A Cursed Rage

Chapter 8

Awaking in a frost covered landscape did not dampen the group's renewed vigour. With the light of the rising sun, they could see the end of the mountain range, which curved to meet their direct path. Nestled in that corner, they could begin to see the peaks of towers. As the sun reached its peak, it shone down upon the many buildings of the holy city, reflecting against the metal reinforcements on the walls. This was Salutem, the Holy Sanctuary.

Crowds were gathered around the wide open gates; dwarves, halflings, humans, elves, tieflings, orcs and half-orcs alike. Vendors advertised their wares to the wide array of people that passed by. Tango bounced on her toes as the group shuffled onward, attention zipping between the stalls, the only thing holding her back being the group's urgency and Echo's watchful eye.

They passed through the gates without a problem from the guards, some bearing the insignia of a shining sun, others a mountain, either engraved into metal plate armour or as a patch on the shoulder. These were symbols of the two patron deities of the city of Salutem: The Mother of Creation, and Wintra, the deity of mountains. Although the former was far older than the latter, the connection between the two had been made when this city was established out of necessity. Refugees who held out their hopes for a better life were taken under the wing of those who resided within and around the mountains. At that moment, The Mother was the only one of the pair watching over this civilization. After a resident of this city had joined forces with other righteous people to put an end to the darkness that had spread, they had been given godhood. Wintra was that resident. She continued her good deeds even after the need for them had ended. People who were once her peers began to view her as their deity.

As a result, The Holy Sanctuary is home to two of the oldest holy sites. One dedicated to Wintra, deity of the mountains, was embedded within the range. Another was to The Mother of Creation, taking the form of a brightly-coloured spire that reached into the sky, visible from anywhere within the city. This beacon of hope was Cara's goal.

The city seemed like an entirely different thing once they were inside the gates. After spending so long on the road, the hustle and bustle felt strange but exciting. Inhibitions no longer held Tango back as she darted between stalls, lingering around a stall that sold woodwind instruments before darting back to join the group for fear she would lose them to the stream filtering up and down the road.

As they made their way towards the centre of the city, the buildings got taller and more intricate. There were metalwork symbols, incorporating mountains or suns into the logos on storefronts. Blacksmiths and metal workers boasted their creations made from the ore mined nearby. Yet, the day moved on, allowing the occupants to reach their destinations.

All paths led to the centre of the city, where a large, round building composed of carved white marble rising above all its surroundings. Even the front doors, painted with intricate designs on aged wood, towering at least twice as high as any of the people who passed through. On the floors above, they could see people wandering the hallways, wearing light robes with complex designs culminating to a silver sun on their chests. They had finally reached The Temple of Creation, the oldest holy site known to civilisation.

"I'm finally here." Cara breathed, gazing at each of the designs that wrapped around the exterior. She was so close to her solution. It was right in front of her. But the eyes of her companions bore holes into the back of her head. Fear froze her feet to the cobblestone path, holding her hands to her chest to keep them from shaking.

"You know what?" Tango asked the group. "I saw some really cool shops along the way and a tavern that would be perfect for a drink." She grabbed Sai's arm and began to go down the street they came from, tugging at their sleeve. "Come on, Sai! Let's go celebrate." Reluctantly, Sai was pulled into the crowd, giving Cara a comforting smile as they went. Echo and Cara stood face-to-face as the pair disappeared.