“So now,” Bright Daphne spoke to change the subject I assumed, “shall we see how well you actually paid attention during my lectures? Or how well you actually paid attention to the answers I sent you to find yourself.” Taking her free hand and waving it around to point out the immediate area. “I know that you know where we are as we just left the Center. But please, in your own words, tell me where we are and what it’s purpose is. Proceed to do that for each area, starting from here working your way out. Do this until we reach the residence of Un… his Luminous.”

“Understood Bright,” I said in response to her question, wanting to question what she was going to say at the end of her statement, but knowing better than to pry into the business of others I decided to ignore it unless it happened again.

“Starting from the Center, The middle of Sol’s domain. It is place wherein we of the Conclave go to be closer to Sol. It is a place of worship once every seven rotations…”

Bright Daphne chimed in at that. “For someone who has no plans to further his time within the church, you use the most standardized words of the church of all the Rays that I know. All the Faithless still refer to rotations as days. But so far so good, continue.”

Looking at the Bright as one would look at someone who decided to question common knowledge, I decided to oblige her indulgences. “… every seven days then. On special occasions such as both Solstices, the days when seasons change, and the days when those of the church leave for Sol’s embrace or when new families join the Conclave.”

“Going directly out from the center lays the Inner Orbit. This orbit is closest to the center as it is where most of the Church’s facilities are and the location wherein most of the church’s members work. This is also the orbit in which those from outside the church are brought to with regards to business dealings and temporary lodging.” At this point in the walk I was starting to get my body back under my control, and was able to much more effectively carry myself.

“Nice and concise, though more of a broad interpretation of the Inner Orbit. Overall, not a bad explanation; as I’d expected of you Ray Adamas.” Bright Daphne stated, lifting my arm over her head and letting it fall back to my side. “Continue.”

At the prompt, I continued what amounted to a verbal test on whether I paid attention to lessons or not. “The orbit right after the Inner Orbit is the Living Orbit. This orbit contains the majority of house, small shops, and trading areas. At approximately two to three times the size of the Inner Orbit, there is still plenty of room to grow out as more members join the Church of Sol.”

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Looking over at Bright Daphne, she gives a slight nod of her head and I continue on. “After the Living Orbit comes the Orbit, by far the largest orbit, dwarfing the area of both the Inner and Living Orbits combined. The amount of responsibility carried within this orbit is not insubstantial, as everything within this Orbit is required for the overall function of the Conclave. Using a cyclical style of crop movement allows for consistent growth of food throughout the cycle… er… year, right?”

“Very good, Ray Adamas. And I didn’t even have to correct you on that one.”

“With large groups of families focused in different areas throughout the Farming Orbit, many types of food, both animal and plant alike, are grown with care; with different groups favoring different plants and animals to focus on growing, leading to a not insignificant amount of variety within the Conclaves diet.”

“Now, even though this next part is not really considered an orbit, most within the church recognize it as a vital portion of the overall layout of the Conclave. Between the Living Orbit and the Farming Orbit lays an area which is almost entirely dedicated to the storage and preservation of food, with what being stored there being meant for emergencies, trading, or celebrations.”

Not waiting for approval at this point, I continue talking, looking up as I close in on the last orbit. “And last, but certainly not least, there lies the Outer Orbit. A rather barren stretch of land encompassing the entirety of the land the Church of Sol has claimed under the influence of Sol. This outer band of land, while seemingly not important, is constantly patrolled by guards. The Outer Orbit is constantly being pressured by outside forces wanting to come in, so those patrolling are required to be volunteers, as the odds of being injured are not small due to small scale skirmishes which happen every so often; but volunteer or not, the perks of willingly going out being an increase in resources for your family makes this a job many in the Conclave have no trouble volunteering for.”

“Though fending off external invaders is not all those who patrol the Outer Orbit must contend with, as aside from that, the Outer Orbit is also where contact with those who come to trade with us is made. Each group of patrollers has the capability of welcoming those who come with good intentions and fending off those who don’t.”

Looking back down as I finish speaking, I realized that I am standing by myself. Taking a quick look around, I spot Bright Daphne some fifteen ish steps behind me, stifling back a laugh. “I’m Sorry Ray Adamas, for you were so engrossed in telling me what I had asked of you, that I did not have the heart to tell you that we passed our destination by a bit. I thank you for your answers, as it shows me that you truly did pay attention to what was both taught and sought. Now, without further ado, shall we retrace our steps by a bit and go meet his Luminous?”

Reaching her left hand out in my direction while motioning to a large white and yellow house with the other. “It is about time for you to answer some questions.”

Oh right, I was in trouble… by Sol, I certainly hope my parents aren’t in there waiting for me.