Page 53 of The Divine Shallows
Now it was King Nolas Skyborn who spoke from his throne. “The Keeper’s Aegis will now commence as moonrise approaches. Our seven divine candidates have chosen their talismans to tether them to Neramyr. Under the guidance of the High Priestess, they will now initiate the connection of their chosen aegis to Neramyr.”
The High Priestess emerged onto the dais from behind the two radiant thrones. Draped in an opulent robe of ivory silk adorned with threads of silver and pearls, she wore a tall headdress that veiled her face, reminiscent of the one she wore in the Iron Hollows.
“Fey of Neramyr, the time has come to begin the ritual of the Keeper’s Aegis,” she announced. “I shall summon each divine candidate to this dais. They will utter the sacred words before the Goddess as they present their talisman to Caena. The Goddess will imbue these aegis with her divine power, forging the tether that links the talisman to its keeper and to Neramyr.”
Stepping forward, the High Priestess positioned herself beforeQueen Emilyn and King Nolas at the center of the elevated platform. She then motioned toward her right, where the seven divine candidates awaited, and addressed them directly.
“Princess Elyria Fangwright of House Fangwright, please ascend to the dais and offer your chosen talisman to the Goddess of the Moon. Speak the sacred words to initiate the binding of your aegis to Neramyr.”
Elowyn watched as her older sister ascended the stone staircase and approached the High Priestess.
“Blessed Caena, Goddess of the Moon, Savior of the Fey, Liberator of Neramyr, Mother of Worlds, please accept this aegis I offer unto you.”
Carefully, Elyria lifted both arms to the back of her neck and delicately unfastened the opal teardrop necklace adorning it. Cradling the precious chain in her palm, she extended it to the High Priestess.
“Child of the moon, what have you presented to the Goddess?” the High Priestess inquired.
“I offer the Goddess a treasure invaluable to me. I offer Caena my most cherished possession,” Elyria replied earnestly.
Elowyn’s eyes shimmered with affection at her sister’s choice. She instinctively reached for her own necklace and clasped it tightly in her hand. Her sister’s chosen aegis stirred something within her, filling her with profound pride and unwavering love for Elyria.
The High Priestess inclined her head in acknowledgment to Elyria and gently cupped one of her weathered hands beneath Elyria’s outstretched palm, while resting her other hand atop the aegis, enclosing it between her palms. As the High Priestess commenced a steady incantation, her aged palms began to emit a soft glow, casting ethereal light beneath the alabaster robe draped over her arms, all eight phases of the moon illuminated. A shimmering orb of feylight formed around the High Priestess’ hands, enveloping Elyria’s palm, and the aegiswithin its luminous embrace. Waves of divine energy pulsed within the feylight orb, saturating the room with otherworldly magic.
With a final surge of divine power, the High Priestess concluded her incantation, and the radiant feylight orb she had summoned began to dissipate into a hazy mist. Removing her hand from atop Elyria’s palm, the High Priestess revealed the opal teardrop necklace, its silver chain bathed in luminescent moonlight. Turning to address the assembled crowd, she declared, “Your divine candidate has completed the ritual of the Keeper’s Aegis! Princess Elyria Fangwright has forged the divine link and tethered her aegis to Neramyr!”
Though the crowd’s applause was somewhat muted, Elowyn cheered enthusiastically for Elyria, her support resounding through the hall. Catching Elyria’s grateful gaze from the crowd, Elowyn offered a nod of encouragement. She watched as Elyria descended from the dais and rejoined the assembly, standing beside Sylas.
The High Priestess then clapped her hands and continued, “Lynora Lionwind of House Blackbane, step forward and ascend the dais. Present your chosen talisman to the Goddess of the Moon and speak the sacred words to initiate the tethering of your aegis to Neramyr.”
Following the same practice, the candidate from House Blackbane approached the dais and stood before the High Priestess.
“Blessed Caena, Goddess of the Moon, Savior of the Fey, Liberator of Neramyr, Mother of Worlds, please accept this aegis I offer unto you.” Lynora held forth a golden ring in the palm of her hand.
Once more, the High Priestess inquired aloud, “Child of the moon, what have you presented to the Goddess?”
“I offer to the Goddess the heirloom of my birth mother, a family ring, to serve as my aegis,” Lynora replied.
The High Priestess repeated this ritual for each of the seven realms in Neramyr. Elowyn pondered how these candidates decided what to offer to the Goddess as their aegis. All these possessions heldsignificance to them, and she imagined it must have been challenging to select just one item to serve as their tether for the next seven years.
The Keeper’s Aegis proceeded as the High Priestess called each divine candidate forward one by one. As the final candidate completed the ritual, Elowyn mentally recounted what each of them had offered to Caena as their aegis.
Her sister, Elyria, had chosen their shared opal necklace. Lynora Lionwind of House Blackbane had selected a family ring. Kerrick Graylon of House Driftmoor had opted for a sensation, the brine-filled scent of the Swyn Sea. Galen Wolfspire of House Darkmaw had offered a memory, the first time he witnessed a golden sunset gracing the badlands of Orwyn. Iva Rosefall of House Skyborn had chosen a silver amulet gifted to her by her father. Lillia Sagebrook of House Mirthwood had decided on a feeling, her devotion to her soul-bonded lover. Lastly, Sylas had chosen a sleek dagger that had been passed down in his family for generations; it had served as an aegis for many Fenharts in past Trials.
The conclusion of the Keeper’s Aegis was met with thunderous applause, and a symphony of harps sounded to mark the ritual’s conclusion and the beginning of the festivities. The hall was illuminated by floating orbs of feylight as courtiers and nobles cheered merrily and boldly, drinking deeply from their crystal goblets. Delicate clouds drifted around the tall ceilings while gossamer-winged performers glided gracefully in elegant arcs, twirling tulle ribbons in mesmerizing patterns like a stunning sunset sky come to life.
Elowyn navigated through the busy crowd until she reached Elyria, gathering her sister in a tight hug.
“I love you,” Elowyn murmured, gesturing towards the teardrop necklace adorning Elyria’s neck and then to her own. “This will be my choice in seven years, too.”
Elyria smiled. “I love you more. Feeling any better?”
“Much better.”
Before Elowyn could say more, she noticed Sylas and Lyra making their way towards them and offered them a small wave. Lyra floated over and wrapped her arms around Elowyn in a friendly embrace.
“Elowyn, I didn’t see you in Lochwald yesterday!” Lyra exclaimed with a smile, her sea-green eyes sparkling. “I’m so glad I caught you today before you left.”
Elyria glanced at Elowyn curiously but remained silent as she observed Lyra.
