Indecision

Bright colors and salty air gave Rastron a warm inviting atmosphere as I stepped in. Everyone looked pleasant, I wouldn’t say they were smiling and happy. There was definitely something I felt over everyone, but it wasn’t the same tone. It almost felt like they didn’t care that the world would end. Or did they not know?

It’s been a day, Her word should have already been conveyed. Even if they withheld information or explained the missive differently, they would know. That was just procedure. They can’t break that. I should get to the temple immediately!

I sort of expected Rastron to be busier, but it wasn’t difficult to get through the streets. People were out in mass, but they weren’t crowded together. I probably saw as many as I would in Linoth already going through. And yet it didn’t feel anywhere near as packed as the Conveyance yesterday. How many lived in Rastron?

As much as I had questions and more the longer I walked, the temple came into view. Though I had never seen it, it was clear. A different design than the one back home, but built in stone like the old methods with what looked like clay over parts in an attempt to make it fit in with the rest of the town. Out front stood an obelisk that mirrored the design of Ministra’s Pillar.

There were flowers and trees planted around the grounds. Rather than just being another building, it almost felt divided from everything else. While you easily see through, the greenery did put up a soft barrier between it and the rest of the town. The plaza could easily hold all of Linoth and then some. Likely where Conveyance happened and any other event the Priests required the people for.

Paths came in from three directions letting the town enter freely. It was empty, but I didn’t really expect anyone around outside today. No, they should all be inside or busy depending on what they decided.

Even as I approached the threshold, I didn’t spot an acolyte standing around. Were they all inside? “Hello?” My voice echoed around the empty hall that stretched on into the main chamber. It was a far larger structure than what I was used to. Ours back home only had two rooms, the Sanctum being the most important. Everyone else just lived in their homes and walked over. Cathlin often just worked from a desk he had in his house if they didn’t need him that day.

But this felt like everyone could live here maybe. Is that what they did? From the outside, it looked massive being larger than anything around it. And the interior definitely matched that. Grand paintings from early recordings of Ministra lined the halls and the grand chamber itself had a Pillar replica along with a beautiful statue of Her behind it.

We could never afford such a thing, though I know a few craftsmen wished to do it even if it was for free. Cathlin rejected them each time. His view was that Ministra valued logic, not vanity. So we never had anything more than Pillar as a representation or connection to Ministra. I liked that approach, it kept things simple.

Rastron clearly had a different view of Ministra. The records never provided a description for Her, so I could only guess it was whatever the artist believed Her to look like. Which did make me pause as I stared up at the statue. I never thought what She might look like in my mind. She always spoke to us, but it was a one way communication. My thoughts and prayers went to Her, but I guess I never really considered what appearance She would have. She looked human with a flowing dress and the triangle symbol resting in her palm. A warm smile with a gaze that looked to everyone equally. They certainly managed to capture that feeling, even if She did look very human. She was a God, would She appear like us or something else?

But my mind started on a deeper philosophical experiment than I really needed to focus on at the moment. The chamber was empty as well. “Announcement? I’m Speaker Eshikra from Linoth! I’ve come by Head Priest Cathlin to see Head Priest Hadrin.” Nothing. What’s going on?

There should be someone around for visitors. I can only assume that the citizens of Rastron are allowed in and would need acolytes to tend to their requests. But no one anywhere. Could they be out in the town? Had something happened that called them away? I could keep asking questions, but I should search more.

A passage went out on my left. Following it, I wondered where their Sanctum rested. This had to be the path to it, but there were other doors, all closed. While I pondered knocking, I didn’t know where they went and who I’d be interrupting. I wanted to find someone before I started intruding.

“A dead end…” There was just a door in front of me after going through the entire hall. This one looked a little special, and I guessed it might be the Sanctum, but they didn’t label anything. I guess they just knew where everything was.

Why was there no one around? Where did everyone go? I turned around and crossed my arms to stare back down the path I came. A part of me hoped someone saw me, a stranger, and had been chasing after me, but no such luck. My eyes slid over to the nearby door. I sighed. A deep breath in and out.

Bracing myself holding my shaking hands together, I marched up to a door. I just needed to knock. Most likely there was no one and I wasn’t bothering anyone. Just knock. Raise your arm and knock. My palms started to feel a little sweaty.

Perhaps I should look around more. Maybe I missed something? Someone outside might know? The guards seemed to know something. I could ask them right?

I started to step away, but stopped myself. “No, I need to find someone. In here! Don’t run. C’mon!” The shaking wouldn’t go away, but I needed to act. I was the Speaker. I was supposed to be here. Cathlin sent me, even if I didn’t want to be. I don’t want to walk back today empty handed.

Closing my eyes, I just shoved my hand up to the door and stopped. Dammit! Fighting with my body, I really shouldn’t be here. But I was sent. There’s no one around. I need to find someone. Dammit! I knocked! I knocked. I think three times or four. Was that too many? That was too much, I was too loud or too long. I really made them upset. Was anyone in there?

In a panic I jumped away to the other side of the hall. The pack bumped into the wall knocking me forward almost off balance. I fought with it and my sore feet as the weight shifted around. “Please don’t fall. C’mon…”

“Who are you?”

“Eh?” I paused in my fighting even as my hair fell forward a little in my face. I probably looked like a mess right now. Dammit. In front of me was a robed figure older than me dressed in Ministra’s garb. He was probably a Priest or at least someone senior.

Quickly, I pushed the pack back and moved to straighten up. “Announcement! I’m so sorry for interrupting you! I’m Speaker Eshikra from Linoth village! Head Priest Cathlin sent me to see Head Priest Hadrin here in Rastron! Can you please help me?” It wasn’t until I finished that I think I said that all in a single breath. Could he even understand me? I think I just ran it all together. What they must think.

They stepped forward a bit. “It’s okay, Speaker. No need to be nervous.”

He’s not upset. Oh thank you. “I’m so lost. I couldn’t find anyone.”

They smiled a little. “I can see that. Most of our acolytes are out in town helping. The Head Priest is currently in a meeting. What did you need?”

“Meeting? I was sent by the Head Priest to collaborate in understanding MInistra’s prophecy. He believes the Termination is a test we must identify and solve.”

That made them turn pensive, crossing their arms. A bit of silence carried before he replied. “Yes, I can see why he believes that. It sounds like you should be in the meeting as well then Speaker.”

“Meeting?”

“Yes, we are trying to understand Her message and how we should convey it to the people.”

“You haven’t told them?!”

“No.”

That was the feeling I got! But if they haven’t said anything, what do they think the message means? Do they agree with Cathlin or see it like me? Is that why they hesitated and broke tradition? What is this meeting?