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Once more there are a lot of add-ons and services to help read this to you if you like audiobook style formats.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Here we continue on with chapter 2 of the story. Once more there are a lot of add-ons and services to help read this to you if you like audiobook style formats.", "writing": "[center][b][u]The Weeping Scar[/u]\nChapter 2[/b]\n[i]by TheSpiralAim[/i][/center]\n\nThe sharp clop of his hooves echoed off the buildings on Ivy Terrace. Dark stone buildings flanked the street and, falsely, gave the perception that he was boxed in. Shop signs overhung the street with various names. Sugar and Root Bakery was one such, with a well-maintained sign. Minh's Jewels caught his eye; the symbol of Tiamat and Bahamut embraced was new to him. Something to investigate later. He lifted the heavy bronze staff in his hand and continued walking.\n\nAt his side was a midnight black 'serval' named Yōuyǐng. He knelt to access something from the pack he had on her back. \"Hold still there, kitty,\" he said unnecessarily.\n\nLocated in the leather wrapping was a bundle of papers tied together with a jute cord. Everything came back together quickly, and Decker adjusted the small capelet on Yōuyǐng's shoulders. It wasn't unusual for travelers to equip their beloved animals, if they had the money, with magical equipment.\n\nRight after Decker rose to his full height, he saw Yōuyǐng stalk away as if annoyed. A large gate on the stone wall stood in decent repair. That must be the Temple of the Weeping. Supposedly they were heretics in some circles of the Orthodox Khahavan faith. A cult that had sprung up and was blasphemous in its beliefs.\n\nDecker had been sent by Cardinal Darius to investigate the claims. Complaints from cardinals over several other kingdoms concerned with the inner workings of the small temple. Many of them had been quoted in the summon request he had been sent.\n\nWhat a tiring letter that had been.\n\nYears spent in Yǒngguó as a missionary had left him quite detached from any of the inner clergy's politics. A fortuitous thing for this dispute and investigation. Though it meant he would have to leave Yǒngguó and dig deep into these claims. He had to admit he liked Darius; the man wanted answers, not corpses. On the wall next to the gate hung a badly weathered sign. \"K----v-'s Templ- o- the Weeping ---r,\" he whispered to Yōuyǐng. Along the bronze work, he brushed away some hanging moss and mildew and traced the letters with his hoof-tipped fingers. \"Khahava's Temple of the Weeping Scar,\" he said louder this time. Yōuyǐng flicked an ear and blinked slowly up at him.\n\n\"Seems like a normal name to me. Probably have better things to spend money on than replacing a plaque no one looks at,\" Decker said. He didn't expect Yōuyǐng to respond. She ran her flank against the side of his leg and circled back to facing the same direction as him.\n\nThe dreary sky above broke loose, and the gentle white noise of water that flowed into the aqueducts and Inilek grew louder. A moderately heavy rain started. Given the color of the clouds, daylight was going to be cut early. Time to meet the local clergy then. He had heard a lot about them from Darius back in Sibiu and was eager to see how much of it was rumor and how much was fact.\n\nThe gate swung smoothly without a sound, and Decker stepped through. Yōuyǐng followed with a dejected look. Getting wet in the rain was unacceptable, and he knew he was going to hear about it later tonight. On the door to the vestibule was the Khahavan symbol, a circle of thorns. It represented discipline and inner growth, an infinite path covered in danger, pain, and difficulty. What differed was the drop of ichor at the center of it, five lobes of blue cast down into a flowing river. Likely the local symbols. His mind assumed the ichor was the blood of Khahava, saints, or someone who might be giving their soul to Khahava. The five blue lobes and river were obviously meant to represent the Scar itself. Simple enough.\n\nOnce inside, Decker shook off his heavy oilskin cloak and then guided the hood around his head and horns. He caught the way Yōuyǐng had hidden one of her telekinetic pulses in a fur shake. Dangerous. What did she know about this area he didn't?\n\nA tall chiroptern came out of the door on the north side, the door on his right. The man had no arms, only wings and his feet. Digits one and two were not part of the wing webbing. Never before had he seen a chiroptern outside of drawings. Wings cloaked the chiroptern's nearly bare form in a way that was imposing, more than Decker had expected it to be. He had young, bright eyes and a necklace that depicted the rank of priest. \"You must be Father Tavren,\" Decker announced brightly.\n\n\"Ohh? A guest from somewhere else who knows my name?\" the man asked, genuine shock in his voice.\n\n\"I'm Inquisitor Weisstrom. Did Cardinal Darius not send word of my arrival?\" Decker asked back.\n\nThe priest looked confused, edging into nervousness. Decker knew why; the notes on him included far too much emphasis on the man's choice in partners. Such things were not a crime here.\n\n\"Inquisitor?! I should go get Archpriest Stilka,\" he gasped and turned to enter the nave.\n\n\"A moment to talk would be nice. I've been on my hooves all day and have only had my cat for company,\" he said and gestured towards Yōuyǐng.\n\nTavren's eyes moved to the cat, and he didn't know what to make of her. His ears turned back up towards Decker. The bat didn't know whether he should leave.\n\n\"No one's safety is at risk. If you're too uncomfortable to be around me, Father Tavren, I'll wait if you wish to go get Archpriest Stilka,\" he stated patiently.\n\nOpening up with his role was a poor idea for first impressions; however, dishonesty was a sin in such matters. Leaving them guessing or perhaps even unknowing would be downright vicious. The thought didn't sit well with him.\n\nYōuyǐng scratched at her ear, sniffed the air, and padded off into the nave behind Tavren.\n\n\"Ack! Kitty… I suppose we get keireth in here every so often. If you're going to run around, find some rats,\" Tavren said. His voice was kind, even if he had been startled. Decker had to assume she nuzzled up to him.\n\nThe vestibule had many displays typical of Khahavan temples. A donation box, a basin with clean water. There were very few embellishments; wherever they spent money, it wasn't in opulence. The inside of the doors had a standard bronze symbol of Khahava centered in each half.\n\n\"Father Weisstrom,\" an older, deeper voice said.\n\nA bat wearing archpriest markers entered the doorway. Chiroptern anatomy did not allow for torso coverings. Scarves were typical of such beings, and he had the correct colors for his role. What caught Decker off guard was how heavy the man's magical pressure was. Greyed fur and a near-tired demeanor said this man was likely older than he appeared. Most magic users lived longer than they should, and with better years.\n\n\"Good evening,\" Decker said and offered a raised hand and gentle head bow. It indicated that Stilka outranked him, and that was important. Even if he was--temporarily--an inquisitor, he needed to be orderly in rank and deference. \"Blessings on this evening,\" he added softly.\n\n\"Blessings on this evening. What brings an inquisitor to our distant corner of Karpatia? I doubt there are any fears of manipulated tithes or high crimes against the inner clergy,\" Stilka commented without a scrap of concern.\n\n\"You are correct. There has been a lot of talk within the inner clergy. Some of them are concerned about heresy. The complaints were… numerous and spirited,\" Decker admitted. Words were chosen carefully there; he had other words that would have fit better. Such opinions could be offensive to the cardinals.\n\n\"Cardinal Darius?\" Stilka asked, almost shocked.\n\n\"Sort of. Cardinal Darius selected me as an inquisitor to see if there was any validity to the complaints,\" Decker replied.\n\n\"Hmm. I suppose that's far less surprising. Probably from the northern kingdoms, if I were to wager. Nothing will be off limits; we have nothing to hide, inquisitor. You won't mind if I research your career, will you?\" he asked.\n\n\"Please do, I'm quite proud of my work. I've achieved a lot in my tenure. Furthermore, my big cat might end up prowling around. In Yǒngguó she serves as the Forbidden Palace's ratter. So naturally she'll be scanning everywhere for vermin. She's good enough to keep getting rehired,\" he explained.\n\n\"Vermin service is appreciated; if you can coax her into checking the hostel and bathhouses too, that'd be wonderful. Public health is important, and anyone desperate enough to use our services should have clean beds and food,\" Stilka added and turned. The man gestured for Decker to follow him into the nave.\n\nAt the center of the room was the main altar. Benches were being moved into position around it. This was for vesper services. In a city with nocturnal and crepuscular populations, it was likely the only service they got. A stained glass of a saint barely shone light through. The light was quite low now. The saint was a human woman. She stood with her arms held out as if shielding something behind her. Thorned vines and fire wrapped her body along with several daggers in her torso. All pointedly non-lethal. Forty stars, twenty on each side, hung in the dusky-colored glass.\n\nWhich saint was this again? Normally it was St. Degois who died rallying an army against a raid of demons, or the like. Through the scripture, his mind ran towards the stories of the saints. There were so many; all of them had stories to tell. Once more, Decker looked at the window, then it hit him. \"Ahh. Saint Ella of Ga'av. An interesting saint to put so prominently. Forty days of enduring torture to buy the people of Ga'av time to flee its wrath. A deal she made with no concern for which souls were saved, if I recall correctly,\" Decker said.\n\n\"Almost apocryphal in the grand scheme of canon. However, she suits our missions the closest. Khahava's mercy is blind and infinite,\" Stilka explained.\n\n\"Some would state Khahava's mercy is only infinite for those who accept his divinity,\" Decker said.\n\nStilka didn't really respond to that; instead, the man's eyes focused on the door to the left of the stained glass, and he walked through it. On the wall outside, Decker heard a metallic rattling sound, then a soft fizzling noise. An orange glow painted the old bat, the membrane of his wing arm now quite visible.\n\nDecker followed him out. Above the door, a frosted-glass globe lamp hung from the wall, with a small metal handle used to light the wick. \"Interesting, I've never seen a lamp like that,\" Decker admitted.\n\n\"Door-candle. They are required to be on doors on exterior walls, facing outward. Useful. Excuse me,\" Stilka said. He turned to a young human lady. \"Acolyte Lera, could you please inform the Flame Bearers to double-check the door-candles? Some aren't lit yet,\" he said in a very patient voice.\n\nThe girl's quick, curt deference caught Decker's attention. Strange, Stilka seemed so gentle. Perhaps the girl was new and not used to being around men of status. He leaned on the staff and turned his eyes back to the archpriest.\n\nStilka seemed to see his duty more as service than as authoritative. Like he was merely making sure things were running. No archpriest holed up in an office dictating things to make his own life comfortable then? \"How much funding do you receive from Karpatia's Grand Cathedral?\" Decker asked.\n\n\"Nothing. Everything we have has been through tithes and specialized services. I'm sure Cardinal Darius would send money to our coffers if I requested it, but it would seem improper to ask for assistance when we are handling things on our own,\" Stilka replied.\n\n\"A virtue, to be certain. As for this cloister,\" Decker said and looked out over the relatively small garden and the surrounding promenade. Two stories of rooms above that and a view of the sky. A naked fairy with cloven hooves trotted out from behind a bush, a small bundle of herbs in her hand. The second she made eye contact with Decker, she started to trot up. The click-clack of her hooves gave a sharper report than his own would.\n\n\"Stilka, where did you find a capricum? I didn't think any lived in Karpatia!\" the fairy said. Her antennae glowed a dull-orange color, and her ears twitched.\n\nA great deal of restraint on this nouriling, Decker supposed. Questions about the cloister would have to wait. \"Vessel Kiiliva, I presume. That is, if my notes about your title are correct. Priestess is your official title,\" Decker said. He appreciated that he wasn't being touched, fondled, or otherwise bothered by her. A _very_ conservative nouriling.\n\n\"Vessel is right! I heard some of what you were talking about. If you're going to be asking questions about the Weeping, Martha is probably your best bet, as a—Ohh, hello, kitty,\" Kiiliva said as Yōuyǐng brushed her body against the back of Kiiliva's legs.\n\n\"That's my cat Yōuyǐng. She'll likely be scampering about. As for Martha, yes. I'd really like to speak with her if she's here. Her file is the thickest,\" Decker said, a hint of complaint in his tone.\n\n\"She went with a small band of Scar Guard earlier. Father Tavren said there was bandit activity near the inn in Black Quarry. Vessel Kiiliva, can you please show Inquisitor Weisstrom around and get him a cell that he can use?\" Stilka said.\n\n\"With pleasure! I think there's one on the second floor. Escorting an attractive,\" she said and paused. Her solid purple eyes scanned his hands. \"Escorting an extremely attractive, married buck around is no task at all,\" Kiiliva said.\n\nPart of Decker got nervous there. Any tomfoolery from her would make Yōuyǐng very jealous. It's why he avoided nourilings typically, since sensuality is part of their language. Yōuyǐng, however, had already slipped away somewhere and was out of sight.\n\n\"She's all talk and no bite, Inquisitor Weisstrom. If you'll excuse me, I need to go over some records and finances,\" Stilka interjected as he walked back into the nave.\n\n\"Guess you're stuck with—\" she was cut off by a loud, thundering sound.\n\n\"Huh… that sounded like mine work,\" Kiiliva said.\n\nThis wasn't the kind of rain that came with thunder and lightning. \"Mine work?\" he asked.\n\n\"The Freeclaws use explosives every so often. As do the local stone workers. Probably just blowing a rock up or something. Anyway, let me show you your cell first so you can put your things away,\" Kiiliva said.\n\n\"Lead on, Mother Kiiliva,\" he said.\n\n\"Vessel Kiiliva! I don't get my skin peeled off every morning and not deserve that title! No offense taken,\" she said, and a soft giggle escaped her.\n\nThat was a mental image Decker didn't want. \"Skinned?\" he asked. She led him up a flight of stairs, well-maintained and kept clean so slipping was difficult.\n\n\"Sort of. Sit in on the Pain Ritual in the morning if you want to see it. It does many things all at once and not at all. Either way, it hurts like hell,\" Kiiliva explained. The cheery bounce in her hoof steps and motion stood in stark contrast to what she was saying.\n\n\"Khahava's grace, why would anyone do that? What do these rituals do?\" he asked, shocked.\n\n\"Martha can explain it better. What I can tell you is this: we absorb pain and suffering from the region into ourselves… It buys reprieve for everyone in Eforia. The cost is quite obvious. Martha has all the important civic information,\" she said.\n\n\"Why do you look so… unmarred then?\" Decker asked. They ended up in a landing with arched ceilings. The style was different from the temple.\n\n\"Reviewing me? I know I'm pretty; look as much as you'd like!\" she teased and giggled. Beauty was on full display; it made him blush a little. When her eyes met his, she stopped. \"An hour after the ritual ends, we're completely whole again. Martha said it has to do with us being fresh and unable to get used to it. I don't honestly think she, or any of us, knows the full depth of the rules. It is a ritual spell, after all,\" she said.\n\nRitual magic was interesting; scholars made use of it back in Yǒngguó, mostly for meditative things. The rules were not created but discovered. So a pain ritual? It sounded grisly, not inherently heretical. Especially not if it offered tangible benefits for their followers. They stopped at a relatively large room for a cell. A bed big enough for him, a desk, a trunk, and a few storage places for his things. Enough room to pace should he need to.\n\n\"Here you go! I'm sure no one has used this in a long time. We try to keep a room ready in case priests from afar visit,\" she said and looked up at him.\n\nFirst, he set down the staff with a heavy thud. A bit harder than he intended. His rain cloak, hat, and pack all quickly slid from his frame, and he stretched his back and arms. \"Alright, you offered a tour; I'd like to see how the Weeping organizes its temple,\" he said politely.\n\n\"Absolutely! Are you and your wife the jealous types?\" Kiiliva asked.\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
The Weeping Scar
Chapter 2
by TheSpiralAim


The sharp clop of his hooves echoed off the buildings on Ivy Terrace. Dark stone buildings flanked the street and, falsely, gave the perception that he was boxed in. Shop signs overhung the street with various names. Sugar and Root Bakery was one such, with a well-maintained sign. Minh's Jewels caught his eye; the symbol of Tiamat and Bahamut embraced was new to him. Something to investigate later. He lifted the heavy bronze staff in his hand and continued walking.

At his side was a midnight black 'serval' named Yōuyǐng. He knelt to access something from the pack he had on her back. "Hold still there, kitty," he said unnecessarily.

Located in the leather wrapping was a bundle of papers tied together with a jute cord. Everything came back together quickly, and Decker adjusted the small capelet on Yōuyǐng's shoulders. It wasn't unusual for travelers to equip their beloved animals, if they had the money, with magical equipment.

Right after Decker rose to his full height, he saw Yōuyǐng stalk away as if annoyed. A large gate on the stone wall stood in decent repair. That must be the Temple of the Weeping. Supposedly they were heretics in some circles of the Orthodox Khahavan faith. A cult that had sprung up and was blasphemous in its beliefs.

Decker had been sent by Cardinal Darius to investigate the claims. Complaints from cardinals over several other kingdoms concerned with the inner workings of the small temple. Many of them had been quoted in the summon request he had been sent.

What a tiring letter that had been.

Years spent in Yǒngguó as a missionary had left him quite detached from any of the inner clergy's politics. A fortuitous thing for this dispute and investigation. Though it meant he would have to leave Yǒngguó and dig deep into these claims. He had to admit he liked Darius; the man wanted answers, not corpses. On the wall next to the gate hung a badly weathered sign. "K----v-'s Templ- o- the Weeping ---r," he whispered to Yōuyǐng. Along the bronze work, he brushed away some hanging moss and mildew and traced the letters with his hoof-tipped fingers. "Khahava's Temple of the Weeping Scar," he said louder this time. Yōuyǐng flicked an ear and blinked slowly up at him.

"Seems like a normal name to me. Probably have better things to spend money on than replacing a plaque no one looks at," Decker said. He didn't expect Yōuyǐng to respond. She ran her flank against the side of his leg and circled back to facing the same direction as him.

The dreary sky above broke loose, and the gentle white noise of water that flowed into the aqueducts and Inilek grew louder. A moderately heavy rain started. Given the color of the clouds, daylight was going to be cut early. Time to meet the local clergy then. He had heard a lot about them from Darius back in Sibiu and was eager to see how much of it was rumor and how much was fact.

The gate swung smoothly without a sound, and Decker stepped through. Yōuyǐng followed with a dejected look. Getting wet in the rain was unacceptable, and he knew he was going to hear about it later tonight. On the door to the vestibule was the Khahavan symbol, a circle of thorns. It represented discipline and inner growth, an infinite path covered in danger, pain, and difficulty. What differed was the drop of ichor at the center of it, five lobes of blue cast down into a flowing river. Likely the local symbols. His mind assumed the ichor was the blood of Khahava, saints, or someone who might be giving their soul to Khahava. The five blue lobes and river were obviously meant to represent the Scar itself. Simple enough.

Once inside, Decker shook off his heavy oilskin cloak and then guided the hood around his head and horns. He caught the way Yōuyǐng had hidden one of her telekinetic pulses in a fur shake. Dangerous. What did she know about this area he didn't?

A tall chiroptern came out of the door on the north side, the door on his right. The man had no arms, only wings and his feet. Digits one and two were not part of the wing webbing. Never before had he seen a chiroptern outside of drawings. Wings cloaked the chiroptern's nearly bare form in a way that was imposing, more than Decker had expected it to be. He had young, bright eyes and a necklace that depicted the rank of priest. "You must be Father Tavren," Decker announced brightly.

"Ohh? A guest from somewhere else who knows my name?" the man asked, genuine shock in his voice.

"I'm Inquisitor Weisstrom. Did Cardinal Darius not send word of my arrival?" Decker asked back.

The priest looked confused, edging into nervousness. Decker knew why; the notes on him included far too much emphasis on the man's choice in partners. Such things were not a crime here.

"Inquisitor?! I should go get Archpriest Stilka," he gasped and turned to enter the nave.

"A moment to talk would be nice. I've been on my hooves all day and have only had my cat for company," he said and gestured towards Yōuyǐng.

Tavren's eyes moved to the cat, and he didn't know what to make of her. His ears turned back up towards Decker. The bat didn't know whether he should leave.

"No one's safety is at risk. If you're too uncomfortable to be around me, Father Tavren, I'll wait if you wish to go get Archpriest Stilka," he stated patiently.

Opening up with his role was a poor idea for first impressions; however, dishonesty was a sin in such matters. Leaving them guessing or perhaps even unknowing would be downright vicious. The thought didn't sit well with him.

Yōuyǐng scratched at her ear, sniffed the air, and padded off into the nave behind Tavren.

"Ack! Kitty… I suppose we get keireth in here every so often. If you're going to run around, find some rats," Tavren said. His voice was kind, even if he had been startled. Decker had to assume she nuzzled up to him.

The vestibule had many displays typical of Khahavan temples. A donation box, a basin with clean water. There were very few embellishments; wherever they spent money, it wasn't in opulence. The inside of the doors had a standard bronze symbol of Khahava centered in each half.

"Father Weisstrom," an older, deeper voice said.

A bat wearing archpriest markers entered the doorway. Chiroptern anatomy did not allow for torso coverings. Scarves were typical of such beings, and he had the correct colors for his role. What caught Decker off guard was how heavy the man's magical pressure was. Greyed fur and a near-tired demeanor said this man was likely older than he appeared. Most magic users lived longer than they should, and with better years.

"Good evening," Decker said and offered a raised hand and gentle head bow. It indicated that Stilka outranked him, and that was important. Even if he was--temporarily--an inquisitor, he needed to be orderly in rank and deference. "Blessings on this evening," he added softly.

"Blessings on this evening. What brings an inquisitor to our distant corner of Karpatia? I doubt there are any fears of manipulated tithes or high crimes against the inner clergy," Stilka commented without a scrap of concern.

"You are correct. There has been a lot of talk within the inner clergy. Some of them are concerned about heresy. The complaints were… numerous and spirited," Decker admitted. Words were chosen carefully there; he had other words that would have fit better. Such opinions could be offensive to the cardinals.

"Cardinal Darius?" Stilka asked, almost shocked.

"Sort of. Cardinal Darius selected me as an inquisitor to see if there was any validity to the complaints," Decker replied.

"Hmm. I suppose that's far less surprising. Probably from the northern kingdoms, if I were to wager. Nothing will be off limits; we have nothing to hide, inquisitor. You won't mind if I research your career, will you?" he asked.

"Please do, I'm quite proud of my work. I've achieved a lot in my tenure. Furthermore, my big cat might end up prowling around. In Yǒngguó she serves as the Forbidden Palace's ratter. So naturally she'll be scanning everywhere for vermin. She's good enough to keep getting rehired," he explained.

"Vermin service is appreciated; if you can coax her into checking the hostel and bathhouses too, that'd be wonderful. Public health is important, and anyone desperate enough to use our services should have clean beds and food," Stilka added and turned. The man gestured for Decker to follow him into the nave.

At the center of the room was the main altar. Benches were being moved into position around it. This was for vesper services. In a city with nocturnal and crepuscular populations, it was likely the only service they got. A stained glass of a saint barely shone light through. The light was quite low now. The saint was a human woman. She stood with her arms held out as if shielding something behind her. Thorned vines and fire wrapped her body along with several daggers in her torso. All pointedly non-lethal. Forty stars, twenty on each side, hung in the dusky-colored glass.

Which saint was this again? Normally it was St. Degois who died rallying an army against a raid of demons, or the like. Through the scripture, his mind ran towards the stories of the saints. There were so many; all of them had stories to tell. Once more, Decker looked at the window, then it hit him. "Ahh. Saint Ella of Ga'av. An interesting saint to put so prominently. Forty days of enduring torture to buy the people of Ga'av time to flee its wrath. A deal she made with no concern for which souls were saved, if I recall correctly," Decker said.

"Almost apocryphal in the grand scheme of canon. However, she suits our missions the closest. Khahava's mercy is blind and infinite," Stilka explained.

"Some would state Khahava's mercy is only infinite for those who accept his divinity," Decker said.

Stilka didn't really respond to that; instead, the man's eyes focused on the door to the left of the stained glass, and he walked through it. On the wall outside, Decker heard a metallic rattling sound, then a soft fizzling noise. An orange glow painted the old bat, the membrane of his wing arm now quite visible.

Decker followed him out. Above the door, a frosted-glass globe lamp hung from the wall, with a small metal handle used to light the wick. "Interesting, I've never seen a lamp like that," Decker admitted.

"Door-candle. They are required to be on doors on exterior walls, facing outward. Useful. Excuse me," Stilka said. He turned to a young human lady. "Acolyte Lera, could you please inform the Flame Bearers to double-check the door-candles? Some aren't lit yet," he said in a very patient voice.

The girl's quick, curt deference caught Decker's attention. Strange, Stilka seemed so gentle. Perhaps the girl was new and not used to being around men of status. He leaned on the staff and turned his eyes back to the archpriest.

Stilka seemed to see his duty more as service than as authoritative. Like he was merely making sure things were running. No archpriest holed up in an office dictating things to make his own life comfortable then? "How much funding do you receive from Karpatia's Grand Cathedral?" Decker asked.

"Nothing. Everything we have has been through tithes and specialized services. I'm sure Cardinal Darius would send money to our coffers if I requested it, but it would seem improper to ask for assistance when we are handling things on our own," Stilka replied.

"A virtue, to be certain. As for this cloister," Decker said and looked out over the relatively small garden and the surrounding promenade. Two stories of rooms above that and a view of the sky. A naked fairy with cloven hooves trotted out from behind a bush, a small bundle of herbs in her hand. The second she made eye contact with Decker, she started to trot up. The click-clack of her hooves gave a sharper report than his own would.

"Stilka, where did you find a capricum? I didn't think any lived in Karpatia!" the fairy said. Her antennae glowed a dull-orange color, and her ears twitched.

A great deal of restraint on this nouriling, Decker supposed. Questions about the cloister would have to wait. "Vessel Kiiliva, I presume. That is, if my notes about your title are correct. Priestess is your official title," Decker said. He appreciated that he wasn't being touched, fondled, or otherwise bothered by her. A _very_ conservative nouriling.

"Vessel is right! I heard some of what you were talking about. If you're going to be asking questions about the Weeping, Martha is probably your best bet, as a—Ohh, hello, kitty," Kiiliva said as Yōuyǐng brushed her body against the back of Kiiliva's legs.

"That's my cat Yōuyǐng. She'll likely be scampering about. As for Martha, yes. I'd really like to speak with her if she's here. Her file is the thickest," Decker said, a hint of complaint in his tone.

"She went with a small band of Scar Guard earlier. Father Tavren said there was bandit activity near the inn in Black Quarry. Vessel Kiiliva, can you please show Inquisitor Weisstrom around and get him a cell that he can use?" Stilka said.

"With pleasure! I think there's one on the second floor. Escorting an attractive," she said and paused. Her solid purple eyes scanned his hands. "Escorting an extremely attractive, married buck around is no task at all," Kiiliva said.

Part of Decker got nervous there. Any tomfoolery from her would make Yōuyǐng very jealous. It's why he avoided nourilings typically, since sensuality is part of their language. Yōuyǐng, however, had already slipped away somewhere and was out of sight.

"She's all talk and no bite, Inquisitor Weisstrom. If you'll excuse me, I need to go over some records and finances," Stilka interjected as he walked back into the nave.

"Guess you're stuck with—" she was cut off by a loud, thundering sound.

"Huh… that sounded like mine work," Kiiliva said.

This wasn't the kind of rain that came with thunder and lightning. "Mine work?" he asked.

"The Freeclaws use explosives every so often. As do the local stone workers. Probably just blowing a rock up or something. Anyway, let me show you your cell first so you can put your things away," Kiiliva said.

"Lead on, Mother Kiiliva," he said.

"Vessel Kiiliva! I don't get my skin peeled off every morning and not deserve that title! No offense taken," she said, and a soft giggle escaped her.

That was a mental image Decker didn't want. "Skinned?" he asked. She led him up a flight of stairs, well-maintained and kept clean so slipping was difficult.

"Sort of. Sit in on the Pain Ritual in the morning if you want to see it. It does many things all at once and not at all. Either way, it hurts like hell," Kiiliva explained. The cheery bounce in her hoof steps and motion stood in stark contrast to what she was saying.

"Khahava's grace, why would anyone do that? What do these rituals do?" he asked, shocked.

"Martha can explain it better. What I can tell you is this: we absorb pain and suffering from the region into ourselves… It buys reprieve for everyone in Eforia. The cost is quite obvious. Martha has all the important civic information," she said.

"Why do you look so… unmarred then?" Decker asked. They ended up in a landing with arched ceilings. The style was different from the temple.

"Reviewing me? I know I'm pretty; look as much as you'd like!" she teased and giggled. Beauty was on full display; it made him blush a little. When her eyes met his, she stopped. "An hour after the ritual ends, we're completely whole again. Martha said it has to do with us being fresh and unable to get used to it. I don't honestly think she, or any of us, knows the full depth of the rules. It is a ritual spell, after all," she said.

Ritual magic was interesting; scholars made use of it back in Yǒngguó, mostly for meditative things. The rules were not created but discovered. So a pain ritual? It sounded grisly, not inherently heretical. Especially not if it offered tangible benefits for their followers. They stopped at a relatively large room for a cell. A bed big enough for him, a desk, a trunk, and a few storage places for his things. Enough room to pace should he need to.

"Here you go! I'm sure no one has used this in a long time. We try to keep a room ready in case priests from afar visit," she said and looked up at him.

First, he set down the staff with a heavy thud. A bit harder than he intended. His rain cloak, hat, and pack all quickly slid from his frame, and he stretched his back and arms. "Alright, you offered a tour; I'd like to see how the Weeping organizes its temple," he said politely.

"Absolutely! Are you and your wife the jealous types?" Kiiliva asked.
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