Unholy

I was going through my duties just like every other day. The days were very routine and boring at the temple of Otelia. Not much need for clerics of The Lightbringer in times of peace. We mostly just kept up traditions and rituals while healing the sick and injured.

Collette was helping me making dinner for the rest of the temple. I very much enjoyed working with her. Her cheerful demeaner always helped the day go by faster. "Hand me that bowl Brother," she almost sang as she again secured her long, golden blonde hair out of the way with a simple handkerchief. As she bent down to grab a stool to help her five foot frame reach the higher shelves, I had to admire that even the unflattering plain, white robes we wear couldn't completely hide her ample curves.

My daydream and boring routine was interrupted with Brother Mather bursting into the kitchen out of breath. "Brother Bilal, Sister Collette, come quick! Father Therron discovered someone practicing dark magic! Inside the temple, no less!"

I dropped the ladle I was holding and my heart sank with it. "What?!?" I heard the high feminine voice next to me shout in surprise. Soon we were in the main temple where everyone had gathered in a circle around Father Therron. My hands were shaking and my heart was racing. Sister Collette put her hand on my arm and whispered sweetly, "don't worry, Father Therron will protect us." This was the first time her words offered no comfort.

"Brothers and sisters," Father Therron started, "someone has been practicing black magic inside the temple. I'm afraid someone close to us has betrayed our trust." He turns as four city guards enter the main temple doors. He continues, his normally severe face even more grave than usual, "Brother Hawel has been studying and practicing demonology!" My mouth drops and my eyes go wide with horror as the guards grab him by the shoulders and pull him away from the circle. "N-n-n- I-I-I-" he stammers as Father Therron continues, "Hawel ____, for your crimes and with Goddess Otelia The Lightbringer's blessing, I sentence you to ." Two guards push him down to his knees and he lets out a panicked scream as a third swiftly beheads him.

"Everyone is to return to their rooms until dinner is prepared. Brother Mather and Sister Kacie, please stay behind to help cleanse the temple of this evil. I will contact the High Father at once and he will likely arrive within a few days." The guards march off towards the bedrooms.

Sister Collette whispers to me, "Brother Bilal, I can tell this was a shock to you. I can finish dinner myself so please, take some time." She smiles sadly, even she is having a hard time remaining cheerful after the scene that has just taken place. I nod blankly and start mindlessly walking back to my small, bare and modest bedroom.

Brother Hawel was studying dark magic? We weren't the closest but we were friends. He seemed too timid and cowardly to want to get involved with demons. Apparently, I didn't know him as well as I thought I did. Dark magic was more than forbidden in the world. It has been a few hundred years since the Lich Lord almost succeeded in extinguishing all life on the planet. Ever since, any practitioners of dark magic have been hunted down, no matter the cost, before they can even get a fraction of any real power.

When I get back to my room. I can still feel my hands trembling. Brother Hawel, you fool. I slowly move my bed out of the way. A memory of us secretly making hooch and getting drunk one night fills my mind. As carefully I am able with my shaking hands, I remove the floorboard and reach down into the hole. Finally I let out a sigh of relief as I pull out the carefully linen-wrapped book of necromancy I had stored under there.

A very large part of me wanted to destroy it then and there. The opportunities it promised were very tempting. I could feel myself pulled towards it. I'd only skimmed it a little so far. I hadn't dared go further yet. I quickly put it away. I wouldn't have an opportunity to even get rid of it without being detected for a while yet anyway. My mind wandered as I laid down on my bed after replacing everything. Did I get ahold of this rare book because I was meant to destroy it, or because it was meant for me?

Dinner

It was even quieter than usual during dinner. I sat at at an empty section of the table, trying to eat what I could while preoccupied with my thoughts. A little later after almost everyone was settled, Sister Collette, finished with her serving duties, sat next to me.

"Brother Bilal, how are you feeling?", she asked in her most tender, comforting voice.

I a smile, "better, but it was a big shock."

Sister Kacie and Brother Mather joined us shortly after. They had changed their robes but there will still minor blood stains they missed on their skin. They must have had to have been cleaning up the body. They both sat down across from myself and Sister Collette. Sister Kacie sighed deeply after she got settled and brushed her messier than usual red hair out of her face.

Exasperated, Sister Kacie finally broke the silence. "That was awful."

"Yes, Sister Kacie, it was a terrible thing! How could someone practice the dark arts right in the Lightbringer's temple? We need to be more vigilant." Sister Collette immediately agreed.

"No, Collette, cleaning up that mess. Couldn't the guards have taken it outside? Why is it always me and Mather that get the terrible jobs?" Sister Kacie groaned.

A new stern, female voice responded to her rhetorical question, "I don't know about Brother Mather but you could use some humility." It was Mother Rulethram.

Sister Kacie was never one to not speak her mind even in times when she might benefit from holding her tongue. Rules and formalities didn't agree with Sister Kacie, which often put her at odds with Mother Rulethram.

Mother Rulethram was a really strict person, but I've never really had many problems with her. Then again, it seemed like she was always harder on the sisters than she was on the brothers. She was a larger woman with pale skin and black hair. It always made her look menacing when she was next to Sister Collette both because she towered over her and because she seemed downright evil when compared to the purity and kindness of Sister Collette.

After a few more tense exchanges between the two of them Mother Rulethram left. Sister Kacie announced she wasn't hungry anymore and headed back to her room shortly after. Brother Mather informed us that the High Father was going to be coming in a few days to investigate. That was one of Brother Mather's strengths, being well informed. Everywhen liked talking to him and he was always very diplomatic. I have a suspicion that is why he and Sister Kacie get paired up so often, as he can smooth things over when she ruffles feathers.

When Brother Mather took his leave, I also headed back to my room. As much as spending more time with Sister Collette would be enjoyable, I needed to get back to my room and figure out what to do with the book.

The Following Day

I was called to Father Therron's office. He sat behind his large wooden desk and had his small reading glasses on, and appeared to be doing some kind of paperwork. "Brother Bilal, Sister Collette tells me you were fairly close with Brother Hawel." I freeze slightly, not wanting to be connected with Brother Hawel for obvious reasons. He continues, "She wanted me to give you the day off as a favor to her." He smiles slightly. Much like everyone else at the Temple, even he had a soft spot for Sister Collette. "However, with the High Father coming in two days, the best I can offer is a choice of assignment."

He offered a choice of work for the day. Each could have its advantages. Working the room of illumination, for example, I get to hear the secrets of the common people. Healing the unwell is a very spiritually rewarding service, and if there is not many sick or injured, I could have some free time to do what I like. There a shopping trip for supplies is needed, which would be a rare opportunity to do things outside the temple. There were a lot of chores that needed done, which could be a welcome distraction, plus an opportunity to spend time with my fellow brothers and sisters.