The First Lich Lord

Chapter 8

The land became steadily more developed the farther away from the mountains I traveled. Before long, I came across Ciltus, a large trading city. Smaller routes connected to Ciltus spread out across the land, forming a vast network to its smaller hamlets and villages.

Like previously, instead of taking the much quicker road and cutting straight through, I decided to skirt around it along one of the smaller roads. My illusion spell was powerful, but there were equally capable clerics in this kingdom, and it was best to avoid potential run-ins, despite the time longer journey around the city would take.

It was about mid-day when I came upon a crossroads. Just down the road, a single wagon drawn by a draft horse neared, the wagons rider a stout man in brown robes. He looked an awful lot like Friar Tuck from the old Robin Hood movies.

He waved, a broad smile splitting his face. Good afternoon, stranger!

I was little taken aback. Most people didnt call out to random strangers like that. Examining him, I first thought he might be a dwarf. He certainly had the beard to match one and was as stout as any dwarf I'd ever seen. However, when he pulled his cart up beside me, it became apparent he was too tall to be a dwarf.

Good afternoon to you as well, I responded cautiously.

Avoiding the city, traveler?

Is it so obvious?

Youre not the only one, the big man said. Like the other big cities, Ciltus is rather chaotic presently. I only visited to gather supplies from the temple.

I let out a small sigh of relief. Yes, chaotic isnt exactly a place I wish to be right now.

Aint that the truth, traveler. Aint that the truth! Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Im Friar Brown.

Ah, and you as well, Im Ezekiel. Alarms went off in my mind. Is a friar like a priest?

Were more like the priests who still know how to have a good time, Brown explained. Is that a problem?

Of course not, why would it be a problem? I chuckled nervously while internally screaming at myself for being an idiot.

Friar Brown gave me a long look and nodded. Where you traveling to?

A small town called Omark, out in the western mountains. I figured itd be a good place to get away from all the chaos until it settles down.

I havent been to Omark in a long time. Pretty place, Brown said thoughtfully. And quite fortuitous! My route just so happens to lead directly toward Omark for a while. Any chance youd care to have a traveling companion?

Do you always offer random strangers on the road to travel with you? I asked suspiciously. Seems a bit dangerous. How do you know Im not some monster?

Friar Brown chuckled and shook his head. The world may be chaos right now, but I know youre not a monster.

Although this man clearly didnt know any better, I could see the benefit of traveling with a friar. It would give me some protection from prying eyes, just so long as this friar remained nave. Why not, we can keep each other company. I spend too much time alone in my thoughts as it is.

Wonderful! Hop on up. Friar Brown moved over and patted the spot next to him. I sprang up onto the bench, and he cracked the reins to urge the horse onward, the cart now steadily rolling down the road.

So, friars are like traveling priests, right?

Yes, and Olattee friars and priests share similar roles and authority levels in the church, Friar Brown explained. Overall, its harder to become a friar than a priest. The church likes to keep an eye on its clergy to make sure they dont stray from the path, so those who want to become friars really have to prove themselves. He let out a snort of laughter. Or at least make the church believe you proved yourself.

You dont seem very priestly, I said.

Brown shrugged. Most friars dont. The clergy running Olattee sometimes forget what it means to live a life of service, and get so caught up in the religion, they forget what it means to live.

***

Traveling with Friar Brown turned out to be quite pleasant. He was a kind man and happily explained more about Olattee. Id always seen Olattee as a religion focused solely on purity, though that wasnt its only focus. In many ways it was a very standard religion with tenants who cared for the less fortunate and were genuinely trying to make the world a better place.

Ya see, this is why I became a friar, Brown said. Yes, I was tired of the stuffy temples, but I felt I served the people better by visiting places and ministering on the individual level.

Is that why you picked me up?

Yes and no. Friar Brown flashed me one of his wide smiles. You seem like someone looking for a path, and I would be remiss in my duties if I did not attempt to give you guidance.

I tried to stop myself, but a little snort escaped me. No way Ill ever be joining Olattee. I dont think youd want me.

Friar Brown gave me a long look. What I want isnt necessarily for you to join my religion, I know there are many other religions in the world. I just want to help you find a path through this life that leads you to a place that gives you some form of peace.

I was taken aback by his sincerity and the earnestness in which he spoke. The way you talk about Olattee, it doesnt all seem like purity.

Olattee shows an example of what a sanctified and pure life could look like, Friar Brown explained. But we also know there are other ways to live a pure life. Purity can simply come in ones purpose. Some would call me heretical for saying this, but would you say absolute darkness in and of itself is not pure in the sense that it is absolutely dark?

I can see how that could get you in trouble. Statements like that are bound to get you burned at the stake.

That hasnt happened in a long time, he chuckled. Im not saying the church encourages us on a path of pure darkness, my only point is that purity can come in many different forms. I just used darkness to exemplify the point.

How does one determine the purity of anything then? I asked. What if your purity is a dedication to a goal or path that is neither fully light nor fully dark?

That, my friend, is a question many have been asking for a long time. Friar Brown let out a long sigh. In the past theres been wars fought internally within Olattee, between priests who believe different approaches to that very question. The current regime believes that isnt what Olattee wants, but the old faction believed purity could be found in those places.

And what do you believe?

I believe we live in a world where there are both light and dark gods, and good and evil gods. So in a world where deities exist through all spectrums, what is truly right?

What about the creator of this universe? Based off of watching Loxs streams, I was aware of there being a supreme creator, I just didnt know how the gods and clergy of this world saw him or if they even knew of his existence.

If there is some supreme being, I do not know of it. Brown shrugged. If they exist, then they have not made themselves known, so how would we know what they want? I would still choose to follow my own path. The supreme being created this universe with gods, and has clearly set up a system that theyre not involved in, so why would I follow them?

I didnt have an answer. Clearly this friar had put much thought into these questions. I honestly have no idea what I would do I just want to survive.

There was a long silence as we both lost ourselves in this potential revelation, when the friar let out another laugh. You know, these are thoughts Ive always had, but until recently, I hadnt truly comprehended what they meant. In many ways I understand you. I too am just trying to find my way, keeping my mind open to ever-increasing possibilities. Maybe we can find a path together.

Maybe we can, I agreed. But lets first get away from the chaos of the cities.