Book 2 Chapter 3

In the coastal Capital of Lutel the largest construction had never been the Royal Palace, unlike most other countries around them. Instead, the largest building in Lutel was the Water Temple, where good Lutellians went to pray and pay reverence to the Water Spirit.

The temple was a grand monument, with the floor tiles intricately placed into delicate designs and the walls wonderfully carved out of elegant white stone, shipped from deep within the Southlands.

The halls were adorned with paintings of the various depictions of the Water Spirit. Sometimes as a beautiful woman, lying beneath the waves. Other times as an angry storm, punishing those that scorned it.

Near the ceilings, water flowed in a constant stream, guided by aqueducts and waterfalls that let it flow through the temple’s hallways. Eventually ending in the Sanctuary, where it gathered in a large shallow pool in the center of the great hall. Mist from the aqueducts created a gentle spray and making the few streaks of light that entered split into splendors of many colors.

There the temple’s practitioners prayed, led and guided by the esteemed priests of the Water Conclave. As the Head Priest took the podium, the followers kneeled in reverence in the water. Enjoying the cool refreshment as it seemed to wash away the day's worries and strains.

“Now for the final prayer led by Nerida, our Holy Priestess of the Rain and Tides…” As the Head Priest stepped back, a beautiful young woman with long blond hair and strikingly blue eyes approached the podium.

As she came up, calls of adoration and joy came from the crowd for the rare appearance, before quickly quieting at the reminders from the priests. Wearing a dark blue robe, she stopped at the podium flashing a smile to the hundreds waiting for her.

“Let us pray…” She said, her voice light as she lowered her head and clasped her hands in front of her chest.

As she did, water streamed from the surrounding falls and aqueducts collecting over her head before slowly moving directly over the crowd. The crowd followed her example, most were used to the display, though some newcomers still looked up in awe.

“We give thanks to the Water Spirit, for it is the giver of life and prosperity. It is the Water Spirit that keeps our seas calm, filling them with fish and other foods to fill our stomachs, as well as pearls and other resources to fill our pockets…” The priestess chuckled at her own words and the crowd laughed with her. It was well known how much their biggest trading partners in the south envied their ability to find pearls.

“It is the Water Spirit that helps us to cultivate the lands through the rivers and rain, allowing us to grow and transform what may have been just barren desert, to the plentiful nation we are today...”

Around her, the other priests and priestesses of the Water Conclave nodded in agreement as they prayed alongside her. Above the crowd, the ball of water hovering near the ceiling had grown as water continued to rise into it.

“Though the Water Spirit won’t do everything for us, it gives us the tools we need to survive, allowing us to take our lives into our own hands. So, we thank it for its kindness, respect it for its greatness, and fear it for its fury, until the day we may all rest beneath its gentle waves…”

The Holy priestess raised her head, looking out at the crowd in front of her. “May it guide and give us all strength during these trying times. In the name of the Water Spirit, we pray…” As she finished, she lifted her hands and the ball of water flattened into a thin sheet, before slowly falling over the room in a soft rain.

“We pray…” repeated the crowd, letting the rain wash over them before standing up as they broke into a chorus of applause for the Priestess. The Priestess gave them another smile and wave before stepping down and the other priests quickly moved to help guide the guests out.

Nerida gave thanks to the other priests for their hard work before letting the Head Priest know she would be heading towards her quarters to rest. As she left the Sanctuary and headed down the halls, she heard her name called in the distance.

She turned around to see a young man running towards her. He was richly dressed, though roughly groomed, obviously proud in the rough fisherman looks that his family was born with thanks to their ancient heritage.

“Your Majesty,” Nerida said, bowing her head slightly as he stopped in front of her. “Was there something you needed? I was just about to return to my quarters to rest. The prayer always leaves me quite drained…”

“Enough with the act Nerida, the Head Priest isn’t here to scold you…” The young king laughed.

Nerida sighed. Just because there isn’t anyone in sight doesn’t mean there isn’t anyone in earshot… Agir may have been crowned King after his father passed away a few years ago, but he still acted much like the boy she used to sneak out with to go run along the beach.

“If it’s not important your majesty,” Nerida said already turning away, “I would prefer to address it later after my rest. May the Water Spirit ble…”

“They’re coming!” The young man said with a grin.

The words stopped her, and she slowly turned back to look at him.

“Who...?” She asked, knowing his answer but needing to confirm it for the excitement that was building within her.

“The one you’ve been waiting for…” He said slyly, “Just got word back from Rasor. Their Princess is coming as ambassador. I already told you she's a big wig in the temple he started there and from what our men say he’s going to be coming with her.”

Nerida felt tears of relief coming to her eyes “Finally…”

“You know it’s going to be rough right? If not impossible…” Agir said frowning at her joy, “I’m facing enough trouble having pushed forward with the peace talks after being refused for so many years. Especially since the Empire still denies and blames us for murdering my Aunt and the rest of the last ambassadors we sent.”

“I know, but I still have to try…” She felt down to the dark blue crystal that lay beneath her robes, embedded in her skin. A smile much more natural than the one she showed during the prayer lit her face. “Finally, I can see your last wish fulfilled…”