Days after Euphemia and Lucien's departure from Aderlan . . .
"Praise be, Light to the Empire's Departed Sun," Anthony said.
"The light shines upon you," Celestinia said dryly.
She didn't like the new greeting the people have been using ever since the king's funeral. They made it sound like she was a remnant of the past. That she was just something the king left behind.
"Did you bring it?" Celestinia asked impatiently.
"Yes, Your Highness," Anthony said.
The High Priest motioned the other priests behind him. Four priests scurried in front, carrying together a wooden box. They kneeled in front of Celestinia and presented to her the box.
"Open it," Celestinia said.
One of the priests carefully opened the box. Inside the box was a charcoal black rock bigger the size of a human's fist. Some parts of it had shards of gold peeking out of the black and it gave off a mystical shimmer.
