The inner disciples were led to a different place higher upon the Radeon Terraces.
They passed the shrine on the sixth layer, where Shears halted and bowed his head in silent respect.
Irongrit, Daylightrays, Raxutus, Ropefist, and Youngbanners did the same, each offering five copper for incense before paying their respects.
Sackmace, who had taken fifth, Reelfisher in fourth, and Lonequiver in third, put on no airs either.
Even Almsgiver, the second-place victor, did not hesitate to kneel and press himself into a proper kowtow, as though the stone before him stood in place of heaven itself.
These new disciples had not won by strength alone. They had won because they were clever.
If this shrine truly honored the ancestor of God Eldric, then one could only imagine the height such a mighty figure had once reached.
A man of that stature was worth more than reverence. He was worth songs.
When the incense was done, they climbed higher.
