𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝘀. . . nishimura riki ✔

𝟬𝟬𝟮; the faith

ON THE NEXT MORROW, YOUNG CROWN PRINCE JIHO WENT TO THE TEMPLE OF THE THREE DRAGONS. He had asked the Master of the Faith, one who knew exceptionally a lot about the Three. There were many masters in Firegarden, most of whom had been educated in the Old Citadel by the east coast of Vaelor. Vaelor, the region he lived in.

The East was split into four regions. Jiho always struggled to remember their names. In the North was Fjeljord which was housed by Lord Park and his family in their castle, Winterfort. Winterfort rested by the border between Vaelor and Fjeljord in the City of the Bear, a chain of mountains indicating the separation of the two regions, making it easy for Jiho to remember. The North was of the bear, that was their sigil, a white bear. Jiho had always wished to see a white bear, alas, he would probably hide behind his father's legs, for he was not a brave knight. Not yet.

Below Vaelor by the city of Duskheld, was Sunfell, the southern region of the East. He had been to Sunfell many times to visit his good friend, Lee Know from House Lee. House Lee ruled Sunfell, sitting on their own makeshift throne in the castle of Sommerfort in the city of Avaron. However, they still answered to his father and saw him as the rightful King. Jiho had always adored their sigil, it was a yellow banner with a black hawk ━ or eagle, Jiho had never been too good at knowing which animal was which.

The fourth region was separated from the East. It rested by the Dunes, the city Aerie in the region of Highlands where Lord Kang ruled. It was a tropical place ━ or that was what he had heard from the Master of Geography. Some days, Jiho also wished he was master of geography, it intrigued him. Although, Master Bao was incredibly boring during his lectures and Jiho often found himself snoring whenever Master Bao spoke of his many voyages.

It would be exciting if it actually included some battle, not just Master Bao meeting with old men with old beards and old clothes from old places. Master Bao was very old, according to Jiho.

Then there were the Spirit Isles with the city of Bay's Water. House Hwang was seated on that throne and was in charge of all the trading, all export and import. Jiho was not too invested in economics. But his time would come. King Jaeho always told him that economics was one of the most boring subjects. For the Master of Coin, Master Ming, could almost put Master Bao on a pedestal with his boring voice. Jiho did not look forward to that.

Jiho gingerly walked inside the Temple of the Three. He found the temple to be a quiet place, lit only by candles with a large, open roof above him. In the very middle was a long and winding stone altar, a large statue depicting the Three, a stone carved into a three-headed dragon, each head representing their own, and a marble pool filled with cool, clean water. It seemed as if he could see the shadows of the statues on the walls, flickering in a manner not quite natural.

He could hear the Masters of Faith whispering to themselves, and found himself surrounded by those who were praying. The mark of the dragon hung around their necks, a dragon eating its own tail. The temple was the holiest of holy places, built to honour the Three Headed Dragon of the East, where all men and women were welcome to pray.

As Jiho walked further into the temple, he noticed that people seemed to already be sitting at the front of the statue, bowing their heads in prayer. He laid eyes on a woman, sitting quietly by the statue, a book of Faith in her hands, one that held the songs and prayers those heavily devoted would say each night. A Maiden of Faith, that was what they called the women who worshipped and devoted their lives to the Three.

'Hello, Crown Prince Jiho, what brings you to the temple?' She asked gently, looking up at the boy.

'I am here to pray for my mother,' Jiho replied, feeling a bit shy under her intense, yet kind, gaze. He knew there were guards outside the temple who would rush to his aid if he showed any signs of discomfort, yet he felt oddly comforted inside the place.

The woman sighed heavily. 'I see. Pray for her then, Crown Prince, but your prayers are not the only ones your mother will be hearing. The Three will watch over her, boy, and I am sure they will keep her safe and well. Your mother is a strong woman. She is in good hands.' The Maiden of Faith said, offering the-seven-year old a smile. 'If it would help your worries, I can light a candle for your mother, as well. The Three would approve of you looking out for your mother in this way.'

'Father and mother are worried. I know they try to hide it, but they are worried about the birth.' Jiho muttered to himself.

'Your mother is a strong woman,' the woman said softly. 'In matters like this, it is in the hands of Our Three. For what they do, no one can question. Your parents are wise to worry. You need not worry in this world, little one, leave the worries for the adults.' Her eyes were warm and gentle as she looked down at the little prince.

'How. . .' Jiho seemed embarrassed to ask the question. 'how. . . do I pray?'

The woman had a motherly air about her. 'You can speak to Our Three aloud, my child,' the woman said as she stood and got down onto her knees in front of the statue. 'But I shall show you a more proper way. Come, pray with me.'

Jiho slowly followed her and sank down onto his knees.

'Close your eyes, little prince. Picture in your mind your mother. Think of all the things your mother has done to you, all the kindness she has given you, think of yourself and your siblings. Now pray for her, and the Three will listen.' The woman said before closing her own eyes and joining her hands together.

Jiho did as told, closing his eyes and joining his hands together.

The Maiden of Faith prayed for Good Queen Mei Li. 'The Three Gods will keep your mother, Good Queen Mei Li safe, and give her the strength to deliver your two siblings safely into this world. Bless her child, for she is a strong woman and a faithful one who loves you dearly. Allow the Three to protect her, oh Dragon above us. Grant her mercy, and keep her well. Grant her the will to bring these two children into the world safely.'

She opened her eyes, seeing Jiho with his eyes still closed, eyebrows furrowed as he was deep in thought. A small smile spread on her lips as she rose to her feet. At the sound of movement, Jiho opened his eyes.

'The three heads each represent a part of time. The one to the left━' The Maiden of Faith pointed at the statue. 'He represents the past, everything that has happened. The middle one represents the present, and the third one represents the future. Simple, is it not?'

'Then why do people pray to the past?'

'Time is not linear as we know it. What happened yesterday could be someone else's tomorrow,' she explained, trying to keep it as simple as possible for him.

Jiho only frowned at that. 'Sounds confusing.'

'You will learn with time, My Prince.'