Chapter ELEVEN: Priest Realm-TALIA
...
Within seconds, the Druid of Time and Dream Priestess arrived in an alley containing a large marble staircase leading upwards. Vata wrapped his arm around Talia's for support and they began to climb the steps.
"Is this the High Realm?" Talia asked a little unimpressed as they slowly ascended.
"Oh, no child," he quickly corrected detecting her disappointment. "I thought you would like to see your new home first! It is quite a magnificent place, you know. I love to bring new druids to the outer edge for a quick visit. Love to see their reactions!"
As he finished, the two reached the last few steps, and Talia was finally able to glance at the new setting. Her mouth hung slightly ajar from awe when they reached the top, now facing a large pathway.
"Talia, welcome to Vin'aneer. This is the Oracle's domain," Vata said contently.
Talia gazed in amazement at the city from top to bottom. The sky overhead was clear and an indescribable brilliant tint of blue that she had never seen before. A few high cathedral-like buildings, most with soaring steeples and made of a fine shiny white stone, faced each other along the curving mazy street.
At a far distance, an enormous white stone castle with massive glass stained windows, sat atop a mound of lime green grass. A very small number of people, most of who appeared to be high priests and high priestesses, and a variety of creatures; monster and animal-like, moved swiftly along the street.
The High Realmwas unlike any place Talia had ever seen before or even could have imagined. Up to this point, she believed that Candar was the most beautiful land that existed, but the High Realm's beauty was beyond comparison to Candar's or any other place for that matter. There was something enchanting and graceful it, almost surreal. It was nothing like Thais, with its many tensions between the upper and lower classes and incessant immoral acts and petty crimes that tarnished the city.
Still in awe, Talia didn't realize that Vata had stepped away from her for a moment when she heard his voice again.
"My dear, the palace is much too far from here. I thought we could take a tiny chariot the rest of the way."
"It's beautiful..." Talia said softly to him, still keeping her eyes on all the details.
"Yes, yes, wait until we go further up the street and see more of The Realm," Vata hinted as he pulled Talia out of the way of incoming bystanders.
She looked away at the street and saw a small wooden chariot parked on the road side. As she sat down, she noticed that there were only three tiny brown horses the size of dolls attached to the head of the chariot.
"Uh...How will they be able to pull us?" Talia asked puzzled.
"You have much to learn child. Everything in this realm is enchanted. You see all of this is as the Oracle perceives it to be. Matter or illusion, she maintains the harmony and balance of the High Realm, as well as our world. The latter explains why Vin'aneer is the pristine city that it is, since this is where the Oracle, our Goddess, resides most of the time, as these are holy grounds," he paused and then pointed to the front of the chariot. "Those horses may appear to be small, but in fact, they are quite strong. That is, because they are enchanted. Likewise, they would not be allowed in this realm," Vata finished as the horses began to pull them forward.
As they went forward, Talia could sense the powerful sacred magic that radiated from the land.
Talia continued to look at the vast landscape as they traveled towards the palace. There were smaller cross streets that trailed off with more of the same stone buildings along them. Stores for armor, weapons, food, and other items were open at the bases of some of the buildings. As they moved along, Talia's interest shifted towards the few citizens. They were in fact other priests and priestess, perhaps from other realms; she realized since they wore priestly attire and a few were teleporting in and out of sight. She was surprised to see that some had children walking beside them, but did not really think too much about it.
They reached the top of the grassy hill and Talia was able to get a better view of the rest of the realm.
She could see trees and ponds scattered all over the outskirts of city. The High Realm itself, was surrounded by what appeared to be mountains at every horizon. However, Talia focused her gaze a little more and recognized that they were actually clouds suspended in place like walls.
When they reached the palace entrance, Talia was reminded of her purpose here. She felt saddened all over again at the thought of spending all eternity without Devin.
"Talia, child, I am afraid that you will have to go in on your own. I am running a bit short on time," Vata said as he pulled out his pocket watch. "I wish you the best of luck, Dreamer."
Talia thanked him for the brief tour and bid farewell to the druid. As she turned to face the castle, the palace doors swung open for her as she walked inside.