The Moon

Temple of the Wandering

That evening after a meal of steamed vegetables was brought to her, Islana was escorted out of her quarters by a servant.

She was taken to the inner gardens of the Temple. Again she noticed that apart from the servant at her side, the corridors were once again empty and devoided of sound where she walked.

The Penitents, it seemed were kept in isolation, she imagined, in an attempt to maintain the purity of the Trials to come and to weed out any imposters.

The inner gardens were dark, bathed only in the dim light of the waning moon. The Moon. Again the cursed Moon. She shook her head and headed into the garden enjoying the night air. A few torches places along the cloister's columns illuminated parts of it. She imagined it most be very beautiful and pleasant during the day.

The water in a fountain up ahead gently babbled nearby filling the grounds with the murmuring sound of slow running water.

"Islana!!!!" Came a small voice from her left and she saw Madaya dressed in white robes much like her own, running towards her, flinging her arms around her waist.

Another penintent walkes slowly behind the young girl...