The old man sat with his legs crossed, hands stretched out to the fire before him. His body sought out the small comfort of the warmth before him but his mind was elsewhere. With eyes shut and his brow furrowed the old priest sunk deep into thought while lips constantly moved in silent prayer. His memories recalling what eventually sent him back to these lands, to Sundren, his original home.
The main hall of the House of the Broken God was solemn. Keegan had seen the hall like this many a time; when a follower of their faith, light was blown out and they faded into the next life. It was the rite of the passing. The dull toned chants filled the air and ringed in ones ears, the holy feel to the large room only increased because of it. One could not help but shiver to the presence of Ilmater that was currently present for he did not ignore such prayers. Keegan however this day was not part of the chant for he was walking down the path formed by those who were. He was being escorted by two of his brothers in faith, both holy warriors of the Crying God while he was simply a novice priest. A monk with no order. They took him to the curtian that seperated the dieing body of their fellow Ilmatari. Usually the body was set in the center for all to see and pay respect too but, this man still held breath.
Revered Heller had made a request when it was time for his passing rite to be performed and now it was being carried out. Keegan bowed to the two escorts and moved past the curtian to his mentor, to his friend, to his brother. Revered Heller lay upon a stone altar which was bare of any comfort even when on his death bed. The ancient penitent looked to his student those once soft and humor filled eyes now dull, clouded over. "Brother Deverall... Keegan." His hand attempted to lift but could not, Keegan understood the gesture and moved to place the mans head upon his forehead. Allowing his mentor to feel the concern and hope in his brow. "I am here Revered Heller. My teacher, my friend." Tears filled Keegans eyes, the Revered simply wiped the droplets away. "Do not be in sorrow my student. I pass now into our holy Father's hands, a great honor comes for me." A thin smile could be seen on the dieing mans lips. "But, our Father has something for me to tell you now." With this Heller openned the palm of his other hand revealing a dull patch. The patch of a sunflower framed with crutches. "You my son, my young friend... Have always sought your place among the Broken Ones, amoung the clergy, but we say this to you. Your path is of which I use to follow before I was called here..." The man coughed, his words barely seeping from his lips but somehow the Revered managed to continue. "To teach you my son." To this with every last ounce of strength he shoved the patch against Keegan's chest. "Follow the path, the Unhindered Path. You are not destined to live in cold walls, or to defend them, go my son. Travel the road back to your homeland, but do not turn from those that need you. That suffer and can not shoulder their own burdens. Take up the path I gave up for you." Before Keegan could respond the man faded. His light of life going dark.
Keegan openned his eyes and looked back into the fire. He looked the patch now upon his own robes and let his hand graze over it. "It has been twenty years my teacher, my friend. But I have returned as you wished."
The main hall of the House of the Broken God was solemn. Keegan had seen the hall like this many a time; when a follower of their faith, light was blown out and they faded into the next life. It was the rite of the passing. The dull toned chants filled the air and ringed in ones ears, the holy feel to the large room only increased because of it. One could not help but shiver to the presence of Ilmater that was currently present for he did not ignore such prayers. Keegan however this day was not part of the chant for he was walking down the path formed by those who were. He was being escorted by two of his brothers in faith, both holy warriors of the Crying God while he was simply a novice priest. A monk with no order. They took him to the curtian that seperated the dieing body of their fellow Ilmatari. Usually the body was set in the center for all to see and pay respect too but, this man still held breath.
Revered Heller had made a request when it was time for his passing rite to be performed and now it was being carried out. Keegan bowed to the two escorts and moved past the curtian to his mentor, to his friend, to his brother. Revered Heller lay upon a stone altar which was bare of any comfort even when on his death bed. The ancient penitent looked to his student those once soft and humor filled eyes now dull, clouded over. "Brother Deverall... Keegan." His hand attempted to lift but could not, Keegan understood the gesture and moved to place the mans head upon his forehead. Allowing his mentor to feel the concern and hope in his brow. "I am here Revered Heller. My teacher, my friend." Tears filled Keegans eyes, the Revered simply wiped the droplets away. "Do not be in sorrow my student. I pass now into our holy Father's hands, a great honor comes for me." A thin smile could be seen on the dieing mans lips. "But, our Father has something for me to tell you now." With this Heller openned the palm of his other hand revealing a dull patch. The patch of a sunflower framed with crutches. "You my son, my young friend... Have always sought your place among the Broken Ones, amoung the clergy, but we say this to you. Your path is of which I use to follow before I was called here..." The man coughed, his words barely seeping from his lips but somehow the Revered managed to continue. "To teach you my son." To this with every last ounce of strength he shoved the patch against Keegan's chest. "Follow the path, the Unhindered Path. You are not destined to live in cold walls, or to defend them, go my son. Travel the road back to your homeland, but do not turn from those that need you. That suffer and can not shoulder their own burdens. Take up the path I gave up for you." Before Keegan could respond the man faded. His light of life going dark.
Keegan openned his eyes and looked back into the fire. He looked the patch now upon his own robes and let his hand graze over it. "It has been twenty years my teacher, my friend. But I have returned as you wished."
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