Jevgenija
Out of safety for the warlock, the guards and the others continued to the Church, but thankfully they sent a carriage back to get us. When we finally arrived at the Church of Trinity, I was amazed at its beauty. The castle of Maximilian was grand and all, but it could never surpass the beauty of the perfectly placed granite stone, colored stainless windows, and the floral life that seemed to grow, covering the Church like silk on a princess. Stepping out of the carriage, I was greeted by a woman and a girl around my age. They dressed covered head to toe, only revealing their eyes.
"Welcome, Amber Queen." They bowed. "Please follow us." I proceed to follow them. When they noticed Kaz coming, too, they stopped. "Your guide is coming." Then we continued.
The inside was even more elegant with the stone pathway halls and the color stainless windows now forming pictures. They were mostly pictures of Goddess Laima. Only one had all three of the goddesses. Its luminous colors danced across my face as the sun shined down upon it. Of course, they would place all three in the center above all. Walking under it seemed to make my body lighter. Taking away my fears, stress, and pain. It was as though I was being touched by the Goddess Laima herself.
I was finally led into a room with a large wooden bath, a table with clothes, and another with herbs. "You must take off your clothes now." the one my age spoke so softly.
"Sure, but I can wash myself off." I was beginning to feel awkward.
"This is no ordinary bath. This is a ritual for you to be Dzimis."
I couldn't hold back a laugh. "What that doesn't make sense in already alive." I continued to laugh.
No second later, my clothes were being taken off me. The older woman held me under my arms as the other took off my shoes and pants and began flitting up my shirt. When it was over my head, I felt a shift in our movement. Shortly I was begin dumped into the wooden bath. The water was burning hot. Hotter than the water at the castle. It felt as if it was being heated up but the sun itself. I pushed myself to the surface, taking the shirt from around my head.
I gasp for air. "That was completely unnecessary," I growled.
The older woman was about to speak but was cut off by the sound of the warlock's footsteps. They bowed and backed away as he took his place in front of them. He turned and nodded his head at the young girl, and she began picking up herbs and throwing them into the bath water.
"What am I? A fucking soup." I signed.
"Goddess Laima." The warlock's voice echoed through the room. "I call for an audience." my body felt heavy as stone as the room began to feel like it was moving. Both women were now throwing herbs and chanting rapidly. The water around me began to boil hotter, now becoming too much to bear. The warlock placed his hand on my head and leaned me back, my body now floating at the surface. The water began to illuminate, and out rising from it was a womanly figure. Was it Laima herself? It was too bright to look at; I had to close my eyes.
"Novietojiet savu Roku uz viņas." was all I heard before being dunked below the surface of the water.
I had an urge to fight my way back to the surface. But my body was still too heavy. I couldn't hold my breath much longer. My lungs felt like they were burning and about to burst. Seconds later, her luminous light was beginning to fade. My eyes began rolling slowly to the back of my head. It was like they were open all over again when they were fully closed.
"I'm so glad you have made it this far." a voice came from a woman behind a silk curtain.
"Who are you?" I questioned.
"Do not ask questions you already know the answer to. Instead, perhaps you should seek answers you don't know."
"Are you trying to mock me, Lady Laima?" By my tone, it was clear I was annoyed, but my body trembled with fear knowing who I was talking to.
"No, dear. Just simply advising." I could hear the smile in her voice. "We don't have long. So listen close. Everything now is in great devastation. The balance on earth has been tiled for far too long. By the end, you will know what to do, but for now, you must stop the spread of corruption. Then, someone I have personally sent for you when you wake up will guide you to greatness. I bless you, daughter of the crimson witch." when she was finished, I could feel myself being pulled back out.
"Wait. I don't understand what most of that means. What am I supposed to do about balance and devastation?" I disputed, but she gave me no answer.
As my eyes opened, I was lifted to the surface for air. As I floated there, gasping for as much oxygen as I could. The warlock bowed his head, saying his last words. "Svētī visu Valdnieka dzimšanu." He was on his way to a different part of the Church. Wobbly, I got out of the wooden tub and allowed the women to dress me.
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Kazimieraz
Waiting around was a pain. As I sat, my leg shook, impatient. My eyes wandered around the room, noticing it was the plainest and barest of the rest of the Church. It was odd. Dariusz stood still as stone at my side. His gaze was more severe than it needed to be.
"Loosen up. You're making me uncomfortable." I sighed from boredom.
"I can not. After two Assassin attacks, I must stay on guard." his tone was so stern that I didn't argue.
"Where is the Guide with something to drink? It's sweltering in here." I questioned.
And as if they were standing outside the door, a guide walked in. But it wasn't the one who led us here.
"Great. Where is the other Guide?" I surveyed.
"Oh, she's busy with other matters. I shall tend to you," she spoke slow and lowly.
Before I could get another word out, she was rapidly chanting incantations. I quickly got to my feet, hoping to dodge whatever magic she would throw my way. But I wasn't expecting her next move. Instead, she raised her hand, pointed it towards me, and made a fist. I suddenly felt my arms being held down and squeezed against my torso. I could hear Dariusz growl with anger.
"No. Stop," I instructed. "You can not change form in the Church of Trinity," I spoke through the pain. "Even she will have to pay for her sins."
The witch laughed sadistically as she tightened the grip. "I won't be paying for anything; my goddess knows my devotion to her and her wishes. She will praise me after this and bless me with great power to stand by the Amber Queen's side."
"What are you ranting about," I yelled as I struggled to free myself and conserve air.
"Oh, I'm sorry." she mimicked a timid voice. "That's not really for you to know." She smiled, her voice becoming Menacing again. "Besides, you're going to be dead anyway. Now enough of this. I sacrifice you to the godd-" She was cut off. She stood there, mouth wide, gapping for air. Blood flowed down the corners of her mouth. I looked lower toward her torso and realized the end of a spear going through her. The witch's hands trembled as she reached for the blade that stuck out of her chest. At that moment, her magic was dispelled, and I was dropped to the ground. When I could gather myself, I saw the blade swipe up swiftly. Blood splattering forward and toward the ceiling.
The body dropped with a thump. Standing behind was a girl with long, raven black hair. She stood the spear straight and lowered her head. "Forgive me, Goddess Laima," she whispered, and then her gaze was focused on me. "I take it you're the king of werewolves?" she tested.
"Yes, and who are you?"
"The one who just saved your life. Let's go; the ritual should be over." She said with no hesitation and began to walk back toward the center of the Church. Reluctantly Dariusz and I followed.
Arriving back at the center, Nija and the guides she left with were already standing waiting. As soon as the girl who killed the witch approached Nija, she bowed, dropping the spear at her side.
"Amber Queen, I am Velna Bilance sent by Goddess Laima to protect and guide you." She bowed in silence, waiting for a response.
"Ummm, just call me Nija. But it's nice to meet you, Velna." Nija smiled awkwardly.
"It's a greater honor meeting you, my Queen." Velna rose to her feet. "I don't mean to be pushy on the first meeting, but we must be on our way."
"On our way, where?" I asked, stepping up from behind.
But Velna did not answer me. "Yeah, I would like to know where we're going too." Nija inserted.
"To the Land of Fejas," Velna answered.
"Fairies? Aren't people only invited in?" Nija asked.
"Your invitation was set since your birth," Velna responded as she began to walk towards the front doors. "Gather horses for the men and a Carriage for my lady Nija."
As she thrust open the doors, the guides began to scurry, carrying out their orders. I couldn't help but feel anger and a hint of jealousy. I should be treated special above all. I finally became crowned King of the Werewolves a month ago, only to be treated as if I weren't King, an Alpha to my entire species. Nija was just a girl from an extinct race. 'You watch your mouth,' my wolf Drako growled. 'She is our mate. She has grown up with nothing while you lavished in the wealth of her dead. She deserves to be treated like royalty. Is she not mated with a King?'. I didn't answer. I couldn't. Feeling bad that the thought had come to mind. Drako was right. In a way, I owed her the world. Coming out of my thoughts, I gathered with everyone else outside. Dariusz was already on one of the horses they had brought for us. Getting on the horse, I watched as Nija and Velna entered the carriage. We let their carriage pass to lead the way, and Dariusz and I followed.