I knew that when they called us back to Ixiti, it was because they did not want us to get too comfortable staying there. We were given a week to report back to base. The holy sites at Iviona and Kajii were along the flight route. It was the perfect opportunity to see them and get the perks they offered. Because Delta, Epsilon and Zeta were not converted, they had no interest. Therefore, they would stay in Hutania and take in the sights there until they needed to leave. Alpha and Gamma were coming with me. It was fine traveling to the first spot. Since there was television and international press, they knew who we were when we landed. I wanted to do it right, so we asked to land at a civilian airport. Once we touched down in Iviona, members of their military were there to question us. When we told them our intentions, they did not believe us at first. It took a full day for them to let us speak to a priest. Once we did, he got on the phone with the Prelate of Abyer where the Cathedral of Osmaka was. The big cathedral was built on the site Lunusa shielded her faithful from capture after a lark.
We were given leave to see the site and pray there so long as we did not disturb the grounds. We promised and made our way there. It was tough, but we managed to tip toe around the perimeter of the cathedral. We even got to peek inside. The Prelate greeted us there with the doors open. We were too broad to enter. Our wingpacks were in the way. We could see inside to the back if we bent on a single knee in front of the door. "I'm well aware of what you are. What brings you here?" the prelate asked with crossed arms. He did not trust us. Not at all. We told him about the cell and converting. Once again, he did not believe us. I produced the tattered holy book for him to see. That seemed to convince him. His expression softened. "I did see you fight on television. Lunusari all over the continent identified with the plight of the faithful in Hutania. I'm glad you 3 have been brought to the light of our Lady." he said. He then gave us new holy books and holy symbols. It was a waxing gibbous moon on a simple chain containing 2 red beads on each side. He told us how to pray using it.
Just as he were shown, we prayed in front of the cathedral. He smiled and gave us a blessing. I checked the menu and we had completed the pilgrimage. That boost to stealth was ours. We stayed a day. Brave people came to us to talk with us about things or pray for us. It was a novel thing. We were giant plane people after all. Alpha was all for it. He was cheerfully recounting his battles with the enemy and how they were doing their best for the people he was assigned to protect. Gamma was more aloof. I was somewhere in the middle. I did not go to great detail, but I spoke with people. After the day was over, we walked a few blocks down to where there was a park. I wanted to not mess up the holy sight. It made sense to make use of the open field for liftoff. We then went to over to Kajii. The Cathedral of Gurafer surrounded an inn where the avatar of Lunusa incited a massive orgy that lasted several days before her brother broke it up. When we touched down at the Kajii airport, the military just turned us over to the clergy. We spent time at Gurafer and prayed. People talked to us.
