The Jewel of Orlegon

Chapter 26: The Secretive Temple

The wind rushed into the cabin as soon as the valet opened the door to allow its occupants to descend. Alteria thanked the Goddess that the imperial palanquin was large enough to accommodate them alongside the princess, shielding them from the gusts sweeping through the capital since morning. Autumn had definitely tightened its grip on the city, and Alteria was already suffering from it to the point that she had no idea how she would survive the ensuing winter. Saosa and Rymian, on the other hand, welcomed the return of temperatures they considered milder than Xephios's climate, which they referred to as the northern furnace. The gust of air that greeted them when they disembarked from the palanquin forcefully lifted the veil covering Eliryn's face, briefly revealing her childlike visage.

By imperial decree, the princess was not to be seen by anyone outside the imperial palace, and every precaution had been taken to ensure that no one could lay eyes on her. Alteria couldn't understand the purpose of this measure; in her view, the greatest dangers awaiting the teenager were in the very place where everyone knew she was confined: within the palace. Concealing her face with such diligence would only serve to heighten the curiosity of those who might catch a glimpse of her, assuming that the extravagant luxury of the palanquin in which she was transported wasn't explanation enough. Nevertheless, it was inconceivable to go against the Empress's will, even for her daughter, as the novices had discovered, so they had all complied with this ridiculous masquerade.

This condition had almost allowed the novices to forget the seriousness of their mission for the day. However, the gravity of their situation soon came back to Alteria when she laid her eyes on the enormous building in front of them. The Grand Temple of Enartia, the capital's main place of worship, was a millennia-old structure that had survived the rise and fall of the Black Reign, emerging with the clergy of Enartia even more powerful. The temple reflected the political power of its officiants in every way—simple, even austere, from the outside, but so vast that it was the first thing travelers approaching Xephios saw on the horizon, yet it remained almost invisible in the city's streets until they stood before its courtyard. The walls were not made of the same ochre stone as the imperial palace but of a dark and porous stone that reminded Alteria of the flanks of the Nimeo volcano, pierced only by narrow, dark windows. This gave it a gloomy and menacing appearance, casting its overwhelming presence over the four visitors and the imperial guards accompanying them.

"I think if any of us wants to pray for our survival," Saosa declared, admiring the massive ornate metal door that marked the entrance to the temple.

She didn't bother to finish her sentence; everyone understood her line of thought. For the people of Xephios and all of Orlegon, this place was the holiest site, and many pilgrims gathered daily before the grand doors in the hope of receiving the Goddess's blessing. For them, however, the temple doors were just the antechamber to their final destination, discreetly outlined in the shadow of the black stone giant. The High Monastery was just as simple as the temple was enormous. Smooth stone walls without any openings marked its territory, and if anyone tried to walk around it, they would find no access. Only the monks and nuns knew the entrance, located somewhere in the vastness of the Grand Temple, and those who were invited there were always led with their eyes blindfolded. Once inside, the princess and her protectors would only be able to leave the monastery at the discretion of its residents.

The novices, however, did not have time to dwell too long on the threats that loomed over them because a murmur rose around them among the pilgrims whom the guards had pushed away from the palanquin upon their arrival, followed by the discreet creaking of perfectly oiled metal hinges. The grand temple doors swung open wide, causing excitement among the gathered crowd, and Clairvoyant Belen stepped into the morning light. The man was flanked on either side by four religious figures who, like their guide, carried at the end of a chain with large links a medallion depicting a ten-pointed star. They were dressed in simple robes of midnight blue, cinched at the waist with a wide belt made up of several brown leather discs. Each held a small golden container in their hands, on which was placed a strip of fabric matching their attire.