I saw this temple in the forest in a dream, but that wasn’t even the beginning of it.

After the summer solstice, I had a dream about the angel statue in the orphanage yard. I thought they were simply dreams, but I woke up standing in my night robes in the middle of the church cemetery, with bare feet buried in dewy grass. I had no recollection of walking there.

If that wasn’t enough, I also had dreams about being on a sinking boat, and general feelings that I was being watched… especially during a crisis.

I decided to finally talk to Father Lorne about these dreams. This man raised me after my mother died during my birth, and I have always called him “Father” in regards to his title in the Church, but I have always meant it in terms of guardianship. He taught me how to walk, how to write and sing, how to bargain for food at the market… I became a priest because, among other things, I wanted to be just like him.

I shouldn’t say this, but after having met other members in the Church, I know how lucky I was to have had Father Lorne as a father figure. Others might not have been so kind to someone who may be sired by something unholy, or they might have not appreciated being stuck with such an assignment for twenty years.

When I told Father Lorne about the dreams, he was very concerned and also quite somber. It was almost like he expected something like this to happen. His shoulders sagged and he reluctantly told me about the temple and my true father, and of my mother.

He didn’t want me to pursue it, but I did.

I can only hope that following my past doesn’t endanger Elaanara, Kailen, Reynard and Kadar... They are my family these days.

• Charsen, servant of the Morninglord
  • Charsen’s Journal: Index

Index: Mar-21-08