Heka was exhausted. She had spent the past several hours being dragged around Patala by Akira and Airo. They had started in the smithing district, but no sooner had they walked into a particularly prickly blacksmith's shop, that Airo had declared his morning-stars to be of a much finer build than anything this 'second-rate' smithy could forge. Heka had had to usher the siblings out while giving the insulted man an apologetic look. That would certainly not improve her already flimsy reputation around town.
Airo was exceedingly curious about the artifacts carried by divers all around them as they traveled. He had pestered Heka with questions but she had declined to answer, saying they should focus on getting better acquainted with the island today before delving into more serious information concerning the mouth. This obviously did not sit well with the young man, and he had started to walk farther away from Heka.
'As if he could dislike me even more than he already does,' Heka thought ruefully.
They had made a full circle around the island, Heka stuck to the sites that she reckoned would please most newcomers to Patala. She had begrudgingly taken the siblings as wide as was bearable for her. This curse really would be the death of her someday.
From the affluent Greenrod Ward in the north west of Patala, where those few ex-divers retired to with their fortunes, to the various occupational wards that littered the south, and even a spate of historical landmarks, Airo and Akira received a full dose of the island.
Akira especially, had approved of the people in Greenrod. Pedestrians garbed with silk and other exquisite thread went about their day, walking in that chesty way that wealthy people did. Both nobles and merchants lived there; some had disavowed their families back home for the adventures of Patala, while others simply came to strike it big.
Akira had even bought a couple of those extravagant garments herself, calling them "chic". The investment left Heka somewhat hollow inside; she had never seen that much money in her lifetime.
Unlike the cool and composed Akira, her brother was at the same time enthusiastic and arrogant. He would have something snotty to say for every new vista they visited, yet he said it with such ardor that Heka wondered whether he just didn't know how to properly express himself. Akira drifted in and out of the periphery of Heka's attention, at times silent, and at other times giving off light laughs here and there, as if she found Airo's hubris to be nothing more than trifle jests. Heka could sometimes feel the girl's eyes on her back but she refused to meet them; she did not want to be swept back up into Akira's pace like back at the guild.
Obviously, there were certain areas Heka had deemed a little too unsavory to show the siblings. They had briefly passed the fringes of the red-light district on their way south; it was a sunken hollow in the recesses of the older wards, a grimy place that sort of drew you into its clutches.
Airo had curiously asked Heka why they were not heading there. When she had implied what it was in a circuitous way, he had scoffed and agreed, saying there was no need to be in the presence of 'impure trollops'. Heka had been a bit miffed at that; while it was not the most honorable of professions, those 'trollops' had to work extremely hard for their keep.
What was interesting was that Akira had gazed at the alleyways leading towards it for a little too long. Heka had written it off as another one of the girl's eccentricities.
Contrary to the red-light district, Heka did not give the siblings a chance to even glimpse certain areas of the island, chief of those being The Bluffs.
It was a den of thievery and bacchanalia, the absolute worst place to be in Patala. Gangsters and other undesirables operated out of there; unfortunately there were a few guilds as well that counted amongst them.
These guilds were the polar opposites of ones like Bluestone; they had very little honor at all, and served only their most base desires. They did not care about the wellbeing of anyone but their own, often poaching quests given to other guilds, usually through violent means.
Even though Heka did not particularly like the siblings' cavalier attitude towards Patala, she did not think it wise to expose them to the dark underbelly of the island on their first day. Sooner or later their eyes would open with enough insight, however Heka wished to be far away when they did.
Dusk was near in Patala. The setting sun painted the sky with a vibrant crimson, soft pink spots intermingling amongst the ray-kissed clouds like holes on an old cloak. Sweat poured down Heka's skin; she was running on fumes from the heat earlier in the day. She stopped and stretched, feeling some fatigue leave her body, the faint smell of smoke and incense letting her know they were getting close.
A great chapel with greying towers loomed ahead. It looked almost out of place, like a dark mountain in the center of a lush savannah. The contrast between itself and its surroundings was probably the work of some eccentric king or emperor, ages ago. Finally, they had reached the entrance to the cathedral ward, and Heka's last destination for the day.
"Well, here we are. Only took what, seven hours?" Heka said, as she lead the siblings closer, "This is the Basilica of the Apostles, part of the Church of Light and entrance to the cathedral ward. Past that, there are a bunch of smaller chapels and shrines where many go to either pray or offer gifts to the gods. I could show you inside if you would like?
Akira peered curiously over to the side of the basilica, "What is that over there?"
"What is what?" Heka asked, turning to take a closer look. Akira was looking at a pathway that was illuminated with candles; it twisted beyond what the eye could see like a humongous snake. The Bridge of Erdric had been lit, a bad omen.
"It looks like it might lead to a shrine of some sort," Airo chimed in, with the air of being perfectly confident in his guess, "Let us head down that way, I am curious on what methods the peons here use to pray."
He made to start walking, but Heka tugged his shirt back. Airo immediately flinched and slapped her hand away with a glare, "Please refrain from touching me guide, I wholly dislike anyone doing that without permission."
He looked disgusted, as if Heka were nothing more than a mutt that had dared to brush up against him. Akira giggled lightly in the background.
'Her name was Heka not 'guide'!'
Heka swallowed down her annoyance and held her hands up in apology, "Ok, I will not act so carelessly next time. I just wanted to warn you that we shouldn't tread down down that path. The candles along The Bridge of Erdric being lit signify that the Church of Light is holding a ceremony, and only high ranking members are allowed in."
"An explanation like that will only serve to entice Airo more," Akira scoffed, "And honestly, I myself am curious as well on how the customs here have evolved. Back in Graemoore we revere the Faith of Three, and I know that a lot of my people have come to Patala over the years. Yet how is it possible that the only religion on this whole island is some church I've never even heard of? I've seen Venetian sailors worshipping sunken gods and Hua Rong merchants who worshipped their emperor, but never a Church of Light."
Akira was quite sharp. Heka was right in her initial assessment on the girl; she might be a spoilt noble but that didn't get in the way of her intelligence. However, Heka definitely did not think it was a good idea to explain the politics of the church so soon.
"Come on, it's just like any other religion, there's nothing so special about it." Heka said, but was taken aback as Airo stalked towards the path.
"Hey, stop!" Heka said, jogging after him. Airo's strides were so long that she didn't catch up to him until he stopped at the entrance. Akira came up beside her.
"Airo," Heka said impatiently, "It really is 'not' a good idea at all to go snooping around here, you might not get into any trouble, but I certainly will. There are a few deacons who already dislike me, and this will just make it worse!"
The boy paid her no attention, "Akira, listen. Can't you hear something faint, it sounds like... screams?"
"You're right," Akira said, as she cupped one ear to hear better, "It sounds like someone or something is shrieking, but I can't tell if it is due to pain or something else."
Airo looked at Heka, "I am sorry, but I cannot just ignore those who might need saving, it is my duty to the Three and as a herald of justice."
And with that ridiculous statement, he sprinted away, his shadow dancing in the flames as he passed by numerous candles. Akira shrugged at Heka before following suit.
This was Heka's worst nightmare, after having spent the day with Airo, she had learned that while the young man was a pompous brat, he was also obsessed with honor and duty. That was why she had insisted he ignore the Bridge.
He would not like what he found.