The Priestess (III)

Phaedra felt a pull on her person, there was no hand pulling her, she looked around despite being carried by this great unknown force, but she couldn't see anyone lifting her. Her legs were floating in the air, her body could be likened to a petal of flowers, wafting in the gentle breeze. Phaedra felt her body become as light as that petal of a flower, allowing the gentle wind to lead her outside to kneel before the fire.

As her knees came in contact with the sand, her consciousness started to float away from her, it was like she was dreaming but she sensed she was wide awake. She could see the people all around her, she saw herself rise up from the ground and walk around, but it was like nobody could see her. Other than that, they talked slowly, moved slowly, danced slowly, drank slowly, it was like time was coming to a stop. Suddenly, the eclipse drifted away and there came the sun and in an instant, the moon arrived immediately followed by the sun again, then the moon. Time was moving at a very fast pace but she stood in one position, watching, waiting, invincible to its effect. Three times she saw the sun dance away, but twice the moon and when the reel stopped, it was dark but there was not the presence of the moon.

Phaedra saw a calvary running wild around the village, their riders holding spares and swords, yelling, cackling as they killed every human they came in contact with. It was a gruesome sight but she couldn't help but watch those men plunge their swords into people, she watched them set fire to the houses of the people, the earth was dyed red with blood. She screamed out in agony but nobody could hear, nobody could see her. She fell to her knees in resignation as her village burnt to the ground. She looked up to the sky, the sun had disappeared, the moon was late, the night was lit by the fire from the houses of the people. In the sky she saw that familiar pair of red eyes and those beautiful long lashes before everything faded.

Phaedra came back to herself, she found herself kneeling still, the music had stopped, so had the dancing, everybody was staring at her in disbelief. There was a wetness on her face and when she brought her hands to her eyes, she touched the tears she had no idea she was crying out.

Her aunts were on their feets, watching her just like everybody, there was a look of shock in their eyes, they weren't the only ones, everybody including Phaedra herself was shocked. Her aunts lifted her from the earth and led her back to their small hut.

Everybody should have been rejoicing, this was the initial purpose of their celebration, but nobody expected that the next Priestess would be a mere farm girl from their village. What about the Princess whom all these dancing was for?

Meanwhile, when Phaedra was having her vision, the Hexie sword in its scabbard shook violently and flew out of its sheath. It flew to the center of the town square mid air, startling the people around as it pointed in a specific direction. The music and dancing stopped at the sight of the sword hanging midair

Though the sword pointed in the direction that led out of the Capital, everyone's eyes fell on the Princess who was sitting languidly on her seat, her elbow was positioned on the armrest of her throne and her head rested on her fist. She did not look surprised, though everyone was watching her, her attention was on the sword that pointed at the direction right opposite her.

She could tell that there was only one question going through the mind of the people; "Why wasn't the Princess chosen?".

If she were to rise up and leave, the people would get the wrong idea about her, they would think she was sad about the turn of events, heartbroken even. But if she stayed, they would gaze upon her in pity and questioning, thinking to themselves what sin could she have committed to not be chosen to be the Priestess.

"Your Priestess has been chosen, let the celebration resume" Augustus ordered in a calm tone, probably to get the attention of the people away from his sister.

As the King had instructed, everybody went back to dancing and singing, but they still could not dismiss the question. However, they all decided to put it aside for now, it was a moment of celebration after all, so they danced and celebrated away the night and if anyone were to think of stealing a glance at the Princess, they would find her throne empty.