The Falcon's Choice: The Gems of The Golden Serpent by SAMUEL GARRIDO

Author:SAMUEL GARRIDO [GARRIDO, SAMUEL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

"Light the candles!" an elderly priestess from the Order of Noor commanded her acolyte. The girl hurried to ignite the candles placed in imposing candelabras along the temple's side wall. Then, using a small torch mounted on a long staff, she did the same with the massive crystal chandeliers hanging like spiders from the chapel's ceiling.

The sacred space for worshiping the Goddess was at the pinnacle of a tower adjacent to the palace, accessible via a long arched bridge.

Azcangor Palace was nestled within a walled enclosure atop a cliff overlooking the Pelair Gulf, dominating the entire city. A narrow and steep avenue served as the sole entrance and exit. Thick and broad walls formed its outer boundary, while the cliffs on either side rendered it practically impregnable against any assault. Inside the walls, a vast courtyard leveled atop the cliff's summit served as the foundation for a palace with tall walls adorned with numerous glass windows. A grand portico with high carved wooden doors led to the entrance of the building. A long, spacious corridor led into the palace, flanked by white marble walls and columns rising a dozen meters high, with diagonal concave beams supporting a richly adorned ceiling. Beautiful crystal lamps glowed with the light streaming through the large windows, lending the chamber an uncommon magnificence. The audience hall and the king's throne lay at the corridor's end.

Midway along that corridor, on either side, broad spiral staircases ascended to the heights, providing access to the palace's other facilities. Attached to the structure and towering above the cliff, an extensive banquet hall of generous proportions served as the dining area. From there, one could dine while gazing at the distant ships approaching the port of Azcangor from far-off lands.

"Hurry, child, we don't have much time!" the elderly priestess urged the young acolyte. "The queen is about to arrive."

A tumult of footsteps echoed outside the chapel as a captain ordered soldiers to position themselves on both sides of the bridge marble railings to pay homage to the queen. This was no ordinary event. The offering of the life of a kingdom's heiress to the will of the Goddess was celebrated on very rare occasions—only when a new princess was born during the birthing ceremony and presented to the Goddess Noor.

Miralia was reluctant to participate in such ceremonies. She did not enjoy being treated with reverence. However, she had to follow the ancient initiation rituals on this occasion. As the Queen of Terrara and protector of the cult of Noor, she had to preside over the ceremony.

Miralia appeared at the beginning of the long bridge connecting the palace to the chapel tower. King Lugor escorted her, holding her arm. They both bowed to each other, and Lugor withdrew with his entourage. The ceremony was exclusive to women, a rite of initiation paying tribute to Mother Earth as the midwife of Noor's blessings, manifested in the kingdom's abundance of life and prosperity.

Two falcons were perched on a pair of columns that protruded above the chapel's roof, seemingly wanting to witness the solemnity of the upcoming ritual.

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