I am a damsel locked in her
tower, but I am my own
capture. No one else has
the strength to lock me
away. You though have the
key to free me from myself
tower, but I am my own
capture. No one else has
the strength to lock me
away. You though have the
key to free me from myself
The dawn hadn’t yet come, but even with out the shrines complex was a washed with noises. The place had been filled with noises for a few seasons know as construction had been occurring at the place. The sounds though were changing. Once they were the sounds of hammer, cussing and stones being moved into place, over the past few trails the sounds had slowly changed away from the sounds of stones, and hammers to the sound of talking, and furniture being moved, and shovels digging in the dirt, though the cursing had decreased only a bit. Know though even that had faded away and it was just the sound of a large group of people speaking in soft tones that the predawn seemed to demand.
Genna had contemplated have some big opening ceremony but after some thought about it and contemplation felt that a simple greeting of the dawn would be the best route to take for this event. The dock was crowded with the few ships that could dock there and that had brought the last of those who had gathered to honor Ymiden at his new shrine. Genna came up with the others who had arrived. Others were already at the shrine, men and woman of all races who had committed to serving Ymiden and been called to gather as caretakers of this place. Few of them would actually live all of there lives here but would spent time contemplating and learning about the domains of forgiveness and rebirth. Helping people to be reborn. There would also be those who would help teach those principles.
Genna didn’t walk only with strangers as she approached the central plaza of the complex. One her left was her daughter Lilabell and her right was her husband Pablo. Right behind her was her father, but also her cousin Koysa, or Hariso as he was locally known. Genna and her daughter were dressed in a white dress that went down to their ankles. All of the men were dressed in white shirts with brown pants. Genna did stand out from the others at this hour before dawn as her hair was glowing intently giving of soft pinks and yellow lights, just like the dawn.
They walked into the central plaza which was also the shrine to dawn. It was a flat surface with spots of lawn and paved walking paths, and a lot of benches. In the center though was a map of the world. Most people were gathered on this plaza as they prepared to meet the dawn. The south end of the plaza was where on entered the complex. To the north was another plaza built on top of a hill. To the west was the domed shrine to rebirth also sitting on a hill, and to the east was a square building on the shortest of the three hills.
Genna turned as she felt her cousin touch her shoulder. “This place is very different from what it was last time I was in the area.” He said looking around. “So tell me what you have done?” Genna nodded her head and indicated around her. She noticed that others around her had grown quiet at the question so she included them in the answer. “We are standing now of the shrine to the Dawn. It is designed to so people can watch the dawn as it come over those hills and the light spreads across the shrines.” She pointed to the plaza higher up the hill. “That is the shrine to summer, though it has also been designed to honor the other Immortals of the seasons. There is a alter to each season and during that seasons tenure across the world a fire will burn in that alter.” The parts of the crowd listening to her was growing. Here in Rharne Genna’s fame had grown so that she was generally recognized, but among this crowd people had heard of the platinum haired beauty who was one of Ymiden’s exalted, and had been the instigator to the Immortals shrine complex.
“Up there is the shrine of rebirth. It is a place were people can visit to symbolize a rebirth in there life. They can also learn about rebirth and what it really entails.” She said point to the domed marble building on the western hill. She turned towards the building on the east hill. “This though is the heart of the complex. The shrine of forgiveness.”
“Why does it look like an apartment block?” Her cousin asked curious.
“Because Forgiveness is a process much of the time. It is something that needs time, self contemplation, possible even study, so the shrine to honor it is a place that holds rooms for people to stay why the study, libraries and study rooms, and the contemplation gardens outside of it. I wanted people to be able to spend the time they need to learn that.” She smiled. “though if one is working on rebirth in their life they can also use the same resources.”
Genna heard general murmuring around them as finished her brief explanation. She looked around and said. “Everyone the dawn will be here soon and as the dawns light touches the shrines shall this place be dedicated.” She smile though and said. “I am going to ask that we let those who need the benches be allowed to sit. I also would like the children to come here around the map so that they can get a good view of it.” She waved to the crowd and after a moment children began to move forward, and Genna lead them the map. A raised edging encircled the map and encouraged people not to walk across the map. She smiled at the children and sat down behind them. Others, specifically parents of the children followed her example as the crowed quieted down.
They quietly waited as the light of the hills began to intensify. And as sun came over the edge of the land Genna began to sing one of the hymns celebrating the dawn and Ymiden. Those who knew the song also began to sing. The song wasn’t long but as the voices that sang it raised there voices it echoed around the hills. Genna watched for a peaceful moment before standing up. Lilabell also stood up with her and Genna carefully moved across the plaza and up the stairs towards the shrine to summer, as she walked she was joined by Pablo and Lilabell and soon others began to follow her. She pulled out some flint and steel and struck. She cross between the various other alters to the season and walked up to the one representing Ymiden. She paused and then with no ceremony struck the flint and steel until the prepared oil caught the spark and began to blaze. Genna smiled as she turned back to the crowd and said. “Thank you everyone for coming. There is some breakfast in the kitchens.” She said indicating to the shrine of forgiveness.” With that the shrine complex was dedicated.
Well almost dedicated. There was one last thing that Genna needed to do. She didn’t rush, but took her time. It wasn’t long before she found her cousin Koysa. He was standing at the base of the shrine to rebirth and looked up at it. “Do you feel ready to embrace something new.” She asked taking her cousins arm.
“I do want something different, but I feel I am not yet completely changed.” He said giving her a serious look.
“Good.” She said.
“Am I about to get some sophisticated and deep explanation about how that means I am ready.” Her asked her with a humorous look on his face.
“Sure.” Genna said. “Though all I was going to say was that just meant you saw reality.” She said. “People believe they can become ready for things. Nothing but doing that thing makes you ready. Yes you could be ready for a test or a specific event, but lifes major elements you can’t be ready for. You want to change but are afraid of failing.”
“But failing while trying is better then failing for lack of trying.” He supplied.
Genna blinked and nodded her head. “Not how I would have put it, but exactly right.”
“Will you come with me.” He asked.
“Yes.” Genna said and the two walked up and into the shrine of rebirth to see what if anything Ymiden had in mind. Genna glanced down as they came to the top of the steps. She smiled, pleased and excited as her dream had come. A place where those seeking change could gather and help each other. She was also pleased with her cousin. He was by no means a fully changed person. He was still suspicious, and refused to allow her to reach out to his family to let them know about him. He had forgiveness issues still to handle, but he was focusing at this time on changing his connections with the illegal parts of society and hopefully it would stick.
Genna had contemplated have some big opening ceremony but after some thought about it and contemplation felt that a simple greeting of the dawn would be the best route to take for this event. The dock was crowded with the few ships that could dock there and that had brought the last of those who had gathered to honor Ymiden at his new shrine. Genna came up with the others who had arrived. Others were already at the shrine, men and woman of all races who had committed to serving Ymiden and been called to gather as caretakers of this place. Few of them would actually live all of there lives here but would spent time contemplating and learning about the domains of forgiveness and rebirth. Helping people to be reborn. There would also be those who would help teach those principles.
Genna didn’t walk only with strangers as she approached the central plaza of the complex. One her left was her daughter Lilabell and her right was her husband Pablo. Right behind her was her father, but also her cousin Koysa, or Hariso as he was locally known. Genna and her daughter were dressed in a white dress that went down to their ankles. All of the men were dressed in white shirts with brown pants. Genna did stand out from the others at this hour before dawn as her hair was glowing intently giving of soft pinks and yellow lights, just like the dawn.
They walked into the central plaza which was also the shrine to dawn. It was a flat surface with spots of lawn and paved walking paths, and a lot of benches. In the center though was a map of the world. Most people were gathered on this plaza as they prepared to meet the dawn. The south end of the plaza was where on entered the complex. To the north was another plaza built on top of a hill. To the west was the domed shrine to rebirth also sitting on a hill, and to the east was a square building on the shortest of the three hills.
Genna turned as she felt her cousin touch her shoulder. “This place is very different from what it was last time I was in the area.” He said looking around. “So tell me what you have done?” Genna nodded her head and indicated around her. She noticed that others around her had grown quiet at the question so she included them in the answer. “We are standing now of the shrine to the Dawn. It is designed to so people can watch the dawn as it come over those hills and the light spreads across the shrines.” She pointed to the plaza higher up the hill. “That is the shrine to summer, though it has also been designed to honor the other Immortals of the seasons. There is a alter to each season and during that seasons tenure across the world a fire will burn in that alter.” The parts of the crowd listening to her was growing. Here in Rharne Genna’s fame had grown so that she was generally recognized, but among this crowd people had heard of the platinum haired beauty who was one of Ymiden’s exalted, and had been the instigator to the Immortals shrine complex.
“Up there is the shrine of rebirth. It is a place were people can visit to symbolize a rebirth in there life. They can also learn about rebirth and what it really entails.” She said point to the domed marble building on the western hill. She turned towards the building on the east hill. “This though is the heart of the complex. The shrine of forgiveness.”
“Why does it look like an apartment block?” Her cousin asked curious.
“Because Forgiveness is a process much of the time. It is something that needs time, self contemplation, possible even study, so the shrine to honor it is a place that holds rooms for people to stay why the study, libraries and study rooms, and the contemplation gardens outside of it. I wanted people to be able to spend the time they need to learn that.” She smiled. “though if one is working on rebirth in their life they can also use the same resources.”
Genna heard general murmuring around them as finished her brief explanation. She looked around and said. “Everyone the dawn will be here soon and as the dawns light touches the shrines shall this place be dedicated.” She smile though and said. “I am going to ask that we let those who need the benches be allowed to sit. I also would like the children to come here around the map so that they can get a good view of it.” She waved to the crowd and after a moment children began to move forward, and Genna lead them the map. A raised edging encircled the map and encouraged people not to walk across the map. She smiled at the children and sat down behind them. Others, specifically parents of the children followed her example as the crowed quieted down.
They quietly waited as the light of the hills began to intensify. And as sun came over the edge of the land Genna began to sing one of the hymns celebrating the dawn and Ymiden. Those who knew the song also began to sing. The song wasn’t long but as the voices that sang it raised there voices it echoed around the hills. Genna watched for a peaceful moment before standing up. Lilabell also stood up with her and Genna carefully moved across the plaza and up the stairs towards the shrine to summer, as she walked she was joined by Pablo and Lilabell and soon others began to follow her. She pulled out some flint and steel and struck. She cross between the various other alters to the season and walked up to the one representing Ymiden. She paused and then with no ceremony struck the flint and steel until the prepared oil caught the spark and began to blaze. Genna smiled as she turned back to the crowd and said. “Thank you everyone for coming. There is some breakfast in the kitchens.” She said indicating to the shrine of forgiveness.” With that the shrine complex was dedicated.
Well almost dedicated. There was one last thing that Genna needed to do. She didn’t rush, but took her time. It wasn’t long before she found her cousin Koysa. He was standing at the base of the shrine to rebirth and looked up at it. “Do you feel ready to embrace something new.” She asked taking her cousins arm.
“I do want something different, but I feel I am not yet completely changed.” He said giving her a serious look.
“Good.” She said.
“Am I about to get some sophisticated and deep explanation about how that means I am ready.” Her asked her with a humorous look on his face.
“Sure.” Genna said. “Though all I was going to say was that just meant you saw reality.” She said. “People believe they can become ready for things. Nothing but doing that thing makes you ready. Yes you could be ready for a test or a specific event, but lifes major elements you can’t be ready for. You want to change but are afraid of failing.”
“But failing while trying is better then failing for lack of trying.” He supplied.
Genna blinked and nodded her head. “Not how I would have put it, but exactly right.”
“Will you come with me.” He asked.
“Yes.” Genna said and the two walked up and into the shrine of rebirth to see what if anything Ymiden had in mind. Genna glanced down as they came to the top of the steps. She smiled, pleased and excited as her dream had come. A place where those seeking change could gather and help each other. She was also pleased with her cousin. He was by no means a fully changed person. He was still suspicious, and refused to allow her to reach out to his family to let them know about him. He had forgiveness issues still to handle, but he was focusing at this time on changing his connections with the illegal parts of society and hopefully it would stick.
