Chapter 29: Chapter 28 – Meeting Poverty

The area was surprisingly scenic. Much of the dust—of which was comparatively little, compared to what could be had now or even in my previous life—was absent here. The stone and dirt replaced by fields of grass that stretched toward and past the wall.

From where I stood, I could see the hills in the distance. Yet there were clearly paths of rock that were inset leading to various structures in the distance.

I followed along those paths, pacing myself in my movement, and I eventually came across a series of temples in the distance.

I could see the Servants gathered outside. Having thought about it then, I hadn’t once visited a temple. There were only small shrines dedicated to each of the VimadhamarA term referencing the sum total of all gods, literal translation: All-Gods., and while I prayed to them in a manner befitting my station, it still seemed alien in relation to what I found more comfortable.

I approached a lone priest and said, “May I come inside?”

His face was covered with a mask, and he wore the self-same robes that his descendants would wear, but for me, he lifted the mask.

“Not yet, child. There is still much to be done outside in purifying the area about the temple and associated altars. If you can, please wait until that is finished.”

I decided to wait, meditating on some Kusha grass mats that had been laid for passersby. The day passed as I chanted the mantras of each of the gods. When I finished and opened my eyes, the sun was already setting. There wasn’t much time before I had to leave for the palace.

I could still sense the children about the vicinity. Most of the Servants had disappeared, probably into the temples. Yet the lone priest was still about.

He approached me and said, “Gratitude to you for your patience! Follow me, I will direct you into the temple.”

I folded my hands and bowed to him. Following behind, he took me into a temple crafted of great stone, sculpted to such perfection that no structure built in this day and age could compare. I beheld the garden of pillars, the myriad precious metals that were embossed on the surface of the stone, and how the sun angled its light through the vast space.

The Servant at last brought me to a great idol of the god Irshevah. I saw his pet, Hvesykih, coiled about his neck, and the great phallus that erupted from his legs, sculpted to look just like the symbolic forms of a god similar to my home. The face of the phallus had one long red line centered through the form from where three great curves spread upward.

The idol possessed a replica of his trident, and I could see the luster of his godhood exuded in this form. When oblations, hymns, and offerings had been passed, I looked around to see if the children were about. For all the while I was attentive to the god of destruction their presence hadn’t left. In fact, it grew stronger, meaning they were closer. Perhaps in this temple.

I left the hold of the Servants and walked through the many halls and passages of the temple. I saw there was a staircase that led to the top of the pyramid roof, and ascending it, I stood at a high pinnacle where everything afar could be seen.

I saw there resting in the light, three children looking of different ages, yet who I thought to be the oldest, not looking any younger than me. The oldest was a girl, while the younger two were boys who looked half my age or even younger. All three were dressed in ragged fhorlia. The oldest wore a piece of transparent cloth that draped her hair, and she would’ve seemed beautiful to me were it not for their smell and her unkempt hair. I was a rather superficial fellow.

They slept soundly, with crumbs of food and coins on the ground.

It became clear to me what their objective was. But why? Were there not institutions to care for them?

Approaching slowly, I nudged the oldest awake. He opened his eyes, and in a fright leaped away from me.

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“What do you want with us?” she cried.

“Relax,” I said, sitting and urging her to do the same. “I haven’t come to take you away or anything of the sort. I just want to know why it is you’re out here?”

She leaped in front of me and smelled me. Her brown hair gave a rather pleasant scent in relation to the rest of herself. My mind held steady. She brought herself back and looked to me with suspicion.

“I smell incense and the scents of the aristocrats on your person,” she said, looking to me with a sense of wonder. “Your face glows in the light in a way that I’ve seen no other do. Before I speak, tell me who you are.”

“That I can’t speak on,” I said. “I must keep my identity secret for now. Until I know you are one to be trusted.”

“Then I shan’t speak of myself!” she retorted. “Who are you to otherwise demand me to my doings?”

“I don’t demand,” I said. “I simply wished to know. But if you don’t wish to speak on it, that’s fine.”

Her expression brought sorrow. She hesitated to speak, but at last, said, “What will you do if I speak on it?”

I smiled and looked to the sun. “Do good by you as the Gods have done by me!”

She burst into laughter. The other two awoke. They became shocked and ran behind their sister.

“Who is she sister?” the oldest boy asked. “Are we going to be thrown out of the city?”

“Sister, sister,” the youngest called, “who-who is he?”

She shook her head to them. “He won’t speak on who he is, but at the least I know he won’t throw us out. But listen, stranger, it doesn’t mean I yet trust you. You understand?”

“That’s fine by me,” I said. “Speak on your situation if you will.”

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