Chapter Text
The carriage rattled slightly as it traversed over a particularly rough bump in the road, shaking the people inside. A particularly grumpy blue jellyfish grumbled to herself as the carriage rolled over it, shutting her eyes yet again. She crossed her arms with an irritated expression, adjusting her position on the seat. She was lying on her back, atop one of the benches in the fancy carriage- she had been trying to sleep for the ride, despite being in the presence of another. Really though, it didn’t matter- for the other person was her personal servant, who had been with her for practically her whole life and was basically a close friend to her. The jellyfish reached to adjust one of the curtains in the carriage, fumbling for the fabric before the servant silently brushed her hand away and neatly closed the curtains for her. She mumbled a quiet thanks, but didn’t stop to glance at the servant. The servant showed no reaction- really, they were also tired. They had been in the carriage for a fair amount of hours by then and had also run out of snacks, just to make it worse. The servant shifted to look out of the other window, their eyes widening at the sights around them- Anchordeep.
The two of them had been traveling to Anchordeep for a while now, traveling across a large and empty ocean, although they occasionally passed or stopped in small cities or villages. Since the two of them were aquatic species though, they chose to go by carriage underwater. At the time, boats weren’t extremely advanced yet, so traveling by carriage seemed safer despite the heavier price. Especially considering how the entire trip could be underwater, since they had come from an area that was also underwater- just was charted on a different continent. The jellyfish, Mori, had insisted on staying strictly underwater since her skin was sensitive to dry climates, as in anything not underwater.
They were coming from a continent simply labeled and described as the “northern continent”, since it was north of most other continents. The continent didn’t interact with other continents and islands enough to earn a name for themselves, hence the name. They were known for their dark and icy waters, so the change to Anchordeep’s warm and almost mediterranean climate were rather unusual for her- but also plenty welcome. They were sent by Mori’s parents to Anchordeep for what seemed to be one simple reason- to convince the Old Faith to trade with them.
The northern continent had been wishing to trade with the Old Faith for a while by then, since they were lacking in some recourses, and the Old Faiths’ domains plentifully carried them. Although it seemed like a perfect opportunity to trade with all the surrounding continents and islands, the Old Faith was known for being hostile and hesitant with outside forces. Yet they carried what appeared, a rather dominant religion on the whole island as Mori had heard, hence the island being just described as “The Lands of The Old Faith”. The island and the cults were actually separate- a few communities had small villages by the trading ports, known as Pilgrims Passage or Smugglers Sanctuary. She was traveling there instead of her parents instead though, because apparently bishop Kallamar was in need of more acolytes in his cult and her parents were wealthy diplomats who had no need of living at or by a temple. Her parents had brushed off any further questions and told her to focus on obtaining access to trade with them. She found it amusing how such a wealthy bishop would need more followers, as he probably had plenty.
Mori opened her eyes after a few minutes to gaze at her servant, who was staring out the carriage window on the opposite side of her. Her servant didn’t notice her gaze and continued to observe Anchordeep’s natural beauty with wide eyes. Mori was silent for a few more moments, taking a moment to bask in the blue-ish light from the surroundings and the tastefully decorated carriage. The interior had softly colored walls and benches, with a few small shelf-like tables to carry snacks. Their luggage would sit beneath the cushioned benches. The curtains on the windows were mostly lace, but also had some sort of mesh in them to actually be able to block out light. She was used to such luxury- she was basically a princess, just not in a domain that was a monarchy, so she’d never actually rule. She eventually gathered her thoughts and spoke to her servant, breaking the calm silence in doing so.
“What’s it like?”
Her servant glanced back at her, their expression calm. They replied after thinking for a moment, trying to give a decent enough explanation for her. “It’s very colorful. There are a lot of plants and flowers, with a decent amount of residents. There are also… crystal lamps? So it seems like a wealthy area,” her servant hesitated, “but we are also in the capital. While you were asleep, there was some farmland and… strange areas. But otherwise! It’s very pretty.”
Mori gave a simple hum in response, satisfied with her servants reply. Mori closed her eyes again, her expression now calm. She imagined what it would be like at the temple. She’d heard it was a beautiful work of art in Anchordeep, full of breathtaking gardens, devotion-filled works of glass, and portraits… It drove her to be curious of how she’d be treated there. Would she be treated with the luxury she was used to? Would she simply be described as a guest?
She exhaled lightly, and her servant checked to make sure she wasn’t upset. Mori shook her head casually to say something along the lines of ‘i’m fine’ and ‘don’t bother’.
After an hour that went by quickly, the carriage stopped. Mori quickly stirred from her nap, surprised. She glanced at the window, then hurriedly sat up. She fixed her robes and dress, then her jellyfish frills. Her servant quickly brushed away any trash or crumbs, as the carriage door then opened. The coachman stood there, respectfully pulling out the small step for the two. Accompanying the coachman, there was an acolyte of Anchordeep standing beside him to make sure they were actually bringing Mori and not smuggling anything. When the acolyte looked over Mori, it seemed as if they had scoffed under their breath. Why though? Perhaps they were envious of her wealth, or simply some other reason, she thought.
Mori stepped out of the carriage, while holding her dress, feeling upset that the acolyte had scoffed at her. She didn’t comment since she felt no need to make it into an issue. Her servant opened their mouth to complain, but at hearing Mori’s silence, closed it.
The two were slowly guided into the temple by the acolyte, as they weren’t allowed to do so on their own for some reason. Must be some form of security, Mori thought. She’d heard that Anchordeep was one of the more secure domains, so it didn’t surprise her. The coachman carried her luggage behind her, with his usual distant expression.
The inside of the temple was just as beautiful as the outside, if not even more. The light trickling in from the ocean surface fell into the stained glass, basking the temple in a light array of colors. Some of the stained glass depicted the crowns of all the bishops, while others depicted either Kallamar himself or just his crown- the blue crown. She let out a soft hum of amusement, looking over the other decorations… candles, crystals, flora, all sorts… it seemed luxurious, too. Perhaps the scenery made up for the usually cold and dark surroundings… she was glad it was a clear and sunny day.
Acolytes walked around the main entrance to the temple, which seemed to have been a common area. Perhaps that was why it was so decorated… Mori wished to take longer to observe, but the acolyte guiding them was beginning to walk away from her, towards where she’d likely have her quarters. She figured it would be good to put her belongings away, then to tour the temple. She followed them, her shoes making small clicks on the tile and stone floors. There were long, intricate hallways, some with portraits or assortments.
Mori eventually was ushered inside her room, where the coachman set her stuff down then left. She looked around, disappointed that her room wasn’t as well decorated. It consisted of a mostly simple and bland set of a bed, a shelf, a desk, a rack for her clothes, and a window with curtains. She curiously walked to the curtain, peeking outside. Yes! Score! She’d gotten a view of the courtyard gardens. She excitedly turned around to tell her servant, but froze when they weren’t in sight… right, they probably had different quarters. She hummed dismissively, then started organizing and putting her belongings away. She felt no shame in how many bags she had, as she was already wealthy in her ‘past life’.
After what seemed like half of an hour, she stopped to look around her room. It had all her items and such, but lacked decor. She figured she’d eventually fix that…
She had set away a few books on the shelf and a box of jewelry, and a picture of her with some friends from when she was younger. Her clothes now stuffed the rack, including three pairs of shoes- a comfortable set, a formal set of heels, and shorter heels that faintly resembled Mary-Janes. Her bed had an extra pillow, an extra soft blanket, and as she refused to acknowledge, a plush toy of a pink squid. Wasn’t Kallamar a squid? She dismissed the thought, since nobody but her knew of the plush. Her desk had her stationary, her makeup, and a few trinkets of many kinds.
She gave an approving nod, then pulled the curtains open. She saw her reflection in the mirror- a blue she-jellyfish with a proud expression. Her frills were neatly styled, she had a formal dress underneath matching formal robes, some makeup, and a fancy necklace. She let out a soft exclamation as she remembered she had new robes now, so quickly discarded her outer robe and pulled on the new acolyte robe that was provided for her upon her entry. It was a bit heavy, but she’d get used to it.
She glanced at the small hand-clock she’d set on her desk, checking the time. She believed she was lucky to have the clock, since technology was sparse at that time, and most peoples’ religions were more important than their idea of science… She took a seat at her desk, since she had enough time before she’d probably be taken on a tour around the temple. She decided to start out by testing her new stationary.
The stationary was perfect, as always. She wrote a quick letter to her parents, even if it would never be delivered.
-
Greetings, mother and father.
I hope your day/night is going rather well currently. I have just arrived at the temple of pestilence, and am currently getting settled in. They are treating me well, so far. I still have yet to encounter Kallamar. I’m sure once I do, I will be able to climb the ranks quickly. Do not worry about me. I will try to visit after four months, but it isn’t absolute yet.
Best wishes from your daughter, Mori.
-
She finished off the neat ‘letter’ with a small flourish in her signature, sighing softly. She folded up the letter then sat it in the drawer of the desk, noting how dusty it was… eugh.
There was a sudden knock on the door, which she smiled at. Just on time, yes. She stood from the desk then walked over to the door. She opened it and greeted the servant, who instructed her to follow them. She did just so, not complaining about the directness… it was better than if they were to get distracted.
The tour itself wasn’t bad. She mentally mapped out the temple, and also asked a few questions- mainly about her schedule and duties. She was to produce devotion and mainly serve as a guest for now. They said a few things that confused her, but she tuned them out since she couldn’t have cared less about marriage and relationships at this temple and all that… she’d been strongly independent since birth.
By the later part of the day, she’d eventually been guided to what looked like just a large dining room for supper. The acolyte explained that she was able to make her own food and such in a communal kitchen, or if she set up appliances in her quarters, but they provided meals too for a pretty coin. She figured she’d try out the food that day, and separated from the acolyte showing the tour to purchase some dinner. The meals were somewhat cheap, in her perspective as a woman from a rich family, but also weren’t that interesting.
The meal consisted of some slightly dry fish, a bit of crumbly bread, and steamed vegetables… she was surprised by how much cauliflower everyone was eating. She personally thought it was bland, and longed for the luxurious meals she was used to… perhaps she could exchange most of her northern currency for Anchordeep currency. What was the exchange rate again?
She spent the rest of the day exchanging her currency for the currency used by the Old Faith, and stocking up on books about the religion to make up for knowing little about it.
Mori learned that the Old Faith consisted of five ‘bishops’ or gods at that time. There was the youngest, Leshy, bishop of Darkwood and god of chaos and peace. Then followed, was Heket, bishop of Anura and god of famine, and Narinder, god of death. She figured it made somewhat sense again that Narinder had no real-world domain, as he probably ruled both underworlds. She didn’t care though, as it would be a while before she’d ever see him. The entries about Kallamar were much richer than the other bishops, since she purchased this book in his domain… The last one was Shamura, bishop of Silk Cradle, and god of war and wisdom. This all intrigued her, but she made no effort to do further research.
Now relaxing during the night hours, she decided to get ready for bed and go to sleep. She went through a small routine, then slid into her bed for the night.
She struggled to fall asleep for that night, drowning in what this very day would do for her future. Perhaps the acolyte was right- maybe she’d end up married. Maybe she’d become a crazy grandma who’s obsessed with religion. Maybe she’d be a crazy fanatic. Maybe she’d be shunned for her behavior and tendencies…