Chapter 159: The savanna.

Chapter 159: The savanna.

Moments after the young mans death and Sunnys escape, the mist overtook the area once again. It brightened, forcing us to close our eyes by instinct. Once we opened them again, we found ourselves back in the real world, staring at a statue in the dark. The statue had changed shape, however.

Where previously a heroic young man once stood, now stood a boy, embracing the kneeling figure of a young mans corpse, that was pierced by a dozen blades from different directions. I recognized him as the person we had seen in the vision, who had thrown sunny into the distance.

For a while, I just stood there and took it in. The melancholy, the sadness and the determined look in the boys eyes Something about it was captivating and felt far more real than the statues previous form.

Where are you, Arthur? Emeri asked. Oh right. She couldnt see in the dark!

Im here. The statue changed. I hurriedly explained.

What?! What happened?! Did we break it?! she asked, panicked. I explained the new look of the statue, which made Emeri turn contemplative.

That vision do you think that was Helios himself? A prophet, maybe? But why turn a triumphant statue into such a sad one? she wondered aloud.

I think he was just trying to show us the truth. What kind of things he really went through? Honestly, your guess is probably better than mine. For now, we have to get out of here, or well be blamed for the destruction of holy property and heresy. I joked half-heartedly, not thinking such a punishment existed.

Instead of a chuckle, Emeri nodded seriously, making me realise that there probably was such a thing I took her by the arm and led her to the exit. After inching the door open to see if the coast was clear, we stalked out of the church and headed to the inn where I had rented a room. Only when we got there and closed the door to our private area did I breathe a sigh of relief, which Emeri copied.

On a scale of one to ten, how bad would it have been if we had been caught? I asked after a while.

Eleven. Emeri commented stoically.

That bad?

Absolutely.

huh. Good thing we got out of there, then Lets not desecrate any more statues, agreed?

Please?

The torn look on Emeris face did nothing to assuage my fears

-Scene transition-

We are not doing that again, Emeri! I told her sternly.

But what if Helios wants us to?! she countered for the umpteenth time. We had been arguing about this for hours on end these past few days. Ever since we left the little desert village near the first temple of the pilgrimage, Emeri had gotten busy trying to convince me that Helios was sending us on some kind of divine mission and that we had to right the wrong interpretations of the past

We have no inns as your kind has in your cities, but we have unmanned houses, which we could loan to you for a price. She proposed.

I, however, was in no state to respond, still shocked to encounter not just one person, but a whole group of people that spoke another language besides common, the language of the system. Instead, Emeri replied for us.

That would be wonderful, we thank you. The woman grunted in response, before signaling her people to open the gates to the outpost. They stopped us when we tried to enter, though.

Before we allow you entry, a question. The same woman from before asked. Do you believe in the lord of the sun, Helios?

I had to do a double-take, not seeing such a question coming, but quickly nodded.

We are both believers of Helios, like most on the continent. In fact, my friend here, Emeri, is a holy maiden. I bragged, smiling and holding a hand out to her. Emeri awkwardly tried to smile as well, but it came off as a grimace.

Instantly, the mood changed. The womans eyes widened, and all of the guards including her fell to one knee and lowered their heads.

We greet you, chosen of the sun! They shouted in unison. I felt Emeri pinch me in the arm.

Youve gone and done it, fool. The savanna tribes are very religious, now theyll baby us for the rest of our stay. She whispered in frustration. Knowing Emeri, she didnt like being treated better than others for her position. I liked that about her. But I liked the banquet the village threw for us even more! Granted, they threw it for Emeri. Not for me. But still!

The villagers, which were apparently called tribesmen and tribeswomen around these parts, treated us like a king and queen. Many a time, Emeri had to decline offered gifts, and she had to stop to accept prayers a few times. Quickly, I found out that Emeri actually knew some of the words of their language, which earned her an accusatory glower from me. Once we retreated to the giant house we were offered to stay in for the night, Emeri wondered why I had been staring at her like that all day.

What is it? she asked eventually, already worn out by the days happenings.

You know another language besides common. I accused her.

More than one, actually. She replied, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

You didnt tell me I continued, squinting.

I didnt think it was a big deal she countered.

Not a big deal?! Do you understand how rare other languages are?! Thats like meeting someone that can turn into animals or make trumpeting sounds with the elbows!

She stared back at me, unimpressed. Trumpeting sounds?

You wouldnt believe what my dad is capable of, once he puts his mind to it I explained conspiratorially.

Emeri sighed. Go to bed, Arthur. We have a long day ahead. She chastised, before closing the woven wooden door to her room, effectively ending the conversation.

Oh well. If she thought she could get away with not teaching me some new languages, she was dead wrong