Chapter Seven.

Manøvie.

I had spent the rest of my day with Tõrontõ and his father who had once again went down on how he had seen the goddess spring me together from the ocean.

His narration was full of drama and rich expression as he whirled his arms about,falling down while reliving the moment. I couldn't thank him enough for helping me have these memories now.

It was strange not having the slightest idea of how I came to be. The only thing I remembered from that day was when I woke in the Temple with Sobêiski by my side-telling me he was going to take care of me and nothing would ever hurt me with him around...

Evening was now upon us; darkness had engulfed the sky. It was blank without the moon or stars sprinkled all over it. Tõrontõ had put his father to bed then we sat on the porch silently,looking to the horizon as masses of nimbus gathered together. The wind had grown and was mild, waving the distant trees about-their leaves forming crusty tunes.

"It looks like it's about to rain,you should get back to the Temple," Tõrontõ said standing to his feet and offering his hand to me.

"How do you know that's it going to rain?" I asked as I took his hand and stood up beside him.

"See,the clouds become very dark-they cover up the moon and stars. It's cold most times before it rains," he riposted while pointing to the sky.

There was a loud rumbling between the black clouds as we started out to the dusty road leading back to the centre of Modëus where the Temple was. I struggled to keep up with Tõrontõ's pace,the stream up ahead ringing within the night's silence as we came to it.

Dribbles of water started to fall from the noise above, the dark clouds oddly following us as the Temple came into sight. Millions of goosebumps plotted my skin as the rain increased,flaring with green lights with each drop of rain on my body. I stopped to analyse what was happening to me,holding my arms infront of me as the glowing perpetuated.

"What is happening?" Tõrontõ asked,taking my hands nebulously

"I..I do not know," I replied.

A spark of lightning slapped across the sky,stricking the top of the Temple causing Tõrontõ and I to cringe in fright. I felt my body run hot with my eyes quickly transforming in unison to the lines of desolation whipping along the sky then touching the ground in qualms.

The few people living around the Temple came out of their houses in speculation of what was going on. Most of them reverting into the safety of their homes and closing doors behind them as the raining continued. The clouds gathered once more,gleaming and spitting out in fury.

"Tõrontõ,look out!" I cautioned,pointing my palms to his direction with instinct. The green flare from my powers thrust him away as a thin bolt of lightning struck where he once stood,leaving a black mark on the ground.

I ran to his side,wondering how he was going to get back home in all this rain. The clouds and bolts of lightning were still relentless,attacking the ground and nearby buildings,putting some of the roofs on fire.

Another strike came,forcefully dunting the topaz stone at the top of the Temple creating numerous lines of alabaster light that spread out to slap everything in it's way, bringing trees and wood built houses on fire. The surrounding residents started to panic,running towards the forests and ocean shores.

"I have to do something," I said leaving Tõrontõ's side but he yanked me back down to where he was crouched.

"It's too dangerous,you may get hit,"

"I don't care. My intuition tells me there's something I can do,so let go," I told him honestly but he didn't secede his hold on me "I said let go, Tõrontõ!" I snatched my arm from him and got on my feet, heading towards the Temple where the lightning was most engrossed.

I waited with prudence for another bolt to snap from the colossal topaz stone,this time aiming straight for me. I quickly wrapped my green flare around the white sizzling light- struggling to fight back it's pungent might as it weighed down on me.

I crossed my arms to form an X,shielding my self from the searing frissons of electricity plunging at me and shoving me to the ground. I felt my knee muscles hurt from the attempts of trying to regain my posture while I fought back against the great force, pushing at my powers to conquer the bolts of lightning.

I screamed out,breaking the X in one swing with all the strength I knew I had and didn't have. Blasting the lines of electricity off as the green light in me pervaded the atmosphere. I saw a last spark hit the gem on top of the Temple before everything was back to normal with only the weight of the rain soaking my clothes.

"Manøvie!!" Tõrontõ ran to my side,catching me in his arms before I fell back. He sat on the ground, still holding onto me as I breathed with exhaustion and giddiness. I could feel the heavy poundage of the lightning on my shoulders as I rested in Tõrontõ's arms.

"Are you okay?" He asked,brushing the wet strands of hair off my face.

"Yes, I'm fine." I started to get up.

"Here,let me help you," Tõrontõ availed me to my feet,supporting me by the waist and walking me over to the Temple. My eyes happened to catch the gleaming stone at the top,I was left wondering how it was able to direct the lightning at me.

I didn't mention my curiosities to Tõrontõ,he had had quite enough of these phenomenons,he must have been fatigued and I was too. I yearned for my bed,to be underneath the warmth and fondle of my comforter. We climbed the large steps and came to the double doors leading into the Temple. I bid farewell to Tõrontõ then disappeared behind the enormous gold doors.

I passed by the Synōd- this was the room of priesthood study,eddying my eyes through the open door with my heart suddenly pulsating at the thought of who I was in search for. My room was through the east corridor but my aching feet had instead led me here to where only the priests came.

"His not here," a voice came from within the Synōd. I gasped,startled as the Lord Priest abruptly came into view,holding scrolls of law in his hands and placing them on the table.

I wasn't sure what to say to him because clearly he knew I was here to see Sobêiski.

"Lord Sobêiski left for home hours ago," he continued "He seemed very upset when the high priest mentioned your special liking for the son of Sovæ,"

"What? I have no liking for Tõrontõ!" I stepped into the room,intrigued and alittle offended by his words. Why would Lord Lucaí concoct such pseudo allegations?

The pit of my stomach churned with discomfort when the memory of his devious smirk earlier today fell into my mind.

I was left perplexed. The feeling that Lord Lucaí was perhaps up to something malicious came back to me but as always,i considered two sides of the story. As always, he just loved to intimidate me with his vexing words.

"Lord Lucaí quite made sure to confirm that you do but I really don't care. What I'm worried about is Sobêiski,"

"Why d'you say that,Lord Priest?" I stood at the table where he had carefully laid his scrolls. He sighed with a stiff frown between his dark eyes,crossing his arms first in silence.

"I don't think he is at all ready to take on the role of being high priest," he said,his face pervaded with disappointment but something else lingered within the circuit of his eyes; worry, concern and care.

"Sobêiski is very capable,Lord Priest- I'm sure of it. He never lets anything come between him and his future roles," I elucidated with sanguine. I knew what I was saying- I was certain of it!

The Lord Priest,LeoNaidus gave a small smile but nodded his head. He seemed to be struggling with his next words; his lips parting but then closing again as he huffed and chuckled to himself. I couldn't help but get curious at the point of his actions.

"Don't you agree with me?" I corked an eyebrow at his silence."Why do you not answer,Lord Priest?"

"You say Sobêiski doesn't let anything come between him and his roles and yet you give him reason to think that the laws on priesthood are unfair," he said calmly

"Me? I've-I've never done anything to.....

"I believe you,Manøvie," he stopped me mid-sentence. "All I ask is you talk to Sobêiski, he has been really troubled of late. Just talk to him- get to know his real feelings for you,mmh?"

I nodded out of speech as he led me out of the Synōd. He gave me a reassuring smile before locking the door then leaving the Temple as well. I palmed my face as I thought back at what he had told me. Sobêiski was reconsidering his roles and future tasks because of me! Why would he ever do that?

I would have to talk to him as soon as I could. There was alot he had to explain.

I trekked down the long passageway leading to my chambers while muttering in frenzy to myself. Alot had gone down today but just the events of this evening had thrown me off the edge;the peculiar lightning and now Sobêiski.

The rain outside seemed to have stopped as the walls and roof didn't reflect the sounds outside. I shuddered with cold as I brought my sodden shawl off my shoulders,careful not to wring the rain water on the furnished floor.

My hearing suddenly dilated sharply,the sound of distant whispering falling into my ears just as I came to the foot of my door. I groaned loudly,looking over to the end of the corridor where two figures immediately disappeared to the other side of the wall. I rolled my eyes in speculation as I thought to my self; no one else lived in the Temple except for me and the last priest had just checked out so who were those two?

Needing to find answers for my inquisitiveness,i dropped my wet shawl in the flower bushes aside then scampered quickly through the path in pursuit of the anonymous people I had seen.

"No no no,he said it was for before the whole ceremony. He intends it to be a surprise for the whole of Modëus," I heard the unfamiliar voice say as the sound of keys followed.

"This man's really insane,you know. How can anyone want a life of such loneliness?" another voice rasped with silent chuckles

"For some men power is everything,"

I leaned forward to get a finite view,prudently keeping out of sight. I managed to recognize the two men from the Solorato tribe by their clothes. They had each of their backs turned at me,with large bowls in hand. The first man pushed a key into a large door pressed into an alcove,slowly holding it open for his colleague.

I saw a flight of tiny stairs ascending then beyond my sight. The two men walked passed the door and closed it behind them. I stood back in shambles of confusion and question.

What are Solorato men doing in the Temple? Where did that secret passage lead to? What were they doing up there? And most importantly,who was that man they were talking about?

For all the time I had lived in this temple,I never once thought there would be any secret passages. Actually I didn't know this place that well-all I knew was the chapel,the Synōd and my chambers. I tiptoed to the door,tugging at the large door knob but it was perfectly sealed.

I needed to find a key.

After making sure the hall back to my room was safe,i ran quietly through,grabbing my shawl from the flowers and darting past my door.

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