I was invited to attend the initiation rites of the Ecclesiastics in Balderham. Ordinarily I would have feared some attempt at propaganda or persuasion, but in all things the Empyrean is open. The Vicar and one Ecclesiastic walked from the temple, at the heart of the city, while I followed behind a respectful distance, a welcome observer but not participant. We went not to the manor house of the local lord, nor the poor beggars in their slums, nor to some sacred altar from which to pray. The Vicar led us to the dungeon, and the Ecclesiastic aspirant showed the same surprised a felt.[PARAGRAPH:1]The guards let us pass, and downwards we walked, through the squalor that inevitably collected in such a place, even a relatively enlightened realm such as this. Men moved forward to watch us as we passed. Some hurled taunts or mockery, while some hurled more vile substances, the excrement occasionally landing on the vicars robes. [PARAGRAPH:1]The young man flinched, though his mentor did not. "Why have we come to such a dark place, Father?" asked the Ecclesiastic. "Why do we go anywhere?" was the reply. "To bring light into the darkness." This was some sort of code or mantra, for they both spoke it together. They stopped at one cell, a ragged man shuffled up to the bars, blinking in the light of our torch. "This is the darkest corner of our realm, dear child, not for the fact that we descend deep into this hole, but for the depravity of those who were brought here. This man has... his hands are stained with the blood of man. But he has requested to hear of the light. If you can bring him from the darkness, you will be ready for your vows. Lugus will show you the way." The Vicar passed the torch to his charge, and turned to leave. The man behind the bars sank to his knees and cried, "Teach me, lord, please!"[PARAGRAPH:1]The boy knelt to pray for wisdom, and I turned to leave as well, though I caught the eye to the imprisoned man and grew to doubt success of the young man's mission in this place.[PARAGRAPH:2]From chapter 3 of Reflections on the State Cults, by Elder Methyl of the Luonnatar.