Walls Of Fire

JP with Largehobbit, Wimteroak, and Cindy

Friar's Balvaris crouched before Islana, placing the flask of water to one side and cupping her hands within his own in a fatherly manner. "You made it girl, well done."

He smiled warmly to each of them before standing straight with a groan reserved for those of a certain age. They were all gathered it seemed in the shrine of Kupen or at least a version of it. The heavy flagstones and rough hewn walls had not changed, but at the front of the shine where the holy visage of Kupen would usually stand the visages of the twins could be seen instead. The two statues faced each other as if in challenge and between them a small platform of polished copper sat low to the ground. The boy Tomen sat on the steps close to the statues. He watched them quietly.

The only conversation Islana really ever had with the Friar was when he had given her information about the Creed.

As for the shrine, it would forever be associated with the death of a friend. The same place where Jyin had been killed. Islana had spent a lot of time avoiding this place.

Her gaze lingered on the statues to the front. That was different. Islana had a good guess this trial would likely have to do with faith.

She acknowledged Toman with a nod and then turned back towards the Friar and awaited his instructions.

The Friar stood looking at the three young women with a benevolent smile on his face.
"Faith is not an easy concept to grasp. Many don't know why they believe. They simply do, because they have been thought that it's the right thing to do." He said. "To believe is to know wonderment that is beyond the visible world. But you three, who have seen the face of Gods, you will be tested differently for the rest of your lives." He said.

Turning to Islana he said "Here you watched a friend die. In the service of another god that wanted you life." He paused looking at the bench where Jyin had sat when the poisoned dagger took him. "What makes one believe one one god over another?" He asked.

Silina and Madaya had been raised with The Twins. As far as Islana knew they had little or no real knowledge of other religions. She was the only one who had to give up what she had been raised with to become a follower. Her reason for believing could likely be different than the others.

"People truly choose a God with all of their being. That choice has to come within. It must feel, in the heart, the mind and soul like it's the correct choice. For good or bad, it shapes and defines who the person is and wants to become." Islana responded first.

It was what the young witch had felt after so many years of feeling nothing close to that with the Pillars. It was what she knew to be her truth.

"The Gods try us, throughout life, through the world around. Sometimes they will ask impossible things of us. Horrible things" He continued and the howl of those left to die that first winter when Ostiarium was only a small settlement seemed to echoed through the Shrine.

"Many believe that They do so to know what we are capable of but how could that be if they know everything? They ask impossible things of us so that we, learn what WE are truly capable of." He turned to face the altar of Kupen. The boy Toman listened to the words, nodding as if learning some truth he had not thought of before.

"Our faith is our shield. Our strength. Our commitment. It cannot be bought or traded. It is as real as the air we breathe." He said turning back to the Penintents. A bright light flared inside the room. As if the sun itself had risen behind them. As if they were walking the burning sands of the Great Deserts again.

The three turned and saw a huge wall of fire covering the shrine from wall to wall, angry and violent as if eager to consume everything in its path.

All three Penitents suddenly saw the fire and all three said quick prayer to the Twins. Islana's own prayer had to do with helping her so she could help the others.

For an instant it looked like Madaya was attempting to use her magik. Silina seemed to be doing the same thing.

Islana instinctively tried to get everyone behind her and put her hands out as if trying to stop the flames from getting closer.