Page 43 of Tusks & Saddles
“Th—”
Handsome?!
Beatrix cleared her throat, cheeks heating just enough for her to notice.
“That is exactly what I’m saying. Don’t follow me, don’t go looking for me. You’re better off doing whatever it is holy people do all day. Irongarde isn’t like the Chroma Coast. It’s dangerous in ways you are not ready to handle and—” Beatrix sighed. There was no point in falling into one of her tangents about safety and preparedness needed to survive the harsh landscape. “Just stick to what you know, and you’ll be just fine. Put your nose in people’s business and there’s a good chance you’ll end up six feet under, if you catch my meaning.”
She had a strong suspicion that Welborn was as stubborn as a weed. The kind with sharp needles that regularly got stuck in her boots. Yet, the cleric surprised her again as he nodded. Beatrix wasn’t sure if the gesture was acceptance, but if he so much as continued to follow her, she’d fire a warning shot.
Satisfied, she got three steps before pausing.
“Stay within the city limits. Anything beyond the border really isn’t safe.”
Beatrix walked away before Welborn could respond.
Chapter Five
Welborn
True to Miss Eaves word, the temple district was on the main road. Welborn followed it until the path deviated to the left, revealing markers of the Sun Bringer. The goddess of sun, fire, righteous fury, and protection had worshipers from all walks of life. Those who governed farmlands and animals tended to be the most devoted to her. And given that one of Irongarde’s biggest exports were cattle, Welborn wasn’t surprised by the sight of the tall building.
Welborn briefly wondered if Boone frequented here, as his older brother had pledged himself to the Sun Bringer. While the building was worn, Welborn could see the followers on the stoop sweeping the dust away, washing windows, and watering the garden beds along the side of the building. The Sun Bringers children were flourishing in Irongarde. Welborn hoped he could provide the same guidance to those who may find their path with the All Seer.
Speaking of…
The Scribe had given Welborn instructions that the All Seer Sanctum would be just down the road from the Sun Bringer Temple…yet the young cleric couldn’t seem to find it. Welborn scanned the area, but at the edge of the city there was nothing but browning trees, weeds, and a barren landscape beyond.
Did I misunderstand the Scribe? Or has something happened to the All Seer’s temple?
Worry—along with a decent amount of sweat—set on Welborn’s forehead. Perhaps he could head back to the Sun Bringer temple and ask if any of them knew where the High Cleric was? At the very least, it would afford him a much needed reprieve from the dry heat. His under clothes were starting to stick to his skin and his lips had grown rough.
He was poised to march the path back where he came when Welborn spotted a moving body ahead. A thin, elven figure with long brassy red hair was running in his direction. Welborn blinked, before jolting to the side as to not block their path. However, the courteous gesture was in vain as the elf promptly tripped on the root of a large weed. The elven woman fell hard onto the ground with a shriek, a mess of tan dress robes and hair flying as their hat landed at Welborn’s feet.
“Ah, are you all right?!” Welborn asked, snatching the hat off the ground as he made his way to the elf’s side.
“I’m okay!” she exclaimed, voice pitched high. “Who put that root there?”
Welborn carefully helped her come to a sitting position. Upon a closer look, the stranger appeared to have a few scrapes along her cheek. Green eyes stared at Welborn with embarrassment, shifting beneath lashes as she hurriedly fixed her robes and vestments—
Wait.
Welborn’s eyes widened at the familiar symbol on the woman’s dress.
“You worship the All Seer?!”
The woman blinked, startled by his statement before she shyly nodded. She straightened the emblem around her neck.
“I do,” she said, then continued more confidently, “ah, but I’m afraid I don’t have time to speak on the glorious wonders that is the All Seer at the moment! You see, I’m running behind, and I was supposed to be at the train station an hour ago to pick up a member of our temple! But I don’t know anything about him so I have no idea what to expect! All I was told by the High Cleric is that he’s a cleric like me and an orc—”
“That’s me!”
“—and oh my All Seer, you’re anorc!” she shouted in realization, her eyes widening upon seeing his own holy symbol. “And you’re a worshiper of the All Seer, too?! Your name wouldn’t happen to be—”
“Welborn!” he grinned. “Welborn Larokson! The Scribe sent me!”
“Oh, how lucky! Thank you, All Seer!” the woman praised while hastily wiping her bruised and bleeding hand on her dress robes. “My name’s Amadolna! It’s so nice to meet you! I’m so, so,sosorry I was late to see you! High Cleric Swoth said I needed to be at the train station an hour ago but I got so distracted by the strange earth tremors near our temple foundation! I completely lost track of time and—”
Welborn gently took Amadolna’s outstretched hand and released the divine magic that lay within his palm. A brilliant blue light glowed, surrounding the woman’s hand. The gentle magic took effect, accelerating Amadolna’s healing. When Welborn removed his hand, there was only the faint markings of the impact of herfall. The minor wounds on her skin closed as if a week or so of healing had occurred.
