[30] The Temple Tales I : The Arrival

"Keep it in your pocket."

I did. Gulping hard, I stared up in his eyes when we had reached the beginning of the plain stone path.

"Offer it to her when they start the worshipping tonight," said Karam in his deep voice while giving me a warm look.

I nodded and took a long breathe. "I don't want to leave you here," I whispered while feeling my heart shrinking in nervousness.

He breathed softly. "I cannot come along from here, my mate. Some rules are to be followed for the respect of the ones who made it. Even though, they seem merciless and unnecessary." He said while fisting his hands on his sides and giving me a small smile. "Don't bathe in the cold water. Tomorrow might be a rainy day. Don't get drenched."

I nodded while lowering my eyes.

"Sleep under the furs. You are tired, the sleep will come easy. But if you keep thinking about the place, you will only get disturbed. When nothing works, pray to the Moon Goddess and close your eyes." He whispered while I looked back in his eyes.

"Would you go back to the cottage?" I whispered quietly.

He nodded while glancing at the temple from above my shoulder. "I will. Don't worry about me," he said with a determined look. "Eat properly and even ask for the hot milk to gain some strength. They have cows up there. Don't touch anything without the permission."

I breathed heavily.

His lips parted. "What's wrong?"

I sighed in nervousness and shook my head. Something was curling up in my chest. My heart wasn't ready to be away from him. All this time, we were together. He brought me here. He helped me. Now when I was observing his eyes. They held care and worry. They held the longing already.

"Thank you for everything," I whispered while gulping slowly. "Not everything. Not the early threatening behavior, the drinks and the women. . ."

He smiled tightly.

I blinked in awkwardness. "Everything except those moments. For bringing me here and for being with me. For suffering my tantrums."

"You are what I have been made for, my mate. I enjoyed it all." He said while sucking in a heavy breathe. "I cannot touch you. Or I would have turned you around by holding your shoulders by now. It's time. You must leave. When you return, I will be here only." His eyes showed helplessness while he smiled tightly. "My mate must go now."

I raised myself on the toes and grabbed his forearm.

His face turned blank. "It's the temple of virgins. They won't accept you. Don't touch me. . ." He mumbled hurriedly while not moving an inch.

My nostrils flared in terror as I shook my head. He was stunned when I said, "Some rules have target followers. I might be a virgin but I am married," I whispered while cupping his bearded cheek. "To you, Karam. We are not going to have a dry good bye."

"This is not how you rebel," he said warningly while giving me the look that I was doing a mistake. "You do it for the good cause, my mate."

"This is the good cause, my mate." I said angrily in a calm tone while giving him the dead look. "To thank you and let you know that I don't hate you enough to ignore all your goodness. If they are going to have a problem, they will let me bathe again inside." I said and pressed my lips against his.

He was shocked for a moment. But then, just as I moved my lips, he reciprocated and palmed my back. He smiled in between the kiss and slowly, we pulled away.

I smiled when he shook his head at me in worry. "You are so hard to predict, my mate."

"We will meet again soon," I said while giving him a smile. It faded just as I added, "Unless you were with that mystic woman in full consciousness."

He sighed heavily while shaking his head in amazement. He removed his hand while I stepped back too.

"Bye," I whispered while turning around and walking on the stone path that would lead me to the humongous temple.

Fifty steps were covered. The path's slope was getting steep by every inch. I felt as if I would slip and roll back to Karam any second. Thankfully, the stone tiles were not slippery. The leather sandals had enough friction too. The rocks were thick and cemented with gaps in them. I could walk comfortably.

"I love you!"

I gasped and looked back. Karam was waving his large right arm. I could see the wide lovesick smile.

I controlled my own and waved back at him actively. Turning my head, I sighed and kept walking towards the temple.

With each step, my heart kept drowning into an ocean of nervousness.

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The grass was freshly trimmed around the large porch of the temple.

Just as the stone path ended, the trenches of grass began showing in sight and lead me to the not-so-flat ground in front of the temple.

Around the border of this barely flat area on which the temple was built, had big rocks placed randomly and naturally.

As I slowly craned my neck up to check the height. The closeness had me mesmerized.

It was as tall as nearly a twelve to fifteen storeys building. When I had first heard about this temple, I had expected a small shrine at the hill top. In the city, those tall buildings with glassy windows looked acceptable, but this gothic temple made of dark grey bricks was more than just artistic.

It was enchanting.

Loud bell rang all around. The sound echoed from inside the temple.

As I looked at my front, I could see the big doors opened wide. The shiny concrete floors were making me ask thousand questions to myself.

Pass those doors, was coming a red cloak towards me, churning my stomach. I could see the patterned corridor with pillars on each side going inside with enormous arched open doorways at equal intervals, behind her.

The faint sunlight was reaching the entrance. Lucine's pale face shined more when she came under it, giving me a warm mysterious smile. Her walk was elegant. With no make up and just that confidence on her face, she was able to make me nervous. Her yellow eyes looked transparent as she kept coming closer.

"Moon Goddess gave us the blessings early," she said in that soothing and loud voice.

Goosebumps risen on my skin and I immediately turned around to look back at the way I had covered. My eyes directly landed on to the edge of the stone bridge where Karam was still standing.

"She is under my watch from now on, brother." Lucine said while looking down at him.

My heart writhed in sadness as I saw him looking so small from this far. He started walking back towards the dense trees shielding the muddy path, leaving my feelings scattered in my chest.

"Welcome to our sanctuary, Misty."

I gulped while looking sideways at her. She smiled charmingly at me and turned around to face the temple. "Come inside," she said in her soft soothing voice while walking towards the giant doorway.

I glanced at the place where Karam was standing, for the last time. His face full of encouragement and hidden longing in those eyes revolved in my mind. I breathed slowly and turned around to follow his eldest sister into the temple.

"I hope, your journey was blissful." Lucine said while walking under the high roofs of the corridor. I craned my neck to see the large pillars. "More beautiful than the destination."

"It was," I said absentmindedly, our voices echoing around madly. But then I realized, that the arched entrances and tall pillars on every eighth step were worth praising. "No, this place is beautiful."

She chuckled lightly while I glanced at her. She was barefoot. Her hood was still on her head just like before.

Echoes of whispers were spreading all around the temple. I wondered if it was knowingly built in a way to create the acoustic environment.

The floor was shiny and not so slippery. The pillars had designs of feathers and wolf heads on them. Like of actual wolf. Not the overstretched Lycan face.

"That carving is different on every pillar if you observe properly," she said while I slowed down to actually notice them. She was right.

One had drawings of Moon all over it. One had cloaks made on it. One had, to my surprise, books made on it.

"These were done by the females from older generations who have left for the Moon years ago." She said while standing two steps apart from me.

I forwarded my hand to touch the carvings. But immediately, pulled it back.

Lucine held the same blank expressions and turned towards the way ahead. "Come," she whispered with a small knowing smile.

We kept walking together slow and patiently. My eyes kept moving over the pillars and the bricked walls. The polished floors. When the faint light around started turning brighter. I looked at the front.

Chills ran down my spine when the end of the long corridor which was almost hundred metres or more long, had a red curtain covered everything. The creases and folds were giving me idea that this was the statue.

My heart started pounding in sudden nervousness.

My jaw dropped when I slowly covered the corridor with her and ended up into the largest hall I had ever seen. My eyes widened while hand reached my mouth. I slowly moved my gaze upwards to see from where the red curtain was beginning. It didn't stop until I was exactly into the center of the hall, gasping loudly.

The curtain was starting from the height of at least four-five storeys above.

"Why is she covered?" I whispered in disbelief.

Lucine smiled while staring at me in satisfaction. "You are the first guest of this temple, Misty. She didn't want to reveal herself just like that."

My heart curled up in terror. "What?"

Lucine didn't say anything and looked up slowly like a confident diva. "Eighty nine female Lycans made her. With delicacy. With love. With strength. With power. With determination. Just like she really was."

"Who built the temple?" I asked slowly.

Lucine's smile turned more amused. "We will talk. Patiently. Why don't you rest before we have lunch and I show you more?"

"Rest?" I smiled nervously.

Two unfamiliar girls in red cloaks walked into the hall. Their eyes were as blank as they could be.

"They will show you the chamber, Misty. Someone will come later to bring you to me for the lunch," she said while observing my crown.

"The bride must be taken care of well," she told the girls in an authoritative voice while looking at me only, still sounding soothing and mysterious.

"I am sure, our Goddess will be pleased to have you here for as long as you want." She said while glancing up at the height of the statue again. Lowering her gaze, she passed me a knowing smile.

A shiver of fear ran through me while she walked past me elegantly like a divine woman. Each step proper and a little swaying naturally.

I looked at the two girls who were tall and beautiful with their flicks falling on their face from under the hood. "Follow us," they said in unison.

With positivity in my heart and eyes all around, I followed them.

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The room was the warmest with woollen carpets spread all around the floor. Like a hostel, a single bed was placed in the middle of the wall with grey bricks. The roof was not so high. My hand could touch it with my raised toes.

There were candle stands all around with candles being lit on them. Beautiful and artistic with glass shields around them, like small lanterns.

Every table had lace cloth covering it. There was no other door for washroom and it scared me.

Though for now, I was just lying on the bed, thinking of where I had reached.

I was here to find out the secrets of full moon night schedule of theirs. I also had to know more things about Severa to feel for her just like Chelsea had asked. I also had to ask Lucine over Karam's bad night. I also needed to just explore.

But all that was revolving in my mind, was Karam's face. I missed him already. I wasn't feeling protected when he wasn't around.

I was here on a mission. Feelings wouldn't let me be successful. For my motives, I would have to be alert and smart. Not dull.

At least, one thing went smooth. No one asked me to bathe.

Even when the girls walked me through the corridor on the left side of the statue. It was like am endless one with doors on each sides. Then came the stairs. Built so broad in length and yet comfortable in height. They were less tall with stone railing on one side and wall on the other.

Ancient paintings of red cloaks standing and giving mysterious poses were hung on the wall. Reaching the first floor, the area had covered the ground floor as much as they could except the hall in front of Severa's statue and the statue itself.

I had stopped to hold the stone railing and stare at the red cloth without craning my neck much. The statue was almost two hundred metres away.

Finally, they took me to another corridor, two left turns came and third door was my room. I couldn't carve it anywhere. Thus, I kept chanting, "Corridor. Corridor. Two lefts. The third door," like a jingle.

Suddenly, a knock came upon the door.

My heart sighed in satisfaction. Finally, I was getting the choice to invite the person rather than him or her bursting the door open and jump inside.

"Come in," I said while raising myself to sit properly. My crown was resting near the pillow while I had removed my cloak too for some time.

The thick wooden door opened and Rosetta came in sight. She was bending her head to peek through the door. Now, I could see how much she looked similar to her father. Same grumpy face except for the lack of white beard and hair. She was chubby and tall.

Walking inside, she stood straight. Her head touching the roof. She stared at me blankly, observing me from head to toe.

"It is time for the lunch," she said while watching my movements keenly.

I got up slowly from the bed to face her. "Okay," I said, awkwardly. "Should. . . Should I follow you?"

My eyebrows furrowed when she narrowed her eyes for a moment and nodded. Walking out of the door slowly, she straightened up again after bending to get out. While I hurriedly wore my cloak and crown.

"Where are the other girls?" I asked, looking sideways at her as we walked back to the corridor to reach the stairs again.

She kept walking faster and I had to catch up with her. "They are where they should be."

My lips curled up in distaste as she started stepping down the stairs while I followed her. We reached the ground floor and this time, instead of taking me back to the front of statue. She took the right turn to continue on the corridor. More doors and more paintings came in sight. Some were so weird, I couldn't read them hurriedly.

Slowly, the sound of water filling a container reached my ears. A sudden excitement spread in my chest as she took the left turn, taking me further into the back of the temple. The light was natural and only important corners were lit with candles.

A big arch came and I stopped. Rosetta walked ahead to reach the iron door. Opening the bolt, she pulled it open, making me see only white and green. I followed her hurriedly.

"Wait," I called out while jogging behind her. Getting out of that corridor, we had entered into a backyard kind of thing. Just like Beta Barald had the centre verandah at his home in the square shape. This was almost the same. Except the floor was concrete and had grassy border. Around the square floor were rooms and pillars built to create a motel like thing. Maybe, the dressing rooms or laundry. Because the wall in front of was not made of concrete. It was the mountain wall. With a thin waterfall.

I was confused and blank. "Where is this water coming from?"

Rosetta was staring at me only. "Looks like the human eyes are unable to see the real peak of this mountain. It doesn't end here on which the temple lives. Behind this structure is the continuation of the peak further above. From where icy tip melts to create this magical fall." She said it like it was the most obvious thing. "Wonder what else those human eyes are missing on this land."

My jaws clenched at the mean vibe I was getting from him. She was just like Barald. But he wasn't arrogant of his intimidation. This lady was.

"Clean yourself," she said it with such calm authority as if I was one of the girls. "So, I can take you to Lucine."

I gulped slowly and walked towards the fall. They had put a large iron tub under it. The water was just flowing endlessly. My eyes followed a trail and I noticed the little window passage in form of a small flower being drawn on the border of concrete for the water to drain.

"We collect this water," she said and nodded towards the chair placed in front of a door to one of the rooms. "Place your belongings there."

"Do I have to bathe?" I asked in confusion, slightly scared because icy water would be freezing me within some minutes.

She turned around and looked sideways. "Clean what you feel might have gotten unclean." She said and walked away towards the iron gate.

My lips collected in an angry pout and I sighed heavily.

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"I went to your home," I said while observing her blank expressions.

Rosetta kept stomping on the way back to the first floor with me following her sincerely. I was sure, my legs would ache from walking so much in these past two days. But I could only blame myself for it.

"This is my home." She said while clenching her jaws.

My eyebrows raised as I nodded slowly. "It was nice meeting your mother," I said to kill the silence. Our voices weren't echoing as much as I was whispering. "Before being thrown across the border, I spent two months in Southern pack and met her brothers. The eldest brother, Stephen has my best of friends. They all thought she was dead. But look, she is all alive and she has kids. Virion, you, Scott and Janine."

She flared her nostrils. "I am the eldest one," she said while looking at the front blankly.

I nodded while feeling slightly intimidated. "Okay, well. For how long you have been here?" I asked casually.

"Keep quiet."

My eyebrows narrowed in sudden embarrassment. "Just one last question. How is it possible I can't see that icy top-"

I couldn't calculate how unexpectedly it happened. I could only remember her grabbing the front of my cloak and pushing me against the right wall of the corridor mercilessly. I could swear my feet were in the air for few seconds.

I groaned in pain that escalated in my back. She glared down at me hard. "Don't dare do the mistake of thinking that the heads here are just like that fainthearted Kingston," she said through the gritted teeth. "They can tolerate your loud nonsense. But I won't."

My whole face was burning in shock while heart was pounding hard in fear. She looked deadly and she was strong.

I gasped for air as she nodded in warning. "Speak only when you are asked to." She said through gritted teeth.

I gulped in hurt and shock while she pulled herself back and removed her fist from my chest.

"I hate those who rebel," she seethed. "And I do more than just hating them."

What a bitch!

We glared at each other until the melodious sound of a bell echoed inside the whole temple.

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"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.

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This one is more like a filler. As she is exploring. From next chapter, we will get to the points for what she has come here.