I sighed as I stepped onto the foundation of the building that Renn and the rest had been working on before I arrived.

The morning sun was struggling to get through some clouds, but they weren’t the kind that foretold storms or rain. I could tell by afternoon the skies would be clear and it’d be warm again, which was good… since I planned to spend all day working on this building.

In typical Society fashion they had properly marked and planned their foundations. Little sticks, used as flags, marked not only the building’s planned area but also where they’d dig for plumbing and even garden expansions. Randle had obviously overseen it, since out of everyone here only he would have done it as well as it looked… though I guess I probably shouldn’t rule Merit out. Although ever since her kingdom fell and she’s become something of a lazy recluse, it wasn’t proper to judge her in that way anymore. Now she was here. With Renn… fulfilling some desire of the heart, and even possibly a prophecy. For all I knew this fine work had been done by her and not the now one-armed priest…

I stepped over to what would be the building’s entrance… and watched the little flag-sticks head toward the road nearby. They planned on making a nice sized entryway, though judging by the other markers along it they also planned to make tall walls alongside it. Though if they’d be actual walls, or just fences or bushes, I didn’t know yet.

Honestly I wasn’t surprised that they were building a church first. Even if it wasn’t going to be the permanent one they’d use. This was my second day here, and I’d already seen two visitors. One last night came to give Randle a donation, some noble who just returned to town yesterday. He had arrived shortly after Renn and I had left to go see Rivonne. And then there had been another visitor, arriving just before dawn. I had spoken to the man, a hunter, who had come to pray. He was to set out on a month long hunt and had a terrible dream that he would be eaten by a bear, so had come to pray for his soul.

Two in basically a full day’s worth of hours since my arrival.

And these last few days of visitors, as far as I’ve been told, had been slow. Randle had, wisely, gone to inform the local populace that they were officially here but had requested only emergency visits until the church proper had been built, opened, and ordained. It of course didn’t keep everyone away, but I’d been told it had made the daily visitor count go from dozens to single digits, which was good.

I honestly wasn’t worried too much about any of our members being seen or caught… the encampment they had made was good enough to keep prying eyes out. Unless of course someone just brazenly walked in through the entrance tent, which in theory could happen at any location so it wasn’t something I worried about more than usual. But I did worry over how much I’d be able to get done before I had to leave again.

There was a lot to do here. They needed multiple buildings built, paths and walkways, drainage and plumbing, if possible a very nice fence or wall, access needed to be built to the river for a myriad of reasons and that included a potential dock, and then I needed to worry now about… well…

“Prophecies within prophecies,” I mumbled as I stopped checking out the foundation.

Rivonne, obviously guided and taught well by her elders, knew better than to speak of any real details concerning any prophecies in front of me… but I had, of course, read between the lines.

She was here out of duty. And that duty was related to something her saintly ancestor had foretold. And it was related to me, which in turn meant it was related to Renn… because there were no prophecies that could outright and only see me as their focus. Odds are the saint, Bird’s daughter, had simply misunderstood or had not noticed or recognized Renn or someone else here that had been in it or involved in it.

Then there was Liora…

I reached up to rub my eyes. I of course didn’t have a headache, or feel unwell or tired, but by my parents did I wish I felt so. If I did at least then I could justify this terrible gut wrenching worry that was gnawing at me so deeply it made my spine want to…

“That’s not a good sigh.”

“I hadn’t sighed yet,” I said, keeping my eyes closed as I listened to Randle who approached. The priest was, surprisingly, not wearing his robes. I had noted him out of the corner of my eye a few minutes ago, but honestly hadn’t expected him to actually walk over. I had simply seen him step out of the encampment for a moment to stretch.

Randle chuckled as he stepped over a small flag-stick and up to me. “That had been a sigh all the same, is all well?” he asked.

No. But I didn’t want to talk about it with him of all people. “I’m just trying to figure out how much I can do before I need to leave, is all,” I said.

Randle frowned at me. “Typically you do not fret over such things at all, no? Why this time?” he asked.

“This is why I just had the thought I didn’t want to talk to you about it,” I grumbled.

Randle paused, and then he grinned and chuckled again. This time he did so with a bit more humor. “Fascinating!”

I kept the sigh inside he so desperately seemed intent on drawing from me, and glanced the man up and down. I was glad to see he seemed to actually be doing pretty good. He was wearing normal, though plain and older, clothes… he looked healthy and the smile on his face seemed very genuine. Compared to the somewhat sullen and downcast man I’d seen in Telmik, this was basically for him a night and day difference in temperament. I was glad to see it. And it seemed he wasn’t fidgeting with his missing arm anymore. Though last night during dinner I had noticed him intend to use his former arm to pick up a cup. Unlike before in Telmik though, after his accident, he had not grown frustrated and had simply swapped hands without even blinking.

One would of course expect someone to adapt and grow comfortable with their new normal, especially after so many months, but… this was a man who was hundreds of years old. Half a millennia or more. Habits were hard to fix for one so old… I knew that well, better than anyone.

Randle happily stopped chuckling and he reached up to rub his chin. He of course didn’t do so because he needed to shave or something, he was someone who hadn’t grown facial hair his whole life as far as I was aware, but he acted as if he had stubble. “Do you already have requests Vim?” he asked.

I knew he didn’t speak of the ones I had here. He was continuing off my statement of me having to leave. “A few… nothing too pressing, of course, but I expect them to come. Can’t have nearly two thousand new members basically show up out of the blue and not cause trouble,” I said.

The priest nodded. “Isn’t that the truth…? You know last night, once I finally got back into bed, I spent a few moments praying about such a thing. I’ve come to realize I feel relief over not having to worry or stress about such things anymore. It’s wrong of me, but…”

I smirked at that. “Well, in a sense you didn’t have much choice. So is it wrong to feel so when it’s forced upon you?” I asked, referring to his banishment.

Randle frowned at me. “But that argument fails when it was I who initiated the cause of it,” he pointed out.

“I’d argue you take it a step further, and so blame the root cause. But that’s just me,” I said.

Randle sighed but only did so to hide his soft smile. “And then one can only take it another step, and find a different cause. And do so again and again until the dawn of creation.”

“Alas,” I gestured lightly at my own feet.

Randle at first didn’t seem to catch my meaning, for he glanced down and frowned… but then his face contorted into an odd look. One mixed with annoyance and shock. “Vim…!” he chuckled again, his humor winning out over his disdain for me and my obvious blasphemy.

I’d basically just said all faults began with me, at my feet, and thus should be laid before me. It was funny that Randle not only figured it out but found it humorous enough to chuckle, even if in distaste.

“Only you could say such a thing in jest, yet also be completely serious!” Randle said.

“Right?” It had been a good one. It was too bad Renn hadn’t been here to witness it…

I glanced away from the priest and to the encampment nearby. I couldn’t see anyone, but I both heard people talking lightly and saw the morning fire being started. Its gray smoke was rising from the center of the tents. Odds are breakfast and morning tea were being readied.

Knowing Renn she was in the middle of all the commotion. I felt her at this distance, rather easily, but I couldn’t tell if she was still in her tent or in the center one… thanks to the positioning of the tents themselves. Her tent was between me and the center tent.

She was so close… yet so far.

Per my request, Renn had invited young Liora into her tent. With Oplar here, Sap and so many more, tent space was now becoming a concern. Another reason for me to hurry and build more buildings. But it wasn’t just a matter of not wanting the human saint to have to sleep with someone we didn’t really trust or know, but instead my desire to keep both Renn and Liora safe.

Renn keeping the young human close would help protect her. The closer they got, the more likely Liora would have dreams concerning Renn’s upcoming future… which would give me chances to hopefully deter any unpleasant surprises.

So for now she and Liora were roommates. Which meant I was basically homeless. I didn’t mind, of course, I only needed a few hours of sleep every so often anyway. But it wasn’t a matter of my needing sleep that was bothering me…

I had been looking forward to just being with her. Up close.

But maybe it was for the best. Even whispering here was not enough to keep one’s words safe and private. Too many had far too good of hearing for such a thing.

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“I take it the meeting went well?” Randle then asked.

For a tiny moment I wasn’t sure what he meant. The ship I just saved, maybe? But no, he meant the one Renn and I had last night. With Rivonne.

“Yes. They’re a human family, old friends. Do you remember Bird? Lawrence’s brother? They had been very close,” I said. There was no reason to hide it, especially since Rivonne planned to visit Renn and vice-versa… and supposedly on a constant basis.

“Wow… that was… what, a hundred and some years ago? Quite a surprise they still remember, or that you do,” Randle noted.

I nodded. “Yes. She plans to visit Renn, and to help when and where she can. She’s basically offered all of her resources and status to our cause, or at least… to this one. Not so much the Society. She’s one of the main founders of this city, so I’m sure you can use her well,” I said.

“Oh my… a surprise benefactor. I’d question the odds of it, but considering you and Renn I shall not,” he said with a nod.

I scoffed at him. “Don’t get me started. Keep an eye on her for me, though, and Renn too while you’re at it. The woman, this Rivonne, and Renn hit it off… but she sees herself as a servant to Renn I fear. Renn won’t like that once it becomes an issue,” I said.

Randle slowly nodded. “Yes… human is she? They can become quiet… odd, when they think we’re special in such a way,” he agreed.

“Particularly Renn. Humans have a hard enough time to differentiate us from themselves as it is, let alone one associated with me,” I said. It was why Rivonne saw Renn as someone to basically worship… It wasn’t just the fact that Renn was my wife, it was the human misunderstanding and thinking that Renn was more like me than not.

“Hm… is this the first human she’s had to deal with such fascinations?” Randle asked.

I pondered that for a moment and decided to shake my head. “She’s dealt with a few similar types… and Rivonne might not end up that bad once they spend more time together. Renn’s good at making people feel friendly and lower their guard, after all,” I said.

“All the same…” Randle nodded, saying nothing more as he basically agreed to keep an eye on something that concerned me. He of all people, one who spent nearly his whole life enraptured by faith and surrounded by it, knew best how to handle such people and situations. At least amongst the group here.

I shifted and noted the sky was emptying of clouds. There wasn’t much wind down here, but up there it must be a bit stronger than usual. Plus it was getting warmer.

It’d be good weather to work. I think I’ll start with the church itself… then work on the irrigation and drainage systems…

“By the way Vim… I know you hate speaking of it, but I must.”

“Hm?” I ignored him for a moment as I studied the way the surrounding field rolled ever so slightly towards the river. There were two…. Three, maybe, hills between here and the river. That would help both section off the buildings and keep them more private, and also make me have to really plan the water system lest there would be flooding or clogging.

“Liora. Can we talk about her?” he asked.

Ah. The real reason for our morning visit then. “Within reason. Go ahead,” I said as I kept studying the land around me. honestly even with the few hills it was good… flat enough to do what I needed, but not so flat that I’d have a hard time directing water flow.

“I am to take it the story she’s telling is the true one? That you picked her up in Nevi, unbeknownst to anyone else?” he asked.

I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes off him. “Yes. Rapti and Kaley know, as you likely heard, but yes otherwise no one else knows of her. I decided to bring her here since I didn’t want to side-track to Telmik just yet, I figured she’d be safe enough here for now. Plus, much to my chagrin, she’s had prophecies concerning Renn… so…” I shrugged lightly.

“So you brought her here, in hopes of either tackling them head on or outright subverting them through other means. Well… I can’t say I’m upset with you. Even if basically excommunicated, I’m still an acting reverend. I’d never turn aside a child, let alone one blessed by our gods,” he said.

“That’s fine, I’ll just be upset with myself enough for both of us,” I said.

He chuckled at me again and nodded. “Yes, more than enough for two I’m sure. That being said, another question.”

I shifted ever so slightly and nodded at him. What next…? Sap maybe? The shark, or whatever she was, that Oplar had decided to dump on them? Maybe instead he had another request completely unrelated to our fellows…?

“I never meant to pry… as you know I’m very against such intrusions. But I’ve overheard something that I’d like to confirm, if able,” Randle said, speaking calmly.

“You can ask it, Randle. I get it. I was just thinking myself that your little living arrangement has made it… difficult to have private conversations, so I understand,” I said.

Randle gave me an odd smirk. “Ah, but for different reasons are we concerned I’m sure. But yes… I overheard your wife and the others mention a few things. Namely possibly more members showing up…? Namely a saint or two…?” he asked.

My first instinct was to frown, since I wasn’t sure what he meant… but I realized he had likely overheard Renn talk of Narli. Or at least, hint at her. Maybe while talking to Liora last night… I had overheard the two whisper for a time after dark in their tent. “It’s possible… Though I expect no one else to really show up until this place is more suitable,” I said.

Honestly I wasn’t sure if Berri and her family could really move here and live here… Unlike Renn, or even those like Tundra who also wanted to come here, they couldn’t really safely hide their features. The large pointy horns were not something one could just cover with a hat or face-mask. Even if I built a properly secluded area, something that could let them roam freely without worry or intrusion, it was still too… well… human. But the same could be said about Lumen or Telmik lately…

“I see… so I’ve somehow gotten myself involved in something far more important than I expected, have I…? And here I thought I’d just settle down and pass my last years quietly,” he said with a small smile. He didn’t seem too bothered, or upset, over the idea at all.

“If you start yapping about fate and whatnot I’ll bury you under this church I’m about to raise,” I warned… lightly.

Randle chuckled at me and shook his head. “No, no. I’ll just think it, not say it.”

Good. Maybe…

“Though, I do have a tiny request if you’d hear it.”

“Amongst the building and whatnot?” I asked. He’d asked for my help while here to at least finish the church, not that he had really needed to ask.

He nodded slowly… and then turned to gesture at the tents. I glanced at them, but didn’t see any reason for him to have done so. “My companion, Krass, is… near her end,” he said.

Hm…? I nodded slowly as I waited for him to continue. I had noticed the old human woman had been… surprisingly old for this venture. She was likely in her late seventies, maybe in the eighties. For this era, for a human, that was not the age one undertook something like this without caution. At least, not typically. I had figured she come along because her son, or grandson or whatever he was, had come here as well. Tristan or something.

Randle sighed as he gently shook his head. “I had wanted to bring others, but she had been incessant. Tristin, her adopted son, wanted to come and she didn’t want to part with him. Her last family and all. Well… I fear the trip here had not been kind to her,” he said softly.

“What would you like me to do, Randle…? Humans at that age can fall ill from a cold wind, it’s not something I can really change,” I said. I wasn’t going to comment that if the trip here had signed her death warrant than Randle and the rest were partly to blame. They shouldn’t have let her join them if her health had been that at risk.

He slowly shook his head. “No, no… I don’t expect you to be able to cure her or anything, no. Instead… I was wondering if you’d be willing to ask Renn a favor for me,” he said.

I shifted and frowned rather deeply. “Hm…? Something you’d not ask her yourself…?” I asked. I myself have seen Randle and Renn talk calmly, and openly, even since before we had arrived here. There was no reason for me to expect him incapable of giving her a request himself. Nor did I think he was like the so many others who thought they couldn’t speak or interact with her without first asking me for permission… In Randle’s case you’d think he’d be the exact opposite, asking her instead of me first and foremost.

“Well, in truth it’s a request for you. Because you’re the one who will have to give. Renn wouldn’t hesitate to agree, I expect,” he said.

My frown deepened. “Out with it. You’ve lost an arm yet are twice as windy, what is wrong with you?” I asked. He used to be so abrupt and short with me! Yet here he was chatting on and on…

The priest smirked at that and nodded. “I’d like to ask Renn to paint her. I heard from Merit that she’s rather skilled in such a thing, and… I’d like to honor her memory with such a gift. For the boy, and the rest of us. Not all of us have the memory that your wife was blessed with,” he said.

Oh… “Why ask me…? Renn wouldn’t hesitate at all to agree to such a thing,” I said. In fact Renn would be so humbled by it she’d likely cry.

“Because I fear it must happen soon. Else it’ll be too late. And so, in a sense, I’m asking to steal your precious time together,” he said.

Ah.

I blinked as I realized what Randle was actually asking, and saying. He was basically asking for permission to cut my time short with Renn, while I was here, even shorter. Because it would take her hours, likely a few a day for an untold number of days, to finish such a painting. And that meant my time, which was already being cut short thanks to circumstances… even shorter.

“You’re more than welcome to ask it of her, Randle. Think no more of it. But when she ends up painting more and more, and I end up having to build a whole extra building just for the paintings, you can then beg me for forgiveness as I complain about it,” I said.

Randle smiled and nodded. “I’ve no doubt. Though hopefully she’ll not paint anymore heresy motifs. I heard Merit bragging that she was going to hang up one of her pictures, one of the Epoch Cross, on the first wall we put up. I shiver to think how I’m going to handle that,” Randle said.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “I bet she will!” Oh my! I’d nearly forgotten all about that…! Renn had indeed painted an Epoch Cross… though not knowingly…! So Renn and Merit had brought those paintings then, had she…? That meant they also had the one of Rungle and Stumble, too…?

“You laugh, but it will be quite a hassle Vim. No one here likely remembers that cross, so it’s not like anyone will notice… but to hang such evil in the house of our gods…” Randle sighed as he shook his head and shivered, as if he had just felt a chill run down his spine. Likely had.

“I’ll mention it to Renn…” I said as I contained my own amusement. Although I didn’t want to force my own opinion on such a thing, I also didn’t want Merit to just hang such a thing up all willy-nilly. Last thing we needed was for someone to recognize the cross and then do something foolish upon seeing it…

“Do so gently. I do think Merit had said it mostly in jest, but one never knows with her,” Randle said.

“Eh, she doesn’t mean it. You know her, Randle, she’s lost many close friends to those lunatics. She’d not do so with true ill intent, just…” I wasn’t sure how to properly phrase it, since in fact Merit would do it maliciously. In her own way, at least.

“No matter. Now that I got all the heavy stuff out of the way, may I ask your thoughts on the blueprint so far?” Randle then switched topics, likely because he didn’t want to keep talking about Merit and her obvious disdain and lack of faith.

I decided to oblige him, since it’d help me get started on my work quicker… and to also distract myself.

Renn was going to ignore me today. Again. Within reason, at least. I had heard her laughter a few moments ago, before I myself had laughed. She was enjoying her morning, her breakfast likely, with who she considered friends and family. Though I was not amongst them.

Which was fine.

I liked hearing her so happy. I loved seeing her so content and… just excited and happy with her life. It brought me great pleasure and made me feel content to know, in Renn’s eyes at least, all was right with the world.

I knew she had problems to address. Things she wanted to talk to me about… but I was sure they’d be things we could handle. Kind of like Randle’s little worries. Stuff that might annoy me, or take time to handle, but nothing that would ruin this moment or happiness… at least for now.

My problems though…? Completely different story.

So… for now I’d let her be. Let her live. And just do what I always did.

Help in the little ways I could and knew how.

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