Closed A Visit to the Temple (Vanari)

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Fall 31, 513 AV

When Vanari arrived at the Nitrozian Estate at the decided time, Valerius was already waiting for her in the entrance room. He said in one of the plush chairs, back completely straight, like a statue. This time he was dressed in black and silver rather than emerald green. He wore a black jacket with silver embroidery, black pants and a black silk shirt, and draped across his shoulders was a cloak of silver fur. As she stepped through the door, he immediately rose to his feet and bowed to her, as if she were a Ravokian lady rather than a stranger from Avanthal.

„Good afternoon, Miss Ari“, he greeted her, politely as always. „A ravosala is waiting for us in front of the Nitrozian Estate. It will take us to the Temple of the Black Sun in no time. I hope you don’t mind travelling that way. I will show you the temple and explain a few things about it first, and then, if you want, we can attend the mass that is taking place today together. Unfortunately the Voice will herself not be there. One of her acolytes will conduct the mass, but it should still be a memorable experience, especially if you have never attended such a mass before.“

If Vanari agreed to travel by boat, Valerius would offer her his arm, something that he rarely did and slowly walk to the canal with her. He had never allowed his business partner Amolina Moletta or Amelia Cross to touch him. One was a thieving actress, the other one a fortune teller who knew too much. Vanari Skyglow was his teacher though, a fellow scholar who seemed interested in the worship of Rhysol. As far as he was concerned, she was of a higher station than Amolina because of that, despite the fact that she was a foreigner.

With her he wanted to act differently.

~~~

The afternoon was, as always in Ravok, pleasant, and not a single cloud could be seen in the clear blue sky. It had become somewhat cooller – thus the cloak that Valerius was wearing – but it was far from the bad weather that troubled other parts of Mizahar. Rhysol protected his people. As Valerius had said, a ravosala was waiting for them. A slave, a dark haired human male that belonged to House Nitrozian, was standing in the front of the boat. He helped Vanari into the boat first and then Valerius, and then he began to move the bat through the canal.

[Vanari]

Fall, Day 31, 513 AV For almost the entire morning, Vanari panicked. Was her face clean? Her hair tame? Her dress appropriate? Curses, there was no mirror in her spartan room, and if she dawdled any longer she would be quite unfashionably late. She ran the wooden brush through her unruly hair a few more times, splashed some cold water onto her face once more for good measure, and smoothed out her skirts as best she could. It wasn't exactly her dress, but Ely had said she could pick something out that night she had arrived, so the Vantha did as she was told. And then never quite...gave the dress back. Ah, well, it would hardly be missed, she reasoned. No point in wasting more time. Vanari made her way out of Tarsin's and towards the Noble District once more, avoiding puddles and dirt as she did and trying to keep an even pace so as to avoid showing up panting and sweating. It felt at once familiar and strange to be fretting this much; despite the city's notorious reputation, it continued to force her into a more civilized lifestyle. At the moment, the Vantha didn't mind. It was nice, not having to gnaw on rock hard bread and sleep on equally hard surfaces. Once she arrived at the estate, she was escorted immediately by the guards to the entrance room, where her host and student perfectly composed in a luxurious chair. He was dressed as finely as ever in black and silver, and draped across his shoulders was a cloak of silver fur that Vanari suspected might be able to feed her for the next two seasons. As soon as she stepped through the door, Valerius rose and bowed. Though the implication of esteem caught her off guard, her body managed to move of its own accord. Vanari curtsied back in the fashion of Avanthal protocol without thinking, the practiced motion returning to her far easier than she had thought possible. It was a pleasant surprise to be treated as a proper lady. And to think, she was scrambling over sooty rooftops only a handful of nights ago. "Good afternoon, Mister Nitrozian," she answered in kind, smiling at the unexpected courtesy. "Travel by ravosala sounds delightful, I don't mind in the slightest." At his mention of the Voice, a million questions pushed and shoved in her mind, but Vanari held them at bay, knowing in time she would be able to request answers. For now, she simply nodded in agreement and took her host's generously offered arm. They walked without hurry toward the canal, chatting congenially about pleasant subjects. Though it was midday and the Syna high on her perch, there was still a cool breeze that wound through the city now and then, and Vanari was grateful she had brought her cloak with her. Soon, they arrived at the canal where a ravosala and dark haired man awaited. He helped the Vantha onto the boat first, then her host, and together they began their journey toward the temple at last. Vanari, settled quite comfortably aboard the gliding vessel, looked to her host with eager anticipation. "I happily accept my role as student for the day--hold nothing back, dearest tutor!"

[Valerius Nitrozian]

The boat trip was quite pleasant. The slave carefully maneuvred the ravosala through the canal. Vanari almost couldn’t feel it as the boat moved. To her left and to her right she could see the residences of the great families, cafes and a few small shops. They were in the Noble District, and thus every building looked more or less luxurious. She could see people as well, watching them. Most of them were human - Ravok was an inherently racist city – and most of them stared at her curiously as they noticed her in the boat with Valerius. The Nitrozian family was well known throughout the city, she on the other hand had never been seen before at any of the important gatherings.

As the boat slowly moved closer to the temple that was located in the city center, Valerius told Vanari a bit about the most recent events surrounding the temple. The Nitrozian looked comparatively relaxed now. He was leaning back a little and enjoying the sunlight on his face rather than sitting completely straight. „I don’t know how long you have been in Ravok, Miss Ari“, he began. „I don’t remember if you’ve ever told me, but you should know that the Temple of the Black Sun was nearly destroyed twice last year. It has only recently been rebuilt. Had we visited but a season or two earlier, we wouldn’t have been able to go inside. During the djed storm last year the temple was shattered and partially submerged in the lake, and then, only half a year later it was set on fire.“

„The Voice was supposed to conduct a mass to celebrate the reopening of the temple on that particular day in fall. Everybody that mattered in Ravok was there, but then the Rising Dawn, a group of terrorists that hate everything Ravok stands for, attacked. Several people were killed. I was there during the attack, and I have to admit I feared for my life. Still, I tried to puruse the terrorists, but they got away. We suspect they have gone into hiding and are waiting for the right time to strike again.“

„There are many outside of Ravok who believe that the Rising Dawn are right, that approve of their attack, but I ask you, Miss Ari, are people that were willing to risk the lives of all the innocents that were in the temple that day really good? Think about it.“

~~~

It wasn’t too long before Vanari could see the temple. It was a building of exquisite beauty. Massive domes and dozens of spires topped it. Nearly every inch of its exterior walls was decorated with carvings. The base level could be directly accessed with a ravosala. Valerius‘ boat passed beneath several vast arches before it stopped at a small dock. From there a set of wide stone stairs led to a pair of black iron doors that were adorned with huge white pearls that were arranged in a sunburst pattern. To the left and to the right of the door stood a member of the Ebonstryfe. They were watching the dock closely.

[Vanari]

It was almost like a dream, gliding through the waters as though the ravosala was nothing more than a feather floating down stream. Syna lent just enough strength today to warm the exposed skin of their faces and Valerius looked more relaxed than Vanari had ever seen him. It was a pleasant observation, and rather infectious too; soon, she found herself easing into her seat as well, her shoulders loosened as she soaked up the warmth. As her host tactfully initiated a brief lesson about the Temple, Vanari tore her gaze away from the architectural decadence all around them to focus on his words. It shocked her that anyone--or thing--would attempt to desicrate a temple of the city's own god. Surely, everyone young and old knew such lunacy would only end in the most grisly of ways for who ever was involved, even if it was purely an accident, with so many zealous Stryfe milling about. And then Valerius explained who had done it, and her heart lurched to a stop. The Vantha almost stood bolt right from her seat at the mention of the Rising Dawn, but not before she caught her first glimpse of the Stryfe. For a moment, there was terrible, terrible urge inside of her to blurt out what she had witnessed only a handful of nights ago with Ria. But she stopped herself, easing her shoulders back down and nodding her head in agreement with Valerius's last comments, attempting hiding the flash of blue that had briefly invaded her eyes. "That was very noble of you, to have gone after them even when your life was in danger," she plied, hoping that by showing enough genuine concern her host might overlook her visceral reaction to the Rising dawn. "And no, I don't believe the slaying of innocents as justifiable...ever really is..." She trailed off, her mind suddenly filled with the nightmarish images of broken bodies lying in pools of their blood, people screaming and fleeing, the moonlit gleams of blades as men in black armor hacked and hacked and hacked away... "...but, sadly, there will always be those who find it a small price to pay for the greater good. It is truly fascinating sometimes, I feel, the lengths to which our minds can go to justify a means to an end. One would think, with our world having almost been destroyed not so long ago, that we would hold onto some sense of unity. But, alas." At that moment, they passed under a vast arch and the exquisite sight of the Temple finally came into view. Vanari lost her train of thought and gasped aloud, marveling at its beauty. It wasn't long after that they reached a small dock, which led into a wide set of stairs. At the top was a pair of intricately wrought iron doors and two armored men standing guard on each side. Vanari suppressed a shudder upon seeing the ominous Stryfe, smiling in thanks instead to the men who helped them step safely out of the ravosala. Nerve wracking as it was, it also gave her a sense of thrill. She was walking into the heart of a great unknown, ready to pit common knowledge and rumor against truth experienced first hand. Other than having one of the Stryfe potentially recognize her and drag her off to gods know what, what could possibly go wrong?

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Fortunately Valerius didn’t notice the way Vanari had reacted to his mention of the Rising Dawn. The Vantha was his teacher, and the time they had spent together thus far had been pleasant. He wasn’t willing to even consider the possibility that a woman whose company he had enjoyed so much had something to do with terrorists. He only smiled a little as she called his actions that day ‚noble‘. He liked being seen as noble and brave, as a man who was willing to risk his life, even though he wasn’t really noble, at least not all of the time.

„No, the slaying of innocents can never be justified“, he agreed. Of course he likely had a different definition of ‚innocent‘ than she had. To Valerius only free human citizens of Ravok and the few outsiders he associated with counted. He was perfectly fine with experimenting on Kelvic and poisoning them or whipping his slaves bloody if they misbehaved. „But unfortunately there is little that can be done. People think of themselves first and foremost and don’t care about what comes after them, even if they risk another Valterrian with their actions.“

He sighed. Fortunately their arrival at the temple put an end to the somewhat unpleasant topic. Once they had reached the dock, he climbed out of the boat and then extended a hand to help Vanari out. „Wait for us here“, he ordered the ravosalaman before he led Vanari up the stairs to the two members of the Ebonstryfe. They didn’t seem to recognize her, but were only interested in the Nitrozian. „I wish to show my companion here the temple“, Valerius informed them. „Later on we will attend the mass.“ The Ebonstryfe nodded, a sign that Vanari and Valerius were allowed to pass. The Nitrozian turned to his companion. „Let’s go in“, he told her. „I hope that the Ebonstryfe don’t make you uncomfortable. They are only here to protect the temple and hopefully make it a little harder for terrorists to sneak in.“

With that he opened the door and gestured for her to step through it. The inside of the temple was just as amazing as the outside. The central worship chamber was gigantic. It was circular, with a polished black marble floor. Numerous alcoves branched off in all directions while balconies stretched overhead. The dome above the chamber was covered in a mural that depicted Rhysol gathering the people of Mizahar, protecting them from the aftereffects of the Valterrian. In the center of the chamber stood a tall black shard. At the base of the shard, facing the entrance, stood an altar, carved from the shard itself. Pews were arranged around the shard and extended towards the outer wall. Aisles allowed easy entrance and exit among the numerous rows of pews. Two sets of stairs led to the upper levels, and a set of simple black wooden doors led to the Vitrax, the headquarter of the Ebonstryfe.

At the moment the temple was still mostly empty. It would be a little while before the mass began. Only a few worshippers were there, quietly praying to their god. Valerius stood there for a moment and looked around the temple before he turned back to Vanari. „What do you think of the temple so far?“ he wanted to know. „Is it as you expected? Would you like to pray in front of the altar and pay your respects to Rhysol first or would you rather like to take a look around the temple?“

[Vanari]

As they awaited approval from the guards, Vanari felt a bead of sweat forming on her brow. Would they recognize her? Could they even? Would they snatch her up right then and there if they did, or would they wait and watch her like an army of black cats would one little, helpless mouse? At Valerius's words, however, she felt some of her paranoia recede, if only to maintain her composure. She was deathly afraid of the Stryfe for the exact same reasons Valerius offered for their existence, but she couldn't very well say that aloud. Instead, the Vantha shook her head and smiled in response, trying to assure her student she did not mind. It became clear within a few ticks that the Stryfe were only interested in the Nitrozian anyhow so there was no reason for her to be panicking in plain view. Fortunately, the sights that greeted her upon entering the temple were far more effective distractions than she could have hoped for. For starters, the circular chamber itself was enormous; the temple was quite a sight to behold from outside, but a true sense of its scale could only be experienced from within. The floor itself was an endless sea of polished, black marble and, much like the Nitrozian estate, had not a speck of dirt to be seen. As her awed gaze roamed about the temple's interior, she noticed there were several alcoves that branched off, as well as many balconies that stretched out over their heads. Above, she could see the central dome of the temple, proudly bearing a dark mural depicting what she could only assume was the mighty Rhysol. The god's pose reminded her somewhat of a shepherd; he seemed to be gathering a herd of frightened and lost people who looked up at him with adoring gazes. Vanari noted this was likely what Valerius had mentioned the day before of Rhysol protecting his people from danger. It was certainly a fitting subject, and the mural was beautifully and painstakingly laid across the dome to offer the god utmost reverence. Most intriguing of all, however, was a tall, black shard jutting up in the center of the chamber floor. At the base was an altar that looked to be carved from the shard itself, and all around were long benches that Vanari guessed people would utilize during mass. There were also two, grand flights of stairs, but the Vantha had not the faintest idea where they led. "It is quite a sight to behold," Vanari answered in earnest. "Much grander than I could ever hope to have imagined." She considered Valerius's next set of questions, then replied, "I think it would be wise to pay my respects first, and to get a feel for the way of things before mass actually begins. Do forgive my perpetual ignorance--I hope this visit will remedy most of it--but would you mind showing me the proper way one prays to Rhysol?"

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Valerius was still unaware of the true reason for Vanari’s insecurity. He noticed that she seemed a little nervous every now and then, despite her efforts to hide it, but he thought that it was merely true to the fact that she had never been in a temple that was dedicated to Rhysol before. He assumed that he would be nervous as well if he went to a place that belonged to a god that most people called the embodiment of evil for the first time in his life.

He stayed by her side as she took in the sights around her. „When the Voice herself holds a mass“, he informed her. „All the balconies and alcoves are filled with people. There are so many worshippers sometimes that a few of them have to stay outside the door. The temple looks even more magnificent then. Today it probably won’t be particularly crowded though so that we will be able to choose our seats.“

„Most of the temple is quite old“, he continued. „I don’t know where the black shard comes from. I think it was there all along. Without a doubt some of the things in this temple have been put here by Rhysol himself.“ He smiled a little, pleased that she was impressed and wanted to know the proper way to pray to Rhysol. „I will show how to pay your respects to him“, he answered generously. „Come with me.“

He led her to the first row of pews, directly in front of the altar and the black shard. During a mass only the highest ranking followers of Rhysol sat there, but now there was nobody else. He gestured for her to take a seat before he followed her. „It really isn’t that hard to pray to Rhysol“, he told her. „Some people think that we ask for chaos, for death and destruction, but that isn’t true. We pray for much the same things as all other people. We want our god to keep us safe, to help us against our enemies and assure him that we will always be faithful to him in exchange for his protection.“

He looked at the altar for a moment before he lowered his head and whispered, „Rhysol, I ask you to give me strength in the days to come and help me protect my family and those that are close to me, including the woman that now sits besides me. Rhysol, I ask you to guide me so that I’ll do what is right and make you proud. I will always be faithful to you, no matter what. There is no other god for me. My soul belongs to you.“

In moments like these, when he was in Rhysol’s temple, Valerius didn’t have any doubts. In moments like these he didn’t care about the outside world that fascinated him so much sometimes. When he was here, in the Temple of the Black Sun, Rhysol was the only one that mattered.

He sat there quietly for a moment before he turned to Vanari. It was her turn to say a prayer to Rhysol now.

[Vanari]

Vanari listened as Valerius continued his explanations, and especially so when he began to pray. She felt a jolt of surprise as he included her in his prayer for protection, which settled slowly into a sense of both honor and slight unease. Such unconditional commitment, her host possessed. Granted, ardent devotion and fervor for one's god or goddess was something the Vantha was deeply familiar with. Not only had she encountered such faith everywhere during her travels, but it was the general mentality of those she left behind at home as well. "It seems you are right again," she murmured, looking up at the altar, as though searching for something similar in its contours. "We ask for the very same things in Avanthal, for the goddess to keep our families and friends safe." Vanari paused for a moment, considering. When she had lived in the icy holds of her kind, she never questioned her loyalty to Morwen. After all, it was because of her goddess that she was even alive, that her entire race thrived as much as it did. Morwen was literally the glue which held the icy civilization of Avanthal together; without her, there would be nothing. And, yet, she was in Avanthal no longer. Neither did she have a mark of favor, so how truly beholden was she to the wintry goddess? She owed much during her youth, that much was for certain. But would Morwen begrudge her in her pursuit of knowledge? Would she demand that a single Vantha show her exclusive devotion to the point where that Vantha was no longer permitted to even examine the states of other powers within the vast world of Mizahar? Somehow, Vanari felt she would not. The goddess was a merciful one who delighted in advancement and progress. Surely, she would find it in her generous being to allow just one of her people to delve a little into the realms of other deities in the name of adventure and truth. Besides, it wasn't as though she was outright betraying her goddess. She only sought to understand, and even after everything she had learned and experienced, the spot in her heart reserved in memory for all that Morwen had provided for her remained firmly occupied by winter's touch. Taking a deep breath, Vanari cleared her thoughts and steadied her hands. There was much to be feared in terms of consequences, should she somehow offend either host or reigning deity, but there was only one way to remedy that fear. Slowly, she raised her hands up before her chest, as she had often done when she was a child. Then she clasped them together, closed her eyes, and gave the most earnest prayer that she could. "Oh Rhysol, God of Chaos, protector of the city of Ravok, I offer up a humble prayer of respect as a newly arrived visitor. I ask simply that you allow me to continue learning more of you and your realm, so that I may see for myself the true beauty and justice behind mere rumor and speculation. I also give my thanks that you have lent me the ever generous and invaluable aid of this gentlemen beside me, who seems to have devoted his whole being to you. May we continue to grow in intellect and reverence beneath your favor." Vanari bowed a little as final act of respect, then lifted her head and unclasped her hands. Was it too formal? Not formal enough? Did she ask too much, or too little? The Vantha mentally waved away such worries, more concerned with the growing number of people who were trickling in now. She turned to the nobleman beside her, watching him for signs as to how they should proceed after offering their prayers.

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Valerius sat there quietly as Vanari prayed. His head was turned slightly towards her. He was watching the expression on her face as she prayed to the patron god of Ravok as much as he was listening to what she was saying. As she raised her hands up before her chest, he inclined his head a fraction, a sign that he approved. She looked as if she were a devout follower of Rhysol rather than a stranger from a foreign land.

Her words likewise found his approval. In fact there was a very light smile visible on his face as she spoke of his ever generous and invaluable aid, but it disappeared again quickly. This here was the Templf of the Black Sun, the most sacred place in this city. Smiling, for whatever reason, seemed inappropriate to him. Rhysol was not the god of smiling.

After she had ended, he inclined his head again, and then he directed her attention to the ever growing number of people that were entering the temple. “The mass is going to start in a few chimes“, he told her. “But I think that we can remain seated here. There will not be as many members of the great families as there would be if the Voice herself were speaking.“

Vanari would notice that most of the people that entered the temple seemed to be dressed in their best clothes. While a few of them were talking as they waited for the mass to begin, they were doing so quietly. Some of them looked in Valerius‘ direction – and at the woman besides him. Some of them were wondering who she was. As Sitanos Nitrozian’s grandson his face was well known in certain circles, and it was also known that he hadn’t been seen in the company for quite some time in the same circles.

After a few chimes the people in the church fell completely silent and all turned their heads towards the altar.

The mass was finally about to begin.

[Vanari]

Vanari fidgeted with the fabric of her dress as they sat in companionable silence, waiting for mass to begin. Back home, they had treated Morwen as though she was their mother or friend, or both, and thus worshipped her with much exuberance and creativity. Here, however, in the enigmatic and somewhat eerie confined of The Temple, things seemed more austere, more heavy, as though every word, gesture, and even expression had twice as much weight. It made her wonder for the hundredth time what kind of god Rhysol truly was. No sooner had she thought this than a robed figure appeared from some entrance or other and began to speak. As the acolyte preached in a calm, even, and affectionate tone of Rhysol's will and strength, Ari watched closely the faces of those around her. They were all straight backed, attentive, and respectful, down to the very last person in the furthest rows. Not a single drowsy listener or distracted twiddler to be seen. All were facing the acolyte in reverence and seriousness, absorbing every word as though they were lost sheep looking for guidance. The Vantha returned her attentions to the speaker once more, half listening and half marveling at the uniformity and consistency with which the worshippers experienced mass. Even the children were perfect models of quiet respect, nary a stifled giggle or crawling babe to be witnessed. "May Rhysol continue to watch over his faithful followers, and may we forever remain in his good graces through our prayers, thoughts, and actions." The acolyte dipped her head and retreated, allowing for another, much more prestigious looking figure to take her place. It seemed the service was beginning in earnest now, for this new preacher's rich baritone now rang out with praises, lessons, and supplications as though he were speaking on Rhysol's behalf. For a tick, Vanari warred between asking Valerius who this man was now or after the ceremony was over. In the end, she chose with the latter, afraid she would broach any codes of conduct. On the mass went, and the Vantha quickly stored up enough questions to fill an entire ice cavern.