“That’s what they say,” Orram replied. “They want everyone to join them. I think it’s ridiculous that the king is even entertaining them. Their mere mission here is an insult to the kingdom and, were I in charge, they’d be expelled immediately. They serve only to create rabble where there was none. I can’t lie and say that no one has found their preachings…intriguing. That’s what worries me.”
Tera said nothing as they continued out of the narrow alley and into a wider, dirt-laden street. A number of people moved to and fro, most wearing long robes like Orram. Theirs were simpler, with more humble colors, but the style was the same. Women moved their children aside as the entourage continued past them.
“Not much farther now,” Orram said. “Sorry to make you walk for so long. You’re probably used to using your machines for such distance.”
“It’s no worry,” Tera replied, tapping on her metal legs. Orram laughed a little.
“Tell us a little about Opes,” Ethan said once a silence started to settle over them. “We weren’t told much about your culture before we were sent here.”
“Yes, your friends did seem to be in a bit of a hurry to meet,” Orram commented. “But I’m more than happy to educate people about our way of life. We’ve been here for a long time, but never became ‘Opes’ until after the Great War. I could go deep into our long-form history, but that would be a conversation for another time.”
“You seem to have made quite a home here in the desert,” Tera observed. Any topic to get her mind off the Shedders was welcome.
“We live off the clay that God gives us,” Orram said. “This oasis has proved quite fruitful in that regard. We are able to shelter our people and create a culture of art. There is even a bit of gold in the area that all the people of Opes share.”
“I hope you don’t consider it an offensive question,” Tera started, “but why haven’t you clashed with the Council? They’re the kind of people who would take whatever they can, assuming they have the power.”
Orram chuckled. “I think they know better,” he answered. “They realize that Opes has the perfect balance of men and women willing to die for their country and nothing of value worth killing for. What would they take from us? Our clay? Do you think your mechanical tyrants would have much use for adobe construction?”
“You still have people,” Ethan said. “And the Council likes to take people.”
“Then they would have to raise us from the dead, Mr. Myler,” Orram said. “Every man, woman, and child would sooner join God than let the Council make body slaves of them. Yes — we know what your I.I. leaders do with people. We would not allow them to succeed, even if it meant the end of Opes.”
They took a right turn and approached a large clay building. It had many openings in it, all covered with cloth doors. A number of steps led up to a second floor. Orram led them to one of the openings on the ground level.
“This will be your room to use while you’re visiting us,” he said. “Feel free to make yourselves comfortable.”
“How long will we be waiting?” Tera asked.
“I will come fetch you when the king is ready to speak,” Orram replied. “Other than that, I cannot say. King Hum takes his time if God deems it right to do so. And only King Hum can know what God asks of him.”
“Thank you,” Ethan said, pushing aside the cloth door to their room. “Come on, Tera. We might as well get situated.”
Orram gave them another low bow, the smile returning to his face.
“Please, enjoy your stay in the holy kingdom,” he said, then turned and left.
The Naming
Ethan and Tera could only sit in their empty apartment room for so long before they became too restless to contain. They came to a mutual agreement to go on a little walk around town. If Orram wanted to get in touch with them, they figured the king’s adviser would be able to find them.
When they emerged from behind the cloth door, they noticed a line of Opes citizens making their way deeper into town, to the right of their room. People were trickling in around the line, headed in the same direction. It wasn’t the mindless wandering of a town in the middle of an average day; the people moved with purpose.
“Where are they going?” Ethan asked. He only got a shrug in response from his mechanical companion.
A young woman, about Ethan’s age, walked past them, and Tera reached out to get her attention. The Opesian jumped a little when she saw the artificial woman who had touched her, but settled when she noticed Ethan.
“Oh, you’re the outsiders!” she said, a sparkle of realization in her eyes.
“What’s going on?” Tera asked. “Where is everyone headed?”
The girl looked back at her with confusion. “It’s the Naming ceremony,” she replied as if everyone should know what that is.
“Naming ceremony?” Ethan repeated.
“It’s where our children receive their adult names,” the Opesian replied. “It’s a very important step in maturity. A number of children are being named today.”
Tera thanked the young woman and let her continue on her way.
“Wanna check it out?” Ethan asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Tera replied, watching more worshipers flood past them.
They joined the Opesians in their long, crowded march towards the temple in the center of the city. The lines of people ran through the streets and through the town square that lay before the massive temple.
As Tera and Ethan got nearer to the place of worship, they couldn’t help but be impressed by the sheer size of the structure. It was the largest building in Opes by a long shot, even two or three times larger than the king’s palace. It was made of sandstone and clay, built in
