Quoted By:
Hours pass, your knees screaming in anguish before the altar of the Depths. The agony does not move you, and you remain still before the holy place. No priest comes to tell you of the favor of the Gods, and you do everything you can to not cloud your mind with doubt. You think of the past, the first time Father brought you out hunting, your Mother's tender caress and fair counsel, the girlish laughs of your sisters, the night Alkaign took you unto his service and the first time you and Alys sat by the campfire and talked late into the night. These memories, strong as steel, gird you for the trial. But strong as you are, no man can withstand nearly a day of kneeling on hard, jagged stone. The sun rises on a new dawn before you are relieved, the rough surface of the Cathedral's floor cutting you so deep that blood begins to pool beneath you despite your defiance. The priests have neglected you, and you know deep down the Gods have as well. Your mission is not divine. But it is your charge, and you will not see it neglected.
You make your peace with the lack of divine attention just before you feel a light hand on your shoulder. You refuse to move your head from your attentions on the altar before you, but Alys reaches you nonetheless. “Will, it's okay. Not every duty is holy. We are called to do things the Gods might abhor, but it is nothing more than a necessary burden. Come on, let's get out of here.”
Your hand meets hers on your shoulder, though you never remove your sight from the altar. “Alys, I don't understand. These people, these things, they come across worlds to destroy us. Why will the Gods not endorse us? We only want to protect our ways, our lives.”
She pulls on your hand until you relent and rise. “You don't need them, Will. I know you. I know you can do this. We'll do it together. Come with me.” With only a single glance backwards, you follow her. The priestesses glare at you as you pass, your lack of divine favor clearly coloring them against you. But nothing can be done, and you attempt to ignore their disdain as Alys leads you out and into the streets of Avighon. Troubled by the Gods' inattention, you allow Alys to lead you to a nearby tavern. A full day is between you and your departure, the schedule allowing for your now vain hopes of holy endorsement. You barely notice when a plate of roast chicken and a mug of ale are placed before you. Alys has no food for herself, and looks attentively at your as you slowly begin to eat. “Listen to me. You cannot be like this in front of the men. You need to project confidence, capability. I'm sorry the Gods did not give you their backing, but it doesn't change what you have to do. It doesn't change who you are.”
