The sound of hooves beating against stone echoed through the street. A girl still in her teens entered the northern entrance of the holy city riding upon a black horse. She had come far and appeared exhausted. Her clothes smelled of the jungle air of Taurerosa from having traveled through it on her way to the city.

She guided her horse down the cobblestone to the center of the white city. The statue of a mighty angel stood erect as if it were watching over the city, protecting from all evil. Many, like Krystal had come to pray before it, asking for guidance, wisdom, healing, or protection.

Krystal tied her horse to the corner of a house at the mouth of the city’s center. She left all of her weapons and armor with him and walked into the presence of the worshipers with her head bowed in reverence. She approached the mighty stone guardian and knelt before it.

“Oh servant of the heavens,” she whispered to the statue beginning her prayer, “you are truly great and powerful. It is you and your people who the gods trust with the most important of missions. Your beauty and grace are surely the pride of your maker. Evil cowers before your greatness. It is your protection that allows this city to grow and prosper. It is your kind, who rules the skies. All the bird and other creatures blessed with wings submit to your power. Your kind alone is pure amongst the mortals.

“Please, forgive me for my transgressions. I am unworthy to be in this place with you, but here I am with pure intentions. Please, look past my faults and honor why I come before you now. I beg that you find a way to forget my sins.

“Thank you for all that you have done for my family in past times. It is your kind who have watched over us and protected us. I feel blessed for being in my family simply because y’all have blessed them. You have protected many warriors as they have set out to start a new life.

“Now, I must ask that you protect me as I begin my journey. Please guide me so that I may find the one who is lost and find him safe. Please watch over my mother and father while I am gone and give them peace in knowing that I am safe. Please give me the words to say whenever I am in need so that I will not have to resort to the melee, but if it comes to a contest of arms, please, guide my arrows or spear to bring down my enemies.”

Her prayer was finished. She stood and for the first timed looked upon the statues face. She hoped that the angels would hear her prayer and come to her aid. She didn’t know what to do next. She needed to move out and not waist time, but she found it hard to leave the statue.