Since I can't eat another bite I agree to go with him, but first I find Sarah and tell her how amazing her food was. Then I check with Mericel but she is happy staying here and chatting. Guess I am not surprised, why would a ghost want to go to a temple after all.

So I head out following Roddick back into the streets, no guard escort this time. For the most part people ignore us, except for the men sneaking peeks at me which is normal. It can even be entertaining at times, like when their wives catch them looking and proceed to beat them with whatever is handy.

The streets are also quieter since it is later in the day so I have more chances to admire the many buildings we passed earlier. I've never thought about it before, beastmen in general consider themselves superior, yet we have built nothing. We have no cities, most tribes live nomadic lives with tents, only the outcasts have a few small villages.

If the beastmen were to die out we would leave nothing behind to show we were even here. Even if we wanted to build something we lack the knowledge of how to do it. We would have to learn from the humans before we would be able to build a city.

Maybe when Ash becomes the beast king things might change, if he unifies the tribes there is much we could accomplish. It shames me to admit it but I am starting to understand why humans call us barbarians, and they are not wrong. Without Ash I don't know that us beastmen have a future and that terrifies me.

That just makes it that much more important that Ash come back safe and sound. My thoughts are interrupted as we reach a street corner and Roddick points at the temple. He then says his goodbyes and wishes me luck before turning the other way up the street.

After watching Roddick walk away I turn to look at the temple, or cathedral, I'm not sure what to call it. It is a massive structure of stone and glass and it must have taken months or years to build. I am again forced to think about my people, I can't imagine them having the patience to build something like this.

The cathedral itself is grand and majestic, yet at the same time it makes me feel small and insignificant. I wish Ash was here, I'm never scared when he is around. After taking a deep breath I walk up to the huge double doors and slowly open one of them.

The inside surprises me, it is warm with candle light and gives an inviting feeling. It is almost the complete opposite feeling that the outside gives. The acolytes and priestesses each give me a welcoming nod or a warm smile as I walk down the aisle.

Black says "Welcome, Myria!

"Hello, again."

Black says "This is my sister, White, High Priestess of Seronia."

White says "Hello, Myria. Which goddess have you chosen to follow?"

"Both, after all, they are two sides of the same coin."

Black says "That is completely true."

White says "But most people don't want to acknowledge it."

"Ash serves both, and so will I."

White says "We will happily accept you."

Black says "On behalf of Seronia and Krenocia."

"Thank you"

For the next several minutes they explain to me what is expected of those faithful to the goddesses. They continue taking turns talking which is somewhat annoying, and I find myself wondering if the goddesses do the same thing. After the explanations are done comes a ritual where I get doused in holy water by each priestess.

Next they have me close my eyes and recite a prayer to each goddess. As I complete the prayers I feel a strange warmth enveloping my body. Almost as if I am being hugged from either side, but the priestesses haven't moved, I can hear them breathing.

The warmth makes me feel safe, secure, and welcome, I have never felt anything like it. When I open my eyes both Black and White are staring at me with what I guess is shock. When I look down at myself I am covered half in white light and half in black light.

"What does this mean?"

White says "It is the acceptance of the goddesses."

Black says "Stronger than any we have seen before."

"What does that mean?"

White says "Either the goddesses have a special plan for you."

Black says "Or they strongly approve of what you are already planning."

"How do I know which it is?"

White says "They will provide you guidance."

Black says "Through your dreams normally."

"So pay attention to my dreams, anything else?"

White says "Just follow your heart."

Black says "And trust in the goddesses."

After that they present me with a medallion, a tabard, and a flag all bearing the symbols of the goddesses. After putting on the medallion and the tabard I carry the flag with me as I leave after saying goodbye. I only get lost once trying to find my way back to the inn.

When I reach the inn I feel relieved, and Sarah welcomes me back and shows me to my room. The bed isn't as comfortable as the one Ash brought back for us, but it's not bad either. I go to sleep straight away because I am anxious to wake up early and get on the road.

In the morning Sarah does side track me a little with breakfast but I can't really complain. After another delicious meal I bid Sarah farewell and head to the stable to get Lizzy. There is another surprise waiting for me in the stables, there is a brand new saddle set out next to Lizzy.

As I bend over and take a look at it I am amazed at the quality of the saddle. I have never seen anything this well made, it's absolutely beautiful! This has to be the work of a real master craftsman, again I am forced to realize how backwards my people are.

Sarah says "Like it?"

"It's amazing!"

Sarah says "Glad you like it, I had Walter make it. I also have saddlebags here full of supplies for you."

"Honestly I've never seen anything this well made, I'd like to thank the maker if I can."

Sarah says "I will pass along your compliments, but trust me you don't want to meet Walter. He suffers from a deplorable lack of personality."

"Well, if you say so. We should really get going anyway, maybe when I come back I can meet him."

Sarah says "If you really want to. You can ask Ash to introduce you to him."

"Ash knows him?"

Sarah says "Walter was making armor for Ash when he disappeared."

"Oh, sounds good, I will make Ash introduce me when I bring him back."

Mericel says "Are we ready to go?"

"Where have you been?"

Mericel says "I don't need sleep, I was wandering the city."

"I hope you didn't scare anyone!"

Mericel says "Maybe a few."

"Okay, let's get going before someone comes looking for you."

Sarah says "Have a safe and speedy trip!"