"Hey, Mum, where you going?" my eldest asks me after I put on my shoes and sped out the door.
"Just doesn't sit right with me. So I am going to see the divine and pray for both of them." I tell him as I motion for him to close the door behind me. And, despite how late it was in this town famed for its decadent redlight. I was safe as I walked the streets on my way to the temple. And I made it just in time, for they had not closed yet.
"One final prayer?" the tired priest asked as I rushed in.
"I am sorry, Father, but I must get this out." I tell him as I appear before the single statue of Jhrarda the Mighty.
"Will you need guidance?"
"No, Father, my soul is clear." I tell him respectfully before I prostrated myself slowly before the statue. Holding in my breath while raising a palm up at the shining light leaving the statue. Regardless of how long it would take him, I trusted my god to deliver those women. To see that child reunited with his mother.
"The door is still open, so you are aware." the priest tells me before it booms shut behind me.
"Mighty Jhrarda, Saviour of our People. Wind-Carrier. The Hand which Delivered! I come before you to ask a simple, humble request. Two women and a child came to my modest hostel. Evil men have come for them and I beg you for their deliverance! Please, save them from those who have risen against them. Deliver the son back into the mother's arms and forgive the one who risks her life to right a wrong."
Breathing slowly as I reached the end of my prayer.
"Your will so be it." I finish off with as I rise back up to my feet. Hope in my words that the goodwill of the Lord is what prevails here. And while I walked in here uncertain. That prayer made me optimistic.
So I moved to leave the temple. Briefly staring back at the centre of this grand building before I turned to leave. But, I spotted the charity box before I left. And I pulled out some money to put in it.
"Do not think less of me for trying to grease your wheels, Mighty Jhrarda." I joke in apology before I leave and close the door. Thankfully, the door locked itself with me not having to do a thing. So I could leave knowing that I did not leave the temple vulnerable to vandals.
With a lighter conscience and heart, I then headed on back home. Yet I still could not help but look back at the direction I sent that woman. The rumours about that place were sinister... But they came out of the mouths of iniquitous men and their drunken ramblings.
I don't think I could forgive myself for sending her that way even if it was by her own initiative that she went. There was something wrong with the aelenvari that worked there. I could not put my finger on it as I only ever dealt with hearsay. But those two were in danger if that is where they needed to be...
Should my prayer reach the Mighty One in time, they could be saved. But as this war that has come to warp our town has proven. Prayer can take some time to morph into reality. Maybe it would help them, or maybe it would be too late...
"But I have no right to doubt you, do I?" I ask one of the Mighty's siblings as they shone high in the night sky. But, I did not let my mind linger in such cold places. I had a warm home to return to and fond memories to make with my customers and sons.
And I could only wish those two women the same pleasures that made life worth living. I wanted the mother to be able to move past her scars. For her family to reunite. While the other one I wanted to grow.
Most of all, I wanted them to be safe.