Free And The Devil Will Drag You Under (1979) by Jack L. Chalker

of its framer, be it the Holy Spirit or some alien, world-building University Department. Spirits just weren't in the script, so what he did was permissible.
    She sighed. "It'll be dusk soon. That'll be the best time for me to act, I think. We're going to settle this whole business before the night is out."
    "How are you gonna get into the temple?" the boy asked.
    She smiled. "I'm going to climb those stairs out there and go up to that big wooden door and knock." She explained the rest to him, and he considered it.
    "That just might work," he admitted. "So all we have to do is give you cover and protection until you get up there."
    She nodded. "Then just go home. If I'm unsuccess-ful, you'll never see me again. If I succeed, I guarantee you I'll make certain you get your gold."
    The girl, who had said absolutely nothing all day but had through the conversation of the other two figured out most of what was going to go on, sighed. "Nothin' to do but wait for dark." She then lay down on a small patch of grass and seemed to go to sleep. Both the boy and Jill McCulloch stared at her for a moment.
    4
    It was dusk. Already it was so dark in the alleyway that they could barely see one another, and they almost hurt themselves climbing over dimly seen junk and one another to reach the street.
    The boy went first, peered around, then turned to Jill. "All right, let's go. Only a few people around."
    She would have preferred none, but she took a deep breath, exhaled, and walked out into the street boldly and determinedly, walked across and into the little park, the children shadowing her at a slight distance.
    Suddenly a man came into view, noticed her, and called, "Hello, there!"
    That was a cue for the girl, who ran straight at the man and went into her full begging and pleading act.
    Jill walked on as the girl's pleadings and the man's protestations rose behind her. She had reached the steps, dark and foreboding in the gathering gloom, and she started up, not even trying to think of how far it was to the torch that flickered near the door so far away. It seemed as if she climbed forever; she had no idea of the number of steps and once or twice had to rest a little and catch her breath, all the time cursing herself slightly under her breath for getting out of condition.
    Just when it seemed she'd never make the top, sud-denly there she was, on a broad, flat porch in front of the heavy oaken door gilded with gold. She stood there a second, then turned one last time to look at the city and the park below. She couldn't make out much in the gloom, although the city itself shone with lights from thousands of dwellings. Definitely a big place. She hoped that the kids had made it home.
    The die was cast now. There was no turning back. Either she had guessed correctly or she had had it. Either way, here goes, she thought determinedly, walked up to the door, and pounded on it with all her might. She pounded for quite some time, until she was afraid that there was no one in the temple itself to hear her, but she kept at it. Finally she heard the sound of something rattling on the other side. Quite suddenly and unexpectedly, a small block of wood was pulled out of the door to the side, just above her, revealing an eyehole.
    "Daughter, by what right do you demand entrance to the most holy temple at this hour?" a gruff and angry voice asked.
    "In the name of charity, mercy, and the Holy Spirit," she responded confidently. "I was directed here by the Holy Spirit himself, in a matter of great urgency for the Holy Elder involving the lives of countless people. I must gain entrance and an audience with him."
    The man on the other side considered that. "His Holiness has audiences on Magdays. Come back then."
    She wasn't to be easily put off. "This matter is of the greatest urgency, and the Holy Spirit himself di-rected me here. You know that what I say must be true by Holy Covenant. A matter of life and death for many people will not wait until Magday. I