The Shaman

Lazarus went to meet the Shaman. 

The Shaman was in a small temple that was built in the premises of the palace at the south end. It was nestled between a thicket of trees and quite secluded. He was creating circles outside the temple all around it with a long stick while chanting incantation. A black robe was draped over his wiry form. He had a thick black ash line over his forehead and his eyes were lined with kohl that extended till his temples. He looked like he was in a daze. 

Lazarus watched him from a distance. This Shaman was called by Maeve and his father approved of him. He gazed at the temple that was lit up by a few lanterns that hung on the lamp posts and several torches burned inside the corridors. He could smell thick sandalwood incense. The temple which was usually never even visited by the royal family was cleaned. Not a dry leaf or twig was scattered on the ground. Against the backdrop of the twilight, it looked strangely eerie.