Proselytisation

Proselytisation

The village of Yellow Crevasse sat at the western end of the crevice it was named after. As the result of some movement deep within the earth a crevasse had opened up, exposing buried yellow clay. The crevasse was several kilometres long, and thirty metres across and a hundred deep at its widest (and deepest) point. The village was well off, but not particularly rich. Sitting at the western end of the crevasse, it was further away from most the coastal towns and cities to the east that trade came through than the town at the eastern end.

Still, the pottery and clay from the village was traded to the west, though there were few settlements that way (and no known route through to the richer lands on the far side of the continent). And as the land was fertile, and the forests along the edge of the crevasse were plentiful, the village rarely went wanting.

“As the people here are prosperous, convincing them to embrace the Ever Growing Inferno will be difficult,” said Ceat, “but we must succeed.” Ceat was a priestess of the Inferno, and had received the first gift of flame. The gift had changed her hair colour to a yellow not dissimilar from the clay, which starkly contrasted with the light brown colour the lower half of her mid-back length hair still bore. She was a pretty woman with a slim build, and young in appearance despite being over thirty. Still, there was a fire deep in her eyes – not wholly the product of the gift – that made her an intimidating presence when passionate.

“The inferno be praised,” said the six initiates, as one. While Ceat wore a neat, formal but practical dress, the initiates wore simple robes with the symbol of the Inferno embossed. They served a several purposes, being missionaries, servants or guards as was required. Each carried a staff, and was well trained in its use. Ceat had a dagger sheathed around her waist, in case she needed to defend herself.

The group stood on top of a small hill, with the entirety of Yellow Crevasse visible a short distance down the road. Behind them stood their pack animals – a bunch of disinterested donkeys they had acquired when they started their journey. They had come directly from the Temple of the Inferno, traveling the land for two whole weeks. The second week was far harsher than the first, for they had left the lands over which the Inferno held sway.

Their mission was simple, but perhaps vital. Gaining the faith of Yellow Crevasse would give them access to a source of clay that was a rare yellow colour, a yellow that could be used with other clays to create the illusion of fire (an effect that had been shown to the temple by a master potter, skilled in fine crafts). The town at the other end of the crevasse, though closer, was still faithful to the Star Guides of old – a shrine to the Guides still stood there, attended by a revered family who could trace their lineage back thousands of years.

As the initiates moved back amongst the pack animals to start them moving, Ceat shook her head. I took this mission as it is difficult, and a chance to prove myself, despite its… foolishness, she thought to herself, staring at the village. But as the Inferno wills, so shall I do. Bowing her head slightly, she touched the symbol she bore around her neck. In the distance, so terribly far away, she could feel him; bound within his prison. “Your will be done,” she whispered softly. And in reply, she felt his smile.