One Step

"The litter are being held on the bottom ring."

"Good, good good. You there, fetch us some wine. The journey here had left me dying of thirst, aren't you?"

Raz calmly nodded, agreeing to his Father's suggestion as the maid clasped her hands behind her and walked away. Around this height, the balcony they stood on gifted them such a glorious view of their surroundings. The jungle hugging their feet and the forest expanding around them were displayed with separate color to them, from their eyes it looked like two wide rings with both men placed at the center. Nearby, Raz could hear the sound of birds at eye level flying cautiously away from them, glancing around and anouncing themselves with such loud cries.

Perdilius leaned over, resting his weight against the stone rail. The maid had returned, resting a tin tray on the palm of her hand as she approached the two. On the tray was a large ancient bottle with two silver chalices besides it. Placing it down, she bowed to both Priest and guest quietly.

"Thank you, that will be all." Perdilius waved, signaling her to leave them and provide them solitude. Tipping the bottle down, he poured for himself and his guest before raising his chalice up. "Shall we?"

Raz followed, lifting his chalice as well. Both of them smiled before enjoying the fruity taste of their drink. Perdilius sighed with satisfaction upon finishing his, lowering the chalice to find that Raz hadn't drank at all, staring down at its red juicy smooth reflection.

"Something the matter?"

Raz placed his chalice down, nodding. "Father, I understand that we do what is best for the people."

Perdilius served himself another drink, listening quietly as Raz continued.

"That we retrieve as many creatures as we can and detain them here, to purify them. That they are tainted souls which require our guidance."

Perdilius sipped on his wine, eyed raised.

"But we've been repeating failure numerous times now, I don't see how this will be different. Everything we have tried has lacked results, these women remain inhuman."

"That is correct, go on."

"Perhaps we should go about this in another way. The inner mechanics of this sanctuary remains functional, but its true purpose remains unveiled. A temple that cannot provide its worth has no value."

Perdilius shrugged. "From a fool's eye, perhaps. Look outside Raz, do you see what I see?"

Raz looked at Perdilius, stretching his arm forward into the air. "Yes, the landscape is a beauty to behold sir, but-"

"Not the trees, the sky. See the clouds linger so close within our reach? My hands can only go so high, but at this height it feels like my fingertips can graze the grounds of what lies above. Such an amazing thought, to look down and see this art, see everyone so tiny and miniscule beneath you. Not a single trouble can reach you anymore, just one touch, perhaps a foot higher... one step and it all goes away."

Perdilius closed his eyes, leaning forward and feeling the tickling touch of thin air. "One small step and you will find paradise."

Raz kept watch as Perdilius stretched his arms out wide, eyes shut as he breathed in. In a moment, the maid had returned with a new robe for him to wear, this one darker with a nice red border outline to it. She waited patiently behind them, acknowledging his presence and keeping her head down in respect of his authority.

He exhaled, opening his eyes and turning around. "Ah, my skin. No sleeves this time you see, no need for theatrics anymore. We did it, all of those felines hidden away, now beneath us. One step forward, each day gone. Until the Gods are satisfied."

As the maid assisted him in slipping his robe on, Raz left the balcony to explore Father's private quarters. Finding a rather large book sealed shut on an empty chair, he removed the dust from its surface and undid the seal. "You know, it's been a while since I last saw you with this in your hands. You use to be rather fond of it, you know she would have preferred you kept to its faith."

Perdilius looked back, staring at the hard book parted in his hands before walking towards him. Grabbing it, he closed his eyes as he did with the book before placing it back down. "Mesa, place it under my safe would you?"

"Yes, Father Perdilius." The maid replied, dealing with the large book as Raz watched.

"When do you think we should begin? Perhaps you are ready to partake this time, yes? You may have the privilege of taking Nityri yourself, that seems rather fitting."

"Oh, I wouldn't think that be proper-"

"Oh yes, I encourage the thought now. She costed me a lot of trouble getting her back, fortunately her family remain no wiser after recovering her. Odd, you think perhaps the stone has some unintended side effects?" He asked, sitting down in his chair looking at Raz.

"I can't say, we still know nothing of the Demon's Eye nor it's origins outside of this temple. Actually, I did notice we are light on our followers."

"Most of the men I have digging at the seventh ring, pursuing for any further discoveries perhaps."

Raz nodded. "We have been running low on those rocks, it seems after some time they lose whatever source they have within as its light starts to fade."

"I am aware, as for our guests what to do... only the children are of any worth to me. Aside from the Mother, who else have we? I recall there was another..."

"We did bring a friend of theirs, a woman of Eastern descent it looks. Equipped with a sailor's tongue. We have her in the second ring with the other."

Perdilius nodded. "Hmm, is she a fiend as well?"

"She looks normal in appearance but since the hunter altered the state of one of the girls to look human then-"

"The hunter did that?" Perdilius raised an eye, with Raz shutting up after his slip. "When did you learn of this? Was it when they had taken you away?"

"Ah, sorry sir. It was a moment ago-" He swallowed, telling him it was during their transfer would be admitting to the older child's resistance to the effects of the Eye. "Yes, when they had taken me away before you sent the Hunter for me."

"And you thought it was not important to tell me?" Perdilius stood up, brushing his robe.

"I-Is it relevant, sir?" He asked, noting the tremble in his tone.

"Not at all, nothing wrong with him sabotaging my belongings!" He scolded, reaching for the door. "I may need a word with him, where is he now?"

"Sir, I had him remain in the second ring by the front gates. He is waiting for you sir."

"Well then, mustn't keep him waiting shall we?" Perdilius said, opening the door. Raz had stepped through when suddenly a large flock of birds erupted from the jungle tree tops in unison out of nowhere, their combined cries enough to startle them.

"What was that?" Raz wondered.

"Who cares, perhaps it's those elven fodder fighting for scraps again." Perdilius remarked before shutting the door behind him, leaving Raz alone with the maid reaching to remove the tray and beverages. Walking back out the balcony, Raz thought he heard a faint cry not too far from their position.

Strange, it sounds more man than animal.

"Is something the matter Raz, may I be of any assistance?"

"No Mesa, thank you. Just thought I heard something, that's all." He replied, turning back towards the door. Glancing back, he saw Mesa still held the book in her position. "Mesa?"

"Yes, Raz?"

"Could you pass that to me? I'll go ahead and put it in his safe."

"Oh no worries sir, I can have it set right now."

"That's fine, but I insist."

Mesa paused, carefully raising the book and placing it in his hands. "Alright sir, if you insist."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure, sir." She bowed as he shut the door, walking down the steps with the book in hand. Why didn't I tell him about the girl, Dimyri was her name. If he learns of her, it won't be good for me. No good comes from keeping secrets.