A Day in My Sandals - Fannah

Our letters always tell of your grand adventures and how your days have been, but you never ask what I do. We spend so little time together, my schedule must be a complete mystery to you. I will have you know, my day’s are just as important as yours, Fanar. I may not saving people from certain destruction on a daily basis, but I try to lead them to happiness. IT’S THE SAME THING. Just through different methods. Well today is the day. Long awaited, I am sure. The courier is to tell you that this letter is an emergency and if you’re with a blonde woman at the time of the delivery, he is to hide the letter and instead tell you to come to the temple IMMEDIATELY. So if you are reading this, then she was not with you and all is well.

So I awoke this morning just before dawn. After a good stretch, I took a fresh robe from the wardrobe, forgot about and nearly slipped on the pile of ashes from the burnt letter, then strung my satchel over my shoulder. On the way upstairs, I stopped by the kitchen and had some breakfast. All by my lonesome today. We have three other priests so far. I believe you’ve met them all on one occasion or another. Though, they don’t arrive until later on in the day unless I’m away from the temple. So all of the opening and closing duties always fall to me. I don’t mind as much as you might think. I have fun my with it. Seeing Mara standing over there always puts a grin between my ears. I always say, Mara and I are first to rise and last to leave.

On a normal day, I am to unlock the front door then get a fresh fire going and light some candles so our guests can find their way to the pews. I don’t want them to stumble. The temple is partially underground so it is always dark, your big toe knows that all too well does it not? It takes about an hour for the fireplace to really get going. You know I enjoy a nice fireplace. Many a day I have lost track of time in front of it, only shaken to my senses by a knock at the door.

The old original stained glass window across the way only shines half a well as it should in the morning. If you remember, it was mostly shattered when we got here. I found some suitable glass and repaired some of it myself, but the new glass is mostly solid so no light gets through it and the whole issue with the plank at the top holding it together. I think the temple is facing the wrong direction anyway. There should be more light than that. It does little more than brighten up the dust in the air. It’s a mess really. Most of the temple is. I can’t do heavy lifting. I need a big strong brother to help me clean it up but the temple is sorely short on those at the moment.

Next I walk outside and fill a pitcher with water from the well out back, assuming the weather isn’t too bad. Then to the podium. I place the day’s special book just to the left and hang my personal amulet of Mara just to the right. Mara stands above and behind me, watching my preparations intently. In front of me, below the podium, a small stone altar to her grace. Another amulet is usually just in front of that, free to anyone that needs one. Other temple’s charge for them, but I make them myself and we get enough charity from the townfolk to more than make up for it. Beside that, the pitcher of water and clean cups, free to anyone that might be thirsty.

After all of that is taken care of, I ring the bell to let the town know that the temple is in service then return to the podium. To wait. I get so anxious. You know I’m not the nervous type, but it’s just a little boring standing up there with no one to talk to. Sometimes it feels like hours before anyone shows up, but in time, they always do. It’s mostly the old folks first. People trickle in throughout the day. It becomes a community place some times, but most people just pay their respects then move along. That concludes the extent of my job on most days. Wedding days are my favorite as you might imagine. We have two or three every month. On those days we get quite crowded. Lots of things to be done and people to talk to. I try to travel at the end of every month, just to visit other temples or do missionary work. The rest of my day is spent in my quarters, talking a walk through town or general upkeep through the halls and offices. At night, I like to head over to the inn to relax and listen to the bards or to hear of adventures from travelers at the bar. Good conversations are a common thing. Helsymrr has always been such a friendly town. They’re just good people. It is truly home. Growing up, I kinda always knew it would be.

The end. I was joking earlier. I didn’t burn the letter this time. I promise. We will discuss the more serious matters at hand when you get here. BE SAFE and do come see me soon.

-Fannah