Special - Sanctum (Part 2)

Anneleigh blushed.  She did not like feeling ignorant to the ways of her fellow Guardians.  Without another word, she crossed the square, made her way through the archers who practiced their weaponry and found the man the dwarf had pointed out.

“Olaf Baldstrom?” Anneleigh asked as she approached.  “I understand you can tell me about this city.”

“I can.” He said briskly.  “Welcome to Thedeor’s Circle.  This island is watched by the gods, and so the Sanctuary is generally a place of peace and serenity.  However in this circle we give homage to Thedeor, the sword of the vigil and practice the holy art of honorable combat.  If you wish to duel, to practice your skills, or to reveal in your mastery of the warlike arts, this is the place to do it.”

“Thedeor is the sword.” Anneleigh repeated.  “Can you tell me more about him?”

“Certainly!“  Olaf said.  “The god of the swords values courage and an adventurous spirit.  If you bring him victory honorably gained he will bring you glory in this world and the next.  If you flee from a challenge, or fight dishonorably, then you will anger him, and woe to the mortal that earns great Thedeor’s anger.”

He paused for a moment to draw her attention to the archers practicing behind them. 

“Before the vigil, Thedeor was the patron of the Mathosian people, who taught them courage and the arts of war.  Now he oversees all those that march to combat the threats to our world, the dragons, their elemental invaders, and the heathen Defiant.  We devotees who are not in the field on a crusade give honor to the Sword of the Vigil by testing our prowess against each other by sparring.  We must keep in excellent fighting shape, for only our skill in war, can ensure a peace for Holy Sanctum.”

Anneleigh smiled.  “Thank you for this knowledge.”  She had never fully understood Thedeor.  Her impression was always one of bloodlust and violence.  It pleased her to finally reinterpret him into a being who prizes honor above all else.

Olaf returned his attention to the archery and Anneleigh took the focus change as her dismissal.  She left the circle the way she had come and continued around the base of the basilica.  At the end of Bahralt Street , she found a courtyard that reminded her greatly of Silverwood.  The houses and shops seemed to grow organically from the earth just the same as that in Argent Glade. 

She crossed the village to a young woman dressed in the same robes as Lila. 

“Are you an Abbess of the Vigil?” Anneleigh asked.

“Yes, dear one.  I am Onida, Abbess of Mariel-Taun.  Welcome to Mariel-Taun Village.  Are you on a pilgrimage of understanding?”

Anneleigh considered this for a moment.  She had not thought of her desire to see the city as a pilgrimage, but now that the thought had been proposed, she felt it was correct.  Anneleigh nodded.

“Then let me assist in your journey.” Onida said.  “The High Elves who marched against the tyrant Aedraxis were consumed by the Shade.  Those that had stayed behind grieved for their loss.  When the elves returned as immortal Ascended most rejoiced.  Elves are long lived and the loss of so many sundered the faith of many, who left the covenant in despair and sought to live among men in the cities and towns of the Mathosians and Eths.”

Anneleigh nodded. “I remember that well.”

“When the Ascended elves returned,” Onida continued, “they called for all elves who wished to rejoin the covenant with the gods to return to Sanctum.  Many settled here in the village outside the Basilica.  Some elves felt envious of this new covenant, this new status granted to the Guardian elves. Lead by Prince Hylas, they refused to join us here in this holy city, and instead remained in the ancient Overwatch Keep, fighting their old enemies.”

“The aelfwar.  Yes, I know of them.”  Anneleigh interjected.

Onida nodded.  “This island of Sanctum is ours by divine right, but the lands beyond are in dispute with house Aelfwar.  Many pilgrims that make the holy journey never leave.  Now it is home to many artisans, poets, priests, and refugees who are seeking sanctuary from the invasion of the elemental demons. “

Anneleigh smiled at Onida.  “Can you tell me about Mariel-Taun?”

“Of course.  Mariel-Taun is the heart of the Vigil.  She blesses those who love selflessly.  She is the goddess of community, the heart and compassion. “

Anneleigh looked around her.  This village seemed to be all Onida had said; A community with shared joy.

“We guardians strive to bring about a better world,” Onida continued, “free from the corruption of the dragons.  The heart of the Vigil wants you to find your love for this world, and share it joyfully.”

As before, Anneleigh took this as her cue to continue her exploration of the holy city.  As she followed the curve of the path around the basilica she noticed the shops and houses became fewer and further between.  When, at last, they began to grow in number, she noticed another Abbot standing off to one side.

“Are you able to tell me about the vigil?” She asked of the Abbot.

The young elf nodded.  “I am Howakan, Abbot of Thontic.”

“Who is Thontic?” Anneleigh asked, “I know very little of him.”

Howakan chuckled to himself.  “Thontic is a mystery.  That is why you know so little of him.  To know Thontic is to discover, to travel, and to explore.  Sanctum is a beacon of safety, beauty, and wonder.  There are so many wonderful things in Telara to be discovered.”  Howakan paused and smiled at Anneleigh.  “You have already known him in your own way.  Thontic gives blessings to those that travel the world.  Thontic is the patron of merchants, sailors and explorers.  Now as part of the Vigil, he shows us that there is always something more to the world than what we have previously believed.   Here, in Thontic’s Row, we honor him by hosting merchants from around the world to come and sell their wares.”

If you would like to read Part 1, you can find it here.

Part three, the finale pieces of the Sanctum chapter, will come later this week. We still have yet to enter the basilica and reunite with Shyla. The interior of the building is even more grand than the surrounding village.