Jason left his shoes at the entrance and stuffed his socks into his back pockets. Somehow it didn't felt right to him to enter the temple with footwear while everyone around him was barefoot.
"The pollen enhances our abilities," Merein explained when they walked through the stony halls. "It makes us feel connected with each other and also closer to the gods and goddesses of our beliefs."
"What do you think," Jason asked, "would happen if someone with The Gift took it?"
In short, he had told Merein about the idea and her face had lit up, telling them, they indeed had some old stories in their library.
"I don't know," Merein replied, "maybe, it will enhance The Gift as well, and maybe there is no effect at all. The Gift is an abstract concept. Only a few people possess it, and the knowledge is, therefore, limited in both science and mythology."
They entered a huge garden with a small river, ponds and fountains and Jason halted to process the sight. Flowers came in all sizes and colours. Big palm trees with huge leaves provided shade and bulging red fruits. Pretty birds with colourful feathering and beautiful singing noises allowed the visitors to pet them.
A young girl in priestess clothes but without the golden rings approached them, offering them water and a plate with different fruits.
Jason took a yellow plum, – or at least something, that looked similar, – and took a bite. He found himself wondering about the strange smirk the girl gave him, only to start coughing immediately by the surprising and extremely sour flavour.
The girl, Merein and Shersheba broke into laughter.
"These … zaibas," the novice said in broken English. "Healthy."
"Yeah," Jason gasped. "I bet."
The afternoon came quickly. They walked around in the beautiful garden, sitting down twice between the trees to flee the hot sun. The warmth made him a little drowsy but although he was surrounded by strangers, he couldn't remember feeling so relaxed for the last time. He enjoyed the cool grass under his feet and the thick air in his lungs, which tasted slightly sweet on his tongue.
When he came here, he had had a plan in mind but he was certainly allowed to take one day off. Every day since he had known Neri, there had been a task to fulfil. Even his vacation days had been filled with duties.
Not, that he had complained or even minded. But this felt actually nice. He only wished for Neri to be here with him.
They sat on the ground. Something unusual caught his eyes and he sat up, resting his upper body on his elbows. It took his light-headed mind a second to put some sense into his view.
He recognised the children from his arrival. Biala and Kaapal had obviously found his shoes and examined them with great curiosity. Biala stepped with her right foot into the left sneaker and took some careful steps. Then she grimaced and shook it off. Kapaal had started to loosen the shoelaces of the right foot and Biala absorbed his idea with an enthusiastic expression. Grinning, Jason watched the children and a barely known feeling of peace took over him.
Merein and Shersheba had followed his gaze.
"Shall I get them for you?" Merein asked with a crooked smile. "You know, otherwise you will never see them again."
Jason shook his head. "No, I don't mind."
The children suddenly realised, they had been watched. They waved at him, took the shoes and disappeared with revelling laughter behind some shrubs.
Merein got to her feet. "I need some water," she explained. "You want to come with me to the baths?"