Steph and Thalia walked side by side along a seldom-traveled path winding through the dense, swamplands of Agado. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the persistent hum of buzzing insects and the rhythmic croaking of unseen frogs, a natural symphony that seemed both serene and foreboding.
Trailing behind them was a small group of Red Church members, their crimson robes blending into the muted hues of the swamp. Each stood close to Steph, and though their faces were obscured by hoods, the glint of weapons at their sides hinted at their role as protectors. The faint rustle of their movements through the underbrush harmonized with the wet squelch of boots against the damp ground, a reminder of the untamed wilderness that surrounded them.
Steph’s expression remained composed, her steps steady and sure despite the uneven terrain. Thalia walked slightly ahead, her sharp gaze scanning their surroundings with the practiced vigilance of a leader accustomed to the perils of the swampland. Together, they pressed forward, their purpose unspoken.
Thalia: “My lady. For one last time, I must protest this. It is too dangerous,” she spoke out, as she continued to lead the group.
Red Guard: “I must also agree with commander Thalia. Please, your holiness, let us turn back and return to the safety of Coppa,” the masculine voice added while walking beside Steph.
Steph: “We are already almost there. No point in going back now.”
Red Guard: “But, why do you have to meet them? And, how do we even know this information is good and not a trick?”
Steph: “The information came from Yovis, a must pious individual who’s been part of our community for a while now. I will trust what he says is true. That there is a community of lepers out here in the swamp that what’s to know if the healing our god offers is real.”
Thalia: “But, still. Why trust it? Even if what Yovis said was true, how do we know he wasn't lied to?”
Steph: “Thalia, you need to have faith.”
Thalia: “I do, my lady. I try to believe in other people the best I can like you. But… if something happened to you, we would all be lost. You are the heart of our people, who speak the most directly to our god, and give out his blessings.”
Steph shook her head gently, a soft smile spreading across her lips. Her expression radiated warmth and kindness, her eyes alight with a quiet reassurance that seemed to dissolve any lingering tension.
Steph: “Thalia, you still need faith. You do not have to worry about me. Our god and his guidance are with me, always. There is nothing in this world I need to fear anymore,” she said as she affectionately rubbed the gem of a tear drop shaped ruby attached to a necklace around her neck.
Thalia: “Still, why do you have to go meet them?”
Steph: “Leprosy is a very difficult illness to treat, even with normal healing magic and drugs. And, none of our priests has ever tried to heal that kind of sickness. If we want this leper community to trust us, we must make sure that they see the miracle of our god first hand. Our attempt at healing them must be successful on the first try. That is why it must be me. As being the closest to our god, I can channel his blessings better than anybody else, ensuring that this community will be healed of its sickness.”
Thalia: “Why not come to us? Why do we have to go meet them?
Steph: “They didn’t want to spread their disease into our community. Thalia, if true, we must help them. To have such selflessness to worry about our community's well being in the face of their own sickness, and willingly separate themselves for our protection, is truly heart moving. They must be welcomed into our community if they choose to join us. Their act of self-sacrifice will serve to inspire others.”
Thalia let out a long, weary sigh, shaking her head in resignation. This had been her final attempt to sway Steph, but it was clear now that the saintess’s decision was final. Her mind was made up. Accepting the inevitable, Thalia fell silent, her mind already shifting to the task ahead as the group pressed onward.
Their journey brought them to the remains of an abandoned village, its forlorn state a reminder of the hardships endured by those who had once called it home. Scattered huts sprinkled among the location, their walls draped in creeping moss, leaned precariously, as if the swamp itself sought to reclaim them. A few roofs had already caved in, leaving the interiors exposed to the elements. One hut teetered on the edge of a murky pool of swamp water, its foundation slowly succumbing to the encroaching bog.
At the heart of the village stood a boarded-up church, its silhouette rising above the decaying community. Though weathered and worn, it appeared in slightly better condition than the surrounding structures, as if it had stubbornly resisted the ravages of time and neglect. Thalia's eyes lingered on the church, her thoughts as murky as the swamp water, as she prepared for whatever lay ahead.
Steph: “This is the meeting area. Yovis said they would send someone from their community to meet me in that church at the center. He also said that this community is very skittish, and that if they're are too many armed people waiting around they might not show up. So, I will go into the church and wait alone. The rest of you will wait far outside the village and out of sight, so as to not scare them off.”
At Steph’s directive, a visible ripple of unease passed through the Red Guards surrounding her. Several flinched at the very idea of leaving the saintess alone in this desolate, forsaken, abandoned village. Their uneasiness was palpable. A few among them opened their mouths to voice their objections, but before a single word could escape, Thalia stepped forward.
With a firm yet composed gesture, she raised her arm, signaling the guards to remain silent. Her sharp, commanding gaze swept over the group, quelling their protests before they could take form. Reluctantly, the guards obeyed, their loyalty to Thalia and the saintess overriding their misgivings.
Steph made a graceful bow, a gesture of gratitude directed toward the group. Without another word, she turned and began making her way toward the dilapidated church at the heart of the abandoned village. Her white robes swayed lightly with each step, contrasting against the gloom of the decaying surroundings.
Thalia stood silently, her eyes fixed on Steph’s retreating figure. A knot of unease tightened in her chest, her instincts prickling with a foreboding she couldn’t shake. As much as she trusted Steph’s wisdom and strength, the sight of the saintess walking off alone into the eerie stillness of the village filled her with a deep, gnawing worry.
Despite her better judgment, Thalia fought the urge to call out or follow. She knew that Steph’s decisions were not made lightly, and her faith in the saintess compelled her to hold her ground. Still, a lingering sense of dread refused to leave her. She felt that something bad was about to happen.