Magi-mi Chamba nodded, yet his eyes spun to further down the hall. Each wall and pillar was filled with inscriptions and drawings.
Even the stone seats and painting framed amongst them held a cross of Salazāhn tongues, new vagarī, and even some old vagarī, which rarely anyone knew.
The only separation of scripture was with the vibrant, multicolored tiles that ran lines between it.
"While we are blessed that all of these teachings are shared with us and our tongues have naturally crossed over so that we understand them, we aren't certain of all that's translated," Chief Raino admitted. "Do you perhaps know old vagarī?"
Magi-mi Chamba admitted he did not.
"That does not speak of all magi, however," he said. "Languages are a specialty for some, but I do have wisdom in other things."
"Such as?" Salīa asked.
Raki scoffed, his usual reaction when he didn't approve of her manners. She scoffed right back.
Chief Raino gave them both a scolding glare that said there would be none of this in the Temple of Faith, especially not amongst magi.
"I'm a great historian. Some might even say, I remember moments as if I was there with them," he walked to some of the ancient relics that were preserved behind special glass.
It was never Salazā's dream to preserve it in such a way, yet theft from some travelers had made it so.
There were carvings of people and animals, weapons and jewels, cutlery and cups, and other peculiar things, all symbolic and sentimental to Salazā.
Salīa couldn't help but feel a pull to each thing he observed.
Then he turned to a large painting further down the hall showing the markings of people, animals, and symbols looped together cyclically.
"What do you think this means?" he asked Salīa.
"She probably couldn't tell you," Raki said plainly.
"Stop," Bazil said, but looked at Salīa sympathetically. "She wasn't as studious growing up as I'm sure she is now, magi-mi Chamba."
"But she is of great intellect," Chief Raino added.
Magi-mi Chamba stayed looking at the painting, and repeated, "What do you think this means?"
"Means?" Salīa stared hard. "It looks like children drank too much marula and made a mess. You can barely tell what's human and what's beast.
And what are those symbols meant to be?
What is that one holding in their hands, and what is wrapping around that one's body? Are they sloppy as to not care?"
But that couldn't be true. Because even still, it's in quite an intentional circular shape with quite direct markings. But then…
"If I had to give it meaning…" she looked carefully. "It almost looks like magic."
The zazi flinched.
They all knew better than to talk of that aloud. It's not like this land was void of it, yet the word had almost become something of a sin in the realm.
"Maybe when humans die, they become beasts. Or when beasts die, they become humans."
She looked to magi-mi Chamba for some form of nod, but she couldn't even tell if he had been listening at all, since he just walked on.
Further ahead were more drawings, and Salīa couldn't help but wonder now what each of them might mean, as the rest did the same.
She saw many distorted figures reaching for something. The two figures standing across, both lifting their hands with a sort of ether between them.
Magic, as she said, but she wouldn't dare to say it again. Yet it really looked as if that's what it was. Then she saw something quite strange.
"The eye," said Chief Raino. "It's my favorite part here."
She hadn't even noticed that's what it was. But soon saw what others did. A relic of a black and gold eye cemented deep into the walls, yet somewhat open. Her breathing deepened at the sight of it. It felt so alive, staring at her. Even if she moved.
"I see," magi-mi Chamba smiled.
"How did this get here?" Salīa asked. "I don't remember seeing it before."
"Maybe you weren't looking before," he said. "What is that saying you all enjoy? Of eyes being portals to the soul?"
Salīa wanted to ask more, but he had walked on already, to the final part of the hall. Water ran down the walls and back into the soil without relent.
It was symbolic of The Wisher's Waterfall, which lay deep in the Unnamed Forest.
While it lay in the forest, it is an extension of the Salazā Spirits, as this waterfall is known to relieve one of sorrows – the quickest path to connecting with spirit.
The stone walls here were more rugged and enclosed, symbolic of The Keeper's Caves, although no one alive has been able to see it to compare.
Yet some believe this glowing cave is hidden in Shaka, while many decided it's nothing but a myth. Salīa always believed in it, but she herself was yet to find it.
Yet this part of the hall, as far as Salīa knew, was here to honor the founders of Salazā with The Solemn Statues.
Within it was the tallest and largest honorary statue of the Palosan ruler of Salazā's time, King Palosa. Such a statue existed in each land of Khī as well, yet the first of its kind was made in Salazā.
"How did that come about?" asked magi-mi Chamba.
It was a good question, but one with a few answers.
I guess I should tell him the version that the travelers are told.
"The Solemn Statues were built to honor Palosa and their commitment to unifying Khī. And so, each significant land followed after. This was brought out as Palosa made a promise to protect all lands, eventually becoming the crown of Khī."
Raki scoffed, which earned him a glare from his father.
"What is your name?" Magi-mi Chamba looked to him.
"Commander Guardian Rakire," he made an x with his arms.
"And what is that which is rattling your throat?"
"Nothing," he said plainly. "Nothing at all."
"My son's just proud of our land, to a sometimes alienating extent," Chief Raino stated, leaving Raki to click his jaw. "When King Palosa assisted in battle, the ruler had asked if an extended kindness could be made in which an honorary statue of the ruler could be placed somewhere sacred, to prove true honor and allow others to worship it if desired."
Raki's scowl deepened.
"I'm sure you already know the history.
Salazā was said to be delighted and even took to placing the Palosan statue in the best spot within this Temple of Faith and had it specially made. She said this is where most are likely to know of it and appreciate it.
Whether or not it has been, one thing can be said for sure. In all the lands that have the Palosan statue, this one has preserved the longest, as a demonstration of Salazā's everlasting union with Palosa."
Magi-mi Chamba nodded at this, staring at the large gilded statue, standing tall, with thickly arched brows and a pair of big hands holding both sides of its waist.
He then trailed across from it, where other statues lay.
"Inspired by King Palosa's statue," Chief Raino quickly said. "Salazā also commissioned some statues to honor our founders."
"Probably also to be rebellious," Salīa whispered.
"You know we cannot be making such statements."
"But, Chief Raino, Salazā was known for being irrepressible and standing strong within herself and for her land.
If I were her and another land's ruler asked that we honor them, I might agree, but I'd feel shame if I were not also honoring my own people in the same respect. There's nothing wrong with that."
At a slight distance, the founder's statues were smaller than King Palosa's, but still quite large.
Senai was kneeling with his hands cupped together as if patting his face with water.
Shumpa was arching, counting coins.
Sana was stretched back, trying on jewelry.
Sando was reading a book while looking over.
Shaka stood closer, holding up a child on one side and his xira on the other.
Silio stood just as close and stood strong, focused, with his mouth open as if commanding, ready to battle.
Salazā stood the closest, pregnant, and proudly posed as if leading the battle.
"I think I forgot this part," Salīa stood by Salazā's statue. "There's no record of her ever being pregnant, yet here in this statue she is."
"Because to many, she was seen as The Mother of Salazā."
Raki looked like he wanted his father to talk more about this, yet Chief Raino left it at that. Magi-mi Chamba stayed in a position, staring at the statue arrangement. When Salīa pulled back, she noticed it too.
"I know what you must think," Chief Raino continued. "It looks like Salazā is about to battle Palosa when you stand from there.
Yet it's not because we do not want to be beside Palosa, but because legally no statue is allowed to be close to the honorary Palosa statue in any land, as that would distract from why the statue has been made."
Salīa didn't remember that much, yet the rest of the zazi were nodding as if they all knew the truth of it.
I know that Palosa and Salazā are longtime allies, exceeding centuries, even cemented by my mother's deep friendship with Princess Olana ever since she was a princess herself.
During the time of Palosa and Salazā being founded, however, there were occasional disputes between the two lands as they shaped themselves within the realm. Though it was said they always found a way to reconcile like an old-married couple.
Silence swept over while they all took to observing the statues. Salīa eventually ended up in the same place, staring at the mighty Salazā.
"I feel most connected with her," Salīa admitted.
Magi-mi Chamba whispered, "And why do you think that is?"
It's almost like he already knew but wasn't willing to say it for her. It's something she had suspected for a while now.
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