When ancient kings ruled and had authority over all that existed in their domain, Ajad was the young Prince who would soon have this authority and many things hung on his shoulder.
The gap between the life he lived and the life he wanted to live, hung on the choices he would make.
'A coupled Beast lies within each one, but the question that remains is, is it a snake or a lake!...'
This day, today, marked the 8th Usual rites, since it's first. An event carried out at the center of the Great Kingdom of Izz, where The Temple of Dorom stood in it's splendor.
The King was present and so also, his heir, along with the royal officials.
It was a sacred event that called the attendance of the entire nation.
Ajab adorned in his royal green emerald robe, looked the part.
Like one ready to shatter the heavens...
(Mmm...)
The Temple of Dorom stood not just at the center of Izz, but it had it's heart.
And so did it's High Priestess, and also one other.
The High Priestess had a daughter, and by lineage, next in line for the position of High Priestess.
She was adored by everyone (that knew her of course). It was said, her beauty could not be rivalled, that it exceeded what the mind could imagine, that the words elegance and pure took their meaning from her.
In her hands everything turns right. A bright future indeed awaited the Temple and the Kingdom.
It also is said that at her birth, the Temple shook at it's core, and even the lights on the Temple walls, lit up on their own accord. A rare Phenomenal, one even rivaling the births of Kings.
Her name, Jezreel.
And this day was more special for her. It was her first official day. She could finally be seen, she could finally be part of everything, she finally was complete. She finally was a Priestess.
In Dorom, being a Priestess was a discipline as much as it was sacred. Each disciple remained out of official duties till they were complete, and to be complete meant to be through with their training, and afterwards, would be recognized as Priestesses.
The priestesses begin their discipleships at the age of 15, and get complete after 10 years of training. The average priestess completes their training at age 25 (But of course our Jezreel was anything but average).
Despite the Usual rite being a grand event, it contained but few activities to be carried out, and some customs to be observed, especially for the Royal family.
The King and the Prince stood before the sacred stones, where they would pay their own respects. It was located at the center of the Temple, and everyone could see from every corner of the Temple .
As was custom, before the High Priestess stepped into the sacred stones. The Rite of Dance was to take place.
(The Dance, oh the dance...)
The Rite of Dance was a Dance that took place at the Usual rites. The priestesses taking the stage for this, wore covering veils, that covered their entire figure, from face to feet.
It started, and that was where everything began to change.
It was in the atmosphere. Something had changed from what the dance used to be. And Ajab could feel this too.
The aura was different. It looked like something from a dreamy world. The dance seemed to take it's onlookers to a place of tranquil and fluffy clouds.
Ajab found his gaze setting on a particular figure amongst the dancers, and there in locked.
He had never seen this figure before, nor had he ever felt what he was feeling from the flow and movement of this figure.
Every casual movement she made, kept him drowned and lost in it. He felt a beckoning, like something about this figure was calling to him.
He could feel it at his soul. A call, his soul was beating rapidly (...urm...okay... sorry...we think it's his heart..)
His soul felt cringe and hot, it was pulsating (...uh
..again, we think it just might really be his heart...)
His heart warm and tender, and gradually began racing ( ...ooh... seems it really might have been his soul, our bad...)
After what felt like a time that should not end, the dance slowly began to fade.
A King always keeps Kingly Wisdom to share everytime there is time.
So was the mojo of the King, as he often poured them on Ajab.
And now was such a time. And oh yes, his bucket to pour them was by his side.
The King turned to pour his timely wisdom on his bucket, only to meet him in a splendours state.
Seeing Ajab soaked in the obvious, He couldn't miss this golden opportunity to tease this son of his.
His face immediately wore a mischievous smile, he looked evil. He puffed his chest looking overly grand for no reason. "You do realize that as King, others should not be able to discern what exactly has you distracted " he made sure to look like a great sage.
As if tapped back to reality. Ajab's wandered mind returned. "My apologies" he managed to say.
The King moved his gaze to lock the Prince's, he was really trying to not look mischievous, but the glint in his eyes kept betraying him "I am sure she would not be running away" at this point he wasn't even trying anymore to be discreet.
"If my guess is correct she should be the daughter of Morriba, you could always seek her audience after the rite ceremony "
No no,there was no way Ajab was about to let himself be seen through that easily.
"And why are you telling me all these father?"
The King raised his eyebrows, his smile soft, and even more sinister.
"Oh .... And when have I ever been wrong, besides you're not fooling anyone with your bravado, also I'm your father so I know, now concentrate"
Ajab took a deep sigh.
Could his life get any better. It's one thing to have to keep getting his father's 'wisdoms'. But did he have to get seen through like that....
He sighed again... and now looked like a granny who was tired of her grandkids.
But then something the King said got him thinki.....
no no no, no way he was going to bother himself with any thinking at the moment... (and just like that, ---thinking capped)
A sudden silence wept through the temple.
The very air became heavy with reverance, as the High Priestess made her way towards the Sacred stones.
As per custom, she was declare the blessings.
But this time the scene was different.
Getting unto the Stones, she got caught up immediately in an illuminating glow. The aura about her changed.
He feet stood elevated from the platform, her hairs floating, the wind surrounding her as clothing. One could mistake her for a goddess.
Her eyes glowed glowing white as she faced upward and after a mild time she stared right into the face of the King.
Ajab who was experiencing this sight for the third time could not really shake off the feeling it always brought, it was to some extent an overwhelming sight even when this gaze was not directed at him.
The first of this experience Ajab had was after the death of his grandfather-The Great ruler, when the future of the kingdom came to Sacred light.
The second was the day before the great siege, and now this.
Usual rites as it was called bore no resemblance to it's name,one would wonder why 'The great Ruler' choose such a name for it, (seems someone deserves a beating-)
With the Temple, rites happened quite often, the King himself enjoyed paying his respects, but the Usual rites was a once in a Seven year sacred event.
Staring right into the King's face, who showed no expression at all, just staring right back, numb to her overwhelming pressure and presence.
The High Priestess spoke,her voice deep and filled with Echoes: " THE VOID SEEKS THE PACT AND THE LIGHT BE CLOTHED WITH HUNTS FROM THE PAST, THE LIGHT SWALLOWS ALL" at the end part of the prophecy, her glowing white gaze fell on Ajab, that pressure.
The moment the gaze fell on Ajab, with all it's overwhelming pressure. His eyes locked into those white abyss, and the moment they did, the pressure vanished, and in it's place, tranquility.
He felt afloat, and that those eyes needed pleasing.
Silence once again greeted the entire Temple, leaving only the sound of scribers using their only tool of survival to document what would be as they would always refer to about their 'excellent' documentaries, "a profound echo of the Thousand voices". Ajab would always debate that they exaggerate too often.
The gusting wind settled and the Priestess was on her feet again and her eyes, back to normal, but now looked pale. (..mm..seems it really echoed)
She took in deep breaths, and assumed her natural aura, her voice mild, yet firm
"It seems the Echoes can not be suppressed nor do they follow our ways, what would be a day of blessings has taken a bigger turn to be a wonder and a sign of better and continuous Flourishment " as the words left her mouth cheers and shouts of joy filled the temple from the people gathered.
Having such grandeur, a prophecy to boot without warning, the Usual Rite of this Year indeed surpassed that of the previous. It was a thing of splendid joy.
The High Priestess took a bow of courtesy and withdrew her self from the podium, which meant it was time for the Father of the Kingdom to speak.
The King lifted himself and stood tall, one could see why he bears the Title 'Majestic'.
He's shoulders were broad that any armor worn over them would be great disrespect to those delicate features.
His hair were radiant Thick black and glowing, his beards were made for nothing but his majestic face, his eyes like the flowing water fall, and he had his height to better compliment things, as if the other features were not enough.
He was tall enough to be seen from any position, and his voice, the perfect instrument for order, he spoke, his voice radiating through out the entire Temple.
"We have seen hard times" he started , taking his time to express each word
"We have had our lows, we have paid sacrifices, we have worked , we have worshiped, we have payed dues" he paused, then with a very elaborate smile and overbearing confidence he said:
"But what are we,who are we, what is, what exists, what stands before us?" he then echoed with authourity.
"We are Izz, The Great Izz, we remain, To DOROM!!"
The whole Temple echoed in resonance with the King, in loud cheers of vigor.
Ajab nodded his head. His Father never seized to amaze him, always saying the weirdest of things and with confidence to boot.
' What did he mean by 'what is and what exist'. Ajab couldn't help but sigh.
But he had to give it to the Man, he did know how to stir the crowd, and that was all that mattered, who cared about what are or what not are. He sighed again.
Just then a figure moved in a smoothy orderly fashion towards the Prince( as if he hadn't had enough for a day).
The figure came whispering to his hearing admist the now lively atmosphere, the instruments back on, and so The Dance.
"Your Highness" he whispered firmly
"You look aged"
WHAT!!, Had he suffered that much? His heart almost sank. Was it the pouring of wisdom, or His Father's 'grand' speech earlier (if that was even a speech). He heart only skipped once (or was it his soul?).
He was about go through the worse thinking session he's ever had, before it dawned on him who whispered to him.
Of course, what was he even expecting. It was Elmah after all.
Good grief...
To think, it even got to him.
Elmah was his attendant, his personal sword, his right hand man. Elmah had been sworn to him since he was four. Elmah was only five at the time.
Elmah was of the lineage of Ecnes... Every generation of Kings had an Ecnes at his. They are specially placed besides The King, they stood also as advisors, for a common trait of an Ecnes is His Wisdom.
Elmah had a cold personality, if his aura had a color it'd be blue. To compliment his personality came his blue eyes, that shot glacial glares even when docile.
But that all becomes long unrelated story when He interacts with His Highness, Ajab.
Everyone believes Elmah a perfect attendant, but hell to that.
Ajab felt this his attendant was a living disaster, always finding ways to torture him.
Just look at this scenario, who pops out of no where calling a delicate handsome Prince like himself aged.., who... Elmah of course... it had to be him.
Ajab:"After thinking about it, I have come with a solution to our problems" Ajab kept nodding as he said.
Elmah rose his eyebrows" oh... I did not know His Highness had problems"
Ajab gave a smile that wasn't a smile" I said 'our'?
Knowing where the conversation was headed, Elmah, his eyes sparked with mischief, replied "Ohhh... We had problems now?
I assure your Highness I have no problems" Teasing his Highness had always been his hobby, he felt no day ended well without it. Besides, when it came down to it, it made His Highness' day.
Ajab: "how could I forget, my problem of course... and to solve it, would demand having your head"
Elmah: "But your Highness always has my head"
Ajab shook his head in frustration"indeed"
He took a deep sigh, and began withdrawing from where he stood, his movement, well calculated, slipping away without notice. Noticing Ajab's movements, Elmah was quick to follow.
They walked through the crowd well blended.
Ajab wore a stern expression as his gaze focused. He looked like a hunter.
"Has Your Highness spotted a boar?" walking closely behind him, Elmah couldn't help but ask
"And why would you think that?" Ajab responded without adverting his gaze
"Or is it a pig?"
"A pig?" Ajab couldn't help but glace at him. Why would there even be a pig here of all places, This Attentant of his ready needed checking.
"Or is it the dancing flower?"
Okay... now Ajab's attention was caught. He halted in his steps, turned directly to the face of this fellow following behind him,looked him directly into those glacier eyes of his, that now wore a glint that said "hehe....i see you"... and asked with all curiosity, like a beast that felt it's prey looked strange.
"What dancing flower?"
Elmah: "Well was your highness trying to be discreet?"
"Can I not have a time where I do me?"
"Your Highness it is my Job to ensure that never happens"
There was a pause moment before Ajab twitched his eyes in bewilderment and bursted into a hearty laugh, and he didn't even find it funny.
Where would he even start, Elmah really was made to torture his life.
Still laughing he said "I really should have your head"
Brushing small things aside Elmah continued "Well would it not be better to wait till after the ceremony, considering who she is.. the best time would be after she is brought before the King, definitely His Majesty would want you two acquitted"
Now Ajab had a lot of questions, he was puzzled,no doubt any Information from Elmah could be trusted, but firstly, why were they so certain about who she was, not even that, how did they know who he was even looking at, is he really that open, was it so obvious ,then how does everyone know who she was except him, and why was everyone giving him advice on how to approach her, who was he, what on earth above was the matter, are you sure he was not the Prince but the attendant?... Good grief...
Elmah wasn't going to bother himself with his Highness' lack of common knowledge now. He knew His Highness would not know who Jezreel was, He was just that kind of person...not bothering himself with what he calls 'plenty'.
But then the daughter of the High Priestess wasn't known outside the Temple walls, she'd been kept within, awaiting her completion.
Those with knowledge of her are mostly fervent worshippers and the 'have to knows', which he fits into, besides what use could he be to Highness if he didn't know this little much.
From where the both of them now stood, the dance platform could be seen, but the reason Ajab even took this small trip, could not be found on it.
It seems he would have to take heed of Elmah's suggestion.
But of course there was no way he was going to be obvious about it. He still had his pride. He stood still.
Well, being a right hand, meant knowing when to allow your master save face.
Elmah:"Your Highness it's time for the Cleansing Rites" he had to take his Highness back.
The Cleansing Rite was the final rite signaling the end of the Usual Rites, and His Highness' absence would definitely be noticed.
Also Elmah knew where His Highness' Dancing flower would be, and of course, he wasn't one to disappoint. Seems he remained the perfect attendant.
Not bothering to wait for His Highness, Elmah started heading back.
Seeing that this his unruly attendant leaving him behind, Ajab felt like smacking his head. But then he was a Prince.
He sighed... now he looked aged...
Just then the chimes of the bells where heard...