We reached an open room filled with several tables. The other temple priests and workers filled many of the seats enjoying the light filtering through the open windows. Lady Tillia gestured us over to sit with her, the man Daryl already beside her. While she may have been happy with him staying in the temple, I could tell some of the others were not overjoyed. Sidelong glances of suspicion and the occasional glare, but they said nothing. It seemed like Lady Tillia was the one who ran things here.
As we sat down at the table Ronalt spoke up, "I'm sorry if this is impolite but I have rarely met any humans. Just what brought you here?"
Daryl choked on his tea and began to cough, "Pardon me. Um well I was a bodyguard for a trade vessel. Our ship got lost and we wound up down the great river. In the end, Lady Tillia saved me and brought me here."
She looked at him warmly, "He is a brave man to have come so far."
"Don't you want to return?" Ronalt asked.
Daryl blanked, his eyes flashing to the other Temple workers and back to Lady Tillia, "I actually quite like it here. As presumptuous of me as that seems, the life in this temple... it's something I wished I could have one day." He looked at us almost pleadingly, "The members of the town have come to an understanding thanks to the Goddess' teachings but others aren't so happy to have me here. Please keep this to yourself."
"Do not worry," Ronalt dismissed him. "We have no intention to ruin your happiness."
"Thank you," he smiled. Because I was quite close to them I noticed his and Lady Tillia's hands gently touch each other. Taylor was totally right. This was the first time I had seen a demon and human fall in love. It was nice.
"Aren't you afraid though?" Ardent questioned curiously, "Demons such as us usually don't take such a pleasant outlook to your kind."
Lady Tillia answered, "The Temple and all it stands for will protect him." She looked at Marley, "Is it not the same at yours?"
Marley nodded, "Even the worst people are accepted. I don't see why a demon would not." A collective tightening of muscles spread through the table at Marley's verbal slip. Thankfully it was quiet enough that only we could hear it. "Ah sorry, I meant to say human."
"Of course," Lady Tillia smiled knowingly while Daryl nodded obliviously.
We ate a light meal together and talked about the Temples function and the nearby town. The Temple served as a place to worship the Goddess and get some peace of mind. The town was built as a place to support it and just steadily grew. Almost everyone inside was a devout worshiper. Though it was quite clear that when it came to humans a few teachings were truly being tested. Once we were done Lady Tillia stood up to prepare the sanctuary for me. Daryl excused himself and wandered away.
"I'm going to prepare as well," I stood up from the table.
"Do you really need to?" Taylor asked.
I smiled wryly, "I just want to be ready if something goes wrong."
She looked concerned, "You don't think something will do you?"
Quite honestly I did but I didn't want to worry her or Lara who sat beside her looking at me the same way. "It should be fine. I'm just going to wash myself."
"Want me to come with you?" Taylor smiled suggestively.
I ignored her and turned to Ronalt, "I'll be using the carriage."
"Go ahead," he said giving me leave.
I left the others at the table and headed into the courtyard where our carriage waited at the edges. Pina had been released and was wondering while enjoying the peaceful ambience. One of the Temple workers had left her some water and feed. They certainly were kind to outsiders. I did as I said I would and washed myself in the small bathroom within the carriage, changing my clothes as well. Once I was done however I took out my knife and held it towards my temple. The last time I had killed myself was the prior morning. I sheathed the knife back into its pouch. If something did happen I wanted the extra time to prepare.
The midday sun greeted me as I exited the carriage. All I had to do now was find Lady Tillia.
"Hey Jane," Lara called out to me and I turned towards her naturally, only realising the incorrect name as she did. "Ah sorry Rain, I did it again."
"It's okay...," I replied surprisingly unaffected. Like she said it wasn't the first time she had done this. As we talked over the past few days, she had started to treat me more and more like she did in Jane's memories. In fact we had become quite close as friends now. "So what's up?"
"You never told me what you were going to ask the Goddess," she moved closer to me.
I held out my hand as she moved into range and stopped her by the head, "And what if I said I wanted to keep it as a secret."
"Oh come on," she huffed and dodged away from my hand stepping inches away. "Please?"
When she made that face it was really hard to say no. I gave in, "I want to ask her about 'this'." I gestured at us specifically the lack of distance between us.
Lara stepped back, "Oh, right.... Will you tell me when it's over? I mean, what 'this' is."
"Yeah," I sighed and patted her head gently. "You probably want to know as much as I do."
She nodded, "I like you Rain and being with you reminds me so much of Jane that I can't help to like you even more. Sorry if that bothers you."
"It does bother me." Her expression turned to dismay and I smiled continuing, "But I don't mind it. Now I've got places to be. I'll see you when it's over."
"Okay," she took a deep breath. "Also I saw Lady Tillia near the back of the Temple grounds if that helps."
"Thanks," I waved to her and walked away. As much as I wanted to know the truth about me and Lara, a part of me didn't. Things right now weren't bad. If the Goddess really did answer me, who knew what dark secret I could really be hiding.
I crossed the Temple grounds and walked the corridors hoping to find Lady Tillia. The few priests and workers I did meet couldn't tell me exactly where she was and I ended up traveling in circles. Along the way I spotted Daryl sitting on a bench beside a small pond. His crutches leaned next to him.
"Excuse me, Daryl right?" I approached him.
He flinched at his name and turned towards me quickly, "Ah it's you, umm Rain?"
"Yes," I smiled to him reassuringly. "Do you happen to know where Lady Tillia is? Or perhaps where the sanctuary is located?"
"The sanctuary is past that way behind a set of stone doors but you need Lady Tillia to enter. I think she's nearby there."
"Thank you," I was about to leave but curiosity got the better of me. "Daryl why can't you walk?"
He laughed tiredly, "Your friend Ronalt asked the same question just before. When we came into the Great River the first demons who found us weren't too kind to humans. You could say I got off easily when they cursed my legs." He pulled up his pants revealing a twisted black vein that stretched across his legs. "It was worse before Lady Tillia started treatment. I really am grateful to her." The way he smiled showed more than just being grateful.
"You should ask our Marley to have a look, she's an expert healer. If that doesn't work, I can take a look at it after speaking with the Goddess. I'm an apothecary."
"You're all very kind for demons." He blanched, "I mean kind to humans. Seeing this I'm beginning to see we're not so different. Some of us are bad others good. I can't say I was the kindest to demons either."
"You and me both," I chuckled. "I should be off. Thank you for the directions once again." He nodded and waved as I left.
Lady Tillia hadn't taken us to this part of the Temple on her tour. The air was thicker than before and seemed to stretch into my lungs. It wasn't a painful feeling however but seemed to clear them. The vines and greenery that clung to the walls began to recede, replaced instead with pure polished stone. A sturdy roof enclosed the space and as I progressed further a thick stone door blocked my way. There didn't seem to be a way to open it naturally.
After a while of waiting I caught on to a pair of voices not far away. I walked down the nearby corridor.
"Lady Tillia I once again must implore you to remove that human at once!" an elderly priest said vehemently. "He is not only a danger to the Temple but to you as well." Two horns protruded from his head on each side.
"Mister Gehera what do the teachings of the Goddess say?" Lady Tillia was calm.
The older man frowned and sighed, "That all beings are equal and should be treated with respect just as you would do yourself."
"Exactly. How could we call ourselves followers of the Goddess, let alone keepers of the Temple if could not welcome a single human. Not only has he embraced the teachings he has tried his best to help the Temple even in his state."
"But my Lady, the others are becoming nervous. Since his presence became known we have received more and more complaints from the township. Worse still there's word that the cult may be involved."
"And I have taken those complaints and spoken with those who came," she smiled. "Take this as a test. Our faith in the Goddess, our accumulated work here, this is where we cannot back down. Daryl has down no wrong to us and thus we cannot abandon him."
"Lady Tillia your feelings for the man are clouding your judgement," the man grit his teeth.
"It is by those feelings I judge, just as I have done everyone else. This is final Mister Gehera. I understand your concern but I will not back down. As one touched by the Goddess and leader of this Temple we shall stay this course."
He bowed, "As you say."
"Good," she nodded. "Now return to your duties. I have a guest after all." Her head turned towards where I had been peeking around the corner. Mister Gehera left in the other direction as she approached me. It wasn't like I had been trying to hide but for her to spot me so easily meant she was more skilled than she let on.
I bowed my head to her, "Greetings once more Lady Tillia."
She chuckled, "Greetings Rain. I believe in all customs it is impolite to eavesdrop."
"My apologies, curiosity got the better of me." I raised my head.
"That is no problem. It is from being curious that demon and mankind have been able to get this far." The fact she mentioned mankind. As I thought she knew we were human. "You came to use the sanctuary did you not?"
"Yes," I nodded politely.
"Then come," she waved me to follow her as she gracefully walked the way I came. We reached the stone door and with a wave of her hand it opened with no more than a smooth grate. Beyond it was a small chapel like room with two benches and in the centre a plaque of clean white stone. A single light source filled the room shining down on the plaque. The mana here was thick enough that even someone like me could feel it.
"This is the sanctuary," Lady Tillia gestured around us. "The most holy place within the Temple. Those who come to seek the Goddess' aid pray here. Simply kneel beside the plaque and speak your mind."
"Thank you," I stepped slowly into the light. Although it was shining from the ceiling it wasn't natural nor did it feel like the crystals normally used.
"I must warn you it can take many hours if not days to properly commune."
I made a wry expression, "Could you please tell my companions to wait for me?"
"Of course," she nodded. "While inside the doors will remain open and someone will come check up on you occasionally."
"Umm I won't die will I?" I had to ask.
"I have never seen that happen," she smirked, "but there is always a first."
"...." This lady was more mischievous than I expected. I kneeled down on the spot, "Well I might as well begin."
"Please do and... good luck. May the Goddess guide you."
As the sound of her footsteps receded away I could only mumble, "Yep, may the Goddess guide me indeed." I bowed my head and closed my eyes. Here goes nothing.