Skatha slowly climbed the many steps of the temple, she wore a simple gown, no adornments on her body or in her hair, shoeless; she carried no weapons, no food, no water. She knelt, then moved into the classic position of meditation; her legs crossed, her hands resting, palms up, on her legs. Her recent choices had not been good. All seemed to lead to a dead end. Seeking wisdom and peace, an end to the struggles, she began to meditate.

Closing out the world surrounding her, she easily slipped into a trance, opening her mind to whatever might choose to enter there. Minutes passed, becoming hours. Time ceased, she became aware of the presence of her gods, comforting, nurturing, she felt stronger, becoming one with their essence. Total peace.

Screams, intense heat, discord, visions of violence shattered the peace as evil flowed into the open mind, so at peace less than a breath before, now engulfed in fear and terror. The essence of the gods and of evil struggled now for control.

Others may have come and gone in the temple, there may have been storms of cataclysmic proportions, it mattered not, for she was aware of nothing except that there was a battle for her soul, one over which she had no control.

No muscle twitched, no eye blinked, no clue was visible to others -- she retained the countenance of one at peace.

How long she sat thusly she had no idea, slowly she became aware of the whisper of the chimes as the wind moved through them, aware of gentle raindrops, and an overwhelming feeling of being at one with the universe. Calmly she walked through the rain, wondering at the warmth of the water on her bare feet as she walked through the puddles, aware of the warm rain that dampened her hair and robe.

She would be guided now, as she attempted to fulfill her duties, bringing strength and wisdom to the Justicars.

Peace...................