Chapter Five

In the temple, the first Queen was seated at the apex floor of the temple. The temple was built on vast acres of land. The minor building at the entrance was a storey building at the top where the sacred cloths, rod, etc. were kept. The windows faced the front side of the temple with two large-entrance doors which were carved individually for the male and the female to pass through, the males did pass through the right-sided door while the females did to pass through the opposite. At the entrance were guards who were with swords. They were always in white which distinguished them from the palace guards who were usually in the Woyoe army armour. The temple guards were outstanding combatant who had gone through rigorous training before being authorized as a guard or Soldier of Woyoe. They were always few and recruited as a prominent warrior who could defeat hundreds of soldiers. They were usually masked which was mostly worn on the face. Any temple guard who wasn't on his mask might be penalised. The temple officials were an autonomy group which had the power to make decisions on their own without the interference of the central authority. The central authority didn't have the power to dictate or have a voice in any affair of the temple only if invited. The temple had withstood innumerable infiltration due to their powerful defence. Many assassins had been apprehended. The temple was painted white and blue which symbolized celestial domicile. The inhabitants of Woyoe did sojourn the temple in moments of tribulation chiefly if Woyoe was at war, they did seek asylum in the temple because they felt more secure when in the temple. The two doors at the entrance were structured at the top in a curvy erection. There were also three steps before one could pass through the doors. The pillars which held the temple building were also designed. In the temple were different kinds of people, especially the inhabitant of Woyoe. The Northerners who did come to Woyoe for trade did visit the temple for prayer. The northern was ardently religious. They could spend all day in the temple praying unlike the people of Woyoe who did spend a few hours and began trooping in and out. In the temple, there were only two manners by which they could sit before praying, either by squatting and putting forward the two palms in the air like receiving something with the two hands or by straddling and raising the two palm in the air, the males inclined toward the latter while the females liked the former. Though some had mythically asserted that straddling was to the male while squatting was to the females. The inhabitant of Woyoe despised the people from the North religiously because they couldn't expend such hours praying in the temple but rather at their respective occupation. Before one could see a Woyoe in the temple praying throughout the day, it might either be he had she had a severe crisis or he or she had a prophecy from the priestess. They did execute comprehensive devotion in the temple twice a day, one in the morning and the following in the evening, those who were present at the morning comprehensive devotion weren't expected to be present for the evening, though if they wish they could attend both but it was judicious to attend one due to the populace. The inner part of the temple was painted brown. The pews were at the extreme for those who could neither squat nor straddle, chiefly the sick. The pews were in two roles and two columns with an aisle in between where they could walkthrough. The altar with a step where the priestess did stand to conduct any prayer and only the priestess was entitled to step onto the altar except if she ordered.

The priestess was seated on the altar with his long white hair crawled on the ground. At her front was the new prince placed on a piece of white fabric. Most of the materials on the altar were white. The priestess was also in a white long gown with a long big arm design, most of the priestess' gown was sewn by his maids who served her. She initially did allot it to the Palace maids who did help the Queen and the King in sewing theirs before she permitted her maids to also learn it from the palace maids. Everything on the priestess was sacred. Before she could put on any wears it had to be sanctified. The priestess had been seated praying with the new prince since he went to take him from the nurse department. When the King entered, she discovered through her heart. The priestess was seen as the next to the gods due to the sophisticated spiritual ardour which she possessed. The priestess stood up forthwith to acknowledge the presence of the king. She ambled down through the stair to discuss with the king. The king bowed down his head in respect to the priestess and the priestess reciprocated; they did it in concert.

"There is going to be a seven days prayer in the temple with the newborn prince and you must be present", said the priestess.

The king's facial expression changed forthwith. Though the priestess didn't as she was expecting a reply from him. There was a lanky mute for some minutes. The king wasn't a religious person. Even the yearly religious rites, he rarely had a part in it but he was primarily impelled by the prime minister. Even in the daily comprehensive devotions, if it was time he would just bow down his head in his room and went on with what he was doing. The king adored touring a lot, and his favourite moment was sojourning the shore. Though he didn't like immersing in quandaries chiefly with the first Queen as she usually did everything to flee from her animosity. Instead of engaging in a brawl with anyone he did rather visit tourists centre of the kingdom or sit in his room hitting the bottle. Though before the priestess disclosed that to him, she knew he would reluctantly do.

"It is necessary, but not mandatory right?", asked the king, expecting a positive answer which would favour him.

The priestess withdrew a slight with a step backwards. The king peeked at her leg as if she felt something. She had foreseen kinda question from the king. She thought of the reply to convey to him. She didn't want to lie. She twisted her mouth cogitating and using the short rod on her right hand jiggling it on the left hand as if she was drumming and glancing at the king. He saw her reaction and thought what the reply could be in his psyche. He, being in the temple praying all day could be a hell of a day for him because within those seven days he couldn't be allowed to take alcohol or visit any places as he would be expected to remain sacred for those seven days.

"If you won't be available then the mother of the new prince must be, either you or her", the priestess reiterated and left the presence of the King.

"Ok, let me check on the Queen", he said, striding out.

The priestess had predicted such. Though the priestess had her reason to have asked the king to be the one present at the seven days prayer. The king strode out to check on the Queen. When the king reached the entrance of the temple he was greeted by the peoples who were stood being checked by the guards at the entrance before they could enter. As the king was heading towards the nurse department. He saw the Queen who was already on her way to the temple to keep up with her child. She stood up from the bed where she was laid forthwith she woke up and was told about her child whereabouts. When the king saw her striding to the temple path he was delighted as he couldn't afford to spend a week praying. They met along the narrow path, the king knew that she was heading to linger around the child.