The emperor's lineage

Crescent ritual

Ocean’s P.o.v

I feel a sense of relieve gush through my heart as Ariadne nod after releasing me from the embrace replying to me,” I can hear you now”, a pool of tears settles on my face as she pulls me in a hug again, gripping my shoulder whispering in the link that everything is going to get better. She soon helps me up dusting my dress and hers, we walk out of the temple, Theseus must have left after we went into the other room.

Soon we are back on the street with the people out, passing us, guards going by their new orders. Once we get back to the bed chambers, we are cornered by a grumpy Lilian who also seem to not want to leave the crescent palace. Ariadne just sent her to get us lunch, I hear the door of the room close then I feel comfortable to ask about the festival. What role do I have to play in it, so I quickly get up with Ariadne’s eyes trailing me around the room trying to figure out what I need.

I see the writing materials on the table where the servants must have put it, I grab it dipping the pen in the ink but I stop when I hear a voice in my head,” we can talk here remember, I hate to see you do that”, she says gesturing in the direction of the writing materials. I turn back to face her then smile before using the link;

“yes, I almost forgot that, you do not have to feel bad about this, I guess this is what the gods want. I need to know about the festival, war and also I think we cannot leave now if it will affect the people if I miss it”I say to her trying to understand everything better

“I understand you, but you have to understand too, this would not have happened if I had taken you with me, she then sighs moving back to sit on the bed” you are also right about not leaving, we have to stay back for the festival. The crescent festival has been in our mother’s family for a very long time, it started with the first people when they had to move about without a settlement then, they came to a large opening by the sea, camping there for the night. The moon appeared soon and they were attacked by sea monsters, the wife of the head chief then watched as it slaughtered her people. She then raced into the water calling on the gods in the water. She appeared to her in a vision as she was a witch back then, demanding something in return for the sparing her people. As she was pregnant then, she had nothing else to give but her child.

The gods took her child’s life immediately sparing her people, after sometime she confessed to her husband who killed her in anger as that was his only child. The god saw the harm and devotion of the queen, even felt her pain as her soul was condemned by the gates, as recompense for her pain she became the god’s right hand after the god promise to always favor her descendants, and future queen as long as they visit her for the first crescent sighting, while making the connection with her. You have nothing to worry about all you have to do is spill your blood in the ocean, then wait for her to seek you out, she would bless you, your king, and as for whatever favors you want from her.

Ariadne finished her tale with that, my heart feels heavy as I feel the pain of the queen then, I feel sad for her. I then remember about the war, asking her about it. She fills me in about everything Theseus said, then I finally understand what happened that night, the sudden change. I did not even see the cup of wine there when he went to get me the tea. I was so lost in thought only to be brought back by Ariadne who place her hand on my shoulder asking if am well,

“yes”, I tell her. After that Lilian bring in our lunch. Ariadne suggest we both take a nap after the lunch, I agree and we both have a well-rested sleep. I jerk awake from a loud noise in the room, I see Ariadne pacing back and forth looking furious, her face stone cold. She soon turns to me as she notices me sitting up on the bed, I notice the candles were now lit in the room,

“did I wake you?”, she asked stopping while she had her hands on her hips,

“yes, but its fine”, I replied her getting out of bed,” what is the problem, who was that?”

“that was Leonidas, apparently it seems my brother’ the King ‘  wants us to dine with him tonight, more like wants to force us to, fear not Ocean, those men of his are no match for me, you just sit back and rest. I will have someone bring you your dinner.” She says getting ready to fight the men outside the door, I stop her by blocking her way,

“these men are our people too, let’s not spill blood over this, please. “I say to her trying to reason with her,

“no, ocean we do not have to give in to him”, she said stomping her feet on the ground, taking a stance.

“please Ariadne, please, I do not want any blood spilled except that of our enemies”, I say to her through the link, she must have felt my sorrow through the link as I see her face fall,

“let’s do this then”, she says grabbing my hands while leading the way to the dining hall the men following us. Soon we get to the door, the guards there opened the door, I could not see the people in the room since Ariadne is standing in front of me blocking my view.

“I am glad you decided to come and not resist my men” I hear Theseus say, that voice sends cold chill down my body,

“you should thank Ocean for that” I hear Ariadne say, groaning in reply, she soon pulls me out from behind her, I clutch her arm tightly still feeling afraid,

“thank you ocean”, I hear him say, my head shoot up in his direction. He eyes still held those sparkles, like the stars. I look down at my feet quickly before going after Ariadne who nudge me.

We soon settle in our seats, dinner is served but I notice Theseus eyes on me, I feel uncomfortable under his gaze, the silence is not helping either as no one speaks, I notice Leonidas is absent at the table, Lilian’s too

“we will set out for the river tomorrow with some of my men, at first light”, Theseus said making us all turn our attention to him, I turn to Ariadne asking her how long it will take for us to back from the journey, she replies it will take a week. I turn back to my food, soon some wine is served.

“we will leave at midday to prevent unwanted surprises from certain people”, Ariadne said standing up abruptly pulling me to the door after her. I glance back at Theseus and I see a flash of sadness on his face while he watches us walk out. Why would he be sad!