Homecoming

A battered and weary traveler emerged from the mountains one evening, as the sun was nearing its rest in the Western Sea.

The man’s name was Tai Fa, and his journey had taken him hundreds of leagues, and many years to complete. Tai Fa was nearly home.

As he descended the gentle goat paths beneath sparkling waterfalls, Tai Fa contemplated why he was here. After all, this was where he started as a young priest, so long ago. He went east, seeking enlightenment, made good friends, and had great adventure. New he has returned to Chreylos.

Tai Fa walked along the pathways between manicured flower gardens, not disturbing their tenders. Then, reaching the valley floor, he walked the grain fields. By the time he reached the city, the Sun was asleep, and torches shared the night with the stars.

The priest reached the gate, and drank in his surroundings. Forty-foot tall brass statues of the serene god Majere stood on either side, touching palms at the top. There was no door; the people of Chreylia were peaceful. Smooth walls of green marble streaked with white disappeared into the night.

Tai Fa walked into the gate, not noticing the tarnish and scars on the statues, or the great dents in the wall. He passed the statues into an empty street, the night hiding its features. The priest made haste to the Temple of Thought, following the route he had memorized in his youth.

"Halt!" cried a harsh voice. Torches were quickly lit all around him, and he discovered that he was surrounded by a dozen robed men carrying wickedly curved swords. One of the warriors was missing an eye, and had unfamiliar markings on his robe.

"You are not welcome here, priest," the warrior grunted, eyeing Tai Fa’s silver medallion.

"This is Chreylos!" Tai Fa retorted, "the Holy City. You cannot bar the passage of a priest."

"Much has changed since you left," the warrior said in a calm tone, "By order of the Emperor of Rohisho, all priests of Majere are to be executed."

"This is not Rohisho!" Tai Fa screamed.

"Like I said, priest, much has changed." The warrior gestured to his cohorts. "Kill him"

The warrior melted back into the darkness, and the soldiers closed in, the flash of steel bright and the smell of death strong….

-Joshua Mailhiot