Lys

[The Stranger]

"No master, just Moax. Pleasure to meet you Evander." He fans himself some more.

[Imry Willfyre]

"Likewise", Evander said kindly. He sat and continued to watch the flames a little more, momentarily forgetting that he was extremely hot. "I've come here...to devote my life to R'hllor." He said this as though it was a natural thing.

[The Stranger]

"That's very good. What caused you to make that decision?" Moax asks, as he beats himself over both shoulders with the palm branch.

[Imry Willfyre]

"I was raised by septons in the Stormlands", Evander said. "I was a product of rape, and my mother was a pious believer in the Seven. I fought in Dorne and I watched as the false Seven forsook every soldier who called out in prayer to them. I dropped any belief in their existence, and refused a knighthood because of that very idea."

He paused to wipe sweat from his brow, before it had the chance to drip down his cheeks, "Recently I was witness to divine acts of R'hllor, and even an hour ago I watched the flames spring forth an image to me. I need no further proof of R'hllor's divine existence."

[The Stranger]

"Simply because something exists, it should be worshiped? And evidence that it does not exist, is sufficient that it should not be worshiped?" Moax asked, looking at his fellow Sauna partner curiously.

A monk enters, and tosses water on the blazing flames. Steam rises, increasing the temperature still higher.

[Imry Willfyre]

Evander shifted uncomfortably though whether it was from the heat remained to be said. "You raise a good point, but this was my gut feeling. It was a reaction within the center of my being that connected to R'hllor the moment I had contact with him. I have never had such a feeling towards the Seven".

[The Stranger]

"So than what you are suggesting is that one should worship solely on the basis of one's personal connection to the divine, rather than because one finds themselves a believer in the doctrine of the faith?" Moax smiles, and makes a drinking motion to the monk, who disappears only to return with a large glass of water, the condescension on the side indicating how nice and cold it is. Moax does not offer any to Evander, and the monk leaves.

[Imry Willfyre]

Evander eyes with glass with obvious interest, but says nothing. He listens to Moax speaks but says nothing more than, "I am young, and inexperienced with the divine, friend."

[The Stranger]

"Aren't we all, my friend." He says, swallowing a goodly portion of the water, before tossing the rest into the flames, raising yet more steam.

"Aren't we all." He stands, and offers Evander his palm branch.

[Imry Willfyre]

Evander smiles widely, "Well spoken, Moax". As Moax stands, Evander lifts himself from the ground. "What do you wish of me now? What can I do for R'hllor, and for this temple?", he says as he accepts the palm branch. He begins to fan himself, and immediately feels more relaxed.

[The Stranger]

"Well how nice of you to volunteer." Moax says, with limited enthusiasm. "There are some trees out back, and an axe. We can always use more wood. We go through an awful lot as you can probably imagine."

[Imry Willfyre]

"Of course", Evander said. "I am quite experienced with a sword, should you need my skill at some point. But if you point the way, I will start with my duties. Oh, and will I be staying here? And if so, do you want to give me robes?"

[The Stranger]

Moax looks at Evander and laughs. "You don't need robes to chop wood. I'd recommend breeches and good footwear. If you'd like to come back tomorrow morning you may call at dawn's first light, and one of the monks will receive you."

[Imry Willfyre]

Evander bowed to Moax and did as he said. He exited room and asked the attending red priest where he could change before slipping out of his clothes (minus his breeches and sandals). He then spent the rest of the day chopping wood with an axe provided by the red priest. He sweated for the rest of the day and the night, and slept little.

//////////////////////

In the morning, Evander returned with the wood, looking tired but accomplished.

[The Stranger]

A monk in a red robe with the appropriate yellow belt answers the door, and takes delivery of the fire. Several other monks follow suit, carrying the wood inside a door of the temple, and disappearing out of sight. None of them say anything, no do they do not wait to see what Evander does in response.