemed very comfortable walking around naked and talking to each other in a casual manner. To Elwin it was not that strange at all, in fact it reminded him of a time when they were younger. Elwin and Emerson often went with a small group of boys to a local stream to cool off in the summer heat. They usually swam naked since there were no women around. Yet this many people being so casual made them all a bit unnerved. They stuck close together and did not dare to talk to anyone.

Despite their self-conscious misgivings, the bathhouse was very enjoyable. The first bathing pool was hot. The heat took a while to get use to it and they did not stay long. Afterwards they moved to the cold-water room where they showered off before going into the large pool area.

The male and female swimming pools were the largest part of the bathhouse and located in the center under the massive dome. Its main purpose was for exercise. The pool was over fifty feet long about twenty feet wide. It was twice as deep as a full-grown man standing. The chamber’s beauty and magnificence were breathtaking. It was brightly coloured with dark red, gold and turquoise patterns that covered the columns. Even the floor had a brilliant, tiled pattern of similar colours. The walls had frescos that depicted scenes of men and women playing ball games in the yard or relaxing by the large pools.

At first, Elwin thought the pool appeared to be filled with green water, but as he looked closer, he realized that the bottom of the pool was tiled in a pastel green. Large oil lamps were placed on each column surrounding the pool and they lit up the massive, divided room and shadowing the immense arched stone ceiling. In the other rooms small windows in the ceiling had provided most of the light naturally.

More marble, it was everywhere. The pool was lined on both sides by no less that ten marble pillars. Every five feet, they held up beams that supported the entire dome. Marble benches lined the walls on both sides. In this room most of the men wore loin clothes. They were either swimming in the pool or lounged on the benches in a relaxed manner carrying out discussions on serious subject matters.

This of course was the men’s side of the room. A large wall separated the women who had their own pool on the other side. Despite the rumours that may have circulated in the countryside, the Imperial Bathhouse did not appear to be a place where orgies were encouraged. The Empire was a lot more progressive now than it had been even twenty years before, but there were still limits to what was permitted. The Bathhouse was a peaceful and satisfying experience.

After a few laps in the pool, the boys went to the salon room. It was a smaller room off from the pool where they got a shave and hair cut. Emerson’s hair was down passed his shoulders, but he did not want it cut, he had it put into a large braid instead. Rith and Elwin got a traditional military style cut. Their black hair was cropped back into little spikes that would be easy to maintain.

The massage room was next to the salon. Attendants worked the knots out of every muscle. The pains of the road just melted away. They felt refreshed and relaxed. Elwin was sure this was the cleanest he had ever been in his life. Some of the attendants insisted that the best way to avoid the plague was to come to the bathhouse daily. The belief in Verant City was that cleanliness prevented sickness. Elwin felt that the attendants might very well have been right. The major cities were not affected by the plague the way the countryside had been.

Before they were done, they spent some time in the sauna. It was a small ten by ten-foot room, but it was lined with benches that when up five steps. It was all cedar. Even the walls and ceiling were lined with it. There were half a dozen people inside when they entered. In the center was a pit with hot stones. An attendant poured a bit of water over the stones. It billowed out steam that filled the room. Two older men sitting on the top bench talked to themselves. Everyone else remained silent listening intently.

The first man was bald, his head intentionally shaved. He had a large nose and a long face. “So, it’s official than is it?” He asked in a rough voice, it was a small room he was easy to hear. He spoke with a southern accent.

The other man was shorter with a large gut. He leaned back trying to get comfortable. “So, I was told,” He shrugged.

“Why would he disband his own guard? Who will protect him? And so soon after his coronation! If you ask me, it’s a mistake to even think of such a thing,” The first man said shaking his head.

Elwin realized they were talking about the emperor. He listened closer.

“He’s creating a new order and no one from the old guard is allowed to join,” The fat man said.

“Ah, this is about loyalty than is it?” The first man nodded knowingly.

The fat man nodded and leaned forward. “And I was told this by Kindeller!”

Elwin did not know who this man Kindeller could be, but if the emperor was creating a new order he would like to know more about it.

“What’s he calling it?”

“Oh, it’s still the Red Dragon Army, but it’s different now, not a military force in the tradition sense and not something I want to explain right here,” the fat man explained. “That’s not the only change either. Have you seen the construction of the Senate House and clock tower?”

“Indeed, elected city officials. You put power in the hands of the common man and there’s no telling what you’ll end up with! Ha, we’ll have a city run by warlords and gang members before you know it!” The other man said.

“They’ll probably elect that whore of his anyway!” The two old men laughed together. “Not that it matters, it’s only for running the city. The mayor can not do it alone and the imperial family doesn’t want the hassle of day-to-day operations.”

“Still, what if this is a precedent, this could end up becoming something more,” the bald man said.

“Like what? Electing the earls? That would be ridiculous!” The fat man questioned. They both laughed again.

“Well, the emperor is the final authority on all matters. That’s why everyone wants to be emperor,” the bald man pointed out. “After all we did just fight a war over it didn’t we?”

“We had too,” the fat man said darkly. “There had to be justice.”

After that, the two men got up and left the sauna.

Elwin sighed and looked to his brother and his best friend. He had enough pampering for one day.

5

By the time they met Anna, outside at the main gate to the Bathhouse, it had been over two hours. They did not have much time to get to the Temple by noon and they still had to drop off their freshly washed clothes at the inn. The map showed that it was in the northwest corner of Old Verant, next to the Verant River. Elwin knew it was close to their inn. They hurried down crowded busy streets to get to the Griffin’s Tail Inn. They dropped off their clothing and made it outside, when they heard the call to prayer in the distance. They had only a few minutes to get there before it started.

They approached the courtyard of the Temple just in time. People were picking their places in the court where they would kneel to prayer. The courtyard was huge over a hundred yards square. The whole court was framed by twenty-foot-high double tiered archways. The Temple entrance to the Tomb was on the north side. As the companions entered through the southern archways, they were stunned by what they beheld. The courtyard was incredible, with the ground covered in coloured tiles that formed amazingly detailed spiral patterns of red, yellow and orange. The walls that surrounded the temple complex reminded Elwin more of castle parapets, topped with a walkway patrolled by warrior-clerics. Their hands rested on the hilt of their swords as if they were on guard protecting the souls of all who entered. Beneath the parapet was a columned walkway that encircled the temple courtyard at ground level. The courtyard was where most of the public come to pray. The Grand Temple stood like a guardian on the north side. The outside was carved stone painted black. It gave an illusion that the entire temple had been scorched. At each end of the temple was a tall peak that rose, piercing the sky similar to the Wizard’s towers.

They picked a place to pray and knelt same as everyone else. A young student led the faithful through a basic prayer. A High Priest gave some words of wisdom for troubled times of great transition. The student led the faithful through another parting prayer and it was over. It had only taken fifteen minutes.

The companions went through the motions, but they really were not feeling the spirit. Anna wanted to see the tomb. Most of the crowd dispersed going about their daily business, but some went inside the Grand Temple. The companions decided, for the sake of history, education or maybe a bit of tourism ideals, to enter the temple and see the tomb.

The Grand Temple had massive double doors that were kept open most of the time. Only during certain sacred ceremonies would they ever be closed. Entering through them the group was thrust immediately into the room with the Obelisk. The priest’s quarters were off to the side of the main chamber. The ceiling vault high up covered by the huge dome fifty feet across. It seemed to Elwin that every important building in the city had some sort of dome in the center. Painted upon the inside of the dome was the most magnificent and inspiring of all frescos. The image showed two men, one was the Fire Lord reaching out of the sky to hand a burning torch to the mortal below him.

Anna stared up at the ceiling. Elwin leaned down to her and whispered. “It depicts the most important moment in the Verantian religion. It shows the Fire Lord giving the secrets of knowledge to Humankind. If you look closely at where the man is receiving the torch, you’ll notice that he tries to touch the Fire Lord’s hand, or so I’ve read.”

Elwin looked at the Obelisk. It felt like a bolt of lightning went down his spine. He could feel the emotions welling up. Glancing around at the others he could tell he was not the only one. The Obelisk held the Fire Lord’s body, it was his tomb. Made entirely from the finest polished black granite in the empire, the Obelisk was a twenty-five foot cube. It stood as the only object in the room. The granite was very thick, but there was enough room inside to hold the golden sarcophagus. It is said that the body of the Fire Lord rest inside the sarcophagus, but there was no entrance to the Obelisk. Once it was built, no one had access to the coffin inside. Yet the faithful did not have to see it to know that this was indeed the resting place of the Fire Lord’s mortal body. They felt it when they walked into the chamber.

The word Obelisk in the old tribal dialect, still used presently by the priest, meant ‘Holiest of Holies’. Elwin could understand why. Dozens of citizens were in the chamber, chanting as they walked clockwise around the Obelisk, touching it lovingly. The priests believe that doing so will cleanse one’s soul so long as the person came here willingly and with honesty in their hearts.

Naturally, the four companions walked around the Obelisk and touched it on each of the four faces. The spirit inside stirred and began to move them. They felt lightheaded, there were people around them, some shouting, others having different religious experiences. Elwin felt caught in the moment, he felt energy being passed to him every time he touched the polished granite. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had a genuine religious experience. There was an incredible force that seemed to radiate out for the black granite.

Elwin noticed that there were priest and priestess in the room scattered about. One of the young women approached the group.

“Is everything alright?” She asked. “I see the spirit of the Fire Lord has moved you.”

Elwin nodded. “We will be fine. Thank you.”

Anna was crying, overcome with emotion as she touched the edge of the Obelisk. Elwin knew how she felt. He was close to tears himself. Rith held her hand to comfort her, grabbing her tightly when she became weak in the knees and stumbled.

The priestess asked. “Would you like to come into the chamber of the sacred fire? Would you like to see it?”

“Of course,” Rith said. Jumping in before Elwin could respond.

“Follow me,” The priestess said. She took them to a door at the far end of the room from the entrance. They went through the guarded door.

Inside, it was surprisingly modest. It was a simple room with a large fire in the centre. The domed ceiling had a hole in the middle that was open to the sky. There were several women, priestess who attended to the fire. Adding wood to it from the stacks that lined the walls, when needed. It was more then a small campfire, but it was not anything like a bonfire. Yet strangely, Elwin could feel a power in it. It did not burn like a normal fire. The colours were different somehow. He could see shapes and images and there were several priests who wrote down what they saw and tried to explain it.

“Do you understand what you are seeing?” The priest asked them.

Elwin nodded. “They are reading the fire to discover the Fire Lord’s message.”

“Precisely,” the Priestess replied. After a few minutes of being there and observing. The priestess thanked them for their time and told them that the clerics must be left to study the God’s message.

They all had mixed feelings of sadness and joy as they left the room. The touch of the cool black granite energised them, but at the same time thoughts of home, the people left behind, distressed them. The sacred fire had shown them that there was more here then just a tomb and a place to pray. There was magic here, divine power, a way to commune with a God.

As they walked away from the temple complex, Emerson seemed to be the only one who just shrugged the experience off. “Let’s find a café, I’m starving,” he said casually.

Anna wiped her tears away trying to regain her composure. Elwin put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright Anna. We’re a long way from home. We’ve been through a lot already. You’ve been very brave.”

“I’ll be alright,” she said as she clung to his shirt for support.