The Severaine

Chapter Nine Crystenia-1

Chapter Nine

CrysteniaThe correct portal had proven somewhat troublesome to locate. They had not only needed one which emerged on Therascia, but one close to their destination. There was, however, a benefit to their exploration. The map, which Daniel had been recording data on using his sextant and chronometer, now had several portals located upon its surface which would prove to make future travel a little easier. There had been mention of a visit to The Cartographer, the one person said to know every gateway, but on discovering there was approximately a two day wait for an audience they decided their trial and error approach to be more favourable. It seemed many within the streets knew of portals to Therascia, but few could be more specific unless they were ones often used by themselves.

The Mountains of Light were a place found inspiring to bard and artist alike. Their peaks reached upwards towards the heavens, their ice sprinkled tips never quite piercing the clouds. The mountains themselves radiated with light, taking any, be it from the sun or moon, and reflected it to give the impression the mountains themselves were aglow. To see this sight as they emerged from the latest portal brought a smile and an audible sigh of relief. But they still had a distance to travel before they would reach the temple found near its base.

The walk was a difficult one, made in virtual silence. Daniel reached down into a small pouch now secured on his belt. It was filled with the small beans he had previously sampled from the Keeper of Records in Albeth castle. He crunched down on them in time with his marching pace, grateful for having replenished his supply.

He no longer cared if his friends judged his actions; surely they would approve of this more than his previous methods of averting sleep. Each time his legs felt the burn of their pace, or he began to tire, he would bite down on one of these, and think of Marise. The anger at being so close to her a driving force to spur his relentless pace.

Eiji placed his hand on Daniel's shoulder as they climbed the latest rise. It was a request for a short pause and, given their closeness to the temple, one Daniel had been reluctant to take. But looking to his friends now he saw their exhaustion.

The temple, like the mountains, inspired much awe. There was nothing close to its magnificence. Whilst compared to most temples it was humble it possessed a far greater presence than any. This was unsurprising given that it was an amalgam of the combined efforts of both gods and man. The Olympians themselves had overseen and assisted in its design and creation, and each bestowed a boon upon it, the first temple in what would be a new beginning.

As the Severaine was sealed it had left behind an era of ice, and from this the temple had been crafted. But it feared not sun nor heat. The Gods possessed a flame which would burn for all eternity, so too did they possess other creations which would endure. This temple would remain for as long as Zeus sat upon the Throne of Eternity.

Their rest had been a brief one and although many details of the temple were still unseen, with each step more became visible. The temple was a brilliant white, but not that found in materials made or mined by man.

A short stairway guided travellers to its door, its handrail fashioned to be reminiscent of a Pegasus' wings. Embedded within the outer parts of the delicate curves were what appeared to be reflective tiles, like those used to create mosaics, yet here they added a frosty sparkle, but perhaps they had once served a different purpose.

Upon the points and spires of this temple, along the roofing and walls, the Gods had told their tale of the Titanomachy. Here the history told by the victor was carved, and still now withstood the test of time. Above the grand doorway the carved images of the Olympians stood vigil and bid welcome to any who would enter.

Daniel felt his head spin, his senses bombarded with more information than he could process. The dizziness passed quickly and the voices which once more whispered within his mind were silenced. Unlike his friends, who stood in awe of this physical representation of the power possessed by man and god, he climbed the stairs towards the threshold.

“May I help you?” A figure stepped from the shadows, turning the corner in time to see Daniel reach out towards the door. Her long black hair fell in gentle ringlets, swaying with each step as she approached. She wore the long flowing chiton of a high priestess, a cloth of soft material as pale and as flawless as her skin. On her forehead, held in place by a V shaped gold ring, which vanished into her locks of hair, was a smooth purple gemstone.

“I'm Daniel, this is Eiji, and Acha.” The priestess nodded to them each in turn as Daniel gave the introductions.

“I am Emma.” She smiled warmly. “Now, what brings you to my door?”

“Perhaps we could discuss it inside?” Daniel motioned towards the entrance. Although there was little chance of being overheard, he felt a little exposed discussing such important matters in the open.

“Unfortunately, there is a ceremony in progress at the moment, it is vital they are not disturbed. Come, walk with me in the gardens, it is as private, if not more so, than the temple's interior.” She began to lead them towards the back of the temple.

“Are we keeping you? We can wait for the ritual to finish.” Emma turned to smile gently at Acha as she raised her concern over interrupting their religious ceremony.

“Not at all, my supervision is not yet required.” She opened a small wooden gate to lead them into a beautiful expanse filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables. It was a known rule that those assigned to a temple were expected to remain on holy ground unless tasked otherwise by the temple's Iereía, or The Acropolis. As such, each temple had to ensure self-sufficiency. Some opted for trade contracts with the neighbouring towns, but every temple possessed the means to sustain itself.

Acha knew of numerous temples. The person whose body she had taken had been tasked to pay homage at many in order to even be considered into training, but never had she seen this variety of produce, or one holding such beauty. A small grove of trees near the furthest side of the garden provided shelter and shade to crops such as arrowroot, carrots, parsnips, and rocket, amongst others which grew well in shaded areas. A light breeze sent the grasses and crops into gentle movement as they whispered between themselves, the wind carrying upon it the delightful fragrance of meadowsweet, despite the season now being too cool for it to be in bloom. Glancing around for the first time Acha noticed the ripe fruits and vegetables all flowering out of season. The garden a bounty of nature somehow exempt from its rules. The warmth reflected from the Mountain of Light tamed the icy breeze of the approaching winter, but even this could not account for such wonder.

Eiji too seemed to notice the unique nature of the garden, his brow furrowing slightly as he turned a full circle. Every single sense seemed to be focused, his posture unusually formal and attentive as his eyes passed from ripened tomatoes to corn, from oranges to pomegranates. Emma spoke once more, distracting them from the vision before them.

“Now, what is it you need from me?”

“This area's not affected by the Severaine,” Eiji stated, finally understanding all his senses had bombarded him with. Just a few miles away he could feel the earth tremble, a shock that should still be felt here, yet not even the birds took to flight.

“No, of course not, as long as Zeus holds the throne, this temple, and its surrounding area, are protected.”

“I see, then it'd be the perfect place t'leave an item, such as a cursed metal,” Eiji stated bluntly. The priestess stopped abruptly as she turned sharply to look at them.

“What is this about?” Her voice seemed sharp, insistent.

“Chrissie told us she left her heirloom in the care of this temple,” Eiji responded.

“I see.” Her answer rang with recognition. “For what purpose do you seek such a thing, it harbours a curse like none other?” There was something about her tone which caused unrest in Eiji's mind.

“It's needed t'seal the Severaine,” Eiji explained; surely she could not deny them what they sought for such a noble cause. The temple may have been spared from the Severaine's wrath, but the burden they would bear would be the same. Even as they spoke people were losing their homes, children were losing their parents.

“Ah, well, when Chrissie left the strange object in our care, she told us someone may come requesting it, and should that happen, we were to pass it on, but…”

“But?” Acha encouraged as she moved to stand before the priestess.

“Well, I guess a world saving mission would make more sense, but we already passed it on.”

“T'who?” Eiji asked moving to stand beside Acha.

“It was a very long time ago, a renowned bounty hunter came to us. He asked for the cursed metal in order to forge it into a sword. He had a great plan to use it in order to better the world so, as instructed, we gave it to him,” the priestess answered throwing some seeds to the ground. Small birds flocked to her feet paying no heed to the presence of anyone within the garden.

“And the bounty hunter, what of him, where's he now?” Eiji questioned, unable to hide the desperation in his voice. To survive this long he would have to be skilled indeed, if he had been defeated his sword, the key to the future of this world, would also be lost.

“He retired to spend the rest of his days beside his family in Dérma,” she answered, throwing more seeds to the gathering birds.

“Is that just Southwest of here?” Daniel unrolled the well-worn map to study it carefully.

“Correct. Since he has retired, unless he has already passed it on to another, I am sure he will be more than happy to help you out.” She glanced towards the temple, the birds around her taking flight. “They should be almost finished. I really should head back. It is crucial I see them through the next phase.”

“Thank y', for y' time and help.” Eiji bowed his head in respectful thanks before they followed her from the gardens.

“May the Gods be with you.” She smiled gently.

“And you,” Acha replied as the priestess began her short journey towards the temple.

* * *

The walk to Dérma had been a short and uneventful one. They were welcomed with indifference, but without hostility. This town saw little in the way of travellers. Their main source of interaction came only when they attended the markets or peddled their wares. Most within this village were rangers or tanners by trade. There were a few small plots of land set aside for vegetables, but generally most of their produce was traded.

Under the instruction of those they met, they left the humble town to venture into the forest. The former bounty hunter lived just on the outskirts of their territory, his role that of a guardian to the people. He saw no harm from strangers would befall them, but with a village whose bowman skills were as sharp as their hunting blades, it was rare indeed his assistance was sought.

“This must be the place.” Acha looked on with uncertainty at the moss-covered log cabin, it was sheltered by the outstretching canopies of the trees to its rear, but the home itself was built on the border of a small natural clearing. A few tall trees broke up the long wild grasses and winter flowers. A small trodden path cut its way through towards the property. As if to mark the boundary, the almost uniform length of grass gave way and began to grow in tussocks. A metal washtub and board sat outside, and by straining their ears through the silence, they could just detect the faintest sound of a nearby river or stream. The vision before them reminded Acha of the sketches she had seen as a child of the houses found hidden deep in the woods where witches and monsters lived. Those fairy tales were grim, and often never ended well for those involved.