For the priests accustomed to glory and splendor, this was quite a shock.
The hermit Naya clearly was not used to being disturbed, and on this solitary island, there was no place for guests to stay.
He casually pointed to a flat area of ground and said,
"You may rest here for tonight."
The priests looked at each other in dismay. There were no planks for beds, no bedding, not even straw to lie on to soften the ground and ward off the torment of insects—a hardship almost unimaginable for those who enjoyed cleanliness and the dreams brought on by sweet-smelling incense.
Just as they were about to say something, High Priest Ora and the blind priest swept a glance over them.
That look made the priests shudder, and they fell silent one by one.
The hermit snorted coldly; it seemed that the High Priest was a clear-headed man.
Before coming to the solitary island, the hermit had seen too many high-ranking individuals, yet utterly foolish.
