Content Warning: there are two sex scenes and a detailed description of a human sacrifice in this chapter. There is also a Hamilton reference so I wonder if anyone notices 😂🥰
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Diane wouldn't say that the people of Dragonstone were particularly bloodthirsty. Many of the locals were warriors because the Faith of Fourteen Flames made a big deal about everyone being able to protect themselves and their families. And when it came to the newcomers... well, they had a lot of different people there but it took great courage and strength to abandon the life they had and move so far (including across the Narrow Sea) through various challenges to start a new life so they could be counted as warriors as well. But Diane wouldn't say they were particularly hungry for blood.
And yet, the square in front of the Dragontemple swarmed with people who tried to get a better angle to see the sacrifice. Two lēkias Diane had seen earlier assembled the "stage" just high enough for the audience to get a good look.
'Do you need me to go through the words with you again?' Kaerinna asked, fussing over Diane like a loving mother who was sending her daughter on a first date.
'I got it, thank you,' Diane smiled, squeezing Kaerinna's hand. 'My High Valyrian is way better now than it used to be,' she then adjusted her robe. It was white and long with gold embroidery all over its sleeves and down at the hem. One of the mandias braided Diane's hair up to remove it from her face and added a few golden strings in the braids.
'When you were just a little girl, I couldn't have imagined how far you would come,' Kaerinna said and her eyes looked a bit watery in the light of candles. 'And look at you now.'
'Kaerinna-'
'Alright, enough of that,' the woman interrupted her before Diane could say anything else. 'It's time for you to go. Release the damned from the gift of life...'
'...and the pain of his mistakes,' Diane finished with a small smile. The Valyrian Faith viewed the sacrifice as an act of mercy for those who might not deserve it. If anything, it was a kind thing to do.
As Diane walked out of the Dragontemple and onto the "stage", the crowd cheered. There were more people than she expected there to be, some were even sitting on someone else's shoulders to see better. The damned stood at the center of the "stage" with the High Priest beside him. Three guards stood near the "stage" just in case the damned made a stupid decision to make the run for out.
To his credit though, the guy did not seem to be trying to get out of the punishment or beg for mercy. His face was wet from recent tears but he stood firmly, apparently deciding to accept his fate. Diane wondered if he found the strength to face the punishment of his own volition or if the High Priest talked him into it. Or maybe he hoped Balerion would reverse their decision. But at the end of the day, it did not really matter. They did everything right on their end, and Diane hoped it would earn them the favor of the Gods for the upcoming winter.
There was a big stack of wood and herbs behind the "stage" and as Diane went up the stairs, one of the guards lit the bonfire. Herbs were added to the mix to somehow conceal the smell of burning flesh that would appear soon and spare the audience from the inconvenience of actually smelling the damned's flesh burn.
Diane turned to face the audience, 'Tonight is the sacred night,' she started, speaking as loudly as she could. The crowd immediately quieted down. 'Tonight we celebrate a union that happened before people even learned how to count ages. The union of Syrax and Aegarax that brought our word the creature so fierce, so powerful, the true embodiment of fire. The living reminder that fire can be both our savior and our damnation.'

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To Take What Is Rightfully Ours
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