A Hand-Woven Universe 59 59. An Inciting Letter

The sun finally peaked through the cloud layer above, giving Noone the first natural light he had seen for years. Even with the sun-stone he had begun feeling a little depressed from the constant onslaught of the night.

Despite a comparatively short time passing for his conscious self, he couldn't help his body craving the sun. He supposed there was something inherent about being human and needing that big ball of fire in the sky. Even after an eternity of living underground, that desire couldn't be suppressed.

Noone hoisted his freshly organized pack onto his shoulders and stood at the entrance of the cave he had carved looking over the ocean. It was a beautiful sight of rolling waves below and milk white clouds above.

Noone's fists clenched in determination. Still unsure of exactly how many years he had delayed, Noone's mind was set to move as quickly as possible to make it back to Tapestry. He wouldn't kill himself without break, he thought. But he would come close.

With a smile spread on his face he moved up to the side of the cave and began to sidle his body out against the cliff face. His hand gripped onto the wall like an iron clamp. One foot after the other easily found holds along the wall.

When Noone looked up he saw an endless mire of cracked stone caused from the root system. He was undeterred though and put one hand on a cracked stone – pulling at it. It easily held his weight. Noone knew that no matter how fast he wanted to go, at least for this part of cliff he would need to take it a bit slower testing every grip.

His hands and foot moved slowly at first. Noone carefully worked his way up the jagged and cracked surface. Every third movement would send a broken shard hurtling towards the world below. Noone climbed on the teetering edge of life and death, one wrong move and he himself would meet the broken stone in the shallow water below. Yet, in this moment he was happy to be climbing again.

Something about his temperament had changed though. The smile which he held when the sun lit up the world had not left his face in the slightest. Instead it had grown, lending an almost fanatical sense of enjoyment to Noone's demeanor.

Noone noted this slightly in between movements. He figured his mind was just excited at being outside for the first time in a very long time. He truly was enjoying the climb. Before, he didn't care one way or another about it. Like working in the mines, Noone enjoyed that it gave him a chance to zone out while getting stronger. But He didn't enjoy it like this, putting his body under the hammer was extremely relaxing.

….

The door in front of Sarah and Feylin swung open with such speed that it sent a blast of air in their direction before cracking against the wall it was mounted on.

Sarah and Feylin both leapt to their feet, yelping in surprise.

In the doorway Jakobson stood alone with his palm outstretched where the door had been the moment before. The look on his face was no less shocked than theirs. Some red tinted his cheeks in embarrassment. He coughed, clearing his throat.

Jakobson was not a tall man by any account. He stood at a meager five feet and made no effort to compensate for this. His frame was sturdy despite its small size. Feylin often wondered if there were a halfling ancestor somewhere in Jakobson's family tree.

"Damn doors!" The bishop's surprisingly deep voice echoed his curse through the hall. He turned around as if offended by their existence. Sarah and Feylin followed him inside tentatively. "The grounds keep replaced the old door with this piece of crap after the last one had worn down through the years." He mumbled, partly in explanation.

Feylin shut the door behind them, when pulling on it though, his face blanched and he looked back at Jakobson.

The door was made of solid metal all the way through.

The last door had been made of stone… was the weight really that different?

Feylin excitedly closed the door. His admiration for Jakobson at a constant rise.

"Well. Sit." They both sat down and Jakobson leaned against his desk. An aged creak sounded out from the wood.

"I was sent this message via spatial shift 2 hours ago." He stared at both Sarah and Feylin with unblinking eyes. They weren't aware of it yet, but he was evaluating them both. Specifically, Feylin.

When the two acolytes heard 'spatial shift' the look on their faces changed. Neither of them had ever heard of the spell being used outside of the stories old and the most powerful existences. There were more convenient and less costly ways to send messages over long distances. They couldn't even imagine who would be so wasteful to use a spatial shift to send a letter.

"Do either of you know what it says?" Sarah side-eyed Feylin, having a feeling that he had done something rash. But he just shook his head, she did as well.

Jakobson threw the letter at Sarah, who was shocked but reacted quickly, snatching it out of the air. She unfolded it and leaned over to show Feylin. They both read silently. It was short and to the point.

Jakobson Consto,

It has come to our attention at the Burian that you have two fine young acolytes under your teaching by the names of Sarah (no last name) and Feylin Tristar.

Two years ago, we deployed 5 clerics for a mission at the western edge of the world. Since beginning their assignment 2 have passed away in service.

Seeing as you are the closest temple to the assignment, they will be supplementing their team with your two acolytes named above.

I trust no problems will occur.

After completion of the assignment, your two acolytes as recompense for their services will be invited to study here should they so desire.

Instead of a name and a signature at the bottom of the letter, and insignia glowed with ethereal light.

Sarah and Feylin's faces both held very different expressions. Excitement, shock, fear. It was hard to tell. But Jakobson saw through them immediately. They knew nothing… but just in case, he decided to press.

"I always told you both, if you wanted to get a chance to move out and see the world I would help. I have connections, I could pull strings. So, I want to know right now, which one of you two went over my head and contacted them!" Eyes like daggers, he stared both of the acolytes down in their seats. Disappointment and righteous anger was thick in the air. It was extremely clear that Jakobson was cross. Sarah was quick to remove herself from suspicion.

"I have never contacted anyone outside of the temple in these five years bishop." Sarah said respectfully. She had never even considered leaving the temple. Maybe one day she would want to leave. But she was young, at 20 years old she felt she had plenty of time.

Jakobson did not suspect her, and so didn't push any further. His eyes then moved to Feylin. Feylin was an honest man as all clerics aspire to be and not the trouble-making sort, but everyone in the temple knew he had aspirations to move up in the world.

"Bishop…" Feylin understood immediately after reading the letter that he would be the most suspicious person. "I honestly did not go above your head. I am aware of my abilities. Although I want to become a grand adventurer, I know there's still too much to learn." He said abashedly, clenching his fists in his lap at his own admission of his weakness. Sarah looked over at him, unsure of whether he was telling the truth or not. Unlike her, Jakobson was experienced in the world and knew right away that he wasn't lying.

Jakobson sighed.

"Alright. You both read the letter. You will be assisting the clerics from the Burian in their assignment when they arrive. Get your things together. Feylin, I trust you know what to pack for such a large assignment. I am sure you have dreamt of a day like this for a long time. Help Sarah pack." There were the undertones of sarcasm in his words.

Bishop Jakobson took a long look at Sarah… he knew that the temple had become the only place she truly felt safe. However, he couldn't ignore a direct order from above like this. Especially not one that seemed so high profile.
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"Sarah… I know you do not like to leave the temple for long periods. I know as much as you do about the assignment right now, thus I cannot say how long you will be gone." He stood up and the two young acolytes followed suit. He patted their shoulders.

"Both of you are more capable than you believe you are." He said, lightly gripping their shoulders. "Now get out of here and get ready. I assume they will be here within the week."

"Yes!" Both of them responded immediately, albeit with very different emotions.

They both departed, being careful when shutting the door. The room fell into silence except for the subtle sound of water flowing through plant potted throughout the room. Jakobson dropped down on a couch behind his desk and shut his eyes in thought. He brought his hands up to his temples and pressed down, kneading his throbbing mind.

He knew that they didn't contact HQ. He also was certain he had never mentioned them to anyone in his rare communications with the church headquarters. So… how did they know about the two acolytes?

And this was only half the trouble.

"Since begging their assignment, 2 have passed away in service…" Jakobson grumbled. Death in this world, as in all worlds, was just as common as life. Even for clerics of life like themselves - even with all their healing abilities. But… for two to die on one assignment? It felt odd. This oddness only looked stranger when he considered that the HQ had called for use of two acolytes instead of anyone with more strength. "And two acolytes they shouldn't even know of…"

Although not many, their temple at the edge of the world did have a few former adventurers and more capable individuals. These people were all known by HQ and very few of them were on other assignments. So… why was HQ asking for two acolytes who are still green.

"Mmm…" He moaned from an ever-present headache and rubbed his temples.

Chapter end