Sarah walked in front, followed by Feylin, Raelith and Sally. She held on to the small holy symbol attached to her bracelet, doing her best to not think about what lay ahead. She would know in due time after all... for now she just focused on her steps.
"So, Feylin. I'm sorry for the last minute-ness of all of this. We heard that you received the letter only yesterday?" Sally spoke first, carefully giving some space to Sarah.
"Ah, yes." He mumbled. "However, knowing you could show up any day we packed our equipment yesterday night." It was clear from his voice that he too was a bit distracted.
"Would you like us to take a look through your gear? Perhaps before we set off?" Rae smiled, offering her sincere help. "We have a bit of experience for long distance travel after all, so it might be useful." Her voice was light and pitched with honey, a subtle chuckle existed as an undertone to her every word.
Suddenly Sarah abruptly interjected, she looked over her shoulder meeting Raelith's eyes. "How long is 'long distance' in our case?" Her voice was curt. It was clear what she was asking.
Raelith hesitated before responding, sharing a glance with Sally who said nothing. "The remainder of our journey we estimate to be a year. Six months to the edge, and six months back here."
"To the edge?" It was Feylin's turn to interrupt, without thinking he couldn't help but express his shock.
Sally sighed and came to the rescue of Rae. "There is a lot of information about the mission, all of which we can explain later. I'm sorry. I know how this must feel. But! It is time you both go out into the world anyways, you can only go so far under the safety of the temple after all." She shrugged her expression of sympathy. "I promise though, we will keep you safe. We are all tools under the gods of life. And they are kind, and compassionate, as should we be." Conviction rode her speech, it was clear that not a single word was put on for show.
Hearing her words, Sarah's heart was slightly put at ease. She realized it was too late now, like a song that was already started, there was no quitting before it ended.
The four of them entered the armory without ceremony.
It was called an armory, but really it was just a storage room for their weapons. Like a broom closet more than anything, but instead of brooms it was filled with maces and hammers and assorted shields - most of which having not seen battle for the better part of a decade. During missions, even the most innocuous ones, it was important that they carried some weapon with them to protect themselves.
Clerics received mixed feelings from the different races of the world. Especially members of the order of the Light. Not only were they specialized in healing, but they lived according to a creed of a morally and ethically upright life.
Much of this world was not moral - it was violent and cruel and by many accounts, uncaring. Clerics were charged with rising above that, and sometimes that means fighting against it. And sometimes fighting… is meant literally.
This was something they knew well in theory, but Feylin and Sarah both lived at the edge of the world in a predominantly human demographic where almost everyone got along out of necessity. In small societies, they are very good at self-patrolling. It is when you encounter larger societies that disorder occurs.
On the back wall, two weapons hung that Sarah and Feylin had never seen before. In the dusty room they hung beautiful and majestic, reflecting a light which was not there.
One was a 6-foot-long golden hued spear. White lines were etched into the body spiraling upwards from the bottom. It looked to reflect light perfectly as its metal handle colored the nearby wall gold. The tip was a foot and a half by itself, extending like a massive double-sided glaive.
Next to it was a Hammer and Shield combination set. It was silver and looked dauntingly heavy, the handle of the hammer particularly had an extremely intricate white wrapping. If you looked carefully, you could see small runic symbols woven into the wrap. The shield was extremely plain, no etchings or designs existed on it. However, it was polished to a mirror shine. Even the back. Not a scratch could be seen on any of the weapons.
As Feylin and Sarah gawked at the equipment, Sally and Rae were taking catalog of the weapons in the room. Almost all of them were weapons suited for Acolytes or Novices - which was good. A few of the weapons were designated property of others who lived at the temple.
"So, what weapons do you usually use? Feylin?" Rae broke them out of their awe after a few moments.
"Umm… I have tried a few different weapons. Usually I just take whatever is available." Feylin spoke honestly, he knew that she had more experience than both he and Sarah combined, so it would do no good to act more mature than he was.
"Ah. And you Sarah?"
"I usually just use a 1 handed mace. There is always one available." She gestured towards the rack of a dozen and a half maces.
Sally and Rae looked at each other, an unreadable expression crossed their faces.
"If you don't mind my asking, how old are you both?" Rae spoke gently.
"I am 18." Feylin replied first, knowing he was the youngest one present.
"Twenty." Sarah said. When she came to the temple, she had only been 15.
Both Rae's and Sally's eyes widened. Sally's teeth clenched together but she relaxed immediately.
"You're so… young." Sally allowed her eyes to scan their bodies, evaluating them a bit differently. She knew they were young upon first meeting them, but she didn't realize how young. Clerics and acolytes had a tendency to remain young-looking, so relying on looks alone was not always practical.
Rae too had lost her energetic spirit for a moment.
"Sarah? Feylin? This might sound weird, but if you would like I can use a special ability of mine to look into your beings and see what weapons would be best for you?" Rae scratched beside her lip, looking off to the side as she spoke. Feylin and Sarah looked at each other, their eyebrows raised in shock. Was there such a skill? Raelith held up her hands with two fingers extended out on each. "All I need to do is touch your head and I will be able to see a little bit about what kind of person you are, it will be helpful in knowing what type of equipment would be best for the coming year."
Without any further hesitation both acolytes agreed. After a bit of coaching, Rae approached Feylin putting her fingers against his temples.
A moment of silence passed with them synching up their breaths. All at once Rae opened her eyes with Feylin. She smiled.
"Balanced." Her voice had an ethereal quality to it, as though speaking some underlying truth.
"I would suggest you use a sword and buckler. It is one of the most versatile combinations in the common world and allows for the widest range of fighting styles. Your shield should be one with a pointed or spiked bottom so that it can double as a weapon if the need arises."
Feylin took her words to heart and nodded seriously. He moved to the side to search for a sword and shield set. All of the equipment here was well maintained despite the dust, so he wasn't picky and just picked the first one he came across.
Rae looked at Sarah and motioned for her to stand closer.
"Ready?" Rae smiled warmly. Sarah hesitated a moment before nodding her head and closing her eyes. She felt Rae's thin fingers touch her temples.
Feylin and Sally stood silently nearby. Feylin watched with intense curiosity. Despite living with Sarah for the past five years, he couldn't say he knew for sure what type of being Sarah was. She always had played her cards close to her chest.
"Aggressive." Rae mumbled - an unnoticed frown crossing her expression. Rae's hands came down from Sarah's temples, giving Sarah a moment to collect herself.
"You should use a 2 handed Mace."
Sarah looked questioningly at Rae before glancing around the room. In one of the corners there was a leftover 2-handed mace. It was 5 and a half feet long - much like a spear - but instead of a point on the end there was a heavy edged-bludgeon.
"The two-handed mace is a specialized tool that not many people can master. It is brutal and unforgiving. It comes from a manner of fighting where you do not have a need of defense like a shield, so you maximize on your offense instead. It is not like the spear which most anyone can use. Because of its lopsided weight, it requires much practice even at an early level, to wield with balance and stability." Raelith spoke smoothly, looking over the weapon.
Both Acolytes could tell immediately that she was some manner of weapons expert, the way she spoke gave it away clear as day. Speaking so clearly and precisely left a deep impression on them.
Feylin looked at Sarah, after hearing Rae's description he felt that he caught a glimpse into a part of her he didn't know existed… As if feeling his eyes on her, Sarah immediately met his gaze.
"By the way, Raelith, Sally? How old are you two?" Feylin coughed, breaking eye contact. He was extremely curious what the difference in experience was between them.
"54, just." Sally said smiling and not looking a day past 30.
"177." Rae said proudly, not looking a day past 20.
Feylin and Sarah's jaw dropped.