Alissa whistled in compliment, her hand sliding along the well-polished wood, mesmerized.
It looked like a completely different vehicle since she last saw it. The cart where the barrels had once been now had wooden seats built within, allowing them some comfort on their travels. The white fabric that had once covered the cart’s roof was gone, and so was their ale—now they were fugitives, there was no reason to continue carrying the barrels. The entire vehicle had been painted black to match the color of their horse, their loyal companion since leaving Bryniard. But the best change of all was the Heldraine Royal Family insignia, which had been removed from the spot where it had once been carved.
“I don’t think you two realize how much you actually sleep.” Eldric had worked a lot on the carriage during their infinite naps.
“You did a great job, Eldric,” Freyah added.
“Thank you, I didn’t think it would be a good idea to arrive in Golheim in a carriage reserved for the Royal Guard. Since, you know… the entire kingdom is after us,” he said, grabbing some clothes from the back seat. “By the way, put this on before we leave the city, please.”
Alissa unfolded the piece of clothing he threw their way. It was the most hideous garment she had ever seen. The long-sleeved white dress featured a thick vertical crimson stripe down its center, with a circle of chains embroidered in gold bearing the letters G.O.F in the middle.
“What is this monstrosity, Eldric?”
“It’s the uniform the Guardians of Faith wear. I thought it would be a good disguise for you two.”
Alissa found it ironic how the kingdom apparently needed people to guard faith, while faith was the one thing that still kept her going on this treacherous road to save her daughter.
“Why don’t you have one for yourself? Afraid it will ruin your charm?” she asked, teasing.
“Only women can become Guardians of Faith,” he explained. “Also… you think I’m charming?” A crooked smile danced on his lips.
Alissa chuckled in response. “What are you supposed to be then?” Her eyes drifted up and down him, taking in the all-black attire that fit him perfectly.
“I’m supposed to be your protector.”
Freyah held her chin between her fingers, pensive. “So, you’re supposed to be a guard of the Guardians of Faith? Like… a guardian’s guard?” Her tone was one of genuine confusion, but Alissa cracked up in laughter.
Alissa snorted. “You’re joking, right?”
“No, it’s how things work around here.”
“What does it mean to be a Guardian of Faith?” Freyah asked.
“Guardians of Faith are women who dedicate their lives to offering religious counsel and assistance to those considered to be faithless. They are spiritual guides supported by the Crown.”
Alissa’s eyes widened. “What religion are they spreading the word of?”
“There are two main religions in Heldraine. The Lizien, who believe nature is the higher power that governs our existence, and the Rugresh, who believe it is time that rules all living beings,” Eldric explained. “Although these are the most practiced beliefs, the G.O.F welcomes any type of faith.”
With Alissa’s and Freyah’s intrigued glances, Eldric continued as he gently put another wooden crate in the carriage. “Despite everything, Heldraine is a tolerant realm regarding faith. People can follow any religion—they are welcome to believe in whatever they choose. As long as they believe in something. The job of a Guardian of Faith is not to impose a specific belief on someone but to help those who struggle to find faith in their lives to find the one that best suits them. They believe a person lacking faith is a person lacking purpose, and that could directly affect productivity and therefore contributions to the Crown.”
The idea of women dedicating their lives to helping others find purpose in life seemed beautifully intriguing to Freyah. “Why do they need a protector?”
“Things don’t usually go smoothly for them. People who are found to have lost faith in life are usually going through hardship and might not always welcome help.”
They nodded in understanding. Alissa held the garment open with both her hands in front of her to take a better look at it,the dress looking a little less awful now that she knew the story behind it. “Why the chains in the center?”
“They represent the limitations and restraints a faithless life can bring. That is why it’s embroidered on the chest in the sense that, when a Guardian of Faith is walking your way, she is helping you on your liberation journey. If you turn the garment around, you’ll see on the back there are broken chains embroidered, meaning that only when your faith is restored and your freedom within reach will they finally depart.”
“That’s interesting,” Alissa said, sliding the dress over her head, glancing down at how it fit her and Freyah so differently. She had never actually stopped to think about or ask herself what she believed in.
“Do you believe in anything, Eldric?” She had never seen him as a man who believed in such things, which was why his answer surprised her so much.
“Yes. Not in any religion. But in the idea things never happen by chance. Everything that happens in our lives—the people we meet, the tragedies that come our way—it all has a meaning.”
“Do you not believe we met by chance?” she asked.
“No, I believe I was meant to find you,” he answered with such intensity, she struggled to breathe.