I had the most remarkable experience today.
For the past few weeks, I have been developing my skills as a healer by accompanying hunting trips. The intent of the hunt is to rid Puddleby of vermin, but I fear the supply of troublesome beasts, great and small, is inexhaustible. Nevertheless, I deem it a worthy cause, and the experience I gain, both from spirit share by the fighters and by defending myself from creatures that wander too close, should prove valuable when eventually I depart the settled area to search for a way home.
Nor do I let my accumulated experience go to waste. Whenever I return from a hunting trip, I visit the wise elders who then train me to apply the lessons I have learned in the field and improve my abilities. As is also my wont, when I visit the temple, I take a moment to stop by the altar and whisper a few words of thanks to the Moon Goddess, patron of healers. I don't expect anything concrete to come of it, but it comforts me to think she's there to watch over me.
Today, something did happen.
As I kneeled before the altar, with my hands clasped and eyes closed, a sweet, melodious woman's voice spoke to me. "Tamarin," it said, as clearly as if I had spoken the words myself, "I am pleased by your continuing devotion. Look upon me, and know that you have earned my favor."
When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the temple. I am certain I was nowhere in Puddleby at all. I was not afraid. Standing before me was a lady Thoom, more exquisitely beautiful than I can adequately describe. Her dark brown eyes seemed as big as Moonstones, her forehead was broad and unwrinkled, and the short hair of her scalp looked so soft its caress would feel like a warm breath. She smiled upon me, and when I looked into the unfathomable depths of her eyes, I knew that this could be none other than the Moon Goddess herself.
I threw myself to the ground at her feet. "My Goddess," I cried, awestruck, "please, how may your humblest servant express his gratitude for this honor?"
"Rise, Tamarin," she replied with a twinkle in her eye. "I do not require that you clean the ground before me with your robe. I require of you a more difficult service."
"Anything you wish," I cried, "I shall do it!"
"Be not so hasty, Tamarin," the Goddess admonished. "You are earnest, but still inexperienced. Return to me again when you are ready."
"My Goddess," I implored, "how will I know? What must I do to prepare myself?"
She was gone. I was once again in the Temple, kneeling before the altar. Everything was the same as before. I find myself unchanged; I certainly don't feel like a being who has spoken to a God. I do not believe that this encounter will have a material effect on my daily life, nor do I believe it was meant to. I discussed the matter with my friend Healery, and she feels I should continue to develop my skills as a healer, which I was planning to do in any regard. Yet I feel a new sense of purpose, that my life has a meaning greater than my own ambitions.
I will be thinking much on this matter in the months to come.
Next: Orga Invasion!