The Pilgrims of Albahith lived in a walled compound, walking distance from the main gate of Jigow, but secluded among some barren hills. Outside the walls were fields, beehives, even a pond where fish were raised.
Childe Raymonde walked swiftly to the gate, saluting the adolescents who were on post there, one Human and one Elf. Raymonde could tell they were bursting with curiosity -- they wanted to hear what had happened on his quest.
The Pilgrims had spent the past years taking in foundlings of all races, educating them, teaching them trades and crafts, and for those that showed talent, more advanced training as paladins and clerics of The Luxon.
Childe Raymonde was the first paladin trained by the Pilgrims to go off "on quest." That was why these children were so excited to hear what had happened to him and what he had done.
Inside the walls, Raymonde passed tidy structures, bigger than huts but smaller than barracks, the houses of the foundlings taken in and the offspring produced by the Pilgrims.
The Githyanki raised their own children, like Raymonde, in exactly the same manner as the foundlings of other races that they took in. The only difference was the Githyanki children were veiled, as were the Pilgrims themselves
He saw a group of students practicing meditation, and another studying martial arts. Not long ago, he would have been among them.
He continued to the center of the compound, to the plain wooden hut used by the leaders of the Pilgrims. They were waiting for him there -- Quargla, Khandshull, Seigur, the three who were appointed leaders for that year. Childe Raymond shuddered. The Pilgrim founders were prickly, difficult to please, and quick to anger.
They sat cross-legged on the floor, and Childe Raymonde sat facing them. Raymonde described his adventures, the companions he found, the fights in the swamp, the rescue and redemption of Bollbarra, the strangeness of finding the "Hollow One."
The leaders did not seem very interested in any of Raymonde's actions. They focused solely on Bumi, the goblin-sorcerer Raymonde had become comrade with. They repeated their questions, asking what Bumi had to say for himself about The Luxon, and his past memories.
Childe Raymonde could not answer hardly any of their questions about Bumi's nature, and were displeased at the little he had learned.
Quargla the leader shifted impatiently during the interrogation, growing agitated, even wrathful. Jumping to his feet to stand over Raymonde, he bellowed: "Listen, fool! We Githyanki, along with our fellows, were rulers of Limbo! A timeless kingdom, flowing with arcane energies, with portals to a thousand worlds! We lived as immortal kings, never aging. When we wanted something, we simply went out and took it from a convenient world. We were decadent and rich, ever-seeking after new and gross pleasures, reveling in combat and blood!"
"I…I know all that, master," Raymonde stammered. "I have been taught our history since I was an infant."
"But do you feel it, wretch? Does your blood burn at the prospect of dealing death? Do you thirst for plunder and carnage? Do your ears yearn for the sound of screams and the clash of steel?"
"Master, you … you yourself have taught me for all my years that I must reject all those cravings, and seek the truth of The Luxon…."
The older Githyanki bent over, snarling in Raymonde's face. "Yes! The Luxon! Ignorant child! You have heard our stories all your short life, but I was there! I was there, do you hear? We were a raiding party, here on this world for treasure and dark pleasures, when suddenly The Luxon itself was there before us! A vision of power and majesty and undeniable truths, we were startled, overpowered! We were swept up in knowledge of its truth and power. We could not go back. We dedicated ourselves to The Luxon, creating this place, this pilgrimage. But look at me!" The master tore off his veil. " I grow old! My youth is gone! I shall become feeble, forgetful! I shall die on this world! We all will! And our only hope is that The Luxon shall preserve us, and send us into new forms! Now do you understand why we wish to know about your Goblin friend?" He staggered back, mastering himself with a great effort.
Raymonde bowed low, his forehead touching the ground. "I am sorry for my failure, masters! I shall do better! May The Luxon permit me to find the answers you … the answers we all seek!"
Quargla turned to the other masters, "Tell him to begone. I can stand the sight of him no longer." In that moment, he seemed weak and sickly, his strength drained.
The other leaders had remained motionless during their fellow's tirade. Seigur now spoke in a low, hollow voice. "Childe Raymonde, your quest continues. Now go."
Raymonde left the hut, trembling with many emotions. He had intended to stay and visit with some of his friends, but he knew he had to leave the compound immediately, without further speech.