Pareno

Zebulun and Quinn went north and west of Mod and came to a city called Pareno. It was ten times the size, having almost fifteen hundred inhabitants. It had the same squat stone buildings and dirt roads, but far more of both. A twelve-foot stone wall surrounded the town.

Zebulun went straight to the market and found an armorer. He held up his helmet and breastplate and asked, "Would you buy these?"

The armorer examined them. "They look sturdy," he said, "but also real worn out. They seen action?"

"Both have saved my life numerous times," said Zebulun.

The armorer stroked his beard and stared at Zebulun, his eyes narrowed. Finally, he spoke up. "I believe you," he said. "It’s good luck to wear armor that’s been proven in battle. Wait here. I’ll get your coin."

"You’re selling your armor?" asked Quinn. "Why?"

"We need money for our travels," said Zebulun, "and I don’t need it anymore. I have the blessing of Ur."

"That will stop a sword from poking you?"

Zebulun looked at Quinn with mirth in his eyes. "It might."

The armorer returned with their coin. Zebulun and Quinn found an inn and took much-needed baths. Later, after some food and a few drinks, Zebulun inquired of the barkeep whether he knew of anyone who was sick or injured.

"It’s a big town," said the barkeep. "There’s always someone. Maybe ask the priest over at the Temple of Luva. People go to him for help all the time. He knows what herbs and plants and such to give for various ailments."

"Thank you," said Zebulun.

Zebulun and Quinn went to the Temple of Luva. It was a small temple, with maybe thirty seats. They met a priest named Hosea.

"You can heal, you say?" asked Hosea. His expression seemed wary but curious.

"I can," said Zebulun. "I will return tomorrow morning. If any here are sick or injured, I will help them. If any are too ill to come here, you can take me to them."

Hosea looked skeptical, but said, "Alright. I know a few people who can use help."

Zebulun bowed and looked around. "You have a small following?"

"Many in the hinterlands still worship their ancestors," said Hosea, "but I’ve made a few converts. It helps that I know medicinal plants better than the locals."

Quinn grinned. Zebulun nodded. "I’ll be back."

Back at the inn, Quinn asked, "You’re going to bed already?"

"I need my strength tomorrow," said Zebulun.

"Alright," said Quinn. "Sleep well. I’m going to go wander around."

"Be careful," said Zebulun.

"Always!" said Quinn with a smile. He then turned his head to the side, gave a sly look, and whispered, "Never!"

Zebulun couldn’t rouse Quinn the next morning. The hungover mess just mumbled something about meeting a lovely barmaid who wasn’t really a maiden, then rolled over and went back to sleep. Zebulun went to temple.

"This is Naphtali," said Hosea. "He’s blind. Can you help him?"

Zebulun looked at Naphtali. His eyes looked fine. "Have you been blind since birth?"

"Yes."

"Close your eyes."

Zebulun held his palm an inch from Naphtali’s face and let the healing power flow. After two minutes, he stepped back and said, "Open your eyes, but slowly."

Naphtali opened his eyes, looked around, and backed away warily.

"It’s us," said Zebulun. "Close your eyes if its too much at once. You’ve been blind since birth. Getting used to seeing will take time."

Naphtali closed his eyes tight, then opened them a sliver. His eyes darted from person to person before shutting again. "It’s a lot to take," said Naphtali.

Hosea stood before him. "Can you really see me?"

Naphtali opened his eyes. "Is that you?"

"It’s me," said Hosea.

Naphtali sighed and closed his eyes. "I can see you. I think. I never knew what that meant before today. To me, it’s new…​ and frightening."

"New experiences often are," said Zebulun.

Hosea looked at Zebulun with curiosity. "How do you have this power?"

"I am prophet of Ur," said Zebulun, "Creator of this world."

"I’ve not heard this tale," said Hosea. "I think I might like to; but first, let us go heal more people."

Zebulun nodded. "Lead the way."

Hosea took him to a number of houses across the city. Zebulun healed a child with bad fever, a man with a broken leg, and a woman with spots. He eased the pain of a handful of elderly with ailments of age.

When they returned to the temple, they found dozens of people gathered. Rumors had spread across town. Who was this mysterious stranger?

Hosea gave Zebulun a platform to address the crowd. He spoke of Ur and his Law. The questions and answers were much like those in Mod.

When the questions slowed down, a fiery old man piped up. "I have a question. Loving others sounds like a fine thing, but what about all the vice and sin in the world?"

"Such as?" asked Zebulun.

"I spent years in the capital," said the old man. "I saw vulgar things there. Children speak profanity. Prostitutes roam the streets. Decadent performers take potions and powders that give them visions. There are even men who dress like women and lay with other men."

"This is true," said Zebulun. "Why does it concern you?"

"Because it’s wrong!" said the old man. "It goes against decency!"

"I see," said Zebulun. "Do people do those things in your city?"

"Of course not!" said the old man, his eyes widened. "We would never allow it!"

"Then why concern yourself," said Zebulun, "with what others do fifty, one hundred, or one thousand miles away? Concern yourself with your own community."

The old man said, "A kingdom that allows such things will be punished by the gods!" Others murmured their assent.

"There are people among the farm folk," said Zebulun, "who think the gods are false. They think their worship is a betrayal of our ancestors. They would love to tear down your temples and make you follow the old ways."

"They’re wrong!" said the old man. Others nodded.

"There are those among the city folk," said Zebulun, "who think those who worship their ancestors — as some of your kinsmen no doubt do — are backwards heathens. They want to tear down every shrine in the countryside and force everyone to construct and attend temples to the gods."

"Well," said the old man, "I doubt many of us agree with that."

"There are also those in the city," said Zebulun, "who believe this world is all there is. They believe there are no gods or spirits — when you die, you are gone forever. Some of them want to tear down every shrine and temple in the kingdom and force everyone to believe in nothing."

"That’s awful!" said a woman in the crowd.

Zebulun looked at the old man. "Love others as yourself. Don’t be quick to judge the different when that difference does you no harm. Worry about your own home and family."