The Rite

When Anastasia woke up it was an hour later like the physician had predicted. The Queen ordered someone to help her change into a new robe for the purification rite. She was then assisted to the old gods temple.

The Old gods temple was located at the remote part of the palace; it's grand doors stood open for the first time in three generations. The temple's inner chamber, long abandoned, was now alight with the glow of light, their flames casting restless shadows upon the stone walls. A strange scent lingered in the air; a mix of burning incense, aged parchment, and something metallic, something old.