The Jewel of Orlegon

Chapter 27: Secrets and Truth

A grayish light illuminated the bare cell where Alteria sat on a simple wooden chair. Standing before her, near the sole door, was a monk different from the one who had guided her here. The man was still young, probably less than thirty, and his gray fabric attire contrasted with the azure blue worn by those who welcomed them into the temple. His appearance could be described as ordinary, with large brown eyes, short fine hair of the same tone, a complexion untouched by sunlight for too long, and a slight plumpness suggesting he probably wasn't assigned to the more physically demanding tasks.

Despite the unease that gripped Alteria when she found herself isolated from her companions, she couldn't discern any threatening attitude in the monk, who merely observed her with eyes filled with genuine kindness. This impression solidified when Alteria tried to stand from her chair, only to immediately falter, caught by a sudden dizziness, and the man rushed forward to ensure she didn't harm herself.

«Careful," he warned with a surprisingly deep voice that contrasted with his unassuming appearance, "you're still under the effects of our purifying drink."

«You mean your tabule decoction?" Alteria countered defiantly.

The monk froze, and she could sense indecision and surprise on his face as his hand remained suspended midway to its destination.

«I... I don't know its ingredients," he finally admitted, "only the higher-ranking monks know the recipe."

Alteria was taken aback by the seemingly innocent frankness of the man, unsure whether it was genuinely a well-kept secret or if he was deliberately feigning ignorance. Unable to decide, she chose to consider the monk as withholding information. It was he who decided to continue the conversation in a casual tone.

«Try not to stand up right away; the effects can last several hours the first time."

«Where is the princess?" Alteria inquired, keeping to herself the fact that it wasn't her first consumption of the substance.

«Safe, I promise!"

«Allow me to doubt that. Separating her from those tasked with protecting her doesn't seem like a safety measure."

«Your companions are still with her!" the monk defended, "they are with Master Belen right now."

«So, I'm the one in danger, then?"

«We mean you no harm!"

The man almost shouted the last phrase, as if desperately trying to prove his innocence to a condemning jury. This reaction softened Alteria's stance a bit. Even if Belen clearly had malicious intentions towards the Enartians, it might not be the case for all members of the High Monastery, or at least those of lower rank were probably kept in the dark regarding the plotting of the higher-ups. Alteria wondered about the possibility of extracting information from her guardian and decided to take a chance.

«What is your name?" she asked, adopting a more relaxed attitude.

«I'm called Terlid," the monk replied with a touch of enthusiasm at the turn of their conversation.

«Nice to meet you. I'm Alteria. Where am I exactly, Terlid?"

«In one of our isolation cells. We come here to pray and meditate, cut off from the rest of the monastery, when we wish to draw closer to our goddess."

«And does she answer you?"

The question came to Alteria so naturally that she couldn't hold it back. She had often hoped that Enartia would respond to the numerous prayers she had sent, secluded in the warmth of the volcanic temple of Nimeo. The expression that appeared on the monk's face suggested to Alteria that he had no more success in this matter than she did.