The inside of the church was very quiet. All that could be heard were some tinkling wind chimes and the quiet splashing of water that was also everywhere - in springs, fountains and ponds. It smelt like fresh spring water with a touch of lavender. My personal highlight was the ceiling. It was literally flowing water, that reflected the light in a calming shade of blue. Magic was so awesome! Additional outstanding pieces were the two statues of Aurelia, the Lady in Blue, and the Guardian of time, space, water and ice and Lydia, the eternal goddess of Light.
Lydia was pictured as a young girl with long golden hair and golden glowing eyes, her skin was white marble. She was holding the winged scepter of victory and the sword of divine punishment, symbolizing her strength and the importance of justice as Ferras had told me before entering. She also had big golden feathered wings and was wearing a white toga.
Aurelia, on the other hand, was pictured as a beautiful young lady, with thick black hair, smoking blue eyes and was wearing a long flowing dress and shawl, also completely in blue. She held nothing but a blue light in her left hand. The knowledge of time and space they said. What was really special about her statue, was that the base of the statue was hidden behind a shifting layer of mist. Apparently, this wasn't the doing of any priest or ward. It had just appeared and was interpreted as a sign from the Guardian that this was to be her main temple.
Within the temple we couldn't talk, so we had decided beforehand that if one of us was done, we would just wait outside for the other. It didn't take too long for Ferras and Kimba to leave. I guess Ferras had seen this before and as far as I could see, wasn't too enthusiastic about praying. He did pay his respects to the two deities as every visitor was requested to do, but he kept it short and signaled that he was leaving shortly after. I could see why Kimba would want to leave too. What was there for him to see? Water and stone art wasn't his thing at all.
I, on the other hand, kept on walking around for some time. Priests and priestesses, also called The Watchers, dressed in light blue robes could be seen walking around and praying at various altars with candles and... was that flour? Why would they carry flour with them? I saw one young man hold up his bowl of flour, murmur something under his breath, then throw the flour up and let it rain all over himself in some kind of ritual. That was going to leave a huge mess when the flour got wet. It was so bizarre to watch. I guess people noticed that I was staring.
Afraid of being approached, I moved to the back of the temple where the statues stood tall and imposing. I stood there for a while, taking in what I saw. A strange feeling had crept up on me. I wasn't sure what it was, but it felt like those glowing blue eyes of the Guardian Aurelia were staring intently at me. A cold shiver ran from the nape of my neck down my back, making me stand perfectly straight and rigid. Now it looked as if both sets of eyes were turned on me. What the hell? Was I imagining things again? I knew I could walk away. I wasn't bound or anything. Yet it just felt so right and entrancing to stand right there and look into those judging eyes.
After a few minutes, when it started getting almost ridiculous, I thought I saw a smile crack on Aurelia's face, then the feeling was gone. Nothing.
Letting out a deep breath, I walked straight out of the temple. The air inside felt like it was caving in on me, crushing me alive. I wasn't sure what I saw, but through my lightheadedness, I barely noticed how all of the Watchers had stopped what they were doing and were exchanging wide-eyed glances. Ignoring them, I stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. Immediately, I felt a sense of freedom. It must have been something I ate. I should check what was in that chocolate bread this morning. Grabbing my clothes from the clothes room, I quickly changed and met up with Ferras and Kimba outside. Suddenly there were hundreds, and I mean hundreds, of people rushing up the path towards me. Pushing and shuffling, they rushed past me. I heard some of them say something about 'oh what a blessed day today is' and 'How lucky we are here to witness it'. Humbly, I tapped a young boy on the shoulder to ask what they were all talking about. However, he just brushed me off as if I were nothing but air. How rude.
Finally, I had fought my way back to the southern gate, where Kimba picked me up to guide me to Ferras. He was so excited, he talked so fast I couldn't understand anything.
Nene, Nene! Guess what? Kimba was frantically flapping up and down. IjustheardthattherewasapresenceohmythisissoexcitingIcan'tbelieveitwearesolucky!
Pretending I totally understood and agreed with what he was saying, I kept on nodding my head. How is this tiny creature even capable of such a long sentence all done in one breath?
Thankfully, Ferras was waiting for us, sitting on a stone wall playing with an arrow and could give me a reasonable explanation as to what had just happened.
"What!? How could you not notice? The presence of the Guardian Aurelia was right here! It's been decades since she was last sensed in Alvira. This is a major event! I am sure The True Watcher will also come here. They believe someone has been blessed. Now they must find that person immediately. But only The True Watcher or another high ranking Watcher can see it. You are so lucky to have been there." This is the most excited I have seen Ferras act, like ever.
"Ah, you don't say?" I nearly threw up in the presence of the Guardian. I think I will keep that fact a little secret of mine. Imagine telling someone you were the witness to such a major event and all you did was run out and nearly throw up. Yeah no, no thanks.
"We better leave now. When word gets around that a Guardian has blessed this temple, pilgrims from all over Alvira will be heading here immediately and the roads will get completely blocked. I think I already know a shortcut we can take."