The building is easily the nicest thing in the town, though also the least well-lit. There are no torches or lanterns hanging from its walls, and no buildings sit near it; it stands quite apart, a dark, looming blight upon the rest of the town. It's just barely possible to make out the long iron spires that reach into the sky from stone so dark it looks like it eats light. The smooth grey marble of the courtyard is pristine and polished to a perfect shine, and shot with slivers of white reminiscent of lightning, barely visible in the gloom.

The guards that brought them depart in silence, and the door closes with a thud of finality. For a few seconds, all but the incessant insects fall silent, as if the wind itself were holding its breath.

Dark clouds form overhead.

That's... ominous. Is this what a temple looks like, then? Ellie doesn't think she likes temples.

If there are nice temples, this probably isn't one of them.

Without warning, a loud crack sounds from above. Lightning arcs from the sky, drawn to and down the spires, illuminating the courtyard and everyone in it. Including someone that wasn't there before.

"Welcome," says the woman in a smooth voice that echoes with languages Ellie hasn't heard before. "To my temple." She smiles broadly. "I'm so dreadfully sorry about the accommodations on the way here, I hope the trip wasn't too trying?"

So it is a temple. Okay. That must make this person... a god? Ellie's never met a god before. She'll let someone else test what happens when you talk to one.

"I," says one girl with a hint of a sob, "would like to go home."

"You are home now," says the god, almost-gently. "And you're very lucky to be here. It'll take some getting used to, but you'll be well taken care."

She wasn't smited for talking. That's promising.

"Great. So are you going to untie us now, then?"

"Of course, of course," says the god, and the ropes around them disappear. "Is there anything any of you need? Food, water, new clothes-?"

"My parents!" insists one boy.

The god's smile thins. "It's not nice to interrupt. In fact, it's quite rude." A crackle of lightning strikes another spire. "You don't want to be rude to me, now do you?"

The boy flinches and nods.

"Apologize."

"I'm, I'm sorry for interrupting you."

"Good. Thank you. Now, as I was saying. Is there anything any of you would like?"

"Something to eat would be nice. Your minions haven't fed us since yesterday."

"Of course!" says the god, and she claps her hands and a table with shining gold plates materializes before them. And then, on the plates materializes a feast.

"I am kind to those who serve me."

We haven't actually done anything for you yet, Ellie does not say.

She takes a plate and starts eating instead. Yesterday was a long time ago.

Since Ellie doesn't voice her thoughts, she doesn't get a reply.

While they eat, the god explains what their life is going to be like while they're here. They will live in the temple, and she will make sure they all know how to read and write, if they don't know how to already. They will be taken care of, have everything they want... But they will learn her scripture, train with her warriors. They'll learn loyalty and history and martial combat, and the best will be rewarded. Those who serve her faithfully will be rewarded and well taken care of. Those that don't...

Well. They're replaceable if they don't make themselves useful, aren't they? Who here will care if they are locked in the darkest dungeon for weeks, or if they scream until they're hoarse, or starved until they're too weak to move? They are hers, now, and she is the only one that will ever care about them. The only one that will ever take care of them. So they'd better stay on her good side.

They can start by learning her name. Maeverine. Then, they can pray at her altar, to thank her for letting them into her home.

I'm here because you took me, thinks Ellie. Thank yourself. Better to be on the safe side, though.

"I've never prayed before. How do you do it? I just want to make sure I get it right."

Maeverine smiles fondly, like a mother with a favorite child.

"It's quite simple," she explains. "Usually, it is proper to give offerings at a god's altar, but from my children, from you, I ask only words from your hearts. Go to my altar and speak what you think. About me, about my temple, about your new home - about anything you like, really. But always be respectful - it wouldn't do for you to be rude. I expect thanks, but I will reward creativity."

She pauses, as if thinking. ".... And I will punish lies, so do be honest."

Okay. This god is clearly insane. But just as clearly, powerful enough to squash Ellie like a bug. Ellie gets up and walks inside the temple with the other children.

The altar is obvious, a white stone slab covered in purple cloth. The wall behind it is dark, with patterns of lighter stone running down it that look like lightning bolts. Ellie goes to stand in front of it. Should she kneel? Probably, that seems respectful. She drops down to her knees. So. Compliments without lies. Great.

"Maeverine. Thank you for letting me stay here. It's very nice of you, especially since my parents just died. You probably do more exciting things than them anyway. I promise I'll try really hard to learn everything and make you happy. Your temple is really neat and I want one like it."

Maeverine smiles.

A voice whispers in Ellie's ear. "If you keep your promise, I'll show you my other temples. They're all just as magnificent. Thank you for your first prayer, you may depart for bed. I'm sure you're very tired." And then the voice relays directions to where she will be sleeping.

That is super creepy.

Ellie follows the directions to her bed and curls up and for the first time in three days, thinks about crying herself to sleep.

Behind her, some other children have answers that Maeverine doesn't like as much.

They do not get to go to bed. They will stay awake until they get it right, and they will be shocked as necessary to stay awake until they do.

Ellie is free to cry if she'd like. She has a room to herself to do it in, small though it is.

The noise of the others' lessons makes her think she doesn't want to draw too much attention. Her cheeks are damp when she drifts off, but her pillow is dry by morning.

Well, whatever works for her.

When she wakes the next morning, a voice from everywhere gives her an overly familiar greeting, then asks if she's literate or not.

Good morning, Maeverine. Yes, she is.

Excellent! A book materializes at the foot of the bed. If Ellie would please memorize the major details of the first chapter?

There is no mention of breakfast.

"Will there be breakfast?" asks Ellie as she reaches for the book and opens it.

"Of course. But after you've memorized the first chapter of my history."

...At least she didn't get smited.

What's this book got to say for itself?

Well, Maeverine began several hundred years ago - the people that lived there were grouped into tribes, not a proper government, and frequently fought each other. According to the book, they'd been cut off from the rest of the continent by the leftover domain of a long-deceased mountain god whose name is forgotten to time, and descended into barbarism. Maeverine created a body and went from tribe to tribe in secret, learning about each. Then, she picked the one she deemed strongest to favor. They began winning and subjugating their rivals with her help - the strongest and smartest of those stayed in Maeverine's domain to be her followers. The weakest of the losing side were shipped off in chains, to be sold as slaves.