Chapter 16: A Belief Unbound (Part 2!)

The demon flew further and handed a fetish to Florato. It was a series of wires attaching into a bone.

“What’s this, some kind of whip?” Florato shook the fetish.

“No silly, that’s the bone of a nymph you're carrying!” Florato upon hearing the news, dropped the fetish, which Vega caught.

“Wow! Who-who is it from?” Vega layed her fingers across it. It was surprisingly tame to touch and normal feeling. Vega imagined a far greater experience but her question revealed a faint disappointment.

“That's the bone of the great nymph Te’a, the elf should recognize it.” Tai’s message caught Skaldi’s ear but he quickly realized the demon was screwing with him.

“Ha! Well, this nymph, with the aid of a very brave man, discovered that the human body has these thin tunnels that transfer blood throughout it. After getting married and having some sack seeds, they later discovered the blood systems for numerous other species and revolutionized medicine.”

“What made him brave? Doesn’t seem so bold to me.” Skaldi muttered out, with Valiato snickering at the demon.

“Well you see that bone?” Tai probed.

“Yeah. So?” Skaldi crossed his arms.

“That’s her finger bone.” Tai confirmed. Vega held it up to Skaldi’s arm, which showed that they were of equal size. Everyone was given time to reflect on what would have happened. Sometimes the truth is hard to believe.

“W-what was the name of that guy?” Skaldi stuttered out, holding the bone in his hands.

“Huangdiato, he was a rich Oligarch some hundred years back. I don’t remember his fate or how he died. Something about too much kitty?” Skaldi and Florato didn’t like what Tai was getting at. Valiato didn’t know what Tai was getting at. Vega wanted to know what Tai was getting at.

“Wait, I got it! Death by too much pussy! I would love to see the engraving on his tombstone.” Tai cried out, her being the only one laughing at the joke. After a couple more minutes of the demon saying nasty histories or outright lies, Vega was the only one intently listening.

“Skaldi, how many times has she said cunt?” Florato whispered, leaning over to the head of the redhead.

“About forty eight. And a half.” Skaldi admitted the truth.

“Can we go home now? I’m starting to not like this whole religion business people keep talking about.” Valiato spoke out.

“And here we reach our final holy item. The body of Saint Aiato, she was of the Optima Matai. Had a lot of babies, but never felt the touch of a man. What do you think?” It was a simple wooden coffin with a unrotting bit of incense. A sign overhead read ‘ Saint Aiato the Fecund. The Second Master of the Mothers. Born in the year 08 after Oligarch’s Kiss. Died in the year 390 after Oligarch’s Kiss.

“The women in the town pray to her so that they may raise strong soldiers and give tribute to the spirits. I pray to her just to spite her.”

“What, do you get messages back or something?” Florato laughed at the idea, talking to a dead lady.

“Yes I do. She told me once to make sure Luai goes to the sisterhood one day. And then I hung up on her.” And yes, I can confirm that happened.

“That concludes the look around! Any questions?” Vega went to raise her hand but Skaldi held it down.

“Cool, now if you hand off the powder we will be on our way-”

“What do you mean I can’t go up? What are you hiding from me Luai?!” They all heard the priestess storming up the stairs, which was right beside the monument to the saint.

“Oh shit. Guys move, I don’t think she’ll like us being here.” Florato immediately picked up Valiato and pushed Skaldi down the hall. The trio ran away quickly, but Vega remained. She didn’t suspect anything was amiss.

“You know how much this means to everyone! What, do you me want to fail in front of the whole town?” There it struck, that bitter pain. Fear took Vega out of her happy stupor and sent her into panic.

“No. Not-not again.” She muttered to herself. The world swirled around her.

“Must. Do. Something.” The shouts came closer.

“I’m not…” Closer still.

“A…” The clergy’s shadows were fast approaching.

“Failure.” The edge of anxiety bit her.

“Stealth mode. Activate.” She leaned behind a statue, and copied its pose perfectly. Not a false imitation. Exactly.

“What are you hiding?” The priestess rushed up, looking around at the space. All she found was the monument and the floating demon. The vestal soon followed.

“See? I’m not hiding anything. Everything is fine!” Luai tried to calm the priestess down.

“No it isn’t. And it hasn’t been for a while.” Vega could sense the cracking voice, the tears shedding. This is where a person breaks.

“You’ve been hanging out with the-the lady all day, and you never came to see me until now. What’s going on?” The priestess's composure was breaking, forcing a silence in the hall.

“Nothing is wrong. I’ve just been working, that’s all.” The vestal spoke softly, like wind to grass.

“Really? Then why is your hair all curly? Did the tribal do it for you?” Ah, the fear of loss. I know that too well.

“Yes! Is there a problem?” Luai shot out, and continued instinctually, “Is it so wrong for me to like that kind of hair? Yueuai, I know your mom’s hurt, but that doesn’t justify you being mean to me.” The priestess was close to shattering.

“I don’t know! I’m just scared that I’ll lose her and then I’ll lose you. Now I have to do the stupid feast preparations and speak in front of the crowd. All because of some foreigners, alright?”

“Yueuai, please look at me.” The vestal laid her hand against the cheek of the priestess, and they both lowered to the ground.

“Isn’t Tai Pai a foreigner? And yet is she the one that nursed you when you fell ill?” The priestess took a glance at the floating demon, who shrugged.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“And kid, I’m a literal demon. The blondie and the hay girl are much kinder than me. It’s not all black and white.”

“And wasn’t Saint Aiato a Tripolian? And she gave birth to literal spirits?” Yueuai was rubbing her eyes of tears, now soothed by the voice of Luai.

“I know you’re scared for us. I am too, but don’t get mad at the wrong people. Those outsiders have strong and loving hands.” The vestal squeezed Yueuai’s palm and started to brush her hair.

“And they took their time to love Recor and appreciate all his glory. Isn’t that right Tai Pai?” The demon chuckled and rubbed her head.

“The scarecrow definitely did.”

“If they can do all that, so can you. You’re smart, you’re the one that healed your mom, and you’re beautiful.” Yueuai's teary eyes started to pair with her glowing smile.

“And no girl with blond hair or with big whatevers is gonna stop me from doing what I love to do.” Luai came closer to Yueuai’s face. The priestess blushed.

“A-and what’s that?”

“This.” The vestal and the priestess kissed.

Vega felt her fear melt away as she took in this heartwarming scene. Two people enjoying a tender and loving act. It was all she needed to see to melt away her fear. The fear of not succeeding. And she realized, in a moment of intelligence, that her act of aiding the clergy melted away her fear of outsiders.

She succeeded at her purpose.

“Okay Vega, you can stop hiding now!” Tai called out, as the scarecrow peered out from behind the statue.

“Vega, whatever she is, went through all the work to help us and this town out.” Luai spoke out, as Vega held out the bag of powder to her.

“I’m glad we have a fellow worshiper in this temple. Thank you, blessed Vega.” The priestess flung her hair to the scarecrow who then promptly bowed.

“I… I’m sorry that I acted in such a manner to you and your friend. It was shameful of me to oppose you. I only wish you can join us in the feast.” Yueuai held out her hand, of which Vega gripped onto. They went down to the room where her mother was being taken care of. Within minutes and with a little powder, the woman was up and healthy.

“This was the person that helped you? I had never seen a moving scarecrow before! Thank you blessed spirit. You must be the descendant of Mauri Kata!” The mother praised Vega, and reassured everyone of their kind act.

“Can’t wait to see you at the feast! Don’t worry, we’ll talk to the mayor about it all. Have a good day!” The clergy members waved off Vega, as she was escorted out by Tai.

“Take care kid. And be sure to take a seat by us when the feast starts, I’ll serve you stuff only sprites can eat!” Vega walked back to the apartment, happy as can be.

An hour until the feast was to start. Bolato looked outside the padded window. He could already see the crowd gathering. The blizzard had finally let up and it would seem that they will be able to leave by tomorrow. Skaldi and Valiato decided to take a nap before the feast, while Amir was reading a magazine. Vega and Florato were still practicing the guitar. Bolato enjoyed Florato’s performance but Vega’s not so much.

A knocking was heard below.

“I’ll take care of it.” Bolato waved to the pair as he stepped down the apartment. The couple was still in there with them. The past night he had heard their ‘fun’ and ‘romantic’ events beside them. He then realized why the apartment was so cheap. Bolato thought that ordered more silphium but when he opened the door, he was shocked.

“Soldier. Think you can answer me why you got a ghost in your company?” It was the clerk from the armory. Even in his winter clothing Bolato could tell there was conflict in him. He scanned the environment for any mobs to attack them. No one was there aside than the clerk and his hatred.

“What ghost?” Bolato hissed out. He hoped that the clerk was playing a cruel prank. His face told that he wasn’t.

“Ghosts are a matter of familial security. Even having one in the town can doom us all. I saw that ghost kid’s gloves and I knew instantly.” Bolato knew that Valiato slipped, but that would be a matter for another time.

“So what are you here for? Gonna blackmail us? Is that what you’re gonna to a soldier of the Oligarchy?” Bolato wanted to cause some insecurity in the clerk’s system. The clerk didn’t have any.

“No son. I fought for twenty five years in the army. I gave away my best years to the good fight. And on soldier's honor I will not seek to harm my fellow striker brother. So I offer this…” The clerk leaned forward.

“Hand the ghost off to me. I’ll take it to a field, tie it up, and leave where its scream can’t be heard. I’ll do that for you, and your foreign friends can go to the feast.”

This is why I so thoroughly hate beliefs. How often they teach us to dehumanize and reduce others we don’t know down to stereotypes and others. And this clerk is the worst example. Not a nerve was tested, nor a feeling beside silent hate was present. He was completely okay and ready to end a child’s life on request. How wonderful to hear!

“And if I don’t?” Bolato walked forward, making the clerk step back.

“I’ll tell the town. Sure, the temple might spare some thought for that ghost, but the town won’t. If you want to go down that route, I’ll give you ten minutes to leave.”

Bolato blew through his nose, and nodded. The clerk slowly turned around and before walking off, he took a look at Bolato.

“Damn Ghost lover.”

Bolato raced up the stairs and bursted through, catching them off guard.

“We’re leaving now. Everyone get up and pack your things.” Vega didn’t question a word and immediately started, while Amir and Florato were confused.

“What’s wrong Bolato? Did something happen?” Florato was puzzled while Amir knew it was urgent.

“One of the people knew about Valiato. Hurry up and tell Amir.” Bolato collected all the packs and tied them on his back, as Florato pointed to Valiato who Amir picked up.

“Sweetheart get up, we’re leaving now.” Bolato gave a soft kick to Skaldi, who was shocked at the hussle of the room. He had been looking forward to the feast, but he knew something was off.

“What happened? Was it Vega, did she do something wrong?” Skaldi got in front of Bolato.

“We’ll talk about it later. Get the centuries ready, now!” Skaldi rushed out, and as he left the room he took a cruel glance at the scarecrow.

Within minutes, the party picked up their equipment and placed it back on the wagon. The centuries were ready, and the only thing left to do was to get on and leave.

But none of them did. Each one took in the excellent sight of people enjoying each other. The sweet and salty scents drifted to them. The fierce cold combated by the adrenaline in the moment. All of them did, except Vega.

She was already inside the wagon holding the still sleeping Valiato in her arms. The scarecrow had no idea what happened but understood that there was a need. It was a shame really. That she worked to help this town and she wouldn’t get to enjoy it. But slowly her mind drifted back to her new friends. Whatever their goals meant more now rather than a town’s.

Plus, those two girls and the demon were all worth the effort. No pains of rejection, in fact, only the love of acception.

Everyone got into the wagon and headed off on the snow covered road. Each person had a blanket, along with the centuries. Within thirty minutes the town had become a memory. Bolato stared at Valiato’s gloved hands and then back to Florato who was trying to catch some sleep.

“Hmm. Hey Flo…” Valiato murmured.

“Yes kid? Are you alright?” Florato shifted over to her.

“I’m cold. Can… can you hold me?” Valiato was shivering despite the heavy cloak she wore. Florato was at first surprised and stunned. She didn’t know what to do. Vega made the choice for her by picking up the child and handing it off to the actress.

“Sleep well-well. Tomorrow we’ll have lots of fun!” Vega sat back down. Florato holding of Valiato melted her frozen state, with her stacking their blankets together and hugging the kid into a comfortable slumber. Bolato took a look at the scarecrow, now doodling.

“Hey, Vega. That was a good thing you did. Odd, but a good thing.” Bolato said, with Vega smiling a toothless smile.

Amir looked at his daughter with a faint bit of envy. He momentarily stretched his hand to the babe, but quickly took it back. Skaldi was the only person that noticed the movement.

He stared at the hands of the scarecrow, making those silly drawings of hers. Patchwork cloth connected to haphazard wood and steel, Skaldi knew. He imagined the event she caused with those hands. What did she do to make them mad? To make them leave?

Where all culture starts and ends, is at the hands. The same goes for kindness.