CONTENT WARNING: Frank discussion of the worship of a love god that is partly sexual in nature.

"In the First Era the gods walked among our ancestors, and the ancestors of all the animals. One of those gods was the duality that is Durasyan and Danya," Elrin began. From the way he spoke, Meyrin was certain this was the way he had been taught to recount the tale. 

"I'll simply call him Durasyan for simplicity's sake," he went on, "and because his male form is the one I most venerate. Early in his walk, Durasyan noticed how the the animals reproduced, and how the humans did, as well. The humans were like the many species who simply coupled and did not linger long together. Durasyan wished to see humans be more like other beasts who formed close family groups or paired for entire lifetimes and shared in the rearing of offspring."

"And so Durasyan filled every human he encountered with his love," Thallia continued. "Our ancestors began to bond together, and formed families. They could now love each other in ways they could never have before. With love, these families grew rapidly and formed communities that intermingled with each other. Thus, Durasyan and Danya became symbols of both love and fertility. It is also Danya who we have to thank for the gift of female pleasure."

"But his gift is more than that," Elrin added. "Wonderful as it is, of course," he added with a glance at Thallia. "He gave us the ability to love widely, in so many ways. To love deeply. Durasyan teaches that love in all its forms is wonderful, and that to love is to be devoted to the ones we care most about. Durasyan and Danya teach us that there is no shame in pleasure, and to seek it with willing partners is only natural. Even if it is done in passing it is an act of love for a short time, because love is not always everlasting. Sometimes it is brief and beautiful for only a few minutes or a few hours, but it is still love."

"And through it you love yourself," Thallia said, smiling. "It is important show yourself love, even when it is difficult. Durasyan and Danya help in the most difficult times, to love you when you struggle to remember how to love yourself. And just as there are countless ways to love others, there are countless ways to love yourself. We see that in the depictions of Durasyan and Danya together, symbolizing the act of loving oneself. Even in the images of them in the act of making love is a reminder that self-pleasure is also a form of loving oneself. For priests of Durasyan, intimacy is a form of worshipping our god."

Meyrin felt a bit overwhelmed by their frankness and their obvious love of their god. Yet, he was also oddly curious. "When you said you are trained in ritual worship, what exactly do you mean?" he ventured to ask.

Elrin smiled at him in a way that was somehow both amused and kind. "In worshipful lovemaking and self-pleasure, yes, but also in ways that are more accessible to all ages, preferences, and abilities. I'm sure that this town will have a traditional fertility celebration in which everyone who is able to will make love in the fields all night, but most community temples to Durasyan are not sexually-charged places. The focus is on love. On prayers for enduring love, for conception, for healthy pregnancies, and for healthy births. Sometimes for animals and the land as well as for the people of the community. In countries that have marriage traditions, the priesthood oversees wedding ceremonies."

"What is marriage?" Meyrin asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"A tradition in many other countries that binds people together legally and socially," Thallia answered. "Usually, it is between two people, and usually a man and woman. Though, in the country of Phelin I've heard they sometimes have marriages between two men and two women, all together. Such a formation isn't uncommon here, but the official binding together is the strange part. Partners are not able to freely leave if they wish or need to. Some countries allow marriages to be broken in certain situations, but for most it is expected to continue until one partner dies."

As Thallia spoke, Elrin began serving the meat that had been cooking, and Meyrin happily accepted a steaming bowl. "What is the purpose of this marriage tradition?"

"Sometimes as a show of love," Sarlin answered. "Other times it is to unite wealthy families or form political alliances for kingdoms. Often it is expected that the woman will only produce children with the man, and that he will only father children with the woman. Parents here are held to account for raising their children unless it is truly not possible, of course, but there are even stronger expectations in these countries where marriage is the way of life."

"Unfortunate," Thallia declared.

Meyrin wasn't certain he'd ever be having children, so he didn't feel as though he had any comments to add in that regard. He fanned his meat in an attempt to cool it so he could eat, his mouth watering at the lovely smell wafting from his bowl.

"If you're going to Solaris you could always join our priesthood," Thallia told him. "Unlike the public temples, the home of the priesthood is sexually-charged. It's also full of genuine love and kindness."

Meyrin shook his head. "I'm bound to the training center of the Tetimi. I'm seeking to join them."

This only seemed to interest her more. "What skill do you have?" she asked over her bowl of meat.

"I'm an archer," Meyrin replied. "A pair of Wandering Tetimi came to my aunts' inn and saw me hunting. They asked me for a demonstration, then wrote a letter recommending me to join."

Now Elrin was interested. "Archery? Perhaps in the morning, before we all depart, you could give me a demonstration?"

Meyrin smiled. "I would welcome a shooting match."

Elrin smiled at him. "Wonderful."

When Meyrin had allowed his dinner to cool enough, he was able to determine that the taste was as wonderful as the smell had led him to believe it would be. While they ate, the priests told Meyrin all about the city of Solaris and what he might expect. He had difficulty imagining the scale of it and the number of people he was told he would see, and he tried not to dwell too much on it. He was, however, excited to learn he would lay eyes on the sea.

Meyrin assisted with cleaning up from dinner, which his new acquaintances thanked him for.

"Would you like to join us tonight?" Thallia asked him after all was cleaned up and the fire banked. "For some ritual sexual worship, of course."

Meyrin had not expected such an offer and didn't immediately know what to say. Finally, he stammered out, "I'm sorry. No. Thank you."

She smiled and patted his shoulder. "It's quite alright. We simply wanted the offer to be there, since you were so curious. Goodnight."

He nodded. "Goodnight."

Through the light of the moon he saw them enter the shelter together and for once he did not question his decision to sleep in the horse shelter. He had the old man's bite ointment after all. He was especially glad when he started hearing cries and shouts of "Durasyan" and "Danya" coming from the other shelter. Given how he had spent most of his life living in an inn, it was not the strangest thing he'd ever heard at night, but it was enough for him to feel slightly uncomfortable.