The grand hall of Tosa was bustling with activity that day. It had arrived. Nobles stood about in the terraces that lined the walls of the ornate building, each one whispering and gossiping with their neighbors more insistently than normal. It was a special day after all.
The king stood in the middle of the great hall that held his throne, slowly pacing in front of the gilded seat that he usually reclined in during this day. This was the day he sent the sacrifice off to sate the force that held his kingdom in it's decaying grip longer and longer, a soft grunt of frustration coming from him as he stopped in a beam of waning sunlight that shone through one of the stained glass windows from one of the arches above him. It washed his fair skin blue on one side, red on the other, turning his hair a strange mix of the two as he spun and tapped his foot on the ground. Standing beside the throne was a handmaiden, one that moved the moment he tapped his foot, offering a goblet to him filled with a mix of wine and enough water to make sure the king was not drunk off his rocker. It was delicate matter to do such a thing, seeing as how it was all too easy for the drink to either be watered down too little or too much and neither was a good thing quite frankly.
Amelia was standing off to the side, waiting for everything to kick off so she could sidle up to the king some more. Watching the king pace back and forth as the prisoner was brought to them, she sipped her own glass of golden wine while idly watching the hall. Nobles lined the walls in their own respective seats, the room causing the little 'mini-thrones' to be situated in a sort of upside down U, with the King's grander throne at the head. She didn't care for the pomp and flare of the other houses coming in, her eyes sliding from each dressed up individual that was coming in with barely restrained annoyance. Errden was standing off to the other side, dressed in a rather expensive looking blue dress that was threaded with gold and silver in designs depicting the wildlife of her home, though she was walking with a limp. It was clear that she was very much still sour as well, her ire making sure that no one was able to get within 10 feet of her without a scathing glare being leveled at them.
"Are we ready?" He asked, looking towards Alelis when he walked up. The regal old man nodded to answer, the sharp blue eyes staring at him as he did so. He wasn't required to answer verbally, so he kept himself quiet so that he didn't say anything out of turn. Gathering himself and clearing his throat, the ruler of the city of Tosa approached his throne and sat down slowly. The room was silent at the moment, all eyes on him as he allowed himself to gaze around the hall for a couple moments. He didn't say anything at first, but it didn't last for too long. His voice rung out as he steeled his nerves and did as he had watched his father do and called for the agreed upon payment of his cities protection and prosperity.
"Let the festival begin."
The Festival of the Last Light was always held towards the end of the summer season, on the day that night would be longest so that the children and little ones could enjoy the splendor of the stars and fireworks. There would be orange and gold streamers strung between buildings, banners bearing the kings mark flying high up in the wind. Citizens would make sure the markets and town square was cleared for games and food aplenty.....for many , it would mark the best time of the year for them because it would be a night of revelry for everyone. And as King Keaton gave the order to let it be celebrated, cheering rang out both in the hall and along the streets as they kicked it off. But while others were celebrating and making merry, King Keaton and his chosen few would be sending off a caravan to make sure the Darkness was appeased. First would be a fluttering of fireworks that simply amused the children while the food was distributed and chairs were given to those that didn't have their own to spare from the local church, then it would be time for the king to make a speech as was customary for the Festival so that the gods could look down on them and celebrate with them in spirit.
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The Shadows Move With Us
FantasyA born anomaly. Gifted in ways that are not given to the rest of his people. Chosen to accept the request of a king. The survival of his people demands it.
