The back of the church was quiet, a clear contrast to the bustle of the great city. Among the graves, some covered in plants and worn by time, Alana found a peaceful corner. In the shade of a tree, Eldran was sitting at a small table surrounded by chairs, enjoying a cup of tea and some biscuits.

With a timid step, worried about disturbing the priest’s calm, Alana approached.

Alana: (in a soft voice) Excuse me, Father Eldran… may I interrupt you for a moment? I’ve come to deliver a package.

Eldran: Oh yes, the young bard. Sit down, dear.                                                                                                                  (he said, gesturing toward another of the chairs.)

Alana: Don’t worry, I’m just here to bring you the package I was entrusted with.                                                  (Alana took the dark chest from her bag and handed it to him gently.)

Eldran: Thank you very much. Are you sure you don’t want to sit down? You’ve seemed uneasy since yesterday.

Alana: Really, Father, don’t worry. I’m just passing through. Besides, I don’t wish to trouble you.

Eldran: (with a faint smile, tilting his head) Calm is relative. This place, no matter how sacred it may be, is always filled with unease—just like the hearts of those who enter.

Alana: (looking away, uncomfortable) I understand, but I don’t want to take up your time. You have more important matters to attend to, I’m sure.

Eldran: (raising an eyebrow, studying her carefully) Sometimes, the most important thing is to listen. You don’t need to stay if you don’t want to, but God exists to ease the worries of those who cannot find answers. And you seem to have far more questions than you can bear.

(Alana, hesitating but yielding to the priest’s kindness, decided to sit down and talk.)

Alana: Excuse me, Father Eldran, I was wondering if you might know anything about the symbol on the tomb of the young man we brought a month ago. His grave isn’t very far, and I’m curious why he has his own tomb. He wasn’t someone important enough for that.

Eldran: If you show me the symbol, I might be able to tell you something, young bard. But if it’s in that cemetery, it’s most likely a seal or a symbol of another god, if it seemed unfamiliar to you. Not everyone in the world has an affinity with ours.

Alana: (with a slight gesture of surprise) Another god? I thought this cemetery was dedicated exclusively to Caelus.

Eldran: (nodding slowly, with a faint spark of interest in his eyes) It is, but there are exceptions. Some symbols of other deities may appear, either due to family traditions or because the faith of the deceased wasn’t entirely aligned with our doctrine.

Alana: (frowning, intrigued) But that means someone allowed that symbol to be there. Shouldn’t it have been removed?

Eldran: (with a measured smile, hands clasped) It’s not always that simple. Death and faith are complex matters, young bard. Sometimes a symbol remains, not because we accept it, but because we do not have the right to erase it.

Alana: (crossing her arms, thoughtful) But this young man… he was strange. Aside from the symbol, that wasn’t the only unusual thing. There was something about that grave… a feeling I can’t explain.

Eldran: (calmly, he explained) Faith leaves traces, even in places where the flesh no longer dwells. If the symbol unsettles you, perhaps you should study it more closely. Sometimes, some can see things that others cannot.

Alana: (nodding slowly) Perhaps I will. Thank you for listening to me, Father.

Eldran: (with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes) Always, young Alana. But be careful. Symbols carry power, and not everyone is willing to share it with the curious.

Eldran: Draw it, and perhaps next time I can tell you more.

Alana: Very well, thank you so much for your guidance.

(As she stood to leave and return to the tavern, a timid Eleanor appeared around the corner. Shyly, she approached and, surprised to see Alana, greeted them both.)

Eleanor: Good morning, Father Eldran and Alana.

Eldran: Young Eleanor, you’re up early. What troubles you today? Please, have a seat.

(Eleanor looked uncertainly at Alana and the priest.)

Alana: If it’s something you need to talk about alone, don’t worry, I was just about to leave.

Eleanor: (nervous) No, it’s not that… it’s just that I’m still not used to the church, and there have been letters and…

(As she tried to explain her problems, she became confused herself.)

Eldran:Why don’t you sit down and calm yourself? This isn’t the first time we’ve had these tutoring sessions, young bard. Since I see that you are friends, it wouldn’t be too much to ask for her to stay. Miss Eleanor could benefit from having a friendly face beside her.

Alana: Of course, no problem.

Still puzzled by the situation, Alana sat back down, but this time Eleanor was beside her. After a few seconds, as Eleanor organized her thoughts, she began to speak, though doubt lingered in every word.

Eleanor: Father Eldran, ever since I received my blessing, everything has been overwhelming. You’ve helped me a lot, but leaving my family, coming to the city, and, well, dealing with my peers hasn’t been as welcoming as I thought it would be. What is wrong? Because it seems that despite my blessing I can’t seem to be accepted by… please my…

(From her bag, she took out a handkerchief which, when unfolded, revealed her symbol completely broken and in pieces. Alana couldn’t help but be surprised and let out a small gasp.)

Alana: Wow...

Father Eldran, slightly surprised by the broken symbol, took it very carefully and, calmly, asked the young girl.

Eldran: (studying the symbol intently, with a mix of surprise and concern) When did this happen, Eleanor?

Eleanor: (lowering her gaze, unsure) A few days ago. I found it like this, not understanding how it happened. Since then, I’ve felt that something is wrong, as if my connection to Caelus is weak.

Eldran: (in a calm and firm voice) This is not a simple accident. A broken symbol can mean many things: a warning, an internal conflict, or even the influence of someone else.

Alana: (looking at Eleanor, still surprised) So you’re saying someone attacked Eleanor?

Eleanor: (shaking her head, in a tone of desperation) NO, I don’t know. All I know is that my blessing no longer feels the same as before. I know it was never very strong, but… could it be that Caelus is rejecting me?

Eldran: (leaning forward, with a gesture of understanding) Eleanor, sometimes faith and the power it carries face trials we don’t immediately understand. But I can help you see. Have you noticed anything strange, any changes around you or in your recent behavior?

Eleanor: (thoughtful, with a hint of distress) Only the coldness of my peers in the church… and some strange dreams I don’t understand, but… (she let out a sigh at the end.)

Alana: (interjecting calmly) Perhaps the broken symbol is related to what we’ve been investigating.

Eldran: (nodding slowly, with a determined look) If that’s the case, you should be more careful. As for your dreams, Eleanor, I want you to continue consulting with me, but also pay attention to any strange details. And you, bard, remember my words.

Alana:(with a faint smile) Of course, Father. I’ll do what I can.

Eleanor: (looking at Alana with gratitude) Thank you…

Eldran: (in an encouraging tone) Remember, Eleanor, trials are part of the path. But time will help you find the answers. Now, take a moment to breathe and prepare yourself for what may come or the things you may discover.

The conversation left an air of tense calm, but it also seemed they had a lead for their investigation. Afterward, the girls stood up; at the priest’s insistence, they took some biscuits and made their way out of the church.