556. Temple II

556. Temple II

The priests were ready to strike, though Adam remained still, doing his best to make himself appear less of a threat. He was glad he was unarmed and unarmoured, otherwise they would have had an excuse to deal with him. ‘Thank you, Sir Vonda.’

A few of the priests unlocked the donation box, finding the source of the glow. It was a gem, obsidian, which was morphing, becoming rounder and thinner. As it morphed, etched within was the symbol of Lord Sozain, that of an eye within a circle. He had many symbols all across the different lands, but this symbol was the very same which had been adopted by the Iyr.

The ever watching eye, for none could escape the sight of death.

The priests remained frozen, staring at the symbol. Their own symbol was that of a skull within a circle, but this symbol was well known within Aldland still, for many Iyrmen wore it.

“I suppose Lord Sozain has answered my prayers,” Adam said, keeping his voice even, beginning to sweat. He could still sense the open blades, and the piercing gazes upon his back.

“What were your prayers?” came a raspy voice of the eldest priest, who looked as though he was going to meet the God of Death any second now. He was perhaps in his eighties or nineties, with rivers of wrinkles across his face. He wore the deep black of the Death Priests, and carried at his side a blade. He was one of the few who had not drawn his blade. Dangling from his neck was a wooden amulet, that with the Aldish symbol of the God of Death.

“I asked him how he was, and was rather sad he didn’t call for me. I spoke of my adorable children, and then apologised. I said if he ever wanted my assistance, he could have it. Then I asked him to answer my prayers if I ever wished to grant my blessings, though I did not wish to become a Priest of Death, but rather, a Priest of the Forge, and then...” Adam motioned his head to the gem. “I suppose he answered my prayers by changing my offering?”

‘He speaks like a fool,’ the Head Priest thought, staring down at Adam. Though he was old and thin, he stood tall and wide, as though he were a man half his age, and twice as strong.

“I am Sir Vonda of Life’s Rose,” Vonda began, clasping her hands together as she greeted the Head Priest.

The Head Priest’s eyes fell to Vonda, softening slightly. He reached out a hand, and held hers. “It has been many years since I have seen you, young Vonda.”

“It has been some time, Father,” Vonda replied, bowing her head slightly, revealing some of her burn marks under her scarf.

The Head Priest’s eyes lingered on the burn marks, which confirmed her identity, and his eyes fell back to Adam. “Is this young Half Elf a companion of yours?”

“He is,” Vonda confirmed.

The old man let go of Vonda’s hand and motioned a hand to the other priests around them, who stepped back and began to clear out the area, sending the old men away, as well as blocking off the area for other visitors. They carried their large pots and crates outside, so they could still offer free food to the people who passed by.

“What is your name?” the Head Priest asked.

“My name is Adam Fateson, good Father.”

Adam wasn’t sure how he felt by the words, but what more could he do? “Alright, alright.”

Father Death took the obsidian disc from the priest who had picked it up, and felt how cool it was to the touch. He stared at the symbol, which was definitely of Baktu, the Iyr’s bastardisation of Lord Sozain. He wondered if he should keep it, and while he thought of keeping it, it flashed almost ice cold. He held the holy symbol out towards Adam. “Lord Sozain has accepted your prayers, young Adam.”

“Glory be to Lord Sozain,” Adam replied, bowing slightly as he accepted the symbol with both hands, cautiously staring into the Father’s eyes, noting the hint of greed which quickly faded.

“It is great news that Lord Sozain has picked someone to follow him so intimately.”

“I only hope that I can be half as devout as yourself, Father Death,” Adam replied, trying to remain subservient and charming.

Father Death could still see that Adam was nervous, and he smiled. “If you wish to pray, you may come to any of our temples within East Port. I will inform them to treat you well, Adam Fateson.”

“Thank you dearly,” Adam said, holding the holy symbol tight in his hands. “I will be participating in the tournament soon, and once I earn some coin, I’ll be able to donate more to the great God of Death, who always watches over me.”

“The God of Death will always accept coin, but the coin of the dead is worth more to Lord Sozain, than those of the living,” Father Death stated, his tone of voice light considering the unintentional threat.

“Of course.” Adam bowed his head again. “I, uh, I’ll leave another obsidian gem here for my offering, and I think, maybe, I should leave the temple, since there’s been a bit of a situation.”

“If that is what you prefer,” the Head Priest said, motioning a hand towards the temple, and having his priests assist the group out. He watched Adam leave through the back. As a Priest of Death, he could see how little the Aura of Death clung to the boy, so he could only wonder why Lord Sozain picked him.

‘Is it because of his potential for death?’

Adam and his group managed to slip away from the temple district through the back, heading around the back all the way to the middle of the district, where they could step back onto a path and in the middle of the large crowds. They left casually, as though they hadn’t just caused a stir near one side of the district.

“You always cause such trouble, Adam,” Vonda said, her eyes smiling towards him.

“What can I say?” Adam asked, shrugging his shoulders. “I’m so charming that even the Lord of Death loves me.” He held onto the disc, the symbol of Baktu protruding out, with a tiny hole at the top to loop string through. ‘I’ll take it that I can still be a Priest of the Forge then, Baktu.’

The farmers and porters remained silent, their bodies still cold from the shock of what had happened. Their minds were simultaneously racing with excitement, but also blank from awe.

Rick wondered if he had made the right decision in following Adam, as his eyes then fell to Sir Vonda, who was still smiling at Adam from behind her scarf. He looked up towards the sky, praying to all the Divine to assist him. His heart continued to thunder in his chest.

Somehow, Adam didn't die.