“Siertis, Lord… Hear my plea!” James shouted, shaking his staff at the night sky.
Dropping his staff, the old cleric collapsed to his aching knees onto the grass.
“Siertis! Damn you … give this task to another. Let this boy live a normal life!”
Waiting on his knees, he felt the chill wind blowing thru the folds of his robe and heard the distant howl of a lone wolf.
Leaning forward, James ripped up clumps of grass, with a savage rage venting his frustration on the unfeeling earth that he was unable to bring to bear on his uncaring god. Grasping the staff that had been laying next to him, he pulled himself up to a standing position.
After one last lingering look at the moon, he fixed his eyes instead on his modest home. Its slate roof glistening in the pale moonlight, and the hypnotic reflection of the bits of quartz mixed in with the mortar helped to calm him. He could see the line of smoke drifting lazily from the chimney heralding what was surely a cheery fire in the mantle inside. It has been so long since he has deigned to speak to me .. The cleric thought to himself. Sighing deeply he began the long trek home.
As he neared the front door of his house he breathed in deeply the scent of roasting venison. As he reached his porch, the door suddenly swung inward. Stepping out onto the porch James niece Sierra draped a warm blanket over His shoulder’s.
“Thank you, little one.” James said with a smile, the tension from his uneventful prayers draining from his shoulders and back.
“Oh, what an angel she seems to be… haloed in the light from the fire.” he mused silently .
“Uncle, are you still not able to get Siertis to respond to you?” Sierra asked, a concerned look evident on her fair almost elvish face.
Despite his grim mood, he couldn’t deny the tenderness in her voice. Nodding, James stepped past her and into the warmth of his home.
“My dear, it seems that Siertis gets farther from my heart with each passing day.” explained James.
“These hands, that once brought healing and hope to many, now seem barely able to bring a cup to my lips without shaking.” So saying he reached for the steaming cup that had been waiting on his arrival on the dining table.
“It can’t be as bad as all that Uncle.”
“Getting older is part of the natural order, you taught me that yourself. It shouldn’t be a reason to lose your …..”
Seeing the pained look on her uncles face she turned her face blushing slightly.
“I am sorry James.. I… I…didn’t mean” she stammered.
“I just wish you could be happy again uncle, and I know there is nothing I can do to help you.”
James pulled her torward him, hugging her tightly to his chest.
“It’s alright my dear, don’t grieve for my loss of faith, and do not be ashamed of stating your mind.”
Pulling Sierra into his arms, he buried his face in her long auburn hair.
“Oh my child, I think its time I explain, why I lost my faith to you…. It has nothing to do with a lack of belief, far from it. I can still work the wonders of the clerical faith, it just seems more …. Honest to heal with things of nature instead of the divine.”
James leaned back from Sierra, still holding her to him feeling the shudders of her repressed tears he raised her face to him gently with one gnarled hand.
“I can’t worship a god, who cares so little for his children.” James explained.
Looking into Sierra’s eyes he could see her thinking deeply on his words, so he continued.
“I have raised you as both my daughter and as a priestess for many years, You are as strong with Siertis as I have ever been. Know that because my faith is shaken, does not mean yours should be.”
James struggled to explain the complicated feelings he had for his god.
“Siertis, is indeed a great god. One of the elder gods and by far on of the kindest. But he is distant, even cold to those who worship him.” he explained.
“But James, he is a god. He is needed by many, he can’t focus on the individuals while he is maintaining the well being of all.” rebutted Sierra.
“ Ah, but there is my problem...” James replied.
“ Is it that he isn’t able to, or that he chooses not to be directly involved with his followers?” James asked as he spread his hands palms upright in front of him.
Looking towards the fireplace, and the spit of venison James took a steadying breath.
“Enough of this for now, Our dinner is ready” Smiling at Sierra he gently pushed her from his lap.
“Always, I can count on my one and only pupil’s greatest achievement so far…” James said with a grin.
“And what might that be oh great and wise teacher..” Sierra asked, cocking one eyebrow up in a quizzical expression.
“Why… my nieces amazing cooking abilities!” James exclaimed with obvious delight.
Wisely ducking , as Sierra threw a soaking cloth at him James chuckled all the way to his favorite seat by the fireplace.
Within a few moments both were enjoying their meal in companionable silence, the only sounds were the crackling of the fire, and the occasional guttural noise of enjoyment.
A battle field carrion birds circling overhead… the smell of the dead and the dying cloys the air. Body, after body laid out in full rigor…A figure on the horizon… closer, he appears to be moving closer without moving at all…. Leaning on a two handed sword as one might support himself with a staff, his emaciated flesh visible between the bits of a full set of plate mail, skin sallow… The figure appears almost more dead then alive… On the breastplate of the specter… The holy symbol of Siertis.. What could have done this to one who was obviously a holy warrior.. A paladin… His face…. I know his face…. A raspy voice emanates from beneath the helm of the warrior… one word…… a raspy voice calling his name…… James……
Awakening with his pulse pounding in his temples with the beat of a war drum, James threw back the blanket draped over him. Stumbling to the window, he saw the crescent moon still hanging in the early morning sky. I must go to the boy.. James thought to himself.
With a heavy sigh, James walked to his closet. Pulling open the doors and stepping inside he felt around in the darkness with his left hand. His questing hand found the glass lantern he was searching for. With a whispered word, holy light sprang to life in the lamp. Reaching around on the top shelf his questing hands found what he needed. I am much to old… much to old for adventures.. James murmured to himself.
Drawing the package down off the shelf, James looked at the bundle with mixed emotions. Remembering the days on the road, the dwarf, and a lifetime of friendship he resigned himself to one last trip.
