A Hand-Woven Universe 107 106. Unfit For The Burian

"The trek to Stone-Eye will be another six months. If we had to journey all the way back to the capital it would take another year and a half. However, using the portals we will be able to travel instantly to the capital." Tobias said a.s.suredly. Although he did not always understand the behind-the-scenes, he had faith that those at the head of the order would not do anything against their interests. At most it would be inconvenient.

"And what about me?" Noone asked. He was basically at the mercy of these people. Even if he was able to escape from them, what next? He understood so little about the world and these people treated him well. However, Noone did not want to be at some faceless grand-priest's mercy.

Obviously either he or the woman behind him had some knowledge of Noone's existence, but from what Noone has seen… even if he escaped for a while, it wouldn't be long until those higher existences found out and acted.

Noone did not believe they would be so nice a second time.

Tobias looked eye to eye with Noone. His face was neutral but Noone could sense the seriousness of the man in front of him. "No matter how nice this person is," he thought, "ultimately, he was a warrior."

"I'm sorry Noone. I know that there are a lot of things which you want to know the answers to right now, but honestly… I know just as much as you do. I have faith in my G.o.ds and the leaders of my order, however I don't expect you to have the same trust. So, all I can ask is you stay with us. If you really want to escape from us, we won't be able to stop you. But I can't guarantee what will happen after." Tobias's voice was carefully controlled, but Noone could sense the intensity of his thoughts.

Noone did not bother to frown, he wasn't surprised by Tobias's response. Tobias watched Noone's expression carefully, but he saw no reaction within Noone's eyes. Whatever Noone thought, it was very well hidden.

"Whatever you decide to do… don't forget where you stand in this common world. You must be careful." Tobias's eyes flicked to the pendant hanging from Noone's neck, but just as quickly looked away. Noone noticed this and said nothing. Everyone in the room held their tongue throughout this exchange. No one was sure what the grand-priest and the woman behind him wanted with Noone, but they were not equipped to force him to go along with their plans. All they could do was appeal to him.

"Really… why did this a.s.signment go to us…" Tobias thought in silence. There was no reason that such a high-profile mission shouldn't have gone to paladins and clerics much higher levels than they. They could only a.s.sume the grand-priest had his reasons.

"In the mean-time Noone, you can do whatever you wish. We will leave from Ardgla.s.s in three days at noon. If you wish to stay here at the temple this whole time, I am sure bishop Jakobson will not have a problem with that, likewise if you want to go into town." Tobias spoke, but nodded to Jakobson who smiled.

"Of course not, there are plenty of rooms here, I will have Sarah and Feylin show you to an empty one after this." Jakobson's deep voice echoed within the small chamber.

"Thank you." Noone nodded his head to Jakobson.

"What does that imply for us?" Feylin asked. "Joining with the Cinapul army I mean. What are we going to have to do?" Feylin's thoughts were less concerned with the a.s.signment and more worried about what he would have to do as part of a military advance against the drow.

Feylin knew that as a cleric of the Order of Life he would have to see war one day. Especially if he was going to be trained to the standards of the Burian. But he wasn't ready for it now. His brows creased with worry.

Raelith and Sally looked apologetically at the acolyte. However, they also knew that the strongest people came from those who were thrown into the deep-end and had to claw their way out. This was how life worked, if everyone could wait until they were ready – nothing would ever get done.

In a manner of speaking, this was why Noone was able to fight toe-to-toe with them and singlehandedly put down and epoch tribe scout. He was the type to claw his way out of h.e.l.l, if necessary.

"You are a member of the Order and your job is to be devoted to the G.o.ds of life and health, and to listen to the will of those attuned to our deities. As long as you are not doing anything against the moral code of yourself or your G.o.ds, it is your responsibility to help regardless of situation. This includes being conscripted as a healing service within the army." Sally looked directly at Feylin as she spoke, partly admonis.h.i.+ng his immaturity and partly guiding him to the next step in life.

Tobias gave a wry smile but said nothing to dispute her. Although he felt she was a bit too zealous at times, she wasn't necessarily wrong either. He caught Jakobson's gaze who had narrowed his eyes at Sally, but Jakobson chose not to say anything either. Feylin would eventually come to his own definition of what it means to be a cleric under the Order of Life. It wasn't something anyone should try to instill in him.

Feylin looked down at his lap in response to Sally's words. "You're right. I am sorry for my selfishness." He looked up, making eye contact with the monk-turned-cleric. "It is my responsibility to be an instrument properly tuned to listen to our gracious G.o.ds."

"I'm glad you understand. And as long as you remain devoted, you will have no problem growing in strength or spirit - to the point where you will be able to heal and serve the ma.s.ses. You have a good heart, don't become distracted from your ultimate purpose." Sally gave a gentle smile. Although she was still a student in the Burian, she had lived for fifty years and had developed her own sense of pride in her G.o.ds.

Sarah stared at Sally, a slight frown on her face. Despite being from the same order, Sarah had grown to dislike Sally's single-mindedness. Although she had never said anything, Sarah couldn't help but feel that often times there were more options than what Sally saw. However not only was Sally a higher rank than her, but she also was significantly younger than Sally. Sarah had no doubt that Sally had grown to think the way she did for a reason.

Noone also found himself frowning slightly at her words, he could tell she truly believed everything she said, but Noone also noticed that not everyone seemed to agree with her viewpoint. Noone looked at Raelith. She sat alone smiling slightly to herself, completely una.s.suming and gentle-seeming to brim with unrelenting energy. But Noone felt a disturbance from her when Sally spoke.

After letting Sally's words hang in their air Tobias addressed the next topic.

"Sarah." Tobias's voice was solemn as he looked at the young girl now. She was only twenty when they met her half a year ago and had turned twenty-one halfway through their journey to the edge.

"You and Feylin both handled the a.s.signment with impressive and impeccable strength. We are aware how sudden you were thrust into this mission, and for that Sally, Raelith and I are sorry. However, over the past year we have observed both of you carefully. The least we could do for putting you under such stress was to train you to the best of our capabilities in the short time we have had together.

All of us are immensely impressed with the speed of your studies. Both in combat and of the miracles of the Order of Life. You are extremely capable, and you would be a worthy student of the Burian, capable of leveling and advancing at a shocking speed no doubt." Tobias was not putting on a show of words. Both Raelith and Sally nodded in agreement. Sarah and Feylin were both impressive, especially considering how rural their upbringing within the order was. And this was especially true for Sarah. Before they met her, she had only been a member of the order for five years.

In comparison, Feylin who grew up in the temple had always been one step behind Sarah. And not through lack of conviction either.

"That being said…" Tobias sighed, drawing everyone's notice. "Sarah. I can not - in good conscious - invite you as a student into the Burian. Only Feylin. You are not a good fit for the Order of Life, and if I encourage you now, it will be my responsibility when you reach a plateau and find yourself at a point where you can't advance any further." The paladins gentle gaze s.h.i.+mmered with emotion, reflecting the weight on his shoulders. This was no easier for him to say than it was for Sarah to hear.

Sarah's eyes widened and her jaw fell as she stared at Tobias, wondering if she heard him correctly. Even Feylin was shocked. What was the point of saying all those good things about her if he was going to tell her he wouldn't accept her into the Burian?

Jakobson frowned but was not too surprised either… he had talked with Tobias for a while earlier and understood where he was coming from. Jakobson looked towards the drawer of his desk… inside was a small book he had picked up from his room after hearing Tobias's thoughts on the matter. But… he hesitated.

"I… I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean." Sarah grit her teeth and her voice shook as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind his words. Sally had no expression as she watched the exchange. Raelith was feeling down about the matter, but also understood Tobias's decision. She liked Sarah quite a bit regardless.

Sarah felt like there was a block in her mind, keeping her from understanding. No one else was saying anything to refute the paladin, could it be that they all agreed? Why wouldn't she be able to join the Burian? Especially if Feylin could? Was she not good enough in some way?

Sarah had always struggled to study hard and practice with complete devotion to the G.o.ds of life. She had spent five years praying to them, and had even received their blessings in the form of miracles and blessings.

Ever since her hamlet was burned to the ground – ever since she watched her parents die in front of her – she had devoted herself to her G.o.ds. How could Tobias... How could HE imply that she was in any way incapable?
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Noone watched on carefully, he stretched his senses out to their limits. He couldn't help but have the vague feeling he could sense the emotions in the room like currents of indecipherable air streaking by each person. This was especially true of Sarah at this moment, the energy around her body was a cascade of turmoiled emotions.

Sadness. Anger. Confusion. Disappointment. Hate.

Noone watched on, expressionless.