by Ian Rodgers
This man was Cardinal Wollend, head of Varia’s religious order, and representative of Cathedral City in the walls of Sanc Aldet. I knew of him, and his companion, thanks to the castle gossip. I found that as certain events approach, so too did talk about subjects pertaining to the event in question. In this case, I knew that the Cardinal only got his position because of his status as a noble, and as a relative to a high ranked clergyman in the main sect as well. Not surprising. He left most of the day to day operation to his second in command, Bishop Hanless, who was the man standing a few feet behind the Cardinal.
The bishop was an older man, with an austere feel to him. He wore delicate white robes as well, with the same symbols upon it, though he wore a rosary with five tokens in it rather than the red cloak of his superior, a golden sword and a silver halberd joining the dove, cloth, and lily similar to what my owner possessed. There was a sense of humility from the man, and he looked at us as if we were grandchildren he cared dearly for. From what I heard, Bishop Hanless was much better regarded than the Cardinal, for he actively supported the local communities with charities, and was once a traveling Cleric who accompanied a famous adventuring party long ago. He had long since retired from that past, but his worldliness carried over, and the bishop was well loved by both fellow clergy and the people he tended to.
They both give deep bows to the royal family as we near, before King Tiberius bade them to rise.
“Once more we are honored by your presence, King Tiberius, Queen Amdora.”
“As we are as well, Cardinal Wollend, to be in hallowed ground for such an august occasion,” the king replied neutrally to the fawning cardinal. We were lead down an aisle of lovingly carved wooden benches and pews, most of them already full with various nobles and notable persons. It was traditional for the royal family to arrive last, and then for the monarch to open the ceremony with a speech of some sort.
The interior of the church was just as awe inspiring as the exterior, perhaps even more so. The ground floor was vast, and filled with benches and seats. The second floor was similar but with more lavish seats, while the third was all but empty save for a large section dedicated solely for the royal families use. Lesser nobles and the wealthiest of the bourgeoisie sit on the ground floor, while higher nobles and important guests of state were allowed up on the second floor. The view from the second floor and up was likely spectacular. As we proceeded I spotted Lady Rene Bluemont sitting up near the front of the church in a powder blue dress who gave us a polite nod of acknowledgement as we passed by.
King Tiberius stepped up along the center aisle as conversation stops. He led the rest of us on to the front, where the altar stood, and then waited as his family was led up to seating on the third floor of the church, where the royal box awaited.
Besides the seating, there were long rows of marble pillars lining the aisles. There was lots of space, and the stained glass windows, all depicting the lives and times of various saints and heroes, let in light in blinding amounts. Statues of heroes and angels stood in alcoves here and there, with rows of white votive candles before them on stone plinths, all lit with faint flames. Further back in the more shadowed recesses of the church were small booths with curtains; confessionals for the parishioners who visit.
But what truly drew the eyes was a set of five massive statues standing above an altar carved from purple veined marble. It was my first time getting a good look at the depictions of humanity’s major gods. The largest of the five was a pair, standing slightly above the trio below, and were made of almost solid gold. On the right was a beautiful, motherly woman, with bowed head and long locks of slightly curly hair. Her symbol, the golden dove, appeared on her bosom made of a solid chunk of topaz. In her right hand she held a sword pointing down, while her left hand clutched the right hand of the other golden statue.
“The golden woman on the right is Cynthia Goddess of Light, Mercy, and Healing. She is the Holy Mother, who protects and guides mankind,” Liliana murmured quietly to me as we approached. I did nothing, merely watching in awe as the imposing figures loomed into my vison.
“The one next to her is her husband, the Knight-God. He is the god of war for mankind, and safe keeper of the souls of those who die in battle. Honor and courage are his aspects.”
Also almost entirely made of solid gold, the figure beside Cynthia was a male wearing an all enclosing suit of baroque, ornate armor that included a helm that hid his face from the world. He was utterly featureless save for the armaments he carried. In his left hand was both his holy symbol, and his sacred tool; a sword. Long sword, short sword, great sword, scimitar or falchion, all blades were the Knight-God’s domain, though the one depicted here was a simple long sword, pointing up towards the ceiling.
“And lastly, the ones below are their children. From right to left are Selika, goddess of the dead and eldest child. Those who died due to accidents, suicide, or because of injustice are her primary concerns. Then there is Kardale, only and middle child, and the god of Justice and Order. He carries the word of law, and judges those who sinned accordingly. He and his servants hunt the criminals and monsters who hide in the darkness of the world, dragging them into the light. No transgression shall be permitted under his watch, and no lies can be told on any tongue that wagged near him or his effigies.”
“And last but not least is Nia, Goddess of Love, Purity, and Innocence. Marriage is her remit, as is the protection of maidens. She unites lovers and punishes lechers, adulterers, and other such cruel people who abuse. Kind and gentle, she takes after her mother most of all. Some say that my ancestor, Liliana the Martyred Saintess, had her soul used to give birth to the youngest of the pantheon,” Liliana whispered, introducing me to the final member of the Divine Family.
Liliana turned a bit so I could get a good look at them. Each was carved from pure white marble and embossed with silver and platinum, but had their own unique style. Selika on the right looked out with a stern expression on her face, a cowl covering her head. She wore a modest flowing robe bereft of embellishment. Her symbol, a bolt of white cloth, rested under her left arm while in her right hand she clutched a quarterstaff.
In the center stood Kardale. He too had a stern face, set in a neutral expression. He wore the robes of a judge over a suit of armor. In his right hand was a halberd, symbol of his might and favored weapon of his Paladins while in his left he held a book of laws.
Lastly, standing on the left and directly beneath her father was the youngest daughter, Nia. She clutched an unstrung bow and a spring of lily flowers in her hands before her chest. She wore long robes but went bareheaded, her long hair curling majestically like her mothers. A peaceful expression graced her face as she beamed down onto the assembly.
I continued to stare at the figures even as Liliana took her seat with her family in the royal box. There was an odd, niggling feeling in the back of my mind as I looked at them, especially the depiction of Nia.
As I focused on them I felt a strange magic fill the air. It was unlike any I had encountered before, and seemed to be seeping into the area from nowhere in particular, but focusing primarily on the statues. The magic felt smooth but also dangerously hot, like liquid fire. It caressed me as it passed over everyone in the cathedral, and though I tensed it did nothing to me. In fact, it felt as if it was merely curious, and was observing me as I did the same to it. Looking closer, there appeared to be five distinct trails of mana gathering from thin air, and each was linked to one of the five statues.
Ah. I see. It seems the Divine Family was watching the proceedings from wherever they dwelt. I settled into my owner’s arms, content to know that while some (or rather, most) of the people who spotted me in here frowned in disgust and disapproval, the gods themselves were permitting my entry into their home so I relaxed, at peace.
King Tiberius had remained down below in front of the altar, staring out over the congregation with an impassive expression. He cleared his throat, and what looked like a candle-stick with a
rune studded orb on the top was placed in front of him. Each rune possessed specific magical effects, and as the king spoke the device let his voice be heard throughout the church and into the teeming crowd just beyond.
“People of Varia. I am King Tiberius Augustine Roan, the Lord Protector of the Sydrae Oldlands, Master of the Golden Flame and Sovereign of the City of Light, our beautiful home. I stand before you as your monarch. To most of you, I am a distant figure of authority, hidden away up here in the Purple District. It is only days like this one that allow me to walk among my people, and for that, I am thankful, to see how beloved I am.” King Tiberius’ speech stirred the crowd beyond the walls of the church, and echoing roars of approval from the people just outside seemed to shake the very foundations. The personages inside applauded in a much more muted manner. Their approval was clear though, and the king continued.
“My ancestors have ruled this kingdom for countless generations. From the days the first human refugees fled the Great Catastrophe that sundered Val’Narash, to the time of the occupation of Orria by the elves, to the dreadful world spanning war four centuries ago, my family has guided and protected the land and the people. And now, it is time for us to reaffirm our devotions. In praise of those who have given their lives for ours over the countless generations, from militia soldier to noble general, I bow my head in thanks.”
“It is not just I, who reaffirms the love and devotion to the Divine Family and our city this day, but all of us, commoner and high-born alike. We all live in this city, a bastion of peace, propensity, and progress for the entire world. Today, we are all Varians. Let that simple truth unite us all, as we give praise to everything that allows us to be happy and free in our own ways.” Thick tendril of golden light suddenly emerge from the eyes of the five statues as he said this, and reverent mutterings slide about before all noise ceases, only to be replaced almost immediately by chanting. The clergy began to hum and sing a collection of hymns, and their voices soon became the tempo that the radiance soon followed, pulsing and flickering in time with it.
The light bathed the king and the closest seats of the congregation, some of it trickling out and spilling forth to encompass all of the building and a good deal of the front steps as well. A harmonic tune filled my head, and I hummed along with it. For a moment, I felt something pat the top of my head. I looked around in confusion. It couldn’t have been Liliana, as her hands still held me. And I had not sensed any other living being approach. As I glanced about, I saw a pair of ethereal beings form nearby. The first and shortest resembled the figure of Nia, but composed of shimmering silver magical energy.
The second appeared to be Cynthia herself, but formed from radiant gold, as if sunlight had been made into a solid material. As I stared at the mother and daughter duo in shock, Nia giggled soundlessly as she caught my gaze and raised a finger to her lips. Winking once, she and her mother faded away along with the light that had once filled the room.
The light receded, and the moment was over. A reverent silence remained however, the heads of the people still bowed as the chanting quieted down. After a moment, Cardinal Wollend stepped up beside the king, who made room in front of the voice enhancing artifact.
“May Cynthia bless our souls, so that we may know a portion of her kindness, and that we may spread her wisdom. May the Knight-God keep us safe and our courage and honor strong in the face of adversity. May Selika guide our loved ones safely beyond to the Heavens and allow us to rest easy knowing they go where they deserve. May Kardale watch over us and judge our actions, rewarding the good while punishing the bad. May Nia hold our hearts, and ensure that love ever exists within us. We pray to the Divine Family for all of this, and more. Glory be to the Family!”
“Glory be!” The congregation responded, and the words boomed out across the entire city, carried aloft by the lungs and tongues of nearly seven million people.
In my mind, I smiled. So, this was faith, huh? I could see why humans found it appealing. Glancing up at Liliana’s beaming face, I nodded to myself. Yes, I could see why.
Chapter 9: A picture and a premonition
Now what? That thought passed through my mind as the ceremony wound down. After the speech, the golden light, and the chant, there was only some token posturing on behalf of Cardinal Wollend and a handful other notables, though the person my owner paid the most attention to when he stepped up was an elderly half-elf man with thinning greyish hair atop his head. His grey hair and lined face spoke of long, harsh years in the outdoors, and the thin, almost invisible scars poking out from under his collar told of battles long gone. And to my eyes that man burned with fathomless vitality and power.
“My dear Lily, come say hello. I’m sure you remember Silas Revel, Grandmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild?” King Tiberius said with a twinkle in his eyes as he introduced his child.
“Ah, Princess Liliana, a pleasure to see you again.”
“And you as well, Sir Revel!” My owner said happily, an awe-struck look on her face. “I’ve read all about your adventurers and quests and have some of your merchandise as well! You’re the oldest living X-ranked Adventurer alive, and you earned your rank and the title of Phantom Blades during the goblin invasion of 3211! Oh, I wish I’d brought my copy of A Darkling Bridge to sign!”
On my end I was impressed by the deeds this man had managed. Not just anyone can become X-ranked. There were less than a dozen active at any time.
“That’s quite alright. Why don’t I send you an autographed, first-edition copy? I’m sure there’s space for it in the castle.” Silas chuckled seeing my owner’s face explode into a beaming smile.
For an instant I’d swear both the king and queen had jealous looks on their faces when they overheard that, but it was gone before I got a better look.
“You look like your great-grandfather when you smile like that,” Silas said softly, ancient memories filling his head. “He too was enamored with adventurers and heroes, something that has lingered to this day it seems.”
Now I really wasn’t seeing things as Liliana’s father and mother both blushed momentarily in the background.
“It was an honor to fight alongside him against the goblins, and a blessing to have his friendship. He would be proud of how beautiful and kind you and your brother are,” Silas praised.
“Thank you, Grandmaster Silas. I’ll do my best to live up to the pride of my family,” Liliana promised, and I made a gurble of agreement. The aging half-elf just smiled fondly at my owner and gave me a pat on the head before heading off.
I decided that I liked him. Anyone who was a true and loyal friend of my owner and her family was a person I could get along with!
Now that the ceremonial portion was over, it was time to move on the next step of this holiday, and it was the part my owner loved the most. It was time to explore the stalls, booths, and activities! And this year was Liliana’s chance to see more than ever before.
The royal family split up somewhat once the meet and green was over. The king and queen, accompanied by servants and a squad of Dire Swords, made their way through the crowd of guests and greeted everyone who approached, be they noble or commoner. This practice had earned them great favor in the past among all sorts of people, and I could easily see how beloved the royal family was in the eyes of the citizens.
On Julius’ side, he planned on going around the various places that were selling candies and sweets. Something I had learned was that Julius had an extremely sharp sweet tooth. He was someone who could stomach the sickening sweetness of Baroness Rene Bluemont’s special snacks, so something like a dozen ring cakes or an orchard of caramelized fruit was fairly tame. Plus, his figure didn’t seem to be affected. Could it be related to his own Mysterious Miracle ability? Eh, whatever. I could do the same. Wasn’t that hard. Though some women clearly watched the prince with envious eyes as he stuffed himself with seemingly no ill effects.
He was with his head maid and a duo of stern Dire Swords, with an extra trio hidde
n in the shadows. He was the heir and future king, after all! Such steps are only natural.
For Liliana and myself, we were browsing the accessories sold here and there. Lots of clothes and jewelry abounded in prices ranging from outrageous to clearance sale. Our escorts were Orleen, of course, and a duo of dour faced Dire Swords of our own.
We were only walking around the Purple District, as even during a festival a princess would not casually descend to the lower, and much less safe, levels of Sanc Aldet. Even so there was a whole plethora of goods here. Close to the Temple, and the vast and wide stairs that descend to the Slope District, the goods were an eclectic mix of middle class items and lower grade artifacts normally available to aristocrats and nobles. At this time, wealthy merchants and well to do adventurers were able to sample the bounty of the upper class, while those of the Purple District could amuse themselves with simpler items as a novelty of sorts.
It was around this unique border that Liliana explored, since she had always had an interest in all the aspects of her people.
“Do you think this looks good on me?” the princess inquired, examining her appearance with a plate of polished brass that was doubling as a mirror. Around her neck was a lovely pearl and opal necklace. It was high quality, though the merchant selling it was trying to gouge the price.
“It fits her highness so well! A vision of loveliness!” The seller praised, nodding his head rapidly to my owner. It wasn’t hard to recognize Liliana as the princess, and even if someone didn’t know, the armed guards flanking her at all times insured that she had the presence of a VIP.
