“Lord Jax, you said the Goddess needs mana, but unless you’re a mage or other spellcaster, you don’t have mana. I’ll help however I can, I swear, but…”
“Ah! No, that’s a mistake right there, my friend. You all have mana; all living creatures have it, I’ve been assured by Jenae. Learning to spellcast gives access to consciously use mana, but it’s like a muscle. You have to learn to use it. The more you use it, the stronger it will grow."
"This apparently is how the first priests came to be; they gave their mana to their Gods so frequently that they learned what to feel for. Once they knew, the Gods granted them spells, healing abilities, and more.” A voice rose from the back in the silence that followed, and I smiled.
“How? How can we give our mana to the Goddess? Tell us how to help you, Lord!” It was the elderly helmsman, and his face was still alight with the joy of being pain free for the first time in years.
“The entire Tower is consecrated to Jenae; all you have to do is pray to her. I’ll show you how, but first, a warning. When you drain your mana to the last, you grow lightheaded and can get headaches. Please, don’t push yourselves that far. I don’t want you to be in pain, but the longer you pray, the more mana Jenae receives. Mana also recovers over time, so if you wanted to, you could pray morning and night to Jenae, but again, you don’t need to do this. I will be, and I ask for your support, but if you have a God, or you don’t wish to, then I understand. If you wish to pray to Jenae, find a space, sit, or stand, however you wish, and close your eyes. Reach out with your mind and call her name quietly. You can speak aloud or inside yourself, but talk to her, tell her whatever you wish, and she will listen. Now, do as I do, please.” I went down on one knee, clasping my hands together and closing my eyes. I heard the shuffling sound of people moving, and then after a few seconds, a low murmur arose from the group, and I felt Jenae’s presence in my mind.
“Eternal!” her voice rang, shocked but pleased.
“Hi Jenae, how’s this?” I asked her, hope filling my mental voice.
“You brought me the entire population of the Tower! I can feel their prayers, their hopes, and dreams. It’s been so long!” I sensed as much as heard the emotion behind her words, and the relief that this action had brought her.
“I didn’t expect them all to pray to you, but I asked them to help me, and I guess they went for it?” I said, and a low chuckle came from Jenae at that.
“You didn’t expect it? You need to ask the people you trust about their lords and the interactions they have with them. To talk to them as equals and to respect them seems to have far greater effects than I suspected. It saddens me, because it shows what the nobility has become, but as long as it plays to our favor, and you try to fix it in word and deed, I’m happy.”
“I’ll do what I can, Jenae, but…”
“Just do what you’re doing, Jax. Follow your heart and keep on going.” The praise from Jenae made me feel ridiculously pleased for a few seconds, but I tamped it down as best I could.
“Sooo, about those Marks of Favor?” I asked, and I received a notification a second later.
Congratulations!
You have led Eighty-Two (82) of your citizens to worship Jenae, Goddess of Fire, Exploration, and Hidden Knowledge. As such, you have received Forty-One (41) Marks of Favor for use in the Constellation of Secrets. Use them wisely!
A second notification popped up as soon as I dismissed the first, and I grinned as I read it.
You have received a lesser boon from Jenae, the Goddess of Fire, Exploration, and Hidden knowledge. This may be used at any time and will include the answer to a single question. This boon is a ‘Lesser’ boon and is limited to use within ten miles of a consecrated place of Worship to Jenae.
“Thank you, Jax. I can feel their mana already; I will let you know when you can use the Constellation, but for now, I suggest you speak to your people. Some are already approaching the threshold and are still praying to me. I do not wish for them to be drained fully.”
I blinked and stood, the sense of Jenae leaving my mind, but I could still feel her all around. I looked at my people, seeing some had risen to their feet, while others still knelt. Some had tears running down their cheeks as their lips moved, communing with their Goddess. A few of the group looked around hesitantly, realizing that I was watching, and quickly went back down on one knee as though to start again, and I spoke up to stop them.
“Please, everyone; I meant what I said. You don’t have to do this at all, and if you do choose to help me with it, please, don’t drain yourself. If you feel weak, if you feel a headache coming on, stop. That is both an order from me, and the Goddess Jenae’s direct
