Chapter 17: Bathe
Before I could ask anything else, Aaliyah suddenly took off on his own, waving at me before disappearing down a corner.
Confused, I walked to the hall and that is how we end up with me complaining about Altair to the two who were patiently waiting for me in the empty Dining Hall.
They told one of the Head Priest about the situation so he allowed them to wait for me to get back and then eat. This is the first time eating in an empty hall. It feels quite strange, to say the least.
As the two ate, I complained about everyone, while making sure not to say anything too bad to them about our visitors.
They did not need to know all the details of how they do not have an idea of boundaries and mostly sounded like they are flirting. Though what offended me the most is that Altair called me a whore.
Perhaps I felt a kinship towards him after what happened the night before, I do not know. But those words stung like an untreated wound.
"Just ignore him and live your life," Nova said as Comet nodded wholeheartedly. "We will not be seeing him again after he leaves. So don't fret on it too much."
"You don't understand. I feel like my entire heart has been ripped out and handed back to me in a box." I mumbled, running my hands through my messy hair. "And it is not even a well-decorated box."
"Why? Just because you helped a kid one time?" Nova asked, shoving a piece of meat into my mouth. "You helped a lot of people that turned out good. Don't focus on one bad over a lot of good."
Chewing on the meat, I mumbled, "Easier said than done."
"Forget about that boy. I can't believe you went to meet the king looking like that." Nova chuckled, turning to Comet who just gave me an encouraging smile. "It's not that you look bad. It's just …"
"I know. I had the chance to look at myself in the reflective mirrors. I look … messy."
"That's one way to put it." He said, continuously shoving meat into my mouth and I am too busy complaining to realise what he is doing until I noticed that my plate is empty and my stomach feels full, for some reason.
Before we could say anything else, the doors burst open and High Priest Freyr rushed into the room as I quickly put the cloth over my mouth again.
"Orion. There you are." He said, staring at me for a second. "Have you not washed up yet?"
"It's been quite a busy day, High Priest Freyr," I said, looking at him knowing that I look like I came out of the abyss.
"It is just nine in the morning though." He said, holding out a pocket watch, "Well, I have heard about what happened. You were supposed to be sleeping, were you not?"
"Ah. Ha." I murmured, running my hands through my hair. "Something came up, it lead to one thing after the other and then, here I am now."
"Well, I have the plan for today." He said, holding a book in his hands. "It is going to be a busy, busy day for you, kid. Though, I would recommend you to … freshen up first."
"Do I look that bad?" I asked, looking up at the man, brows furrowed.
"Yes." He said, getting confirmation from Nova. "Wash up and come to the courtyard in ten minutes."
Whose side are you on??
"We will have him washed and ready in ten minutes," Nova said as Comet walked to me and picked me up, throwing me over his shoulders as they ran out of the room.
Eh???
From the corner of my eyes, I thought I saw a bit of violet hair on a person before they disappeared completely. Confusing the heck out of me.
Am I getting obsessed with that person that I am seeing him everywhere or something? I thought, shaking my head. I have other things to worry about. Focus.
__________________________
Comet threw me into the cold waters that Nova poured and the two tried to start scrubbing me but I kicked them out and took care of my washing on my own.
Fortunately, I did not take too long in the bathroom. Perhaps because the waters were too cold for my poor body. Though they did wake me up greatly and heavens know that I needed that.
The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, I was whisked away again by the two who got me ready in the spare robes I had. Took one last look at me before taking me to see the High Priest Freyr.
I did not even have to worry about drying my hair as Nova's speed dried the hair almost immediately. All I needed to do was tie it down.
I only did grow it for the dance after all. So I might be cutting it soon. I'll see though.
"Ten minutes. Perfect timing." High Priest Freyr said, smiling at me proudly before walking away.
I turned to the two, giving them my nod of thanks and then followed the Priest down the stairs, through a cluster of people in robes.
They looked impatient and were looking at me closely as I passed them. I tried to not look as nervous as I felt because I could not understand what I was there for in the first place.
"Now that Orion is here, we shall begin." Head Priest Freyr said, nodding to everyone in the small group. "So, how many people have come here to be healed?"
"Five hundred." One of the men beside me said, standing up.
"Five hundred. The number is not as much as I thought it would be." Head Priest Freyr said, looking at the book in his hands.
"That is because some of them have already been healed in the wee hours of the morning." The same man said, looking at me with a smile on his face. I nodded back. "And some of them are still making their way here. You can expect more to come in tomorrow."
"Alright. What about the blessings?"
I listened to them talk about the number of people that came for blessings and the number of people that came for the confession of their sins. As each person stood up and told the number, it became more and more evident just how impossibly large the number of people came.
Not to mention the number of people coming from all walks of the kingdom, hoping to get the blessing of the goddess from me directly.
I was already exhausted before I even started and it was only nine-thirty in the morning after they finished their … talk. How was I going to be able to listen to every one of those people? Bless them and also hear their confession?
There is no way it would be possible for me.
As though seeing my distress, High Priest Freyr walked to me and pulled me to the side, whispering, "Don't worry, Orion. You will not have to do this on your own."
"But … the people, they came here for a reason," I said, still trying to wrap my head around what is going on. "I can't just … discard them."
"No one said to do that." He chuckled, smiling gently at me. "The people that came to me after I was done was massive as well. Though not as big as yours is. I am sure it will get bigger as the days go by too.
"So, this is what we did. Twenty High Priests are chosen and they are given your blessing." He explained, pointing to the cut on my arm. "With your blessing, they will help the people. That way, your workload is reduced greatly."
"Will that really work?" I asked, sceptical. "And, will I have enough of the goddess's blessing for … tonight?"
Patting my head, High Priest Freyr said, "I had those same questions too and let me tell you what the Priest told me. In these couple of days, the goddess's blessing will not run out.
"Why? Because it is everywhere. Almost like mana. But you are the only one able to use it. So do not worry about the quantity. Alright?"
With unsure eyes, I looked at the man who did everything I am doing now, years ago. He still has this light in his eyes so this experience must not have crushed his spirit as much as I believe it can.
Though my numbers are bigger than his and … ok. Let's not think like that. It will only get me more confused. Focus on what is in front of you.
Today is a relaxed day, tomorrow will be even harder than today so cherish it while it lasts.
And like that, I placed a drop of my blood on each of the twenty Priest's forehead, the silver remaining so that the people know who are the attendees and I went to work.
Before long it was night and I realised only had lunch that morning, was dirty and tired again and I have to go to someone's room.
Ughh. I'm tired, but not as tired as I should be feeling. That does not make sense, yes. But it does to me.
Off to bath, it is.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone