'Do not worry though.' she says. 'It is not so anymore. The House of Carbunculus is now elevated to a institution of priestesses. The first of its kind'
An institution of priestesses. Ichora would have liked that. But again, I had my share of priests. And anyways, I was not even qualified enough for this. How would they take me? 'They will take you. They have no choice.' Ilia says. Did I say that out loud? I was pretty sure I hadn't. Well, nothing is certain for me now. 'What do I do there?' I ask instead.
'You have to pay a visit to the Carbunculus Shrine.' she says. Her expression was a mix of amusement and anger. 'That is all.' she says moving ahead. She goes to a shop selling rings of different kinds. Jade, rubies, amber, sapphire, amethyst and so on. They gleam so much that it almost seems unnatural. But, the Ruby ring stands out the most. Shimmering and huge, drawing eyes. Sure enough, it draws Ilia's eyes too, as she picks it up, caressing its dents and folds. But she only touched the metal binding, never the ruby, burning and red.
She buys it and returns to me. 'I am not wearing that. I have enough to deal with already.' I say as the dress was beginning to prick my skin. She smiles and says, 'No worries, you have done enough. This is to help you.' She tosses the ring over the boundary that touches the water of the bay. Wait. What? The ring, I mumble. It was too late for that. It must be swallowed by the blues of the bay.
'Are you familiar to the story of Aequor and Rubinus?' she asks. The story of the Ruby and the Sea. Yes, I say. 'Legend has it that Rubinus, son of Zircon, was set to marry Platina, goddess of platinum. But he was the most charismatic and handsome, while Platina was bare, as radiant as she was. He was known to be proud and vain, and thus he refused the proposal. Of course, he met his father's wrath. He was banished to the present day Wartis, where he was to stay for eternity. He asked his sister, sapphire for help. She accepted of course, out of sisterly affection.' I stop for breath. 'They has quite the history together.' comments Ilia.
I continue. 'She helped him escape, only for their father to find out. Zircon wanted him to be imprisoned at the bottom of the sea, which he was. But it is said, Aequor, goddess of the Sea of Kashil, commander of Bay of Wartis, was out for a stroll when she saw Rubinus in his sorry cage. She fell deeply in love and wanted him for herself. She talked to him and Rubinus claimed to be deeply entranced by her beauty. Of course it was a trick to manipulate the sea herself. She helped him, but as soon as she was about to ask for his hand in marriage, he deserted her and back to Wartis he returned. They were on bad terms since then.' I say.
Yes, Ilia says, 'And whoever wishes badly for Rubinus can associate him with the bay, and Aequor will do whatever it takes to do him harm.' she completes.
'So... You wish badly for Rubinus, so you dumped the ring in the water?' I ask.
'Oh, yes. I have waited long enough for that stupid grin to disappear.' she says.