Dragon Riders of Etrea—Chapter 6

The front doors were massive things, ten feet high and made from solid wood and banded with iron. They looked like they could stop a battering ram, but they nearly always stood wide open. Everyone was welcome here, from saint to sinner.

“I hope you two have the decency to be respectful in here,” Tobias said over his shoulder.

“Really, Tobias, what do you think of us?” Rasud asked. “Actually, don’t answer that.”

The interior of the temple was like nothing Garlen had ever seen before. Stained glass windows depicting ancient scenes colored the sunlight that shone through them. The vaulted ceiling was so high its peak was nearly lost in shadows. Wooden pews sat in two rows, with a well-worn path between them that led to a twenty-foot tall statue of Lunias, standing with his arms outstretched as if welcoming all.

“Impressive,” Garlen said.

“Have you never been here?” Rasud asked.

Garlen gave his friend a look. “Do I look like someone that frequents a temple?”

Rasud nodded. “Right, brothels are more your style. Yes, this is indeed an impressive place. I think you’ll enjoy the few minutes we spend here.”

“Greetings,” said a woman as she approached them. 

She wore light robes that covered her from neck to ankle, with the sigil of Lunias embroidered on the front in thread-of-gold. Both her voice and face were motherly and warm, and she smiled at the three of them as if they were her grandchildren. Garlen was not used to being around people that were genuinely kind, but he felt comfortable around her.

“May the light of Lunias illuminate your paths,” the woman continued. “I am called Mother Elara. How can I help you today? Are you in need of anything?”

Behind her, another woman approached. This second woman wore the same robe, although the hood of hers was pulled forward. Clean, white cloth covered her entire face, except for her dark eyes. White gloves also covered her hands. It was the strangest thing Garlen had seen in a long time.

“We will be experiencing quite a bit of danger over the next few weeks, so we came for a blessing, if such a thing is possible,” Rasud explained in a light voice. He glanced around, suddenly looking self-conscious. “Uh, I’m sorry if my presence isn’t welcome here. You know, being what I am.”

Mother Elara waved his comment away. “Nonsense. All are welcome beneath the roof of Lunias. No one here cares about your heritage.”

“I would ask for a blessing as well,” Tobias said, surprising Garlen by going to one knee.

“Well, of course,” Mother Elara said. “Come. Let us go see Lunias and talk.” She offered a hand, which Tobias took. “Mother Dura will see to you two.” With that, they walked towards the statue of Lunias.

“I am Mother Dura,” said the woman covered in white cloth. Her voice was slightly muffled due to the cloth covering her face. She acted in the same motherly fashion, but Garlen detected the faintest trace of sadness about her, as if it were something time simply couldn’t erase. “I would be happy to offer you the blessings of Lunias. Here,” she said, gesturing towards a nearby pew.

Rasud and Garlen took a few steps to the pew nearest them and sat down. Mother Dura stood in front of them and clasped her hands at her waist. 

“May I ask what it is for? It will help me provide the correct blessings.”

“We will be fighting over the next few weeks,” Rasud explained. “Possibly months. If Lunias could provide us with a bit of luck, we’d be grateful.”

“You seek a blessing for violence?” she asked, not in a judgmental tone, but for clarification.

Garlen cleared his throat. “We have been hired to fetch an item of great value for Duke Ardun. Unfortunately, our path takes us across the orc wastes. We have heard things are restless to the east.”

“Orcs,” Mother Dura said, her demeanor changing. “There are few men that could fight an orc and survive. Is this mission of yours wise?”

“We have no choice,” Garlen said quietly. “Our lives depend on it.

In reply, Rasud chanted quietly while tapping a rhythm on his thigh. He raised his hand, moving it in a jerky circle, and the air shimmered around it. The very air crackled, and suddenly a small ball of flame, the size of a goose egg, hovered in the air. 

“We will be fine,” Rasud explained. He stopped his chanting and the fire disappeared.

Mother Dura gasped. “The old blood is strong in you. I have heard of this, but never before seen it. Your mother? Your father?”

“Father, I think,” Rasud replied. “I know nothing of my parents, not even which one was human. Just a few stories, which I strongly suspect were made up on the spot to placate me when I was young and inquisitive. My powers came from somewhere in my lineage, but I’m grateful for it. It has helped an outcast like me survive.”

“I believe you,” Mother Dura said. “I understand. I have seen and heard much in my years here, all types of people from all walks of life. Many have overcome great odds.” She looked down at her gloved hands. “Some are weighed down by their pasts.” She looked up at saw how Garlen and Rasud were looking at her. “I was burned in a house fire, long ago. I wear this so no one has to see my scarred face. While Lunias accepts everyone, this makes life easier. What are your names?”

“Rasud.”

Mother Dura chuckled softly. “Your mother must have had a premonition.”

Rasud just stared at her.

“It’s an ancient name,” Mother Dura explained. “One heard only in stories these days. It describes a good man, one willing to give his life for others. A man with a pure heart.”

Rasud grunted. “Well, that’s lovely, but I’d prefer to avoid giving my life if I can help it.”

“And you?” she asked, turning to Garlen.

“Garlen.”

“Garlen?” she asked, sounding surprised.

He nodded.

She looked him up and down as if she couldn’t think of what to say. “Do you know where your name came from?”

Garlen shook his head. “I know little of my childhood. I was sold to slavers but escaped as a child and found my way to the same orphanage as Rasud. That’s where we met.”

“You escaped,” she said quietly. Garlen wasn’t sure, but he thought she choked back a sob. Well, a priestess here was likely to feel strong emotions for others.

“And your mother?” she asked.

Garlen shook his head again. “I know almost nothing of her. I have only one memory of her holding me and crying right before someone else took me. The slavers.”

“Your name means ‘last hope,’” she said. “Both of you, strong men with strong names. It appears the gods have already favored you. I would be honored to provide you both with a blessing. There is, however, a matter of cost.”

“We have to pay for the blessing?” Garlen asked.

“No, not precisely,” Mother Dura replied. “However, if you are able to, we ask that you give a coin or two on your way out. That is how we pay for our lives, here. We receive no money from the king, and live only on charity.”

“You’d think the king would spare some gold for you since you keep the peace,” Rasud said. “Well, that’s beyond my station, I suppose.” He dug through his coin purse and handed Mother Dura two silver coins. Garlen did the same.

“We thank you for your generosity,” Mother Dura said. “Most people only give coppers.”

“Maybe Lunias can spare a bit of extra luck for us, then,” Rasud said, giving her a toothy grin.

Mother Dura chuckled, but didn’t reply. Instead, she knelt in front of Rasud and took his hands in hers, then began a prayer. It was a simple prayer, right to the point. She asked Lunias to bless Rasud with strength, cunning, and courage enough for two men.

“Interesting,” Rasud said, looking down at himself when she was done.

“What?” Garlen asked.

“You’ll see,” Rasud replied.

“And now you, Garlen,” Mother Dura said. She shuffled over so that she knelt in front of Garlen and took his massive hands in her gloved ones. She held his hands tightly for a moment and looked at him as if seeing beyond his skin; like she were seeing inside his very mind. 

This close, Garlen saw her eyes through the small holes in her white mask. They glistened with unshed tears. She squeezed his hands, then began her prayer.

It was different from the blessing she gave Rasud. Mother Dura asked Lunias to bless Garlen with the strength of ten men should he need it, and the courage to never falter, even if all seemed lost. She continued her prayer, asking Lunias to bless Garlen with inner peace and a long life, with many children.

The last bit made Garlen blink, but he knew them to be words of genuine kindness, coming from Mother Dura. The moment she finished her prayer, Garlen felt a twinge of warmth in his body, almost as if a warm breeze blew across his very soul. Perhaps that was the blessing settling in.

“Thank you,” Garlen said once she was done.

“Well, I’m a bit jealous,” Rasud said.

“You know magic. He has to use a sword,” Mother Dura said as if that explained it all. 

“Okay, good point,” Rasud said. He stood up and looked around, finding Tobias. “I suppose we should get going, lest we draw his ire.”

“A question, if you will,” Garlen said as he stood. He offered her his hand and she accepted.

“You may ask me anything, although I cannot promise I will answer,” she replied.

“Dura. What’s the meaning of your name?”

Mother Dura nodded slowly. Garlen imagined he could see a sad smile beneath the white cloth covering her face.

“Another ancient name, almost as old as Rasud. It is a name for someone that has lost all hope.”

Her answer was not what Garlen had been expecting. 

“I hope you do not feel that way, Mother Dura,” Garlen said. “It seems you live a good life here in the temple.”

She turned and looked around the inside of the sanctuary for a moment before speaking. “I do, young Garlen, but my life has been hard and filled with trials and sorrow. We all walk different paths. I pray that yours leads you to a quiet house and a good woman that will provide you with healthy children.”

Not knowing what else to do, Garlen reached out and hugged the woman. Few people had her inner kindness, so it was the least he could do, even though he wasn’t really the hugging type.

“Thank you,” she said after their brief hug. “May you both stay safe on your journey. Would you mind coming back here when you return? I would be interested in hearing about your adventures. It does get a tad boring in here sometimes.”

“Gladly!” Rasud said in a cheery voice. “I’ll make sure we get in trouble just so we have something to tell you about.”

Mother Dura looked down at him and gave a soft laugh. She paused for a moment, as if she were going to say something further, but then turned away and walked away. She glanced over her shoulder once, looking right at Garlen.

At that moment, Tobias joined up with them. He seemed a bit more at ease after talking with Mother Elara.

“Ready?” he asked, his tone notably less irritable than it was earlier.

“Let’s get this started,” Rasud said in a voice that held a bit too much excitement. Garlen just nodded.