Tithe to the Temple

He knelt in the snow, where others had already left a collection of food and treats, toys and figurines, bouquets of dried flowers and sweet-smelling herbs and other personal touches. "I can't think of any birds made of lightning," he said thoughtfully as he reached into his sack to offer his own gifts. A pair of the best autumn apples that had survived the winter so far, two candles of fragrant beeswax, and a pair of small wooden birds - one carved by a skillful hand and one clearly the work of a novice, but made with heart. "Of fire though? I've heard of phoenixes that live in the desert. Great scholars who can resurrect themselves from their slain corpses. They're said to be huge, as big as a large house, and largely benevolent, sharing wisdom and healing with those who seek them out." He gave his companion a wry shrug. "I never saw one myself, though. Numeria is known for its mammoth riders and skymetal more than anything else. Rolling plains and tundra and hills to the east, dotted with old forests, especially to the south... not exactly good phoenix territory." Though in truth maybe they were just well-hidden. He'd met creatures of legend and others of nightmare in his journeys across the land, but there was always more to see.