Conveyance

The whole conclusion felt sudden and left me awkward about the whole thing. It hardly was even a meeting. But I guess they had already sorted out interpretations, they hadn’t decided on which they were going with. And even still, it wasn’t universal. What are the others going to do? Rion got what he wanted, but the others I don’t think had a sudden change of heart.

At least publicly, they’ll have to fall in line. I don’t know if there was this much of a divide over a prophecy in the past. As much as I’ve read the past, the feeling I got was everyone thought in the same direction, but possible with slight variations on it. The split now seemed new and scary how much it pulled us apart. Was that Her purpose? A test like Cathlin or Hadrin wanted to believe just of a different sort?

Gerth clapped, snapping me out of my thoughts. “We shall announce the Conveyance. We should be ready for counseling.” Counseling, I don’t know how they’re going to take the revelation. Linoth didn’t get the truth, but a version of it. So I don’t know the way things will turn out. Hopefully, they can maintain themselves. But there’s going to be a lot of scared people.

A silent acceptance claimed the room as everyone stood with Gerth. I guess they really were just going to fall in line. But will it be able to support those that need emotional help if they don’t believe it? During my training, I provided some aid, but it was mostly on the Priests to do the counseling, not the acolytes. We just provided small emotional support until the Priest was available to talk directly with them. They were the experienced ones.

I waited in the back going over to my pack as the others slowly exited. Gerth stayed behind as everyone else disappeared from sight. Picking at my pack, I tried to look occupied. “Speaker Eshikra.”

“Y-yes?” I paused and turned around.

“I’ll show you to our traveler’s quarters so you can get some proper rest before the Conveyance.”

“Before?”

“You’ll want to be there. It’s a very important moment for us.”

Yeah, it is, but I’ve already been through one. And Rastron isn’t my home. I’m the outsider. Why would you want me there? I can’t provide any sort of aid. “Of course, sorry.”

“It’s been a long day for everyone. Ministra’s wisdom brace you through all challenges.”

“May She shine upon your path.” With pleasantries exchanged, he motioned to me. I tugged on my pack, which felt even heavier than before. It hadn’t even been that long since I put it down. How did it feel worse? Putting my back and legs into, I hauled it up to my shoulders and marched out to follow Priest Gerth.

I didn’t really remember much of the hall that I searched before, but apparently the traveler’s room wasn’t far from the entrance. It was the second door after leaving from the main chamber. Probably so that they could get out of the temple quickly. He opened the door letting me in.

A small simple room with a bed and desk. It didn’t really need much as it wasn’t meant to be a place to live from, but just stay briefly. There was only a basic rendering of Ministra on the wall while the rest remained clean. A window looked out into the town giving the only light for now. There was a lantern for the night, but I imagine everyone went to sleep soon after nightfall.

“Make yourself comfortable. It’ll take some time to gather everyone for the Conveyance. I’ll send someone when we’re ready.”

“Thank you.”

With a bow, he stepped out leaving the door slightly open. Putting down the pack on the chair, I dropped to the bed. It was so soft and nice to feel after a day of walking. Even if that chair was welcoming, this was much better after all that. I quickly took off my jacket and fell back against the bed. I didn’t really even care about getting comfortable. There wasn’t going to be enough time for that.

I probably wouldn’t even be able to get a nap. Closing my eyes, my mind already wandered to so many thoughts. Her words echoed more within as though begging me to solve them. But there wasn’t anything to solve. I just need to stop thinking about it. As scary as it was, things were over. I don’t know why or how, but they were. It was simple as that, sad as that was to consider.

“Speaker.” A voice I didn’t recognize snapped me out. I bolted up from the bed looking around the room. It felt the same, but different. Glancing over at the young voice, it seemed to be acolyte.

“How long was it?”

“Maybe hour?”

Damn. Guess I was asleep. I stood up trying to bring myself back. It didn’t feel like I had slept, but things seemed changed. But that wasn’t important. It was time to see how the Conveyance went. I breathed in deeply and followed my escort out to the plaza.

Gerth smiled warmly to me as he stood out with the Priests and Speaker. The Speaker Urila stood in the middle. So she’s going to give the word to everyone? That would be natural, but I thought it might have been Gerth the way he seemed to run things.

Then I noticed the sea of faces and I crawled back against the wall of the temple. This was far more than Linoth. I understood that mentally, but seeing it was a completely different reality. I could never do this. And I’m glad that I’m not up there. This is too much, even just back here. I could already feel my heart slammed against my chest seeing all the eyes staring at me.

“People of Rastron, I’m sorry we delayed the Conveyance, but you’ll understand soon why we felt it was important to wait.” Wow, she’s completely in control. If she was still bothered by the disagreement I couldn’t tell. “As Speaker, I listened to Ministra’s words and engraved them upon my mind and body.”

She took a slight step forward motioning out to the sky and then down to everyone gathered. “Listen with clear minds and open hearts to Her prophecy and reflect upon her wisdom. Announcement: Final message to follow. Termination of designation Etnera confirmed in one standard year. All work has been completed. No further messages. Thank you for your participation. End of message.”

For a moment, she paused to hold in silence. Immediately murmurs erupted around the plaza. People turned to ask questions to their neighbors. It wasn’t quite discord, but the peace broke. But it seemed more confusing right now than anything.

Urila lifted her hand to bring attention back to herself. The crowd softened quickly to my surprise. She had a shocking amount of command of her audience. How could she do that? I was just lucky if I didn’t stumble over a word. “I know this is a confusing message to hear. I’m sorry that I can’t convey a more positive word to you. But She valued us to tell us the truth and not hide it away so that we may face and prepare for it how we see fit. In the days and weeks to come if you need to talk, we will be here for counsel. Don’t hesitate to seek help out. Please take these days you have with grace and reason so that Ministra will smile upon every one of you.”

I almost wanted to clap, she nearly convinced me with her speech that it would all work out. But then suddenly a shout ripped through the crowd. “What do you mean? I have a business to run! You can’t be telling me everything is going to just end! This is wrong! You’re lying!”

“Tell us what She really said!”

“Give us Her word!”

“This was exactly as She spoke to me. We have another Speaker here today from Linoth if you wish to have it confirmed.” Don’t bring me into this! I started shaking my head looking towards the threshold to hide. That mob’ll eat me alive.

“She’ll just repeat the same lies! We can’t trust you!”

Suddenly a scream tore through the entire plaza. I had never heard such a sound before. It gripped me to the bone, making me run cold. As though it had hands, it was dragged forward to see what was the cause. People pushed around each other trying to get away. Confusion broke out as the exits swelled with citizens.

And there near the center with it clearing, I could see. I froze up as the chill became ice. Blood poured out over the stone as some lay collapsed. What happened? Did someone get attacked? Are they alive? What’s going on?!