One day had already passed. And nothing happened. She was tense and bored. There was nothing she could do to help. Which was somehow worse.
Garima lay flat on her back, on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Like in a trance.
"Why is this ceiling so…white? It looks blank" she muttered.
Then she turned to her side. Then to the other side. And back again to the previous position.
"Okay this is like torture" she groaned and sat up abruptly. " Sitting here and doing nothing is definitely torture"
Her stomach twisted slightly. Her chest tightened.
"They must have reached the path by now…" she whispered.
Sir Rejinald and Mozgaroth….the knights.
What if they don't listen to Prince Caelum's orders. What if they fight ?
"No". She shook her head quickly.
"Don't spiral! Don't spiral. It's going to be okay. It will be perfect. Sab thik hoga"
But that was the problem. She said it. But it didn't mean she controlled it.
"Your Holiness?" A soft voice broke her thoughts. Followed by a small knock on the already opened door.
Garima looked up to see Priestess Ava standing at the door with a tray. Garima could see the steam coming out of the bowl. Likely a bowl of warm stew.
She walked towards the table after stepping in, and kept the tray on it.
"You should eat…Your Holiness" she said quietly
Garima sat up and stared at the food for a moment and gave a nod.
"Thank you, Ava," Garima said..
The Priestess nodded. But she didn't leave and instead lingered near the table.
Garima looked at her, and hesitated a little. Just a fraction. Then she looked away.
"Do you ever feel" she began slowly "the weight of the world burying you whole"
Ava didn't answer, she looked like she understood the question.
"I think" she said carefully " such heavy burdens are rarely a choice"
Garima looked at her and smiled.
"So, I shouldn't fail, right?" She asked.
Priestess Ava's gaze widened, she looked unsure of what to say.
Garima smiled at her sweetly.
"I can't afford to fail" she murmured loud enough for Ava to hear.
Ava didn't speak again.
Garima chuckled softly. " Stay with me for a while," she said.
"Ofcourse, Your Holiness" Priestess Ava nodded without hesitation.
I don't have to do this alone.
Garima lowered her gaze.
She took the bowl in her hand. The soup was still warm. She took a sip. It was bland. Not many seasonings.
Should she discover some wild leaves during her stay ?? And do some worldbuilding along the way. Wait. What was she thinking? Worldbuilding is about systems and doctrines. Not spices and food. Those are bonuses. Maybe Cosmo could be the new system that she could implement. But for that she needed knowledge about this world. the things she didn't write about.
She swallowed a few more sips and stood up. "I need to walk," she said suddenly.
Ava looked up but didn't question it. "Then I shall accompany you"
Garima shook her head "No…I will be fine on my own"
Ava hesitated, then nodded " As you wish, Your Holiness"
Garima stepped out of the room. Her robes almost swept the floor. But she let it be. She was not washing it. So it was not her worry. It made swish swish sounds as she walked.
She almost tripped stepping on the hem. But she didn't stop walking. She was too lazy to hold her heavy dress and walk. So she let it be a temporary broom.
The Shrine's corridors stretched long and quiet. White stone. Shiny, perfectly polished.
Tall pillars lined the hallway, maybe she could ask someone to carve some imaginary patterns to make it look more holy. Something in Hindi, who will know? Or she could simply copy the patterns she had seen on Cosmo's shrine.
She continued walking. And reached the inner Shrine. The place where Cosmo bestowed the tablet stating her arrival. It didn't look grand. But it was…still. A single statue at the centre. Tall and graceful but without a face.
Garima frowned. "Of course, I wrote about a world abandoned by gods. So I didn't even give it a form"
Her voice echoed softly in the empty chamber.
She stared at the statue for some time. "Makes it easier for me to put Cosmo's face up there"
A pause. She touched the communication artifact in her pocket. Still no word from Cosmo. She felt frustrated. Then she turned away from the statue.
Her steps echoed again as she moved towards the outer hall.
What about the Princess? Don't they have any passenger pigeons, messenger hawks or something like that?
Priest and Priestesses, both young and old passed by. They bowed immediately. Every single one.
"Your Holiness"
"Your Holiness"
She felt uneasy. But nodded each time.
This was getting out of hand. But she could use it. More carefully and strategically. And if they start depending on me…
She was shocked by her own thought process. And slowed her step a little.
But it was for their own good. It was to save everyone. And when they believe her with unquestioning faith. And accept her without hesitation. It would be a structure. A religion. And she will be at the centre, not just as a Saintess. A voice, a figure and a direction.
"...so I have to be careful"
It wasn't just about saving the world anymore. It was about control and balance.
Her gaze sharpened slightly. She wanted to see if she could change it without direct interference. She wanted those attendants to survive. Those background characters without names or weight. They were never meant to matter. But now they did. They are alive. And she was still gambling on their lives. As a business deal to earn the trust of powerful individuals. So she was worried. And felt pathetic. But this was the only way. Everything she was doing, the lies, the manipulation. No, it has to change. Survive now. And she would take care of the rest.
She kept walking towards the hall. And she heard footsteps fast, rushing towards her.
Priest Hill stumbled to a halt a few steps away from her. Breathing heavily.
"Your Holiness,...the Prince sent a report…Sir Rejinald has reached the forest path"
A pause.
"They have encountered a scout from the princess's party, he was ordered to not take the path any further and wait with the princess on the other side"
Another pause.
Garima's heart pounded.
" And The Devil General?" She asked
"He was sighted, Your Holiness but he was moving without stopping, unaware of his surroundings"
The air seemed to still.
" There won't be any fight, Sir Rejinald himself is accompanying the scout to hold off the princess".
Garima froze.
"They will retreat with the princess once it's safe!"