Logic

Finding the answer to an impossible question? You have to be joking. I just want to go home. This isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing. Shouldn’t a Priest be doing this, someone that’s used to traveling and meeting others? The only thing I’m good at is research.

Gerth watched me. I don’t know if he was just waiting for me to agree to his ludicrous plan or had something else in mind. Watching how he maneuvered the meeting to an end, he seemed talented in getting what he wanted. But I would have to disappoint him. Nothing he could say would convince me to go on this mad quest for answers.

“I understand that as a Speaker, this is a strange thing to request of you.” Strange doesn’t even begin, I shouldn’t even have been here, it should have been Head Priest Cathlin, but he was too scared of me talking to someone. “But you are in the unique position to be able to take what you’ve seen here and speak to the others. We need to work together on answering what is ending our home.”

“What you’re asking is the responsibility of Priests. I’m too inexperienced to do such a thing.”

“We’re all inexperienced at the start. And you have a deep knowledge of Ministra’s prophecies. I haven’t been in the Sanctum for decades now. Head Priest Cathlin spoke very highly of your dedication to Her word. I think that makes you suited to this endeavor.”

“But we have nothing to work from. She normally provides more clues for us to solve this sort of thing. But She was direct, Termination. There’s nothing to start with.”

“That may not be completely true. You’re read on the Pillar of Origin, yes?”

“Naturally, but it’s lost. No one knows where it is or what became of it. And all the wars in the region that everyone claims it is have wiped any clues to its location. If it was even there to begin with.”

“Yes, but according to a book that I read in the capital, when I was a young Speaker, spoke of the resting place of Origin and its power to commune with Ministra. You would be able to learn from Her what this Termination is. Why we must die.”

“This is all rumor though, there’s no certainty.”

“There’s never certainty in faith. Just the certainty that what must happen will happen, even if we don’t see or understand it at the time.”

Damn. He’s really good. He’s right and I hate it. If it’s true that such a thing is possible, I could speak with Her. Granted an answer, it might at least provide some comfort to people in the final months. The unknown is far scarier than what you could see.

Worse, the thought of a book that talks about Origin appealed to me greatly. No one had been to Origin in centuries. Hearing one final word from Her, as a Speaker, that was very tantalizing.

I glanced around the room thinking backwards. It would mean not returning home. And I wouldn’t know how long I’d be gone. There was no known location for Origin. I’d have to wander around with some book as my only clue for how to find it. Would I be able to do it? Just walking between Linoth and Rastron was frightening enough, and now he wanted me to just keep doing that as though I was an experienced hunter. “Why am I even considering this?”

“Because this’ll be the most important thing of your life. It’ll shape everything.” For a year, but seeing Ministra one last time almost felt worth it. Part of me really did want to know the why. I could feel that calling. Dammit.

I stepped away from him towards the window. “I’ve never really been away from Linoth. Restron’s the furthest I’ve gone before. At least that I remember and you’re asking someone like that to just walk into the unknown.”

“Someone must.”

“Regardless of me going, everything’s done. It’s not going to change anything.”

“But understanding can be enough.”

“It can be…” I can’t believe he’s talking me into this.

“We’ll provide you with everything you need. Maps, food, tools.”

I sighed. Why am I doing this? I should just go home. He can’t fault me for that. “Fine. Just send someone to let my parents know.”

“Thank you, Speaker Eshikra.” Which one of you is worse, Cathlin or yourself? I guess this works out for him. He won’t have to worry about me spoiling his plan. Though who knows how long that’ll last with the messenger. It might get ruined anyway. I shook my head.

With things reluctantly agreed upon, I stayed the rest of the night. It wasn’t easy to sleep through the chaos, but fatigue helped to make it easier. I woke early, painfully so. When am I going to have a normal sleep again?

Loaded up with food and water, a map and directions with some proper sleeping kit, I guess I was ready for the world. This shouldn’t be happening, but for Ministra I seek the truth. As Speaker, I look for the knowledge in the fog. Logic and reason are my path to walk. Reciting prayer now. Anything to keep my heart calm.

“Thank you again, Speaker.”

I mustered a slight grin for him. You put this on me. But at least it didn’t seem as twisted as Cathlin’s act. Even if it felt the same. “I shall seek our past.” With a bow and a wave, he escorted me out of the gate. It wouldn’t be long before it was behind me just like Linoth. I’m not going to pretend that I’m used to this. Maybe by the end I will, it’s certainly going to be a lot of exercise. But I dread what I must do.

The first goal as Gerth explained to me on my travel to the capital was the village of Eroth. I’d be able to restock my supplies and continue. Berthon, the capital, was more than a week away according to Gerth. Though after the last estimate I was given, I’m not sure if I could really trust that. I’m just going to assume two weeks for now and be surprised when it was less. I hope.

Much like the road to Rastron, I was told that it should be safe. Animal attacks weren’t really something that I heard about too often. At least from traders on the road. They did happen at times, but the stories I heard were always when someone got lost. The wildlife seemed to stay away from trafficked areas. Which worked out for me. I had enough trouble, I didn’t need to fear for my life, before Ministra’s prophecy completed. Dead might be dead, but I’d like it to be on Her terms, not nature’s.

Perhaps because of the last walk I made, this one didn’t feel as long or boring. Or maybe I wasn’t as scared at every noise being made. The distant sounds remained away and as long as it didn’t come close I had nothing to worry about. A small peace of mind.

The village of Eroth was still three days for me. I knew nothing of it other than what Gerth told me. Which was visiting the temple. His letter formalizing my journey, smoothed out the conversations. And with the hospitality of Her children, I was ready for the next leg of my journey. The capital, which would be too far to go normally.

There were other villages and towns I could visit, but looking at the map they were so far out of the way that it’d add another week on to the journey, which could mean a month. I’d really not like to lose that much time. So I had a long lonely road to the capital.

Three days into my walk, I stopped by a trader’s hut. It was mostly just a place to sleep safely with a well of fresh water to resupply on the long road. All very thankful signs for me. But to my surprise, there was someone else at the hut and they weren’t traders, I think? I guess they might, if they were family.

It was a husband and wife with their two daughters, I guessed probably eight and ten from their height. I had heard of families that ran freight businesses, but there wasn’t a large wagon that they hauled with goods. They just had a small cart parked with a single horse. They weren’t going anywhere too fast, but I guess neither was I on foot. “Announcement! Good day to you. Ministra clear your path.”

The husband nodded slowly. “Announcement! Thank you, Miss. What are you doing here?”

I guess I do look a little strange walking a road without horse. That would have been nice if I knew how to ride. Removing my symbol from my jacket, I bowed to him. “I’m Speaker Eshikra on a journey to the capital. And you?”

“A family trip.”

Huh? I tilted my head. That sounded really suspicious, even though they didn’t seem that way. I haven’t gotten myself into trouble, have I? Ministra watch over me!