6 The Temple

After being released from the prison Hawkfrost found himself near the edge of town. Looking down the street he saw that it lead in the direction of the temple. Clutching the left strap of his backpack he slung it over his shoulder, deciding that it wouldn't hurt to check in with his god and, if there weren't to many people, to check out the prophecy tablet.

The walk there was crowded with many people, all going to get a hint to their future he assumed as he himself followed the river of travelers to the temple. It didnt take long before he himself arrived at the steps of the temple. The temple was an impressive display with flying buttresses and grand arches flowing down the sides of a central steeple before dispersing into several smaller steeples that dotted the main structure. The main structure itself was decorated in beautiful reliefs, each paying homage to one of the many deeds or stories of the gods. Looking around he found he was at the center of a diamond shaped white marble courtyard with several small statues placed in each of the cardinal directions.

Off to Hawkfrost's left as he stood in the center of courtyard, he saw a long queue with people of many different origins leading out one of the temples three front doors. Some if not most of these people held a form of offering to the temple. Skipping the line he went straight past the crowd and up to one of the other two doors and entered in that way.

The inside was well lit with many glow stone lamps as well as holy fire chandeliers. The windows he found were a myriad of colors that displayed a kaleidoscope effect along the floor. Off to his left he saw two halls that led away from the main chamber that were guarded by statues of chimera.

Entering between the hall he saw their were plaques hanging over a multitude of doors each plaque giving the name of a different god. He continued down the hall until he found the name plate of his God. Slowly he pushed open the wooden door that lead inside.

The interior was a lit with a cool blue shade ,thanks to the stain glass window, that enveloped everything in its soft embrace. However it wasn't just the lighting that he noticed was off the room itself was cooler than it should have been, almost like a spring day up in the mountains of his home town. The room was decorated with several aspects one might find in the mountains such as large boulders, pine trees, and even a thin layer of frost. Long wooden benches for worshipers stood facing an alter of the deity the place was modeled after.

Freeza: the goddess of winter and the patron of many mountain dwellers.

Standing before the marble statue he recalled the tale of the many men who would compete to woo her, those who failed would be consumed by ice. In his childhood he wondered why any man would take such a risk but now as he stood before the delicately carved statue of the voluptuous beauty, he probably would have tried his hand at it just the same as those other men did in the story.

Walking up to the statue he looked up at the gentle face of the stone carving. His mother use to tell him that of all the gods Freeza was the kindest, that no matter what she always listened to us mortals in our time of need. He quietly huffed to himself as images of the past crept into his brain. Where had she been then?

"The ice mother is indeed a sight to behold"

Turning around he saw an man in a friar's frock standing behind him.

"Not many people worship her nowadays, to busy giving prayers to Lua not realizing it was Freeza who made humans", the man said moving to stand beside him.

"I come from the mountains so it's pretty common to worship her, legend says she can't speak like the other deities do because Ragnar took her voice" he answered, "kinda wish she could talk still and give me some guidance."

"What troubles you that you would need her guidance?" the man asked.

"I've come a long way and through much hardship in my life, I came here hoping to start fresh but at the same time I'm lost. I dont know where to go or what I'm supposed to be doing."

"Destiny and purpose are always grand motivators of good men as well as bad men so to feel lost is not unnatural especially when starting anew. Tell me have you gone to see the prophecy tablet?"

"unfortunately I have no offering for the service and the line is quite long", Hawkfrost answered looking the man in his gentle smiling eyes.

"Come with me," the man answered and began walking toward the doors.

Following after the man Hawkfrost had a hard time keeping up as he weaved through doors and hallways with the swiftness of a rabbit. Stopping finally at a door with the pleasant fragrance of mur and lavender.

"Where are we?" Hawkfrost asked catching up to him at a brisk trot.

"The back door."

And with a quick tug of the handle opened the door to the room beyond.