Pontifex Ursa – Part 2

I’m only now getting to sit down, at three in the afternoon, after having been up for the better part of eight hours.  That’s how insane my day has been.

I’m not certain there’s much to say here.  I saw my mother, who continues to be dying, and her health continues to deteriorate.  Each time, before I see her, I tell myself that I’m prepared for when the moment comes.  Each time, after I see her, I realize that there is never going to be a time where I’m okay with this.  She’s too young for this, I’m too young for this.  There’s no reason this should be happening on the cusp of my career.  Yet here we are.

More Pontifex Ursa for the time being.  I had grand aspirations, but this weekend and today has kind of beat me down to the point where I’m not sure how much of what will get done.  I’ll run it out, as always.

Pontifex Ursa – Part 2

For I am your Lord and King, the Savior of Humankind.  Born of humanity’s mind, might, and their reckless nature, I am the Wisdom of Kings made flesh.  Made of mankind, I am born to save them in their hour of need.
           – Pontifex Reflections, 3:10

It was odd for me, when I had finally earned the right to travel to the College of Cardinals.  You labor at something for so long, living and breathing and eating the idea of something so far off that it feels like an illusion, that when the reality of it hits home and you’re packing your bags for the last time, you feel a little lost. 

Priestess Lilith was shepherding me along the Pious Path.  Every town, no matter how big or small, was required to have a road leading directly to the College of Cardinals and the Vatican.  Located in what remained of North Dakota, the Vatican required that all of humanity have a direct connection to claim as their own.  The roads were required to lead directly to the center of town, with the towns expanding around it.  The Pontifex knew humanity enough to know that everyone wanted the chance to feel important enough to merit personal attention. 

The Pontifex wasn’t wrong.  I had spent years eyeing the road with a mixture of reverence and jealousy.  The arrival of any new priest or priestess, and their departure, was a subject of celebration and speculation.  The roads were required to lead directly to the center of town, with the towns expanding around it.  Marriages, funerals, and celebrations were performed with the road omni-present.

When it was my turn to finally depart, with a large portion of the village turned out to celebrate my journey, I had no words to describe the moment.  For so long I had been in awe of the Priests and Priestesses that it was difficult for me to encompass the simple fact that I was taking the Pious Path to join them as equals.  As the celebration grew to a close, and I gathered my meager possessions to join Priestess Lilith at the edge of the village, I couldn’t help the grin which dominated my face. 

She looked lovely, standing at the edge of the village in the early evening.  Her fur immaculate as it always was, her large paws holding the straps on her own rucksack.  She wore a smile for me, one I hardly ever saw except for when I did exceptionally well on a learning project.  I blushed a little, coughing and turning my head so she wouldn’t see it. 

“Ready for a long walk Renton?”  I nodded, still a little sheepish at flushing from her attention.  She was very beautiful though, and no matter the years I had spent with her, I’d never lost that initial infatuation.   Her smile widened, but she said nothing further. She must’ve read my face as swiftly as she did any book.  My blush deepened, and I set off on the Path ahead of her, pulling my hat further down on my head against the chill of onrushing night. 

She made no comments, and didn’t try to mock or belittle my fluster.  Eventually the evening air cooled me enough to allow my mind to focus on other things.  It was odd, this night.  I was walking away from everyone and everything I had ever known.  I’d never return either.  Clergy were never assigned to the villages or towns from which they had been drawn.  It helped prevent any accusations of favoritism or nepotism, and it also allowed the priests and priestesses to care for a town without any prior biases or assumptions.  The Pontifex’s handiwork on display once more. 

To be continued…

Pawfully,
Justin