Chapter 247: Balancing the scales
“Life is a series of sudden disappearances, leave-takings without the proper goodbyes.”
Kelly Link
“Welcome in the light of the lodestar.” A voice intoned as we entered a blue light shining down on the entrance we had passed through. But looking up, we realised it was just a trick of the light with a stained glass blue window placed to catch and colour the light over the entrance. The actual shard was hidden further into the church, as was tradition. Still, the window was a delight to behold. A scene depicting the light of the lodestar pushing out the darkness to the edges of the compass kingdoms and the depths of the lodestone.
“Forgive me the theatrics. I seldom get to make new first impressions, and the light lends itself to them so well. Now, how can I help you?” the priest asked. He was clearly interested in the two new faces in his town and possibly his congregation. Namir was always going to draw attention this far north. We had only seen humans, giants, and a half-dwarf north of the mountain range that separated Tramontana from the other kingdoms.
“We are just passing through on our circumnavigation and hoped to spend some time in the light before we moved on to our next destination,” Namir answered for the pair of us. As always, he hoped for a swift passage through Drangasfjord, preferably without complications.
“Of course, of course, this way,” he said as he led us deeper into the building. It was not particularly big, but that was not surprising considering the town's size and the distance from the centre of the Compass Kingdoms. We did not really need a guide, but he, like Asta, seemed starved for novel company and continued to accompany us. “Where did you last stop?” he asked as he led us to the altar where the Lodestar rested.
“Drangavik,” Namir answered shortly, not elaborating further.
But that did not deter him, “How is Father Gothi?” he kept questioning.