71st of Fall, 515 AV
The heavy silence of the temple weighed down on Joanna as she stepped through the threshold dressed in a full set of armor. It was the same armor she wore throughout her travels and the same armor she had inherited from her father. It meant more than just protection to her. She felt connected to the divines while wearing it, even more so in a place of worship like this. And what a place this was. It felt as if she had entered another world, far removed from the loud and cramped streets she had taken to get here. Even now, the sounds of civilization were distant. Too distant to take any precedence in her mind. Once the wooden doors closed behind her, the noise shrank down to a whisper and became nothing more than white noise.
She felt somewhat guilty while walking towards the altar, her footsteps shattering the silence that felt so sanctified, but it was only then that she began to notice those things which had initially escaped her. There was the faint sound of pages being turned, quiet prayers being spoken, and even the gentle breathing of those deep in meditation. Occasionally someone would scuff their feet against the ground, or take a deep sigh. She was even beginning to hear her own heartbeat, now.
While there was certainly activity inside the temple, Joanna was disappointed by just how few attendants there actually were. There were only a handful of occupants, most of which looked like caretakers. It might have had something to do with the time of day, as it was just after morning and not quite noon. Yet seeing the rows empty made her heart sink. But as she scanned the seats, the beauty of the palace started to unfold itself to her. Everything from the ornate carvings in the pews, the murals that sprawled across the walls, and even the floor tiles that stretched from one corner of the temple to the other looked to be crafted with delicate care. Each inch of the interior was made with love and devotion. Even the high arches above her felt grand and wonderful. It was enough to take her breath away.
Without a doubt the most impressive part of the temple was its central alter; a place of worship for any and all, no matter their god. A meeting of faiths, all held within a single building, a single entity. It felt magical, and quite intimidating, too. The presence of the divine felt intense. As Joanna knelt before the alter, she could almost feel the gaze of Priskil. She shuddered. Equal parts of righteous fear and excitement were coursing through her, but she remained absolute. With her hands clasping the copper sun medallion, Joanna began speaking to her Goddess in hushed tones, hoping the words would find her.
She asked for guidance and wisdom. For strength and courage. For hope and vigilance. It was with these blessings that she hoped to spread the light of her Goddess to those who had long since abandoned it. In times like these, it was her devotion to her Goddess that kept Joanna moving forward. Kept her brave. Wherever the light touched, Joanna would follow. She wanted nothing more than to bring hope to a world that had lost so much. It was all she could do.
It wasn't until she had to draw in a sudden breath that she realized how engrossed she had gotten with her prayer. Feeling just the least bit embarrassed, Joanna rested back on her haunches and continued to meditate. She allowed herself to think of Syliras, and the opportunities the city held. There were so many things to do and learn, she wondered just how much she could accomplish here in a single season, let alone a whole year. What kind of people would she meet? What kind of experiences would she have? It was so exciting to think about that she couldn't help smile.
