When I open my eyes only darkness greats me.

I can feel that I'm laying on something soft, a mattress I guess. Even more, there is a thick blanket covering me. I haven't felt this comfortable and warm for years.

I close my eyes back and bask for a moment in this rare treat. I haven't slept on a bed since forever. At the same time I pay attention to my surroundings: the room is heavy with the smell of incense, I guess I'm still somewhere in the temple.

In the overall silence I can hear the calm breathing of someone somewhere on my right.

I open my eyes again. This time among the surrounding darkness I can see a faint ray of light coming from under a door far to the right. As my eyes accommodate to the shadows I start to make out my surroundings. I'm in a quite small room. I can't see much furnitures, only that there is a chair with a figure sitting on it near my right side.

My body reminds me about my needs. I'm both thirsty and my bladder is screaming for a relief, ideally I would like a solution to both problems that doesn't imply solving the former with the later.

As I'm standing up I must have made enough noise to alarm the figure as its breathing changes.

The dizzy voice of a calm young man comes out from it:

“You're awake? How do you do?” He gently asks. I can hear him stretch then fiddle with his clothes and a few seconds later he flashes a light crystal out. The sudden light painfully blinds me for a while. I moan as my eyes accommodates again.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Warn me next time you want to blind me.” I'm feeling a bit grumpy and my parched throat make my voice sound even coarser.

The man in front of me just laughs.

Now that there is light I can see that he is a young teenager, looking no more than 14. He wears the blue robe of a follower of Shinpilo, an acolyte probably. His round youthful face sports a mocking smile. He would look younger than a teenager if it wasn't for the short stubble on his chin.

“Well you've slept for a while, a bright light is the best to start a bright day.” he blurts with mischief. That sounds more like an Oreo's saying than a Shinpilo's one.

As the blinding recess I can now have a clear look at the room. It is as small as I expected, probably a chamber for an acolyte with only enough space for a bed, a chair, a small desk and a pail of water.

“Where are we ? How long was I unconscious for?” I start to panic a bit, if night fell my parents and Gel must be worrying about my whereabouts.

“We are still in the temple, you are currently in my room, on my bed.” he begrudgingly points at his bed. “While I had to watch over you, sitting on a stool.” His face tells that he is more teasing me than harbouring a real grudge here.

I play along his game: “Thanks for your care, this was much comfortable. Would you be so kind as to find me something to drink?” I sarcasticly sound over apologetic. I force a dry cough to make my point.

The boy seems amused enough. “Fair point. Wait here, I'll go fetch some tea.” He taps on a light crystal on his way out to light the room.

Once alone I explore the small chamber and manage to find a chamberpot under the bed. Once relieved there isn't much more to do in the room. There is a small stack of paper on the desk, but nothing I can decipher.

I make a body check up: everything seems in order. I carefully touch around my right eye where I felt a burn during the blessing but can't notice anything out of the ordinary. The boy didn't seem to stare either, so I doubt something got imprinted on my face. I'm not much into tattoos.

My warden comes back with some tea and crackers. When I take a look at his hands holding the platter, I can't help but remember the young acolyte at the entry of the temple. Guess I was wrong and it wasn't a girl, just a lean scholarly teenager taking good care of his manicure.

After a sip of cinnamon scented tea I query about my fate. He tells me that I just fell unconscious after the fog dissipated. I was brought here by the Shinpiloites and a few bells rung since then. We are almost at morning bell. He eases my worries when I learn that a priest was sent to my house. I'm still wary about what they told my parents but at least they won't have searched for me during the whole night.

He introduces himself as Mekas, an acolyte of the temple aiming to become a scribe. After that comes the real question:

“What happened to you? Did you get Shinpilo's blessing? What is he like?” I can tell his curiosity is real. Although he is a follower of Shinpilo I'm not sure what I should answer him, so I stay vague.

“Maybe, I'm not really sure about that. I should talk with a priest.” He doesn't seems convinced and pouts a little.

Shortly after that he leaves me, saying that the senior priests will come to check on me in the morning. He seems hurt that I wouldn't share my experience with him.

I don't try to fall asleep again, morning bell should arrive shortly and I want to be sharp minded when the priests will be there.

I don't have to wait much, after a while I can hear the voices of two elderly arguing in the corridor behind the door.

There is the dry voice of an old lady peremptory asserting: “He belongs to the hall of Shinpilo, I'll take care of the rest from now on.” Her tone is brimming with authority.

Not in the least suppressed an older man retorts to her “Nutusi, this is MY temple, he is one of MY attendees, from MY block. So your god can go share secrets with the monster God for all I care. The child is under my jurisdiction: wherever he goes, I'll go!” Despite being the shaky voice of an elderly this old man sounds firm and steady.

The bickering between the two goes on before the door to my chamber opens. In the door frame there is a follower of Shinpilo in blue robe and with the face covered in a night blue shawl. And the old priest in a simple brown robe. His white beard is especially impressive and reaches his chest. He strokes it with pride.

“Good, you are awake.” says the hidden priestess from under her robe. “Please follow me, we are going to the grand Temple immediately.” So long for introductions or explanations.

“WE are going.” insists the old man “Don't worry young Telerios I won't let you alone with the hag.” He gently taps my shoulder.

I don't remember ever meeting the man and don't know how they knew who I was. Nor how they found my parents yesterday now that I think about it.

I know that I don't have much room to discuss my fate with them so I simply nod in acknowledgement and stands up to follow them. This seems to please the old priestess as she sighs in approval. The bearded priest frowns a little at that and takes my hand to keep me close to him.

The old lady complains “It's no use to try to snatch him Patiyar, in the end he'll join my order.”

At this the old man puts himself between her and me. “We'll see about that.” he simply states before turning back towards me to explain: “I'm the high priest in charge of our neighbourhood temple, you can call me senior Patiyar.” He smiles at me like a caring grandfather and sounds genuinely nice. “And this old lady that has to hide her wrinkled face under rags is sister Nutusi.” his voice got harsher.

“High priestess Nutusi !” she corrects, “And to you boy I'll be Majores Nutusi. Don't listen to this senile fool, he isn't trustworthy and hates all followers of Shinpilo.”

“Because they aren't to be trusted! How could one have trust a high priestess of lies and plots?” He waves her fist at her.

As the two are bickering, the young Mekas appears to separate them and guide me towards the exit. He whispers to me “Do not mind them too much, they are always like that and have some story with one another.” He smiles mischievously. “Senior Patiyar was once a follower of Jalea, they do not fare well with us Shinpiloites.”

I'm taken in a carriage with both the elderly, Mekas sadly didn't came with us. The ride was especially uncomfortable with the two old priests glaring at each other during the whole travel.

By looking through the window of our ride I was able to make out that we were going to the grand Temple in the western district. Our carriage must've been wearing some temple's insignias because no guards stopped us at any checkpoint unlike last time I went to the western district.

When we arrived at the Temple's plaza the coach took us to a side alley behind the grand temple where we stood down our ride. We entered the temple's garden through a back door.

It's still early morning in the depth of winter and the garden is plain dead under a blanket of frost. Between the branches of low trees, crystal spiderwebs are catching the first rays of sunlight and shining like the brightest jewels.

Cutting my contemplation, my two elderly wardens put me between them and drag me inside. I follow them through long paved corridors, our steps clacking in the still asleep temple. There are a lot of paintings hanged around. Depictions of the gods mostly but also portraits of what I believe to be former popes and “popesses” watching sternly on my group, apparently women can also lead the church.

After a long walk we arrived in a carpeted area and our steps got toned down to a rustling. Despite being carpeted it looks less pompous around here: the carpets are dull in colour and there are no paintings nor statues around any more. Just a plain corridor with a fluffy carpet muffling the sound.

We stop in front of a black wooden door. Majores Nutusi raises her hand to knock but before she can make any sound a neutral voice comes from inside: “Enter”.

Inside there is almost no light, nor windows. Just a simple wooden desk with four chairs around. On the biggest chair behind the desk sits a hairless androgynous man. His face is barely lighted by a small crystal on the desk.

He looks neutral, there is no distinctive sign on him. A bit like those mannequin doll used in fashion stores. No wrinkle, no expression, his face is heavily covered under a thick layer of white cosmetic making him look like a big white egg. His eyes are heavily contoured with black khol but are otherwise expressionless.

“Nutusi, Patiyar, Telerios.” He machinely salutes the three of us.

Majores Nutusi's covered head bows: “Cardinal Fortmo, I brought the kid and another baggage.”

The other baggage, Patiyar, frowns at her before saluting the cardinal: “Your excellency, the kid is under my jurisdiction so I took the liberty to follow. If you want to complain we can call for a council?” He doesn't hide his displeasure in his voice.

The cardinal doesn't seem annoyed in the slightest and just points at the three free chairs in front of him “No problem, this was expected, sit. All.” his voice reminds me of the early artificial voices of automated translator or other virtual applications.

After we are all seated, me in a pincer between the two elders, the eggman turns towards me:

“What blessing did you get? How? What are your intentions?” His blank eyes are drilling their way though mine, yet aren't carrying any hostility, friendliness or even curiosity. It feels more like he is just looking at the scenery without interest.

But I shouldn't fool myself: the man is important and most likely powerful. His blue robe infers that he must be the cardinal of Shinpilo, which would also make the most sense. I shouldn't try hiding much to him, he might also be a blessed one of Shinpilo.

“I got a blessing of knowledge. I offered some paper and a promise to share my knowledge. I have no plans as of now other than making sense of the informations I earned from Shinpilo.” I try to sound as neutral as possible and to be concise, bending the truth to not reveal too much of myself.

I can still hear a gasp of surprise coming from under Nutusi's shawl.

The cardinal stoïcaly looks at me for a long time before nodding with his big egg head. “Correct. I can't detect any lie in your statement. Yet can't exclude that you got a liar's blessing.” he states neutrally, yet I can feel some pressure and threat coming from this simple statement. “Your blessing is highly unusual. You will work for the Shinpilo's Hall and prove your statement by sharing knowledge as per your deal with our patron God.” He concludes.

The bearded priest at my right voices his objection: “I disagree. Although blessed by Shinpilo the kid didn't get a blessing related to any spying activity. Considering his young age, I ask that he remains under my authority until the council can decide of his further assignment.”

“Preposterous!” erupts the old lady from under her blue cape. “He will join the hall of whispers, as our god decided. This is not for a temple head priest to decide.” she protests.

The old man's beard trembles in anger and his wrinkles get whiter as his face reddens: “Fine, then let us all let the council decide! I won't abide by your decision alone. This isn't a matter only for the hall of whispers. The kid isn't meant to become a spy and does not belong to any faction, so I believe a knowledge blessing falls more under the general management of the Temple.”

As the granny is about to retort too, the cardinal raises a hand to silence her before turning towards the bearded priest.

“Objection received. Indeed he shall fall under general management. But the hall of whispers request first hand on any knowledge he provides.” He then turns towards me “Does that suits you?” his neutral tone makes it a guess to know if he is asking or telling.

I sound hesitant as I answer: “Sorry, I do not understand what any of you are implying here. I'm fine with sharing my knowledge as it is part of my deal anyway but I know nothing of your temple's rules.”

The egg nods “True. We forgot to take your situation in consideration. Too young to understand and commoner's origin. Your parents interrogation also raised the same issue.” he robotically states.

What? My parents got interrogated? When? What happened to them?

As i'm flabbergasted by the bomb he dropped on me, the baldy goes on still as unfazed as ever “I will first confirm your blessing. Then we'll discuss your later accommodations.”

He takes a blue marble out of his sleeve and drops it on the desk before gesturing for me to grab it. The stone is polished till it's perfectly round, with a strand of deeper blue at its core

I'm still worried about my parents but follows the instructions, opposing him won't ease my parents situation right now.

When I hold the nut-sized marble in my tiny hand I can feel something calling from inside it. A bursts of power surges from it and rushes through my veins like a sonar pulse, heading straight for the burn around my right eye. In response I can feel heat around my eye before something makes its way back to the marble. The stone starts to warm up before casting an aura of cyan light around my hand.

The eggman looks satisfied, showing some expression for the first time as the shadow of a smile can be found on his face. “Blessing confirmed. Congratulations.” But there is no warmness to be found in his voice. “Your case will be discussed at the yearly council of cardinals. In the meanwhile, you will fall under general management and the authority of head priest Patiyar.”

The old man straightens his chest in pride and casts a contemptuous stare at the Shinpilo's priestess.

His joy is short lived as the cardinal follows up “Majores Nutusi will act as liaison with the hall of whispers and will check on you regularly to report your progresses.” The hooded figure nods in approval. “Since you are too young to enter the Temple, you will be hired as apprentice in senior Patiyar's temple. When you reach 8 springs, we will discuss again your path.” he turns towards the priestess, “I'll leave the paperwork and the rest of the organisation to you.”

I interject “What about my parents? What did you do to them?” I try to not sound too worried.

The cardinal blanks for a second before stating “Their interrogation was uneventful. Do not worry. Your mother's background is still under examination but she didn't lie to me.” Shit. As I feared the man has some way to detect lies. I was right to be careful when speaking with him. “They will be joining you back at the exit of the Temple.” He gives a short look to all of us before standing up silently: “This will be all then. May Shinpilo hide your secrets in the darkness and enlighten your mind.” Without awaiting for a response he walks out of the room without making a sound. On my left I can hear Nutusi whisper the same prayer while the old man on my right just humphs in displeasure yet still nods and his hands reaches for the 16 faced pendant that must lie under his mantle.

The two elders escorted me back the same way we came in. Outside, I was finally reunited with my parents. Both looked safe and unharmed.

My mother dashed to hug me before scolding me: “Telerios, what did you do? Why were we all dragged here?” she then turns towards my two wardens “Please wise one, be kind to him, he is just a child. I'll take responsibility for his misconduct and make sure to punish him accordingly.” She pleads towards the two priests. My father stood beside her and nodded in acknowledgment also ready to endure the blame.

Their lack of faith in me is somewhat disturbing. Before I could complain the veiled granny rebuked them and asked that we first all head back to our temple as “This is not a place to discuss the matter.”

On our way back I was stuck between my parents with my mother whispering at me to figure out what I did wrong to incur the wrath of such high ranking priests. I just kept answering that I did nothing wrong and that thing were going to be fine. At least I hope so.

Back at our temple we are all seated in a room that I guess to be senior Patiyar's study. He leads the conversation seated behind his mahogany looking desk while the rest of us, including Nutusi are on the other side. At least Mekas was tasked with bringing us tea, so we have some warm drinks to enjoy and it eases my parents a bit and my thirst. If this was a reunion to punish me, they wouldn't be treated that well.

The old man is the first to speak up after carefully resting his beard on his desk: “Telerios displayed some abilities to us yesterday.” He carefully states, “We came to the conclusion that it would be a waste to not have him undergo a training at the temple.” He speaks calmly, clearly aware of the distress of my parents. “My fellow here, Majores Nutusi, though that a background check was necessary considering that we didn't know much about you.” He blames the old women for the ordeal, shamelessly acting as the good cop here.

Sister Nutusi coughs to interrupt him: “We apologize for our rushed behaviour. High priest Patiyar pushed us to act so quickly and his record were so messy that we had to end up conducting a rushed interrogation.” she briefly nods in what could be taken as an apology at my parents. It is hard to tell what she's thinking hidden under her shawl but to me it is obvious that the two elders are just bickering again.

I don't know when they will talk about the blessing though.

Looking displeased the old priest goes on: “Yes, I also apologize for her lack of judgement. None of this should have happened.” he takes a sip of tea to hide his smile targeted at the priestess.

My father finally speaks up. “Could someone explain why we were dragged out of our home at night? To be interrogated for hours just because one of you took some fancy to my son? Couldn't you at least have told us that he did nothing wrong? You had us dead worried there. Not including that we both missed our work today, what are we going to say to our employers?”

I'm quite proud of him although a simple commoner, he has enough pride to at least feel aggrieved.

A tired Nutusi briskly answers “Yes, yes. I'll take responsibility for that. And we will compensate you for your loss.” She brushes the matter away and cunningly points at the old priest for the monetary compensation. “But this is not what's important here. What matters is that we want young Telerios to join the temple as a student starting today.”

My parents are dazed by her impatience. I can also hear the gears turning in their heads. Having me become an acolyte is good news. It means good prospects for my future. Yet they both know they can't afford any tuition nor even just doing without the food I provide daily.

“Sorry but I don't think we can pay for Telerios to join the temple.” My father humbly says, “We are just commoners and can't afford the tuition.” I can feel his shame in his voice. He doesn't like having me miss such an opportunity.

The old priest raises a hand to silence my dad. “This is fine. As I said we are the one interested in your son. So of course there will be no tuition fees. As long as he becomes a student in my temple, I'll also take care of his meals and needs here.” He looks satisfied at both my parents and at the Shinpilo's sister, happy to snatch me from right under her nose.

My mother is the one to douse his satisfaction “That's not the only problem here. As much as it shames us to admit it, we also rely on our son's work for part of our household needs. He is currently an apprentice fisher and right now we can't afford to cut the supplies he's bringing back home.” She blushes in shame. But I can understand her.

I knew that food was getting scarcer, that is one of the reasons why I chose to become Peterell's apprentice. I might be young but always acted older and naturally my parents started leaning on me earlier than they should normally have. Yet I understand that it is embarrassing to admit in front of strangers, especially such important figures as our local temple's head priest.

Nutusi must have grown tired of our commoner's rambling, probably not understanding our ordeal, she sounds clearly annoyed. “Fine, the temple will compensate you.” she turns to point at the head priest “As long as Telerios is doing some menial jobs around, the head priest will pay him one iron coin per month. This should be enough.” She arbitrates.

The head priest spits his tea in his beard an chokes at the sum requested. Before he can catch up his breath the shawled granny follows up: “The hall of whispers will take charge of half the sum. This should be enough to please all parties present?” her tone wouldn't suffer any contradiction, so none occurs. “Fine then this is settled, starting tomorrow the kid will work at the temple.” She turns towards my parents to order them: “You can now go wait outside, we still have more to discuss with your son but that doesn't require your presence any more.” She points at the door.

She's clearly acting impolitely but my parents can't really protest here, she is many ranks above them and sounds upset. So they both meekly bow before leaving the room, casting me a last confused glance.

Once they left the granny lift her shawl off her eyes and sighs: “I hate dealing with commoners and servs, always so petty. Trying to beg for one more piece of bunta.” I scowl at her, obviously she lived in opulence and doesn't know shit about our daily life. When our eyes finally meet i'm flabbergasted. Hers look sick with terminal cataract: both milky and clouded. I can't believe she is able to see a thing, let alone walk seamlessly around.

Before I can wonder more about her abilities the old man rebukes her: “It's because you are an ignorant. If like me you had worked with them for years, you would know how precarious their lives can be.” he lectures her. “You've always been a heartless hag, so I don't expect you to understand. At least I know they will make good use of that small iron coin.” He turns towards me: “This is a great opportunity for your family, so work diligently. They seem like decent people.” In my heart the man won a lot of favour. He may not like Shinpilo but he is the down to earth type, aware of how the city works.

The wrinkled lady brushes the attack off as if used to it. “Whatever you say.” She then turns towards me, her white eyes are quite the unsettling sight: “Now let's talk about your blessing. Like the cardinal said, you'll first learn to read and write here. And then you'll keep your end of the blessing and provide us with Shinpilo's knowledge.” She sounds eager, “You should also keep your blessing a secret, even to your own parents.” At that I can see the head priest nod in approval, his beard fluttering on his desk.

Nutusi goes on “It isn't unusual for blessed one to be young although it usually happens more during naming day than after. But Shinpilo's blessed one are few and far between. Especially when it concerns knowledge. As far as I can tell there are only two blessed scholars currently in the empire, both at the imperial capital and in their old days.” She pauses to let the revelation sink in. “In this city itself there is only the cardinal that is a Shinpilo's blessed one. Cardinal Fortmo is also the head of the Shieldlord's intelligence network.”

I expected Shinpilo to have few blessed ones. He isn't a popular god, so likewise it wasn't unexpected for him to have few followers and blessed ones. But I'd never have guessed that it was that few. I was fine with standing out now that I got the pantheon's protection but maybe I stuck my neck a bit too much out this time.

Patiyar opens a huge book on his desk: “I've also checked some of our annals and haven't found any Shinpilo's blessed one as young as you, ever.” I can feel his inquisitive gaze on me and avoids crossing his grey eyes, instead fixing my eyes on the book he just opened. “A blessing also makes you a target. Both from monsters but also from heretics. Killing a blessed one is often their way to seek the monster god's attention.” he warns me.

Shit I knew for the monsters but didn't take the heretics in consideration. Although I doubt it to be that important seeing how they are repressed. I should be fine, shouldn't I?

As I see that both elders await an answer from me I nod “I will keep it a secret.” I must sound serious and sincere enough that both look relieved. “I'll make sure Mekas keeps his lips sealed.” says the old lady with a hint of ominous threat. I hope he doesn't end up killed because of me.

After a few more warnings and them explaining to me what's expected of me, I managed to negotiate for a week before going at the temple. I would feel bad leaving Peterell without a forewarning or an excuse. The man took good care of me and my family for almost a year. And kept me alive (although I'm still unsure he tried hard to). So I owe him this much.

I stayed at the temple for the rest of the day. An apprentice of Arteus took my measurement to sew a fitting robe for me, I can't work for the temple dressed like a street urchin.

Before I leave, the old priestess even gave me my first iron coin. “Work well for Shinpilo's glory and many more will come. Do not listen too much to the senile man, he doesn't understand Shinpilo. Be smarter, just stay diligent and gather as much knowledge as you can.” That was her farewell.

She will check on me every other months. I can tell she still has her doubts about me and what I did to receive my blessing. But she has enough faith in her patron god to brush her doubts away. Shinpilo is also the god of secrets and she respects that I'm keeping mine.

Once back home I'm alone for a while. I enjoy the free time to care for Godzilla and rest for a bit. Last night didn't feel refreshing at all.

During dinner I explain to my parents what's going to happen in the following day. They are obviously happy that i'm joining the Temple and will be able to provide a nice income for the family yet they are still suspicious as to how I managed that feat. If they suspect anything about a blessing or something else, they do not voice it and just make sure that I'm okay with what is happening. They do not expand much on what happened to them during interrogation. The rest of the family was quite upset by the events and my sister Jocalie even cries a bit at the end of the discussion, still processing the traumatizing experience.

When I go upstairs after fourth evening bell to get some sleep, I'm remembered I forgot someone: Gelcaria. There is a pile of gravel in front of the open window. When I go take a look outside I can make out her purple eyes gleaming in the darkness down there.

I hurriedly throw her our rope so that she can climb up, we have much to discuss. As I give her a hand to cross the embrasure of the window, I'm greeted back with a sucker punch to the guts, so powerful that I'm lifted from the ground. I fall down bent in two and trying not to puke my dinner.

Gelcaria towers over me, her lavender eyes casting lasers on me, her face full of anger, anxiety and a hint of sorrow: “By all cocksucking Akolaï's cunts an Fusaad's rotting puddles of pus, where the fucking fuck have you been!” she growls, eyes moistening with tears.

As I catch my breath while lying on the floor and hugging my bruised stomach. I'm flabbergasted by her language: where did she learn to swear like that?

I'll have to address this issue later but I think it would be unwise to upset her more right now...