Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 122: Under the Sun of Worship

It was an extraordinarily serene night for Narinder. Sleeping without dreams or nightmares was a luxury he was not used to, so when he opened his eyes to the crowing of the rooster, he considered it a small victory. Dawn was just beginning to color the sky, and a ray of warm light illuminated Lambert's sleeping face, who rested peacefully in his arms.

Narinder watched him tenderly, enjoying the calm. Gently, he began to kiss his face: first his forehead, then his cheeks, and finally the tip of his nose. Each kiss was like a ritual, a reminder of how much the lamb meant to him.

Lambert woke with a mischievous smile, his soft laughter filling the room. "Good morning," he said in a sleepy voice, his eyes shining as they met Narinder's. "Plans for today?"

Narinder, stroking the fluffy white wool with one hand, responded with a smile. "Nothing too elaborate. I'll go to Anura to find a chef, continue tracking down Haro, and of course, steal a statue of Heket. I decided I want one of each for my collection."

Lambert laughed at the casual tone in which Narinder spoke of his "thefts" and the two remained huddled for a while longer, enjoying each other's warmth. The silence between them was not awkward; it was a pause filled with love and companionship.

Finally, Lambert was the first to rise. He stretched, letting his wool fluff up even more before taking his brush and carefully arranging it. Carefully, he put on his red cloak and adjusted the golden bell on his collar.

"My body feels much better already," he said enthusiastically, shaking his shoulders as if testing his renewed energy. "I have a lot of things to do today. I lost a lot of time yesterday with my duel with the goat, but today I want to go visit Dr. Sozonius and learn more about him."

With a smile full of determination, Lambert left the room, leaving Narinder to watch as he disappeared through the door. Narinder, still lying back, smiled to himself. Lambert's enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment he seriously considered giving Dr. Sozo immortality, as he seemed to be a positive influence on his beloved lamb.

Narinder stayed in bed for a while longer, enjoying the luxury of not having to rush. Finally, he sighed, got up, and began his morning routine. With meticulous movements, he brushed his black fur until it was shiny, put on his robes, and headed outside.

The day had improved considerably. The community was already immersed in their tasks: some cultists worked in the garden, others chanted as they cleaned the grounds, and a smaller group tended to the altars. It was a peaceful, well-organized sight, one that filled Narinder with a strange, but welcome, tranquility. Yes, he thought as he walked among them, this day promised to be a good one.

Narinder walked calmly through the cult grounds, carried by the morning breeze and the light bustle of his worshippers going about their tasks. In that quiet moment, his mind wandered to his life as a god, the centuries he had spent ruling from a pedestal, attended by a retinue who revered him fervently. He tried to remember clearly, but all that remained were blurry fragments, like images distorted by time. Everything seemed to be eclipsed by his existence in the Veil: the hatred, the loneliness, and the endless silence that had consumed him.

His memories were like shadows; the faces of his followers and the details of their accomplishments faded into his thoughts. For a moment, a pang of emptiness crossed his chest, but Narinder took a deep breath and smiled. He would no longer let that past control him. He had a vibrant cult, a lamb he loved, and, though he found it hard to admit, a stubborn goat who also filled him with joy. They were his present and his future.

It was then that a familiar sound brought him out of his thoughts: the soft jingle of a bell. He instantly recognized who it belonged to and followed the sound until he found Goliath, who was in a nearby forest clearing, adjusting a training dummy made of straw and wood.