Faith

Voah brought Hunter to a large pit of sand in the rectory gardens for training.

“The first step of faith is knowing the Gods. Sadly, we can never truly know them as we don’t walk with such grace, but we must learn their teachings and how to embody them. We learn to be their Aspects on this realm.

Cambena, our lady of the waves says, ‘In all matters, be free as the open sea, yet adaptable to change, for water takes the shape of the vessel.’ That is a great lesson for you to begin but it is an unfinished thought.

We discussed before about adapting, changing tactics and seeing new perspectives. Being water does not mean conforming completely nor forever. You must experience the highs and lows of life and learn to ride them, lest you be cast adrift or dashed on the reef.

Water is life.

Cambena’s disciples are calm as doldrums, fierce as the squall. Passionate yet serene.

Cambena’s disciples tread the boundless expanse. There are more horizons to see, more to know.

Cambena’s disciples explore the harmony and the chaos.

Cambena’s disciples guide, but do not command.

Cambena's disciples respect all life, especially marine life.

Cambena's disciples know both the needs of the community AND the importance of the individual.

Cambena's disciples relieve the burdened and unchain the fettered innocent.

Cambena’s disciples know the strength in urgency AND patience. A storm may quickly fell a tree but over time, wind and wave can turn a mountain to sand.”

She let Hunter think about the words and awaited his reaction.

Hunter listened patiently to Voah as she spoke. It was obvious she was trying to be patient with him despite having him learn at a fast pace. Memorizing the information in a short time was not a big challenge if he was dedicated, however he struggled to feel the connection to life since he had closed off his heart long ago.

If life had taught him anything, its that with age... comes a certain perspective. His job was a very hard one, but it was never the, uh... the killing or the stress, the bad pay that bothered him. It's how anything that he could love... can be taken away from him. It taught him never to care. Never to invest. Then he met Isabella and as she died in his arms he understood that his enemies can hurt and kill someone he loves. The feeling is almost indescribable.

Sadly he could not remember the last time he cried or if he was even able to. He did feel a pain in his cheat when loosing something important, but in time it would fade. He wondered if he was even allowed to care anymore after all he had done in his life. Now true many of the people he killed were bad people and their resume resembled a demon's resume. Though they came off as proud and clean, they had a rather gruesome past hidden from the public. However they all begged for forgiveness even though they showed none to their victims in the past. Hunter saw them nothing more as hypocrites facing the same sword they used on others.

Then he asked, "I have a general understanding of Cambena. However, how do you know if you are accepted by Cambena or if you are serving her properly?"

Voah thought it over. From her childhood there was never any doubt in the Pillars, it was always part of her. Hunter was coming into this like an old sword passed on to a new owner. In a way, it seemed Hunter was already free as Cambena instructs, but not completely. She wondered what that felt like. What seemed little to him, meant the world to her.

“People are but the crafts of the Gods. When a craft is complete it is an instrument or tool used to serve. You spoke before about being a tool. But a spoon doesn’t question why it serves the hand nor does the sword. It is guided by its wielder."

She was struggling to find the right words.

"Disciples of Cambena are like... a hot metal that is strong but can be easily reforged take on new shape.”

Hunter pondered the new information for a bit as he rubbed his chin. The logic made sense but there was no way to actually verify the results like killing or wood working did.

Then he asked, "If that is true, then why would Cambena oppose all magik instead of just corrupt users? The way I see it power can be used for helping or destroying. Hunters and Farmers get food for the city. Soldiers protect the people from threats. Merchants bring in products for the people. Nobles guide the people with laws and customs however that can fall apart when greed and hatred interfere. Would Cambena prefer to keep the balance?"

The same question had been weighing on her since her meeting with Daaul and Diarah, but it was not something she could voice aloud.

She walked up to Hunter until she was close enough to speak without prying ears hearing her words.

“That kind of talk can you in a lot of trouble. In fact, I should probably have killed you already for being a heathen. But it is no fault of your own and besides... you intrigue me.”

Hunter whispered back, "I see. So there are rules to keep out curiosity from others. This religion seems to have a lot of absolutes. Does that not cause conflict?"

“It is not curiosity that is a problem… it is openly doubting and willfully betraying the teachings. In most cases, people follow just one of the Pillars that are sanctioned by the Holy Office. My case is slightly different, I represent five Gods, which certainly can overlap or cause conflict, and I am afforded certain liberties that others are not... but the laws regarding magik supersede all according to the Noctua Inquisition."