179 Nether’s Light

AUTHOR'S POV

The ceremony started at exactly when the sun is high, and its rays can beam inside the hall. Feeling nauseous, Father Bertram, who appeared with a few unexplained scratches on his face and a bandage on his right arm, stood in front of the people as the ritual of the blessing commenced. He was appointed as the new high priest as recommended by the Queen, seconded by the King.

Father Bertram's belly churned from the time he set foot in the great hall, until he utterly presented himself in front of Nether's royals and vassals. He could feel his fear in his chest which he thought is about to explode, with each thump ricocheting every fast beat it makes.

Standing in a red robe with golden tassled cords, Father Bertram stood out in the sea of priests in white cassock at the altar. A book of transformation was read. He was poured with oil on his head. An incense strewn in lighted coals in gold thuribles filled the air and blessed the altar. There was a moment of silence when Father Bertram bursted into tears. The priests couldn't ever be prouder for the youngest ordained high priest, with the highest recommendation from the royals. But deep inside, it wasn't his happy tears flowing, it's his fear crying out for help.

Everyone was appeased to see a younger lad and a new face as the new high priest. When Bertram took a glimpse of Aether, who's standing on guard with a couple of royal knights, his head went spinning even more. Every tear he shed was out of fear and danger that he sense, just by standing there to be the high priest. He closed his eyes for a moment, pursing his lips to slowly let out his breath. He couldn't take off the gruesome memory of how he got to this place.

He was on his way to Beorg Mountains with the paladin archer, Alesso, when their carriage took a heavy hit from something with such a great force. The unforeseen attack blasted Alesso's side, knocking off the paladin in one deliberate hit. The carriage fell over the bridge killing the coachman and his footman instantly. Unconscious, Alesso flew out of the window as the carriage roll down the cliff. Luckily, Father Bertram, who was left inside the carriage, was found alive with only a few scratches and a broken arm. He woke up with what he calls a terrifying man with blade hand.

The man who has blade for a hand didn't talk much. He pulled the wounded priest out of the debris and fumbled through his pockets until it reached for something he wanted. Bertram, who's barely conscious couldn't resist. He watched him kill the other archers who came with them using his sharp blade that's a part of his body.

The man, stating he's the general of all warriors, took the traveler's stone and sent the priest to see someone more valuable, whom he surely expected to meet sooner. Dragged away from the premeditated accident, Bertram was delivered at the Queen's chambers. Greeted by a woman with a face as gentle as a cherub, the priest's ails and aches were tended. He knew at that moment that such touch isn't of normal magic, it was something dark and ominous. The queen guaranteed the priest's safety, in exchange for his loyalty as the high priest of the Kingdom. No one must know, as he was warned. His contancy shall be tested when the time has come. Shaken, Bertram believed it's better to be dead like Father Elijah than to be found useful.

Now here he is, standing in front of everyone who's rejoicing while he himself is carrying the burden of a dangerous responsibility. He scanned every one's joyous face carefully, and it seemed not one heard of the carriage accident. He looked out for archers, none were found. He could only pray for the safety of the paladin archer. May he be alive to get him of this misery.

A round of applause with whistles and cheers revelled throughout, snapped Bertram to reality. The new high priest couldn't take his eyes off the Queen who has been sending him threateningly inauspicious stares. He couldn't find anyone suitable to be his salvation, knowing that even the paladin archer faced the wrath of the queen without anyone knowing.

After the ceremony, the priests were asked to settle down on the remaining empty pews. The horns were blown and the royal guards scattered and stood on position. The guests were surprised with the sudden appearance of the King, especially the queen who seemed like she saw a ghost.

Escorted by Lord Nero and Lady Vesta, King Silvius waved at his people without a smile cracking his serious face. With a thin gold crown embezzled with rubies on his head, the king looked much older after days of dealing with deaths and dark healers. He matched the event in a leopard printed fur coat, white brocade and white trousers. The hall was completely silent, with all eyes on the King.

King Silvius stood at the first of the plight of stairs ascending to the throne at the center of the hall. He gave everyone a stern look as he exude with power to wield the entire hall. "These days have been hard. And I am tired of hiding. I hear your pleas, your calls and your cries. As your King, we shall face danger together, despite the many adversaries and debate for me to come here. I am here now, and no dark healer can keep me.", Silvius glanced at Nero who highly objected for the King to make an appearance at dangerous time like this. The people praised the King's bravery with a thunderous applause. "We shall prove that we are invincible. The Holy Land will rise again. Brandenburg will be strong again. We ended those dark ones before, and we shall put an end on them this time, once more!", the King's words added flame to his vassals' smothering courage who somehow wondered if their King have abandoned them after days of being unseen and no movements. Silvius then averted his gaze to the priest who became the highest one to lead the church. "And to you, High Priest Bertram, may you be Nether's light so we can find the truth hidden in the dark. Bless the brave so we can get peace for all of our fallen. And, may you continue to give an imperishable hope for the living, that we may all find solace in anticipation of better things", the King said that ended the ceremony.