The high priest let out a breath of relief, they considered the gifts as courtship, that Raissa was a willing participant. "Is there anything that would… make you change your minds?" If the female spoke on behalf of both, that would simplify matters.
Beloved hummed in thought, "Hmm, Not that I can imagine… but if she had something to barter, something of worth, perhaps Nix or I might step in to procure…" Beloved added after a sigh.
The high priest thought over anything the two may have stolen; a few gems, mana crystals, an enchanted spear. Nothing of particular note… but they had managed to hide for several months now. Plenty of time to find something that could catch a bird's interest.
Ashton shrugged, "Talk may be cheap, words can be untrue, but a song from the heart, could convince one, if not two."
The high priest furrowed his brows, Raissa had been trained on a variety of instruments, she, as the accepted bride, was also in charge of singing the blessings of their God.
Beloved snorted, "It would have to be greater, more than just grand, or convince us to hide an ingrate, I'd rather eat sand."
Ashton kissed her raised head, "That I agree, to accept all that he offered, then to just flee? No matter how pretty, the heart is ugly."
Aaron stilled, he'd pieced much of the tale together after meeting with the priests. The girl had been chosen among all the girls between the ages of 9 and 14, hardly an age to know what being a bride of god entailed. Yes, every year there was a grand celebration in their God's honor, where she would be blessed with lavish gifts from the people, priests, even this God… but… it seemed unlike Ashton to be so adamant on her being the problem.
In many ways, she was a victim of circumstance, an orphan who'd been promised all she could ever want… but she'd not met their God yet. She would meet this God on the 20th dawn of her birth, then be whisked away never to be seen by anyone but this god, and the high priest.
Aaron understood there was an understanding with this god, once the previous sacrificed died, within 12 years a new one would be provided. For the good of the nation, one sacrifice to ensure the safety and protection of the many… wasn't unreasonable… but for the one sacrificed… she was the victim.
Ashton turned to raise a brow at Aaron, for a diplomate, his expressions were not well controlled. "You think it unfair, you think us so harsh, but remember, one gave with all his heart. Now it is trampled, cast into the dirt, not a word said, yet with others she does flirt. Had she taken the time, explained she had grievance, they could have conversed, the snake is not without reason."
"Anyway, she had abandoned all of her people, left them to their fate, gave not a care, knowing she'd hurt a big snake. Should the tables be turned, if she's caught in a net, it would be fitting, a just kismet." Beloved added with a huff. The ingrate may have not met the big snake, but they spoke every year. Beloved had no sympathy for the fleeing female.
For the first time, Leonard truly saw the beast beneath the human façade… logically one for the many made sense… but… was the empire not the same… would the victims of ritual sacrifice be condemned as unjust for their grievances?
The High priest nodded, that was one less worry. If there had been time to find a new sacrifice, they would have held a selection, unfortunately the process wasn't as simple as simply picking out someone new. The bonding process took several years, otherwise the brides could not survive in the God's palace. Exposure to raw mana… in the short term helped mages widen their channels, increase their reservoirs, even made them physically sturdier. But after a few weeks, a human body would start to absorb more mana than they could keep. Eventually, the bodies would… perish under the concentrated mana, mages often died as their mana channels exploded.
Beloved glanced over her shoulder at the male, he was starting to stir. Humph! With one last swat of her tail feathers on his face, she turned to Nix. "Nix are we done here? Nothing left to see, I recall a large fish, her tail was pretty."
"Yes, let us leave them to plot, leave them to scheme, hopefully they'll learn to entertain the three." Ashton agreed as he hopped off the cot into a rift as he carried his Beloved away.
Sebastian glanced at the large… fish tank as Lord Reece fell from a ring of fire to perch on the edges. Soon the female was dropping… food into the tank for the mermaid.
Zane choked on his tea, "Are they… treating the mermaid like… a pet fish?" He asked as he wiped his mouth. In Adar it was very common to see people raising fish and asking for blessings of protection.
Lucera quirked her brow, "Would a bird keep a fish? If anything… I feel as if she is fattening the mermaid up to be eaten…"
Jantje sluggishly turned her uncertain gaze on Princess Lucera, "Lord Nix is a vegetarian, so… shouldn't Lady Beloved also be?" Her stomach still ached from her monthly cycle, but she didn't want to be alone… she could have sworn she heard whispering anytime she was left alone. Not to mention, she'd woken up with a start when one of the maids had been standing over her… staring. But as soon as the maid noticed her horrified stare, she'd snapped back to normal.
Lucera continued to watch the female bird dropping in pastries, fruit, and even small bits of jerky. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it…"
"Nix it's still there, does no body want it, will nobody care?" Beloved asked as she dropped another piece of jerky for the frightened fish.
"I'll turn a blind eye, the fate of a mermaid, is no concern of mine." Ashton shrugged as his Beloved dipped one of her tail feathers into the water, cleaning it of the previous filth. A mermaid was not meant to be trapped in bowl, they were high maintenance beasts.
Sebastian enjoyed the sunlight, far from the depths of the chambers where the rest of his Majesty's retinue were scheming. Leaning his head back as he closed his eyes, he would no doubt have interesting tan lines by days end.
Calix covered his eyes with a cloth as he also leaned back to enjoy the sun, with continuous bird song lulling him to sleep. If only all days were so peaceful…
Noelle shifted her sights from the birds. The female appeared to have a short attention span as she darted to and frow while Lord Nix indulged her capriciousness. The only way to keep up with where she was from moment to moment was to follow the bird song. Still, she seemed harmless enough. Yet, despite all Noelle saw, all she logically recognized she couldn't relax… Princess Hazel's beast kept shrinking away whenever the female ventured within 100 feet of the tables.
Tania's hackles were constantly on edge, nothing like with Young Song, or rather Nix. As she met her cousin's eyes, Lamont had the strongest reactions. He actually flinched away when the female popped up behind them, breaking into a cold sweat… yet none of them could explain why. What tiger… was afraid of a bird?
Sebastian was a little disappointed when His Majesty and the rest joined him outside for dinner. Ignoring the displeased glances from the empress, Sebastian settled in his usual spot. Soon the nest was once again occupied with several palm sized chicks, Lord Reece, and his Beloved as food was brought out.
Leonard gulped down the near boiling tea to clear the worst of his exhaustion away, it was then he realized… the Inago, or at least Neolani was upset with the female bird. As he glanced over the table, the royals of the tiger nations tensed as Lord Reece sat on the edge of his nest.
No, they weren't watching Lord Reece… they were eyeing the small female bird. What had he missed?
Beloved changed so she had thumbs, very useful appendages for eating! She leaned back against Nix's chest as she kicked her feet expectantly, "This is interesting, what will they serve? Food of all kinds, for any you yearn?" Beloved asked as platters large enough to lay on were brought to the tables.
"I am not picky, so long as I eat, I'd just prefer something other than meat." Ashton admitted as he glanced past the tables to the foxes who had gathered on the far side. Their large eyes were screaming of injustice. The female owl was busy cooing over the smallest fox. One would think they had been sorely neglected for weeks, rather than a few hours.
As everyone was filling their plates, Jaxon couldn't help but notice Ashton's Beloved making a face of disgust at some of the platters of meat. Still she didn't say anything as everyone started to eat. At least, not until Duke Carlos was filling his plate.
Beloved hopped of Nix's lap as she trotted along the tables to look over her most favored human, "Eww! Why would you eat that? That's such a strange choice! Of all the food here, why pick what's made of corpse?" Beloved asked the older human before he could actually take a bite of the food.
Sebastian hesitated as he looked at his food, seasoned vegetables, a few small potatoes, and yes… steak that had been well done. Not his usual choice, but communal cooking was rarely to one's taste, "I am an omnivore Lady Beloved…" Sebastian tried to explain.
Beloved tilted her head, "I don't mean meat, that's cooked to perfection. I mean what's rotted, that's worse than infections! That food is influenced by more than the oven, but by sinister kin, who hope for prolonged ruination." Why ruin perfectly good food on such gross spells??? Well, how else would bad people trick others into accepting it… still! Such a waste!
Sebastian felt his stomach lurch, "My lady, thank you for the warning, I cannot see of what you speak… but I would happily accept any… suggestions for our meals." Was this how they had all been influenced throughout the generations? Corpses of the sacrificed… in their food?
"Oh, you cannot see, I guess that makes sense, then I'll just show you, keep an eye out, take heed!" Beloved exclaimed in understanding as she clapped her hands together, then hesitated.
Sebastian hesitated as she just stood over him. If a strong wind blew… he may see under her dress… Beast Gods Above… what am I even thinking? The momentary thought had him imagining Lord Reece blinding him for such indiscretion. Sebastian glanced around… he didn't see anything.
"Nix I can see it, I can feel it, how do I share without the excruciating?" Beloved asked turning to Nix.
Ashton hopped onto the table to walk to his Beloved's side, "That is a question, the answer I'm lacking, but perhaps a pretty fox, may have it."
Caius stood up, slowly approaching the tables. The more he was around that female, the less he liked her. Still, he should indulge her now if he wanted to get on his Little Snack's good side, "You have the image, I can then share, no harm to the humans, just a small scare."
Beloved changed back to her feathered form as she leapt onto the large fox head. "Then I will share, and I will learn, this favor today, I'll remember in turn." Beloved could share illusions, but sharing sight… wasn't exactly the same. At least she wasn't sure how to turn what she saw into something humans could understand.
Caius closed his eyes he'd expected images, not… sensations from her bird song, into his mind. What his mind comprehended was not a pleasant sight at all. The seasonings of the meat contained crushed bone of willing sacrifices… their directives even after death were to safeguard the secrets of the church… how putrid.
Charmaine gasped as she gathered a screaming Natasha up. Serafin had already thrown his plate on the ground as he wretched. Charmaine started to bat at both children to remove… remove the things!
Sebastian needed a moment to comprehend what he was seeing, wriggling black tendrils were rising from more than a dozen platters. The tendrils were reaching out to the closest person, beckoning. Pastries, meats, pitchers of wine, all contaminated. Sebastian looked down at his plate, the juice from his steak carried the black tendrils to mix with his vegetables, but his potatoes remained clean, as far as he could tell anyway.