The cold ground and late fall grass crunched lightly under her booted feet. A sadness she thought would come to pass had...
In decorated braziers, scented flame gave over to rust. Mighty stone retreated to soft grass. The garden had even turned back and gone to seed, but since the soil lost its fertility. Wards no longer spun. Well only a few that Jenai had refused to take down. Nothing major.. just a pulse on the comings and goings. Dust would dance in bare windows as if a silent serenade played only time could hear and touch... everything that was once the the Sanctuary. A once thriving, living, thing because of the beings that called it home. For the outside where but a vessel, and the sisters were the blood that gave it life.
No more. Most had scattered on the wind, gone as quickly as they came.
-------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
At the Temple Springs, light spares flakes of snow drifted down in the open walls of the heated pools. Giving the garden and temple a crisp refreshing feeling while the healing waters that Jenai drew lazy circles with her feet mended the soul. She had sat quietly enough, for long enough, and a tiny thoughtful expression had settled across her face.
It was going to be hard to explain her feelings and thoughts. But they are how she had thought they'd be. No words or warnings would have been heeded. Dreams came and went, Nightmares haunted and faded. She kept silent and watched. Waited. Letting them find out for themselves. In like a lion out like a lamb are the weak of faith and mild of heart. And now a moment of truth.
She felt the test was over and that many had failed. Simply failed. But not her. The Goddess had seen her faith and into her heart. She'd brought her strength to keep her children strong and safe, the will to carry one when others could not. She'd brought her beloved Raven back home to her and the heart to hold faith, she'd given her the dream and granted her the grace to build a new Temple. Once her humble healer, now the High Priestess of RhyDin's Temple to Scathach.
She was given these things, these blessings, because of her faith while she saw the others wander, faith polluted, lost, unwatched by the Goddess. It is easy to get lost in the dark when you are away from the light too long. And what happens when man gets a hold of religion? Do they teach what is right? Or what the recall? What is convenient or conforming? In the end it was simply that Jenai, as a Sister of the Temple believed and felt differently and felt drawn to the oldest teachings of the Goddess. In someways kinder, in other ways much more harsh.
Khelle had stayed with Jenai after Jadore?s return to the Isle. Helping with the ins and outs of daily Temple and Springs duties. She was very much a scholar and healer, more so than warrior, having been struck with an illness that left her with weak constitution but gifted mind and gentle heart. It was a welcome addition as Brian?s business in office and the strange events in the city pulled Jenai in many directions at once with the girls and the holidays. And there was another thing that weighed heavily on her she yet to share with Brian.
Khelle as if sensing Jen?s mood, pulled the hem of her black temple robes and, she too sat on the edge of the open spring, letting her feet sink into the warmth of the mineral waters.
?You are still deciding what to do with the Sanctuary are you??
?I am wondering if it is up to me to decide.?
?What if other sisters come??
?The Sanctuary was a building. A house like any other. Do people not find sanctuary in their own homes after a hard day...?
?Not all homes are Sanctuaries?
?Not all sanctuaries are home by that way of thinking Khelle?
?I guess it is true one could find solace in their mind or heart if in need of Sanctuary. But, Jenai, what about a roof over their head??
?Before the Sanctuary was ours, we stayed in the Inn. And besides Khelle, by the term Sanctuary, is this temple not the very meaning? Hmm??
Jenai smiled at her a moment. ?I may give it back to the city as I don?t feel it is mine to sell, or just... hold claim but never use it. It was up to my Sisters to decide, and I think with them walking away... they have decided.?
Khelle seemed to ponder this as she looked about the spring?s vegetation. The winter plants had settled well and the springs environment had kept them healthy. Dark had made the best of choices for such a temperate climate.
?If others do come Khelle, many others, that the temple can not hold... I will make sure they have a new roof over there heads and new walls to train within. For those will be the ones of true faith and with the Goddess in their hearts.?
In decorated braziers, scented flame gave over to rust. Mighty stone retreated to soft grass. The garden had even turned back and gone to seed, but since the soil lost its fertility. Wards no longer spun. Well only a few that Jenai had refused to take down. Nothing major.. just a pulse on the comings and goings. Dust would dance in bare windows as if a silent serenade played only time could hear and touch... everything that was once the the Sanctuary. A once thriving, living, thing because of the beings that called it home. For the outside where but a vessel, and the sisters were the blood that gave it life.
No more. Most had scattered on the wind, gone as quickly as they came.
-------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
At the Temple Springs, light spares flakes of snow drifted down in the open walls of the heated pools. Giving the garden and temple a crisp refreshing feeling while the healing waters that Jenai drew lazy circles with her feet mended the soul. She had sat quietly enough, for long enough, and a tiny thoughtful expression had settled across her face.
It was going to be hard to explain her feelings and thoughts. But they are how she had thought they'd be. No words or warnings would have been heeded. Dreams came and went, Nightmares haunted and faded. She kept silent and watched. Waited. Letting them find out for themselves. In like a lion out like a lamb are the weak of faith and mild of heart. And now a moment of truth.
She felt the test was over and that many had failed. Simply failed. But not her. The Goddess had seen her faith and into her heart. She'd brought her strength to keep her children strong and safe, the will to carry one when others could not. She'd brought her beloved Raven back home to her and the heart to hold faith, she'd given her the dream and granted her the grace to build a new Temple. Once her humble healer, now the High Priestess of RhyDin's Temple to Scathach.
She was given these things, these blessings, because of her faith while she saw the others wander, faith polluted, lost, unwatched by the Goddess. It is easy to get lost in the dark when you are away from the light too long. And what happens when man gets a hold of religion? Do they teach what is right? Or what the recall? What is convenient or conforming? In the end it was simply that Jenai, as a Sister of the Temple believed and felt differently and felt drawn to the oldest teachings of the Goddess. In someways kinder, in other ways much more harsh.
Khelle had stayed with Jenai after Jadore?s return to the Isle. Helping with the ins and outs of daily Temple and Springs duties. She was very much a scholar and healer, more so than warrior, having been struck with an illness that left her with weak constitution but gifted mind and gentle heart. It was a welcome addition as Brian?s business in office and the strange events in the city pulled Jenai in many directions at once with the girls and the holidays. And there was another thing that weighed heavily on her she yet to share with Brian.
Khelle as if sensing Jen?s mood, pulled the hem of her black temple robes and, she too sat on the edge of the open spring, letting her feet sink into the warmth of the mineral waters.
?You are still deciding what to do with the Sanctuary are you??
?I am wondering if it is up to me to decide.?
?What if other sisters come??
?The Sanctuary was a building. A house like any other. Do people not find sanctuary in their own homes after a hard day...?
?Not all homes are Sanctuaries?
?Not all sanctuaries are home by that way of thinking Khelle?
?I guess it is true one could find solace in their mind or heart if in need of Sanctuary. But, Jenai, what about a roof over their head??
?Before the Sanctuary was ours, we stayed in the Inn. And besides Khelle, by the term Sanctuary, is this temple not the very meaning? Hmm??
Jenai smiled at her a moment. ?I may give it back to the city as I don?t feel it is mine to sell, or just... hold claim but never use it. It was up to my Sisters to decide, and I think with them walking away... they have decided.?
Khelle seemed to ponder this as she looked about the spring?s vegetation. The winter plants had settled well and the springs environment had kept them healthy. Dark had made the best of choices for such a temperate climate.
?If others do come Khelle, many others, that the temple can not hold... I will make sure they have a new roof over there heads and new walls to train within. For those will be the ones of true faith and with the Goddess in their hearts.?