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“What was that?” Alessio asked, face stunned completely.

What was he talking about? The words I spoke? But the youth was already barreling on.

“Where did you learn about the old religion? What can you tell me about it?” Alessio shook his head, trying to clear his mind. “I thought no one kept the old legends anymore, but no one else believes in a loving Deity. Why haven’t you rebuilt the Temple? Where are the chosens now? I…” He stalled suddenly, out of breath, staring up at Nithel warily.

The boy then blushed, his eyes twinkling a moment.

He wanted to hear. He didn’t know. Nithel’s chest lifted, ached, and jumped with joy all at once.

“Are you talking about the High One?”

The question caught Nithel off-guard, and he glanced toward the man. Brendin. He sat up a bit, his eyes on Alessio and Nithel.

The High One, a good name for the Holy One. Nithel nodded slowly, eyes steady, but peaceful. He moved his feet to where one was facing Alessio, and the other Brendin, going back over Alessio’s questions in his mind.

His eyes mostly looked to Alessio, but his chest faced Brendin. “What was it? A blessing, an admonition, and a proverb. ‘Blessings should not be withholden from the worthy.'” Nithel’s eyes ached some, voice a bit softer, and semi-wishing Brendin wasn’t listening. “You are worthy my friend.” He glanced from Alessio to Brendin, then back again. His gaze drifting from each man when it was prudent.

Where did I learn these things? A hard question, but not completely new. It was hard to stay completely truthful here, without going against the words of the same ‘dear lady’. “Where have I learned of the Holy One?” In all creation, in the grass, in the trees, in the stars who sing His praises, from the Lord Himself… but, that was not what they should hear. He looked up. “I had a mentor, Jacine. An honest being, patient, he served the Lord and man. Never a backward step. He taught me of the Holy One, and of man. He taught me of the Highest One’s love, and compassion, but also His justice.

The Holy One is good and kind. But also true, and good. I have seen the evidence in my own life, time and again.” His eyes touch memories as a stabbing ache tears his chest, memories… His eyes come back to the men looking at him a second later. “Few do believe in Him, and fewer still follow Him, and yet fewer still love Him in return. But He is good, He lifts the repentant heart, and lowers those who will not lower themselves, and makes a way for all who seek Him to find.

As for what I can tell, if you ask a question, I likely can answer, but if I cannot, I will find it. Please, ask.”

But Alessio’s question of a temple. Temple? What temple? Was that not what the Bekh states built for their gods? But, perhaps the people built such for the Star Breather, in a place Nithel had not heard of. “I did not know He had a temple. But I have not been out of the Ten more than once, and that was only to Chesed.” As for those chosen… Nithel became more bewildered. “We come from different places, different worlds… But the Creator is the Creator of all. He would be the true Deity in any realm or creation.” Nithel’s eyes again cast from Brendin to Alessio, hoping it made some sense.

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