Chapter 20: My Goddess
Just as Ronalt said, three days after arriving we left the city. Citlia was nice and I hoped one day, as unlikely as it would be, that I could come back. We left heading on the main road east. It was newly built to join the trade city to the Capital. Pina was more than happy to get going, this being the first time she had moved so much in a while. As for the rest of us... there was an unusual tension, well near me at least.
I sat outside driving the carriage as usual. Lara was on one side of me. Her presence was comfortable like I was used to it and it was clear she felt the same way as she hummed happily. On my other side was Taylor. Her distance was perfect. Not too close but our legs lightly touching. If it wasn't for her occasional side long and suggestive gaze it would have been like she wasn't doing it on purpose. For the past two days since her confession to me she had been avoiding me a little. I was doing the same. Now however it seemed she was quite keen to enact her plans. Lara was oblivious.
"So we're going to the Temple of the Goddess right?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah, Ardent and Marley were interested in it," I replied. "It's pretty much on the road so it shouldn't take too long."
She sighed, "I don't do so well with all those religious gooses."
Lara caught on, "Really? The Temple in the kingdom was full of kind people."
Her eyes narrowed, "Let's just say the church in the slums was an ironic kind of place."
"What do you mean ironic?" Lara asked innocently.
Taylor leaned forward and smirked, "Ironic as in 'though shall not touch another' but damn do they touch people plenty."
"W-what?" Lara's face reddened, she was at least knowledgeable enough to know what Taylor was implying.
"Though to be honest if a certain person wanted to touch me I wouldn't say no," she whispered so only I could hear. My body tensed up.
"Is something wrong Rain?" Lara asked concerned.
"Nope I'm perfectly fine," I looked straight ahead. Damn this. "Hey Taylor didn't you say you were tired before? How about take a nap in the carriage."
"Only if you join me," she winked.
"Taylor stop joking around with Rain," Lara complained from the other side.
Yep... I was just going to keep driving the carriage. I leaned forward and rubbed Pina's soft feathers. Truly comforting. It was going to be a long journey.
*
Two days passed. If anything had changed since we first started to travel together it was now we were a lot closer. It was a nice comfort to actually trust those around me. Though some things hadn't changed... and that was me doing all the work as their steward. It wasn't for lack of them wanting however. It was because none of them were particularly good at helping. The most I could leave them to do were the simpler tasks like setting the table. At times Taylor would drive the carriage, though her skill at doing anything else was needing. Still they each had their own roles to play and I had mine.
We arrived at the temple early in the morning as the sun rose. It was located off the main road close to a major demon town, the population of which was in the thousands. Unlike Citlia however it had a much calmer vibe but did share in having an abundant mix of races. We passed through peacefully with the occasional greeting of the early morning risers. The temple itself was a large structure inlaid within the forest and could be easily spotted. Being an important landmark it wasn't hard to get to.
The building itself resembled a cathedral and spread wide with many smaller structures dotted around it. The large stonework was melded with the trees around it, making the temple itself feel alive. Rays of light shone through the branches above us casting a spotted mosaic to scatter across the area. There was no denying the peaceful atmosphere and as I breathed in the crisp air it rejuvenated my body. It was no wonder that they built the temple where it was, the place truly did feel like holy ground.
As we exited the carriage, in the courtyard several demons wearing priest's robes similar to the ones Marley usually wore came out.
"Greetings travellers," a women stepped forward among them. Her skin was a pale green and her hair flowing leaves decorated with flowers. "I am Lady Tillia. Welcome to the Temple of the Goddess."
Ronalt bowed his head politely, "Lady Tillia, thank you for the warm welcome. My companions are I are from the horned tribe. We have come to see the sights of the temple and seek aid."
"All are welcome to the temple no matter race, species or otherwise," she smiled. "We have many beautiful sights to see and will help in all matters where possible." Her eyes caught on to Marley and with graceful steps she approached, "Young lady are you perhaps a practitioner of the Goddess as well?"
Marley bowed a little surprised at being called out, "You are correct."
"Then we must certainly show you our sacred grounds." She gestured to all of us, "Please come."
We followed her with varying degrees of wariness. Ronalt and Earnest didn't let down their guard as we moved into the temple's inner grounds. Ardent and Lara were more interested in the unique art and landscaping. Many would have called the temple abandoned to nature as moss and greenery lined the walls and floor but to a more trained eye, it was all purposeful. A closer inspection and you would notice that even the smallest loose bits of dirt had been swept to their proper place. It was certainly well cared for.
"This is the atrium, a place for peaceful thinking. Many of the townsfolk come here to clear their heads," she continued to lead us back outside where small cottages were lined together. "Here we have the living quarters. If you are staying the night we would be more than happy to lend you one."
"Perhaps. It depends how long our business takes," Ronalt's eyes flashed to me. After all I was the one who asked to come here.
"If you'd like, I can assist you now," she smiled brightly.
"I'd like to commune with the Goddess," I replied evenly.
"Oh?" she was surprised. "You are certainly welcome to try but I must warn you she does not talk to others often. The experience itself is rather unique."
"I don't mind."
She nodded softly, "You seem determined. When the time is right I'll guide you to the sanctuary."
"Thank you," I bowed in thanks.
"Then shall we continue our tour?" For the next half hour she showed us around the temple grounds. It was mystical place in the truest sense. Even Ardent who had a Master's knowledge couldn't exactly describe the sensations around him. As we finished a bold headed man on crutches limped out the nearby door.
"Lady Tillia good morning," he talked to her sweetly but something was wrong about him. He was an older man probably in his early forties. His body was well built and exhumed the prowess of a skilled man. His demeanour however reminded me of a simple priest. Despite my instincts he looked entirely normal. That's when I realised... he wasn't just normal, he was human.
"Daryl, good morning," she replied in kind. We all looked at him with wide eyes. "Ah, please excuse him, he may be human but he is a pious man."
He turned to us and quickly tried to hide away, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realise you had guests."
"It's okay Daryl. As I have told you many times, the Goddess accepts all, Demon or Human. I'm sure our guests here have no issues." Her eyes seemed to twinkle at us.
"That we do not," Ronalt replied sternly.
"Good. Now please join me for some morning tea," with no more than a smile, Lady Tillia began to walk and lead us away. Daryl followed her a little awkwardly while glancing at us warily.
"I didn't see that coming," Taylor whispered to me.
"Yeah... what's a human like him doing here," I whispered back.
"No, I mean those two totally love each other."
"What? How do you know?" I looked at her dubiously.
She winked slyly, "Take it from experience."
"...." I really couldn't say anything to that and even felt my face flush a little from the sudden assault. Instead I chose to try ignore her and kept walking.