Book of Aniela: Sins of Amphaesia

Chapter 2

When she had left the library, the sun was already setting. Now she ran through the dark, dodging through alleyways, making her way farther and farther from home. Maybe this was foolish. Maybe she could have sorted things out without this. However, a little voice in the back of her head told her this was the right choice. It encouraged her when her lungs started burning.

Run, run, run.

And that she did. She ran for longer than she thought she ever could. Once she felt she could run no more, she paused, leaning against a wall under a street lamp. She breathed until her heart beat steadied, and then a little more. She looked around.

Where am I?

When she felt ready, she started walking.

She walked until her feet bled and the sky started turning scarlet. Mile after mile, hour after hour. By now she was more than nine hours away from home.

A church's steeple rose in the distance.

There, the quiet voice in her head whispered. And, having no other choice, she listened. She went on, painful step after the next, until she got to the entrance. She went up the three stairs leading to the door, deciding against going in at the ungodly hour, choosing instead to sit down and lead against the wall next to the door. She rested her head against the concrete. No longer caring about where she was or what could happen, she closed her eyes and drifted off to a numb, dreamless sleep.

*****

Alora was not on those stone stairs when she woke up. For a moment she hadn't even realised she woke up at all, considering this to be a dream. She was in a soft bed. She tried bending her legs, finding it beyond painful for the soreness and blisters of yesterday's--how long had she been asleep? Was that yesterday?--occurrences.

She started panicking.

Where am I?

As if they heard, someone answered. "You're in one of the spare priestess's rooms. I found you this morning, four or five hours ago, sleep outside. Not safe for a young lady to be in the position you were in, so I asked someone to help carry you inside."

Alora turned her head, seeing an older woman, probably in her mid fifties with beautiful silver hair which flowed a little past the cord tied around her waist., sitting in a chair next to a table in the opposite corner of the room.

"May I ask you your name, youngling?" Alora thought about the question, taking in the woman's religious garments and the heavy beaded necklace around her neck.

"Alo-," her voice came out raspy and she started coughing. The woman hastily got up, walking out of the room. Alora stopped coughing, but grimaced as she sat up. Has she drunk anything since she left the library?

The woman returned with a glass of water, and Alora gladly accepted.

She cleared her throat before trying to speak again, "Alora Agell."

The older woman hummed and adjusted her spectacles. "Agell... Daughter of Liana?

"Do you know her?"

"It's been years. She used to live in this part of town, came to church here when she was in her teens and twenties, but moved further North after getting engaged. I did not know her then as I was away on my studies to become a priestess, but the other holy women told me about her when she started coming back a little less than 20 years ago. She would not come often, but during the multitude of visits, I got to know her rather well, as it is my duty to communicate with all the folks that come through my doors."

Alora nodded, brows furrowed.

She never told me she was religious... I haven't seen her go to church once.
The woman broke the quickly setting silence, "Would you like something to eat, dear?"

Alora opened her mouth to refuse, but once she thought about it and felt the painful emptiness of her stomach, she smiled shyly.

"Yes, please."

"Come then, Alora. I'll make you something."

Alora kicked her feet over the edge of the bed, attempting to stand up but hissing and sitting back down. The woman chuckled and came over, kneeling down and placing her fingertips on Alora's knees.

Alora cautiously watched the woman, still unsure of what to make of this whole situation, but gasped at the feeling spreading from the woman's fingertips throughout her legs. It felt like cold running water had been infused into her bloodstream, the strange feeling running through her veins, making her feel oddly safe and comfortable.

"What-"

"Try standing," The woman ordered, getting up to her feet, brushing off her black robes.

She did, her legs feeling completely back to normal.

"What did you do?"

"I healed your legs, obviously."

Alora looked at the woman's stern expression. Then she started laughing, the woman's facade falling as her shoulders shook and she smiled sweetly at Alora.

"No, ma'am, I meant how," Alora said.

"One of the branches of angelic magic is healing."

"Angelic magic?"

"Yes, girl. I am Sybeth, the head priestess here."

Oh, no. I was so casual with her, almost rude! The head priestess at the Church of Aniela would have smacked me ages ago.

"I-I'm so sorry!" Alora bowed, sincerely apologizing for her actions.

"None of that, girl," Sybeth placed her hands on Alora's shoulders, shaking her gently. "Call me Beth."

Alora looked up, taking in the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes.

She smiles a lot. I've never been around a priestess that is actually nice.

"May I ask a question?" Said Alora.

"Of course, dear."

"You said you're the head priestess here. Where exactly is here?"

Beth threw her head back and laughed.

"Did you really fall asleep outside of a random building, having no idea what it was?"

Alora blushed, nodding.

"Welcome to the Church of Cophaesia."