After realizing he passed the odd test, Jonen relaxed. Both of them let out a sigh of relief and the unspoken tension between them faded. Nara pulled a stack of papers from her desk and smiled. She tapped them lightly to organize it as she spoke.
“Will you help us then, Sir Lafayette?”
“With… what?”
“Her freedom,” The bronze elf dropped them in front of him.
Jonen studied the papers intently. Survival arrangements, fortification processes, various detailed locations on the map of the temple caught his attention. He flipped to the receipt of construction for a hidden room and noticed the entrance was located in the High Priestess’s bedroom.
“Sir Lafayette—”
“Please, High Priestess,” He smiled, “You can call me Jonen.”
Nara impatiently tapped her foot against a rug on the floor, “Jonen, let me know what you think.”
He examined the letters to call for more guards in this area of Zrud and the replies from the royal family that it wouldn’t be met. The seal of Sterling Hangral decorated most of the rejection letters. He ran his fingers against the next page of complex schematics of protective wards and directions of where to place them.
“Who would place these?”
“I was hoping you could,” She sighed.
“Sorry… I’m not that strong with magic.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Nara chuckled, “I don’t have any.”
“A High Priestess without any magic?” He blinked, “I haven’t heard of that.”
“Prophetess Renda foresaw me here in Vimgraunt leading the temple,” She shrugged, “Therefore, I did and will until I die.”
“I heard the late prophetess wanted to make this temple when I took history classes in the capital,” He chattered as he continued to read her report, “I think you should plan to have the women and children fill the space. It doesn’t look large enough to hold that many.”
“It isn’t.”
“Why… why plan for all of this?” He sat the paper down and looked up, “I don’t understand.”
Nara took a deep breath while Jonen understood exactly what she meant. The tense silence between them caused him to look away. He didn’t want to admit it. She waited for him to say anything. He sat back on the bench and looked at her.
“Her master will come one day. When he does, she can never know of this room. Only a handful of people know about it currently,” She looked to him, “Hiding here will increase our chances of survival.”
“You’re scared of her?” Jonen looked up, “Why let Mira stay or help at all if you fear she may do something like this?”
“My mentor,” Nara paused, “Prophetess Renda believed the temple should accept everyone, as the goddess does. It’s why we have no front doors. All our loved by our goddess. But… I know Mira won’t hesitate to act on her master’s commands.”
“I assumed as much,” He sighed, “I’ve tried to talk to her about leaving.”
The elf did not want to think about Mira’s true position. She just shook her head.
“That won’t happen,” Nara paused, “He would never let her.”
“Why do you think that?”
“She knows every language, multiple cultures histories, combat techniques many have never heard of, and courtly behaviors even I am rusty on. If we ever question her knowledge, she insists her master ordered her to memorize it,” Nara held up a hand to stop him, “She’s too valuable, or I would offer to buy her right away.”
“You’re… right,” He ran his hands down his face, “I just wish there was something we could do.”
“If he ever finds out about her attachment to this place, there will be carnage,” She whispered, “So, we will prepare. That’s all I can do. Because the moment her master orders her to kill us, she will.”
He opened his mouth to suggest counter, but a rapid knock on the door caused them both to look back. It cracked slightly and Pallik stuck his head in. His dark hair curled at the ends from the fresh bath, but he had the same crystal blue eyes as his sister.
“Yes Pallik?” She snatched the papers from Jonen.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“It’s fine,” She smiled softly, “Just some talk between adults.”
“Healer Gimma told me to show him around,” He nodded at her, “I will be in the temple proper, until you need me.”
“A few more moments,” Nara held up two fingers, “I will bring him to the hall when I’m done. Can you wait until then?”
The teen bowed politely.
“Remember, you and Tella have lessons today,” She clapped her hands together, “Gimma will be ready after the midday meal.”
Pallik grumbled and closed the door behind him. Nara sighed and brusquely relaxed in her chair. Jonen pitied the High Priestess in her current state of distress.
“I don’t think Mira deserves that kind of criticism, High Priestess,” Jonen stood, “But, you have known her longer than me.”
“I’m sorry about earlier. I only wanted to see how far you would go to protect her. Not everyone in the temple treats her as kindly as you,” She reached towards him, “If she saved you and you didn’t care about her at all, then there was no use in having you help us in a way to save her.”
“I understand,” He shook her hand, “Thank you for trusting me with that information.”
“There’s another reason I did,” She lowered her voice, “You might be the only here that has a chance of killing her if that happens.”
“What?” He blinked.
“We aren’t warriors, Jonen.”
“I—I don’t want to do that.”
“I don’t either, but…” Nara closed her eyes, “I will sacrifice myself to save as many people as I can. I ask that you do the same. You’re a Travel Knight. That’s something you are trained to do, isn’t it?”
“I guess so.”
Nara winced, “I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position.”
“No… you’re right. I just don’t think I could do it. She’s—”
“Powerful.”
“Yes,” He took a deep breath, “As is Isaan.”
The pair awkwardly sat across from each other in silence once again. He couldn’t look at her without hearing her request.
“Is there anything I can do to help the temple today?” Jonen rubbed at the back of his neck, “I feel useless after being off my feet for so long.”
“Yes, actually,” She sat up, “Be friendly with Mira. She doesn’t enjoy being free often. When she’s here, we treat her as we would treat anyone else. Some of our people are… not as great about that. Keep an eye on her, will you?”
“I can do that,” He dipped his head in a soft nod, “When do you send letters out?”
“Every night,” She pointed to the stack of papers on the right side of her desk, “Add whatever you need to this pile. If you need someone to write it, any priestess can help.”
“I can write,” He grabbed a piece of paper, “I just need a minute.”
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Nara placed her quill and inkwell on the other side of the desk for him to use. He quickly scrawled his letters. First, to a commanding officer in the capital with a detailed report. As Smite was his commanding officer, he did not know exactly who to address the letter to. A quick summary of the battle, the outcome, the location of Isaan’s home, his current location, and that he awaited further orders would be addressed to a general rank above his, instead of a name.
The second letter was addressed to his brother. If Jonen got to the capital before he got a reply from the Knights’ command, he would need a place to stay. He knew that a surprise visit after months away wouldn’t go over well for his elven brother. It might only be a few days, but it would still be an inconvenience.
The last letter he wrote to his mother. He let her know he was alive after the battle, where he currently was, and that he would be visiting his brother in Hangral as soon as possible. If she replied, it was best sent there especially considering the private contents.
His mother was a travelled woman, an older elf on the brink of eldership, that knew of other’s customs and culture He asked her for advice, as he trusted his mother more than anyone else in his life to give him proper guidance. He detailed his odd encounter with Shayleigh’s spirit and his developing feelings for the woman he accompanied. As he wrote down the words, he came to the realization. He didn’t know if it was wise to even attempt friendship, given her enthrallment, let alone anything else. With his final letter penned, he fanned the papers before returning everything to Nara.
His face burned when he realized that he was developing strong feelings for the auburn haired, honey-eyed woman that cared for him. He put his face in his hands and wondered what exactly would come of that conversation. He wouldn’t say anything to anyone here, obviously, but he knew that people would suspect something sooner or later.
“I trust we can keep this conversation between us?” She said as she stuffed the letters into envelopes, “Nobody needs to know of Mira’s past. Many already find her …awkward to be near.”
“That is an understatement,” He couldn’t help his chuckle, “But yes. I will not cause any trouble.”
Nara walked him to the door. Pallik stood in the doorway with his arms crossed impatiently. He huffed and walked down the long hallways as Jonen trailed behind. Near the end of hallway, Pallik abruptly turned and facedhim. The half-elf noticed a knife in his hand and raised an eyebrow. He was at least three heads taller than the teen and could easily defend himself.
“Now that you’re healed, let’s get something straight,” Pallik huffed, “Don’t do that again. You worried Mira.”
Jonen tried not to laugh, “Anything else?”
Pallik tucked the knife in his belt, “I’ve got dibs. She’s known me longer.”
Jonen bit his lip and snickered as Mira appeared in the hallway behind the boy. Pallik jumped when she gently tapped a finger on his shoulder.
“Pallik, my master will not allow any romantic partnerships,” She tease, “Besides, my memory is longer than you’ve been alive. You would be far too young.”
The red-faced teen turned away and muttered something under his breath. She laughed and linked her arm around his. The two walked down the hallway with Jonen close behind. He gasped at the brilliant room that opened up. Tella stretched on a blanket and looked up towards the painted ceiling. Pallik went to join his sister. Mira waited a moment and turned to Jonen.
“How are you feeling? You’re walking now,” Her eyes scurried across him to detect any signs of bleeding or distress, “Better?”
Jonen rubbed the back of his head with his hand, “Feeling much better. Still pretty sore, but not much else to complain about.”
Her stoic face twitched into a small smile. As she turned away, Jonen grabbed her wrist to get her attention. Her eyes narrowed skeptically at him. She clenched her fist but didn’t rip her hand away as she usually did.
“Thank you, Mira,” He gently placed his hand over hers, “Thank you for getting me here. I owe my life to you. I would have died out there by myself.”
It may have been wishful thinking, but he thought a small blush crossed her cheeks. She lowered her head, and her curly hair curtained her face.
“Thank you for your kindness when we first met,” She smiled softly and relaxed her hand, “Consider the debt prepaid.”
Before he could reply, Tella called, “Mira! You said I could tell you the story!”
“Yes, Tella,” She shook her head with a sly smile before turning to him, “Would you like to join us?”
“What story?” Jonen let go of her.
“Goddess and the Guardian Stones!” She clapped, “We learned it during writing lessons the last time we were here. Pallik, can you help if I forget something?”
“Of course,” The teen rolled his eyes, “You already memorized the story to tell Delpho and Relya, though.”
“Oh, I haven’t heard this one,” Mira sat on the blanket, “Did you write it out again this morning?”
“Yes!” The girl pulled out a piece of paper.
Pallik waited until Mira laid on the blanket before he rearranged himself to lay on her other side. Jonen saw the children tuck into Mira’s arms as Tella pointed at the ceiling. Jonen laid down with his head next to Mira’s curly hair. The four looked up at the extravagant paintings as she read from her paper.
“Before she ascended to glory, our fair goddess lived on the land with us,” Tella began.
She pointed to the painted section closest to the temple’s entrance. A bright figure, painted in yellow and white, stood around grey statues of each race. Tella’s finger moved to the next section of the ceiling. The tranquil greens and blues turned turn fiery reds and yellows. The same bright figure stood in front of a large mountain.
“Then, the monsters attacked!” Tella attempted to be an engaging storyteller.
“You forgot a whole part. Goddess wasn’t the first,” Pallik pointed to the grey stone mountain, “The gods she and her people worshipped abandoned them long before her mortal form. Each continent was reigned by large beasts that couldn’t be killed. To save all the people, she had to destroy each one. She began with the original earth element, Zrud.”
“Warrior of earth and stone,” Jonen added, “This land’s named after him. His body is said to be Zrud’s main mountain.”
“Yes!” Tella clapped, “The goddess led an army to defeat the stony mountain, but she wasn’t strong enough without any magic. All of her friends died in the fight.”
“They protected her so she could try again,” Pallik added, “She was their queen, I think.”
“That’s not it,” The girl pouted, “I think they just liked her.”
Tella’s finger pointed to the next panel. The bright figure prayed next to a white dragon that breathed green energy around it. The dragon towered around the tiny speck of a woman.
“She sought a way to win the war and help her people. She found an injured dragon and asked him to bless her with his magic to save her people,” She giggled, “The goddess promised to heal him with the power he granted her, but Alcante promised the remainder of his power if she would have mercy on his cousins.”
The next section had the bright figure with green wings and a green stone at her chest. Mira played with her own amulet as Tella continued. Her thumb traced over the dark stone in the calming habit.
“Alcante trapped himself in a stone to concentrate his powers for her. She spent decades learning his magic. She was the first mage. With their souls combined, she became stronger than anyone before her. Then, she gathered another army to fight Zrud again.”
The next section showed the winged figure blasting a beam of green light at the stone mountain. Simple, square dwarves with hammers joined the fight against smaller living rocks. An explosion of rock and clouds of dirt blended into the background depicting Zrud. Some of the dwarves’ hammers were surrounded with the same stone-grey light coming from the goddess’s hands.
“As she promised, the Goddess mercifully trapped Zrud’s soul inside a stone. She wore Zrud, as well as Alcante, and could gift her most powerful warriors with magic. The continent was saved!”
The next panel showed a tornado in humanoid shape terrorizing a green plain. Humans with spears and swords slashed tiny, winged beasts. The glowing figure blasted another beam of green light into the beast from one hand. A boulder floated above the palm of the other hand. Rocks and light trapped the tornado.
“With one race free, others called for her help. She led the next fight against Saceida. With the power of two immortal stones, she shielded her army from the beast’s winds and conquered it,” Pallik grinned, “The goddess wore Saceida, with Zrud and Alcante, and gifted more magic to her followers.”
Tella pointed to the next scene. Orcs with enchanted weapons fought against monsters of flame and lava. The bright, winged creature swirled wind around a volcanic woman with fiery hair.
“Agrowl was next! Her fire could burn almost anything, but Saceida’s wind put out the flames and defeat her,” Tella smiled as Mira patted her head, “With her power, she trapped Agrowl in a stone and wore her as well.”
An icy blue cavern with a watery creature fought the winged figure in the next scene. Elves with enchanted weapons and staffs of power fought against monsters of ice and fishy creatures. Fire, wind, and stone wrapped around a beam of green light against the giant watery creature.
“Vanora challenged the goddess next. She believed herself to be stronger than the others, but with four stones, the goddess won!” Tella clapped, “She trapped Vanora and wore all five stones.”
Mira looked to the next panel and saw a dark dragon swirling around the figure. A black mist dotted the painting. She curiously viewed it as Pallik continued.
“The King of Beasts and Shadows, Encante tried to stop her,” Pallik chuckled, “But, with his twin, Alcante, around her neck, she had the upper hand. She knew how he fought and landed the final strike. In his dying breath, the goddess cast him into a stone.”
“With the six stones of the beasts, she banished all the monsters and beasts to the Unclaimed Isle, making our world safe,” Tella pointed to the stained-glass window on the far wall of the temple.
A hexagon of brightly colored stones surrounded the clear figure in the center of the window. Her wings swirled inwards and centered a small heart at the figure’s center.
“With that much magic, she had to shed her mortality. The goddess ascended into glory and cast the stones back down to us. Each of her most devoted followers received one to protect us and keep our lands safe. Zrud, the earthly elemental was gifted to the dwarves,” Pallik paused, “Saceida, the airy elemental was gifted to humans. Agrowl, the fiery elemental was gifted to orcs. Vanora, the water elemental was gifted to the elves.”
“Where are the dragons’ stones?” Mira asked, “The pattern of the story suggests there are two more lands, but there isn’t.”
“To keep balance, Encante went to the Unclaimed Isle to keep the beasts from escaping as his punishment,” Tella scrunched her face, “I don’t remember where Alcante went.”
“He stays in the sky with the goddess,” Jonen pointed to the green stone above the goddess in the stained glass, “She cast him upwards to keep her company and to watch over his cousins. When the time calls for another to rise to protect the world, he will descend again.”
“How do you know the story so well?” Mira turned her head to look at him.
“It’s taught at every temple,” He smiled, “Though, the order of elementals changes depending on the continent. Honestly, nobody really knows. Just as nobody knows the goddess’s real name. It happened millennia ago.”
Mira played with the dark stone on her amulet as she pondered the story. Her master told her that the temple taught falsehoods to keep the public calm. This story seemed outrageous to her. Elementals? Dragons? A flying woman? Maybe the morale of the story was what mattered.
“What she stood for matters more than her name or how she gained her powers,” Jonen looked to the puzzled woman.
“And what is that?”
He smiled and looked back at the bright window, “Hope for a better future.”