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"Oh," Hali says, "of course" She holds out a pack for ht you your work kit"

"Thank you," I say She’s saved me a trip down into the workroom with all the other acolytes so I don’t have to face more questions

Hali nods, and before I can overthink it, I ask her so "Were you surprised when she left?"

Hali holds her work kit on her hip, the way I’ve seen her balance her baby brothers and sisters when they co hours "Yes," Hali says "Bay loved Atlantia She loved the teht that she ht be Minister someday"

I nod I knew that people whispered about Bay following in my mother’s footsteps Bay knew it, too But she never wanted to be the Minister "Too ," she always said "I’d rather be a priest and serve the people and the gods that way" Bay always thought she’d like to teach in the teates "I want to help people when they have to let their loved ones go," she said That was before we had to prepare our own ates The es of my mind, but I refuse to look at that dark place

"But I can also understand Bay wanting to live a life of sacrifice," Hali says "And the best way to do that is to go Above"

"So that’s why you think she left?"

"Of course," Hali says "Bay is one of the few people I knoho could live a life of sacrifice"

Hali’s arguic But ouldn’t Bay tell me that she wanted to serve in the Above? Why did she ask me to promise to stay, and then leave?

Why trick ry?

"She didn’t tell you she was going, did she?" Hali asks

"No"

"She ently

But Bay knew her leaving would hurt me I move suddenly with the pain of that, and Hali takes a step back "I’d better get to work now," I say

"I’ll see you later," Hali says

I go down the hall froh the temple school I know these rooms and hallways as well as I know the temple itself I knoho lives behind each door in the students’ living quarters I know the smells of the classrooms and workrooms, the scuff marks on the floors, the way the chairs cut into your back so that you are uncomfortable unless you sit with perfect posture The walls are tiled in green and blue and white, sea colors, but the grout in between theh the acolytes clean it constantly That’s e spend ods and the Divide Later we get pro the temple itself, but that’s noton the ladders while carrying soap and water And the gods do not seem alive when you clean them You have to take extra care as you wash their claws and paws, their hooked little hands, because those are the most delicate parts of the sculptures