The day of Dolores's coronation finally arrived. Everyone was dressed flamboyantly and even the maids looked like royalty. The castle was well decorated and the ball room organized for the celebration ball.
Delvin sat down and Sheila combed his hair. After watching how the other maids handled hair and seen the hairstyles of other nobles, she was able to style Delvin's hair beautifully. He looked himself in the mirror and smiled.
"Nice choice, although why are you wearing the dress designed for the maids?" He's asked.
"I am his majesty's personal maid, am I not?"
"It's your coronation too. Just be a bit more extra wouldn't hurt. And a crown too" he said and stood up . He walked to his dressing room door and opened it. He motioned for Sheila to step in. She did and saw a beautiful dress properly prepared and styled.
"What is this for?" She asked, a look of surprise on her face.
"More like, who is it for? Go on try it. I figure this would be better than what you are wearing." He said and walked away. Sheila walked into the dressing room and admired the dress. It was black, well obviously it would be. It had good beads and crystals all over it in a spiral like design, going from the neck down to the ankles. It also had a cape and long flowy sleeves. She quickly put it on and was struggling with the zipper when two other maids walked into the room and helped her with it. As soon as she was done, they bowed and left the room.
Sheila quietly stepped out of the dressing room. She looked around but couldn't find Delvin anywhere. She walked over to the window and watched as the other servants decorated and prepared the carriages for their trip to the temple. She was so focused that she did not notice when Delvin entered the room along side Stel. The duo were chatting and laughing happily and Stel carried a bouquet of red roses in her hands. They paused and looked at Sheila. Stel gasped and walked slowly towards her. Standing in the sunlight, the dress looked even more magnificent. Sheila turned and found that she had company. She walked away from the window and towards the other two.
"Oh sister, you look amazing" Stel said. Sheila smiled and looked towards Delvin, who had placed a small box on the table. She watched as he lifted the sheet that was covering the box and revealed a beautiful gold crown, covered in black diamonds. Her eyes widened as she discovered that the sheet he had removed earlier was actually a veil and it had gold embroidery all along the edges.
Stel dropped the bouquet she was holding and walked over to Delvin. "Your majesty, allow me" she said and lifted the crown. Delvin smirked
"After the coronation, we become like family. So call me brother" he said. Stel bowed her head slightly and then turned to Sheila, who sat on a stool nearby. Stel placed the crown on her head and covered her with the veil. Then, she bowed slightly and backed away. Sheila stood up and two maids entered the room. They bowed.
"Dragon consort, your carriage is ready" they said. Sheila bowed to Delvin and quietly followed them out of the room.
In the courtyard, there were three carriages. One for Sheila, one for Dolores and the third for Delvin and Stel. Everyone boarded their respective carriages and they began there journey. When the truck got downstairs, Dolores had already boarded her chariot, so none of them had seen her all day, not even Stel.
They rode for a while before they arrived at the dragon temple. Both Dolores' and Sheila's carriages were led to a different part of the temple while Delvin and Stel were led to the main entrance.
As the rights began, Dolores was led to the chamber of sacrifice. She was made to kneel before the altar and swear an oath of purity to it. After that she was taken to a pool if water within the temple and told to walk into the water till it completely submerged her. Then she was led out to the court yard with a black dove. As soon as she got to the center, she released the dove. A gong was sounded and a priest announced, "all hail the king's dowager. Lady of purity and truth." All the priests bowed face down to the ground and repeated the announcers words.
On Sheila's side, she was told to bath in a bath of sacred perfumes and incense. Then she danced before a great statue of the dragon till the sun was directly above the temple. Once the sun was in the required position, Sheila was dressed with a heavier thicker veil and led into The sacred area of the temple. The first curtain was drawn back, then the second , then the third. As the priests were about to open the fourth, a deep growl was heard from behind the curtain. They stopped and bowed. A menacing voice suddenly spoke;
"Do not go any further, let the woman stop here. She is not worthy to wear my crown" the voice said and a dark cloud began revolving around the group. Argon was present and smiled inwardly at his words. He then drew a sword and proceeded towards Sheila. He chanted sacrificial incantations as he walked cautiously towards her. As he was about to grab her, the dark cloud suddenly diverted and flee between him and Sheila. "I never said she did not have a use. Leave her. Keep her as the palace sanctuary vessel. Her blood is not Fit for a sacrifice." The voice said and the cloud began moving back behind the curtain.
The priests all stood up and bowed their heads towards Sheila. Except Argon, who had this angry frustrated look on his face. Sheila was led out of the temple and put in the cloths she had worn initially. She was told to remain hidden for the rest of the ceremony at the temple.
Meanwhile, Dolores was dressed in a flowing white dress, her hair neatly held up and adorned with a silver crown. She wore several bracelets and other pieces of jewelry. Then a veil wasput over her head and she was led out to the courtyard. Horns were sounded and all the inhabitants of the temple bowed. Delvin and Stel bowed too. Dolores walked to her brother and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Rise your majesty. I may be the kings dowager, but I am not above your authority." She said and held his hand as he stood up. They turned hoping to she Sheila, but she was not forth coming. Delvin called ine of the priests servants.
"Where is the dragon consort?" He asked
"She was rejected. She will now be a mere vessel of divine energy and must remain in purity for the rest of her life. She must also remain within the palace." The servant replied. Delvin dismissed him and he bowed as he left. Delvin, Dolores and Stel then returned to their carriages and found that Sheila was already in hers. They all boarded and returned to the palace.
Belinda walked cautiously down the dark street. It is really dark here at night, she thought to herself as she squinted her eyes trying to identify the house she was looking for. A dim orange light caught her attention. She waited towards it. It was a candle. Only one person could reside in such an environment. She walked to the house where the candle was stationed and knocked. An old woman, shaking and bent with age opened the door.
" How may I help you?" The old woman asked.
"I seek Noria" Belinda said and presented a sacred seal from inside her robe. The woman took one look at the seal and immediately let Belinda in.
As soon as they were comfortably seated, the old woman chanted an incantation and a cauldron appeared before her.
"What do you wish great daughter of the dark witches?" The old woman asked.
"I seek to know what forces fight against me in the palace" Belinda replied. The woman moved her hand over the surface of the cauldron and a strange blue liquid began to appear, filling it to the brim. She took a strand of hair from Belinda and tossed it into the cauldron. A thick vapour emanate fron the pot and a woman with ten arms, wearing a hood appeared within it.
"This is your enemy" the old woman said as the gas dissipated.