Those times in the monastery have always brought me peace in the torment I had in my heart. My father was gone, rejected by the people of my mother. They, in return, rejected me as well… except they allowed me to live. Finding peace within me brought me light and more light than I thought when I heard Lathander's voice to go to Fardea. Now look, where am I? Far from anything I would have ever imagined. I’m part of a group of people, some weird ones, others intriguing, and one that could bring the end of us all. They have helped me overcome fate in this last little while and I am still alive thanks to them. What do I want to be? A protector, to them and everyone. I despise rejection and abandonment, it brings pain that alone you cannot fix. With the help of Lathander, I hope to bring renewal, vitality, and a sense of rebirth. Following the monastery rituals, I show up at the assigned temple early the next day, right before dawn.

The temple was tall, with massive walls and windows only found at the top. I walked towards the large front door. One door was closed while the other one was slightly open. On either side, I saw a hanging torch but only one was lit. I lit the other one, opened the door just enough for me to walk in without disturbing the peace. Inside it was dark. I didn’t hear anything either, it was calm, a bit too calm. I walked quietly towards the next room. That large room seemed to be in the center of the temple, with several doors at different intervals along the walls. I saw light coming through one door, I knew where to go next. With my hand raised about to knock, the door opens slowly and reveals a Firbolg.

‘Well come on in! I’m sure you are surprised to see and so am I to see you. When I was told you were coming I thought it was a joke, who wants to become a cleric in a place like this!”

I was pointed to a chair next to a round table, some food was there and drinks. To my surprise, I saw an open window, looking through it, I saw a tree surrounded by the famous walls of this temple. The tree was large and tall, that Firbolg must really take good care of it. Once seated, I was poured a drink, and food was brought to my side of the table.

“I’m Xyrlee, Xyrless Stonegaze, I know it’s weird to think I could be the one training you to be a cleric but I’m a cleric too. I know it all sounds strange and it did for a lot of people too, so I kept moving along until I found my place, at least for now. So, what deity do you pray to if you have even done that?”

I shared my story of the monastery, she kept asking lots of questions and talked even more.

“Lathander then, he has a nice ass!”

I wasn’t sure I was in the right place, she seems so much distorted from the calm I feel in this place. I stood up and started to walk towards the door when I saw the entire temple structure be as bright as gold in midday, as fast as it came in it disappeared back into darkness.

“I’m a High Morninglord, I have been praying to me for a very long time, and I said what I said because I have seen him. Now, if you want to stay and learn I can teach you, if you want to leave then go, but the chances of finding someone as qualified as me may not happen ever again.”

I stood there for a while, thinking of the pros and cons but knowing the only thing I could do right now was stay.

“Early morning prayers, before dawn. We have a library, I expect you to study when you are not praying. And study while you pray too. You will have one small meal every evening, except if you can succeed at casting a spell, then you’ll get more. We have 2 weeks to make you go from nothing to something that can be called a cleric. We will of course start with the Light cantrip.”

And there my days went, praying, pondering on what I had read, trying to focus on casting spells, having my daily ration, and going to sleep on the hard floor stone. You would think I could do that in peace and quiet, but not with Xyrlee around! My lack of success was because of her, I know it was. One evening, I got so frustrated with the noise I asked her to be more quiet.

“More quiet? Do you think battles are quiet? You need to learn to focus and put everything aside except. Find the silence within you, and from there, cast your spell. Do it! Touch something and light it up!”

I grabbed her arm while maintaining eye contact, and shaded light into her body until she was just a ball of light. She kept talking during that time.

“Here you go, boy! That’s what I’m talking about. You know, I was wondering, if you should lift some weight a bit or go for a run, you look pretty weak.”

I wasn’t sure if I should bring up the fact that I didn’t get enough food. After I let her go, she went and got more food for me while still brightening up the place. Life became better and I was able to do more and more. I was happy to succeed at something I was never born for. To make her happy, I ran a bit in the temple and helped her carry a few things. I managed to get a better bed. Towards the end, she offered me my own room. Not sure why I didn’t get one before since all of them were empty except hers. I knew it would be my last evening here, I had learned all of what I needed to start as a cleric, I had more ability to defend myself and to protect others. At dinner, Xyrlee was silent. I was so used to listening to her that I had nothing much to say. I thought of all that I had learned from someone this strange and I was grateful. I told her my appreciation for her knowledge and training, and in some form or fashion, I would miss her.

“I will miss you too!” Her voice was tearing up a bit. “If you ever come back, I would gladly train you more. Just promise me to work those muscles a bit.”

She hugged me tight and patted me on the head and left for her room. I was saddened for tomorrow and leaving this place of learning, but I was so excited to meet everyone again. I wanted to see if anyone had heard anything regarding that Abadon guy or anything else that could give us a clue of what was going on out there.