Heydar was not a man who truly believed in religion as it seemed Karimi and his family did. Did he believe that the Goddess existed? He wasn't sure. Did he believe there was probably some higher spiritual power? Yes. Did he think religion was a useful tool for him in governing his families lands? Absolutely. And so with that in mind he was more than happy to act as a pious and dedicated member of the Anahatism faith. He would touch the feet of Priestesses, he would make offerings at the Temples and he would support their actions. The more he was seen to do this and be an example for the faith the stronger his control over Royal Seleucid would be. "Your son Halzur then is doing the Goddess a great service." He thought for a second or two, he'd read quiet a but about Waddan and their nations rather bizarre organisation. "Perhaps this is something we here should support" He began to explain, "Our family have always found ourselves as the family that ensures the safety of Anahitaism, however it now appears to me that your own tribe have helped shoulder this task for a long time with no recognition. I would like, if it is permissible, to help these men who would give their lives to defend the Goddesses home in your lands. I would like to extend to them the offer of the following, an annual stipend of $1,000 to be paid from our family direct to them, a new horse per year and if we can arrange it a six month training programme with our own military. I would also like if allowed and desirable to provide any equipment that you need to ensure you can maintain the Temple."
He next turned to Arij, "I would also hope your father will accept us offering to support other young women such as yourself serve the Goddess. I hope that we can ensure you have sufficient Priestesses well versed in the faith, so should you ever have a young woman wishing to come here and study I shall stand any of the costs they incur in doing so."
"Perhaps now we should finish our drinks and head to the Temple." Heydar finished his drink and escorted the group towards the Temple walking beside Arij as his own wife Chyrssa, her belly just showing the first signs of her pregnancy, walked beside Karimi. "What would your life have involved if you hadn't been serving the Goddess?" Heydar asked interested about the lives of women in Waddan. In Seleucid women were expected to be wives and mothers and to organise the day to day life of the family leaving their men folk to bring in the money and protect the family from any difficulties. The walk to the Temple was a few hundred meters across the Palace lawn, the Temple straddled the Palace perimeter with a lockable and guarded gate on the Palace side. Spotting the King and his party coming two white uniformed guards snapped to attention and one then unlocked the gate as the other snapped a smart salute. "Thank you Sergeant Rafeeza" Heydar nodded to the man who saluted, he made a point of knowing the names of the men on guard anytime he came over. "Corporal Masan" he nodded respectfully to the man who had unlocked the gate and was now standing to hold it open for the party. As the King waited for his companions to pass he thanked the men once more and followed them in.
The entrance went up six steps and at the top High Priestess Raniya Attar stood. She was a woman in her late 60's and beneath her head scarf a wisp of grey hair was visible. She was rather small but the wrinkles on her face indicated that she was a woman who spent much of her time smiling. She wore a plain white Priestesses gown and watched as Chyrssa began to bend to touch her feet. "Do not be silly Your Majesty" Raniya put her small hands on the Queen's shoulders and pulled her upright, "You're carrying a young Prince, do not be doing such silly things" instead Raniya embraced the Queen with genuine warmth. Heydar meanwhile had knelt in front of the Priestess and touched her feet with his hand. "Thank you Your Majesty" she waited for Heydar to stand before bowing to him and embracing him. Through the Temple you could see the faithful coming and saying prayers, making offerings and taking their small glass of water from the spring that bubbled in the centre of the Temple. "And you must be Chief Karimi, the Guardian of the Goddess in Waddan." the High Priestess embraced him before turning to the daughter, "and the dutiful Arij" the High Priestess held her arms open for an embrace and waved the young girl towards her, "I am very very happy to meet one from such a noble family willing to do this task." She took Arij by the hand and headed inside the Temple and to the spring. "This is why you are here" she addressed Arij directly, "not just spiritually, but physically. Had this water not bubbled its way up from beneath us thanks to the Goddess then mankind would never have been." She cupped her free hand and filled it with water before drizzling it on Arij's head, "I know the Goddess will bless you in your mission, she will give you faith beyond measure, compassion for all and wisdom far beyond your years......who knows when I am long gone perhaps I will smile as I sit with the Goddess and watch this Temple become yours. It will happen one day I am sure that someone from Waddan, Tamora, Abuqiya even will become the High Priestess for the Goddess recognises no borders."
Raniya waved the other three forward and this time took Karimi by the hand and cupped water onto his head, "The goddess thanks you for your work looking after the faith in your nation. I apologise we have been less than supportive but we shall ensure that is changed. I understand that His Majesty has offered some support but I would love to come and visit Sabhā and see your Temple for myself. Is that possible?" She asked.
Next she pulled Chyrssa forward and sprinkled the water on her head before taking a second handful and tenderly touching Chyrssa's belly. "We all know the Goddess will give you a Prince, strong and handsome. I am very much looking forward to meeting him." She said with genuine warmth. Next the King stepped forward and had to bend slightly to allow the High Priestess to bless him. "I know the Goddess will soon bless you and Queen Haniyah with children. The Soter's have always served the faith well and the next generation will do just as well." The blessings over she lead the group upstairs to a room that was clearly her own little office where she would carry out tasks required to ensure the faith ran smoothly. A young girl aged about 12 was waiting and bowed deeply to everyone, she was wearing a pale blue gown indicating she was an apprentice Priestess. She had just placed a jug of water on the desk. "Thank you Aminah" Raniya said cheerily as the young girl turned and headed for the door, "wait a moment for me please." the girl stopped wondering whether she had done something wrong. Raniyah turned her to face the group and while stood behind her placed hands on her shoulders, they were of a similar height despite the age difference. "This here is Aminah she is one of our Priestesses in training. She has just two weeks left, and should she pass her examination she will be sent to help preach to the faithful. She is a good girl, very hardworking and very very intelligent." Aminah blushed and looked at the floor. "King Heydar I would like you to make us a little deal." a slight smile of mischief spread across Raniyah's face, "Should the young lady pass her examination I would like you to appoint her as the first Holy Ambassador to Waddan." The girl's eyes widened with a sense of shock. "She will help us build the relationship between Waddan and Royal Seleucid in terms of the faith. A young girl to guide the young relationship." She knew Heydar would find it difficult to say no to such a request coming from the High Priestess who was supposed to help guide him in spiritual matters. Heydar also knew that she was fiercely loyal to the Soter family and so trusted her to have reasons for this.
Heydar leaned on the arm of his chair rubbing his chin in thought. "Do you want to go to Waddan and be our Holy Ambassador?" Heydar asked the girl who seemed nervous and unsure of what to say, she had thought she was just delivering holy water for the guests to drink.
"If the High Priestess wills it then I shall go wherever I am sent. To serve the Goddess is the greatest thing I can do." the girl finally said.
"But Waddan will have none of the comforts of Ipsus. Are you sure?" Heydar asked her.
The girl took a deep breath. "The Goddess set us the task of ending the five great evils. She did not set us the task of ending the Five Great evils only within our own lands. If Waddan will have me then I will go." She said rather more confidently than her first answer.
"Very well. Chief Karimi if you are happy with Aminah then if she passes her examination we shall send her to you." Heydar announced, "She seems to me like a very dedicated and wise girl."