Freedom

Thousands of confused faces looked at me. I was a stranger to them all. No doubt they wanted to know what I was trying to do. And part of me did too, even though I put myself up here. It was a wildly out of character thing for me to do. But I wasn’t going to run from it anymore. I could face this head on now.

“Many of you are no doubt confused about what’s happened. I’ll start by explaining your situation. For roughly eight months now you’ve been drugged by a plant. It was in the river upstream and anyone that drank out of it or used it became affected by it.

“This plant induces a dream-like state where you still have a degree of bodily functions, but it renders you passive. In this state, you’ve been living in the capital unable to escape. I’ve removed the plant, which is why you’re recovered now.”

I had everyone so far and I think the fact that they couldn’t remember any of it introduced questions. However, the conditions of everyone I think made it easier for them to accept. Now onto the hard part. “A decision was made for all of you. One that stripped you of your freedom. That act was wrong I believe, even if it was made under stress for lack of an answer.”

The more I gave it thought, it was difficult to hate her. She was in a difficult situation and didn't have the strength to resolve it. Humans were wild and irrational as much as we tried to tame it with help and guidance. For everything she lied to us, what she provided did also give us restraint and logic. But each aspect was at war with the other.

“I chose because I felt that you should be given the ability to choose for yourself. You are here because you heard the prophecy. We’re all going to die, there’s no escaping that fate. Accepting reality is something you have to do individually. No one can force you.

“But you’re also in this situation because some couldn’t accept or decided it was an opportunity. It’s not my place to judge any of you for what actions you take. That’s between you and your conscience. But I say to you all.

“Our way of life is ending, but how we meet that end will prove the sort of people that we are. Are we people that give into base instincts and wild thoughts because there is no point in consequences anymore? Or are we civilized people taught to think and reason by Minista who looked after all of us?

“It is scary and terrifying the certainty that we face. I understand that now as I think you do as well. But frightening as it is, we are still here. Our loved ones and neighbors, friends and lovers, everyone that means something to you is here still. Being alone in this city now is the most frightening thing. Share with those next to you your dreams, your loves and fears. Ask them to share with you so that you may no longer find it frightening. We are a community. Together we provide and together we support.”

I had already run out of what I wanted to say a while ago and just went from the heart. I hope it still made sense. I hardly had any practice in this sort of thing. And I certainly didn’t know how to stop. “As I learned myself, the most important thing is to find one that matters to you the most. A loved one, friend, brother or sister and cherish your time with them. The future may be finite, but the now will last forever within a moment of eternity. Find peace in that place, it’s nearer than you think and stronger than you believe. You can brave anything with that bond.”

Taking a breath, I think I was done. But then I remembered. “This is a lot for you to absorb. Think on it and remember the temple is always open. Ministra believes in you. Show her that you have the grace of humanity that she’s bestowed each of you. Thank you.” It felt easier to say that despite how much it felt wrong to say. I guess I got better at lying to people as well. Not sure if I liked that I could find some common ground with Cathlin. Felt disgusting, did he feel this way as well? Or was he just numb to it all? Or just something worse? I don’t know and I don’t think I’ll ever know.

Turning away from the crowd, I left them to their choice. It wasn’t something that was easy to do. I don’t know the reason why people destroyed part of the city. If they couldn’t handle the truth or just wanted violence. And I could have brought the destruction of the whole city with this act. But I choose to believe that they’re better than that. They saw the other option and what that life was. I want to believe in their ability to be better.

I went towards the temple to get my pack. There wasn’t going to be much point in me staying. They didn’t need me to be telling them what to do. The Priests could manage things from here.

But it seemed that I still faced one challenge. Standing in my way was the Head Priest, the woman that put this all in motion. And the person that sought someone to find a better path. This was a different path. I wasn’t about to judge it as the better one. That was for time to decide. “Head Priest.”

“Speaker Eshikra. I didn’t think I’d see you again. You’ve changed.” There was a surprising lack of the same sort of hostility that I was met with before. She still carried a strong conviction, but there wasn’t the same shouting tone as before.

I managed a bit of a grin, there was no intimidation anymore. “The last time I talked with you, I would have agreed. But traveling has done a lot for me, good and bad. I’m not the same woman that left Linoth.”

“Your eyes say that as clearly as your voice. You aren’t shaking and looking away constantly. You stood in front of thousands and told them straight from the heart. You should be proud.”

That wasn’t the goal. It was just resolving a regret and saying what I believed. I keep too much to myself. So I should be able to do that as a minimum. But coming from her, I think I could accept the compliment. I nodded. “I just did what I felt was right.”

“And that is enough. It’s hard to act on that alone. Trust me.”

I started walking again. That felt like the right point to depart. I couldn’t imagine anything more to be said between us. I still had daylight to burn.

However, I only made it so far as the Head Priest. She reached out a hand for me, less to grab me and more to get my attention. “I don’t you’ve finished here.”

“What are you talking about? I said what I needed to—“ As I turned around, there was a surprising number of people, strangers all gathered up on the speaking mound of the plaza. Their eyes looked straight at me. What could I possibly provide them? There were more experienced people in the temple that could help them. “This isn’t my area of expertise.”

“It never is when you start. You’re the one that reached them. It’s not going to matter how good you are. They want to speak with you. The one that changed their lives and gave them a new path.”

This isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing. I need to get home. I’m supposed to be with my parents. A sigh escaped. But I couldn’t ignore their needs. I guess I could spend another day in Berthon. “What can I do for you?”