Azlat Ushus

Azlat Ushus

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“Upon You, my faith shall never falter,
for I know no fear nor doubt on my path.” ​

Through the wafting smoke of burning incense, the visage of the gilded dragon was in downward gaze. Two scintillating ruby eyes sat in their gilded sockets set upon an intricate draconic facade, sitting upon a gleaming monument eight feet in height. An uncountable number of gleaming golden scales forged from gold-infused bronze. adorned the body of the great Dragon-God, catching the flickering light from torches that adorned the shrine.

“When it is You who has set me upon it.
For Your glory, do I devote my life.” ​


Kneeling beneath it was Azlat, solemn and still aside from the silent motion her lips made in prayer, speaking so softly as to be barely audible at all. Between her clasped hands burned a stick of incense, smoke wafting up in front of her to be kicked by the soft breath of her whispered orison.

“In Your name, may I accomplish great feats.
Though Your might, may I destroy obstruction.” ​

The wafting smoke straightened in its upward path as Azlat paused her prayer. All remained quiet as she kept still for a moment more. Eventually she stirred, laying the still-burning stick onto the base of the shrine in a deliberate and slow extension of her arm. When she returned to her position of prayer, her hands remained unclasped.

“Great Dragon, I beseech you my request.
Make me a weapon of Your divine will.” ​

Between her knees and the shrine lay a bejewelled dagger, with a thin hilt of silver and gold that held a sharp bronze blade. Azlat reached for it, grasping it one hand to press the blade against the palm of her other.

“Grant me the might to strike down enemies,
and guidance in what violence must be done.” ​

As she continued, Azlat dragged the blade down her palm to slice open skin. Blood began to flow in a slow tickle at first, clinging to the blade before falling from it in drops that increased in frequency steadily.

“Let my arrows fly true and strike deep,
That death be delivered swift where it must.
For Your glory, may I be a weapon,
forged to restore Your rightful divine place.” ​

Azlat drove the dagger deeper in one sharp motion that brought metal against bone. Blood now poured from her palm, though the priestess remained unflinching in the act.

“Let me slay those who dare obstruct,
and deny us open worship of You.
Grant me victory in battles to come,
And grant me glory to restore Your place!” ​

Though her prayer had concluded, Azlat did not move from her position. To do so would have been profane sacrilege. This was not a typical prayer, it did not conclude at her bidding.

It concluded at Her bidding.

Azlat would not make a motion until the stick of incense ceased wafting smoke signalled the end of her communion. A solemn bow followed, held for moments before she slowly rose from her position. Blood dripped from her hand as she held it open, until the flow was stemmed by dressing the wound with a looping length of cotton cloth.

With prayer concluded, Azlat snuffed the flame from the torches before she made her egress from the sacred chamber into the Palace hall.

@Esme (Esmerelda)
 
The past few months had truly tested Routés long standing oath to be a safe haven to all those whom no longer had a home, who had found themselves in unfairly displaced, widows, orphans, victims of power hungry warlords.

"We cannot, no, we shall not take on this burdan any longer. You must close our borders!"
A wrinkled fist belonging to a council men, a known nationalist, slammed on the rough edged table in the centre of the council room.

"
We shall not your majesty,"
Esmerelda corrected plainly - as id this subject had not been plaguing her monday afternoons for weeks on end.

The young ruler took in a deep breath,
"I remind you councilman that if we were to turn our backs on centuries of tradition - which I know you so adore;"
A subtle stab toward the known dissaprovement of the councilman in regards to Esme still remaining unwed.
"On an oath,"
her words hardened now
,"All of our forefather tooks,"
eyes scanning across the eight councilmen and women sitting around the table. "
Not only would our honour as warriors be seen as discarded, our alligences would fall - many of which were built when our neighbours found themselves in hardships."

Mermers began.
"If you wish for me to call through all of the delegates in our kingdom then I will honour your request. But beware, many of the luxuries you have become so accustomed to councilmen, have been brought to us by the same refugees you seek to exile and close our borders to."
A satisfying look crossed Esmereldas face as some members subconsciously touched the items they knew she reffered to before hardening once more, a piercing gaze as she looked him straight in the eyes.

" But if you bring this move to us Councilmen because,"
she looked to each of them again now, to the warriors stationed in each corner of the room before finally landing on a man who never had much to say in these meetings, her warchief Orion.

"
Well because you think our people cowardess,"
Shouting erupted from the room. It was a matter never to be questioned, the bravery of a Routian - whos warrior culture factored into every part of their traditions.
"Then that is another matter to discuss entirely.
"

The shouting continued, councilmen loudly bickering between each other. The meeting had definitely come to an end.

Esmereldas stood from her chair, a servant placing her dark chocolate fur coat over her shoulder before she exited the chamber, guards in tow.

"
That was the only way to get this matter settled."
She stated as the doors closed behind her.

Orion let out a grunt in agreement.

@Azlat Ushus
 
Azlat strode down the hall towards the throne room. With prayers concluded, seeking an audience with Esme was the next task on her list. And so she crossed through the courtyard at a pace that was neither hurried nor relaxed. There was no particular urgency to it, merely determination. The assistance afforded by Routé had provided immeasurable benefits in times otherwise bereft of them.

As she tread onward, the sound of a familiar raspy voice caused the priestess to pause in her place.

"Lady Ushus!"

Spoke High Priestess Mazira from her seat upon a bench of stone. Wispy, frawed locks of wavy white hair dangled out from her black cowl, which itself framed a creased and heavily aged face, with striking slitted eyes of golden-brown that bore witness to the world for twice as many years as Azlat herself had. Those eyes had seen visions of the divine, entrusted to view prophecies communed from the Holy Dragon, herself. She was from among a select few high priests, of which Azlat had never known to number more than five. Presently, they were down to three. At most.

One had a prisoner. One was Mazira. Azlat had not seen the third since the event's unfurling.
For all Azlat knew, Mazira could be the only one left.

"When did you arrive? I hadn't any idea you were here."
Mazira continued in her warm, warbling voice.

"Oh, Priestess Mazira! got her earlier today. I was just at the shrine. I'm on my way to see the queen, if she's in." Spoke Azlat.
"She should be, Lady Ushus. I saw her earlier today. I won't keep you, but you'll be back before you leave?"
Mazira asked, the wrinkled lines on her face framing a warm smile.
"Of course, Priestess Mazira! Matters shouldn't take me long today. I've brought some spices with me too, back from home."
Azlat added, reaching into her bag to procute a few small ceramic jars. Even sealed and waxed shut, the aroma was pungent. It was the comfort of home, captured in a smell.

"Oh, you did remember!" Mazira wheezed in delight.

"I'll pass them to the cook and get us a nice Nayran meal today. And I swear I'll be by to share it with you."

"Oh, my gratitude. Blessings to you, Lazy Ushus."

"And to you as well, Priestess Mazira." Azlat gave a small, informal bow with her words. Upon tucking the jars back into her bag, the priestess was on her way again.

@Esme (Esmerelda)
 
One step, two step, deep breath in, deep breath out. Esmerelda heard the soft, faded voice of grandmother - a women long since past but blessed with a nack for simmering down Esmereldas known childhood temperament which made a seldom appearance since taking the crown. The past four years had truly taught the Queen that patience was a virtue, and with her grandmothers soft voice alongside Orion and Koahs unrelenting, sollum presence she learn there was much more to gain in being calm and calculated, then wild and firey.

Both hold importance and value, the key to a good warrior is knowing when it is a strength, and when it is a weakness, words of wisdom from Koah, spoken on the eve of her coronation and never forgotten.

Winding through the passage ways, the guards and servants began going off to other duties as Esmerelda made way to her sanctuary, her private library on the second floor, overlooking a small, private royal garden filled with wildflowers, a bear fountain and raggedy looking tabby cat who had declared the garden its residence for the last three months.

By the time she reached the large oak doors only Koah and another member of her personal guard Wesley were still at her side.
"Go have a break Wesley," She waved the statuesque red head away before entering with Koah.

Koah had been assigned to her sixteen, making him her shadow for a little over eight years now. He had been Orions ward who intern was her late fathers most trusted alley, partner, advisor and sword and together they had selected Koah for her. A tall, stoic, burley man of few words and intimidating presence - much like his teacher, and only a few years older then her.

Only a few people where allowed inside Esmeldas private study, and even fewer knew that true privacy occurred in her private garden which, for some reason, no-one could ever seem to find unless the young royal had lead them there willingly.

Koah made himself comfortable in his usual, worn out reading chair where the cushions had already molded to his body in such a way that no others would find comfortable, and picked up a book resting on the arm he had left their yesterday.

Esme opened the doors on the balcony before she aimlessley inspected a nearby bookcase she had seen a thousand times over.

@Azlat Ushus
 
The blossoming flowers and greenery of the courtyard gave way to decorated palace halls once more, and Azlat hadn't far to walk. Arriving upon the egress of the throne room, she found the doors flanked by the royal guard.

"Hail, Lady Ushus." Spoke one guard, giving Azlat a nod of respectful acknowledgement as the priestess made her way towards them both. Azlat stopped short of the entrance, engaging in conversation that was more formality than geniuine.

"Hail. Is Queen Esmerelda presently in attendance on the throne?" She asked, handing over a signed letter to the older guard whom glanced at it briefly before returning it.

"Her Highness is not, Lady Ushus."

"I see. Where might I find the Queen?" Asked Azlat, prompting the guard to pause and glance to her partner who simply shook his head in response.

"Uncertain. Her highness has no present appointments. I'd check the royal quarters." Spoke the other guard as he took his leave.

"You have free domain over the palace, Lady Ushus - but please, turn in your weapons." Added the other guard.

"Of course." Spoke Azlat, handing over her shortbow and sword. The younger guard took both at once, turning about in place to head to the storage chest.

"Thanks, Lady-"

"Hold." Spoke the other, more experienced guard as Azlat fished through her robes to retrieve her ceremonial dagger, followed by another. much larger dagger. Finally, she plucked a long, thin dagger out of the cuff of her leather boot, presenting it as well.

"I've no further arms." Azlat stated to the stunned guard. running her palms over her robes to smooth out the garment after the search's disruption to the neatly pressed folds.

@Esme (Esmerelda)

"...Are you priestess to a god of war?"
Asked the guard, cradling the bladed contraband in his arms. The question prompted a moment's pause from Azlat.

"Not of war. At war." She stoicly quipped, taking her leave to continue in her search for Esme.
 
A knock sounded at the large doors of the private.

Koah placed his book down and stood at attention.

"Enter." , Esmerelda announced with her back to the door, her gaze fixed now on the tattered cat sunbathing in her garden, a watchful eye turning to the balcony at the sound of the knock.

"Your Majesty,"
one of her ladies maids curtsied.
"Lady Ushus has arrived, she is seeking your council."

"Ever the watchful eye Thalia,"
Esme noted, her back still turned. "
Let one of the other servants escort her here... And go to the market, I have found my private inventory of chamomile tea depleted."
An instruction, disguised in an errand.

"You may go now."

Once the door clicked closed behind tha ladies maid, Esme turned to face Koah,
"thought?"


"None that could be catagorized as positive your Majesty.
"
 
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At the guard's guidance, Azlat continued past the entrance and into the palace halls. By now, it had become as familiar to her as the temples back home. The priestess made her way up the stairs, ascending towards the royal quarters in search of Queen Esme. As she turned the corner, one of the palace attendants glanced her way. Before Azlat could make any inquiry, the attendant gave her announcement.

"I'm afraid her Highness isn't at her quarters at the moment, Azlat."

"Oh?"Replied Azlat. "If she's seeing guests, where might I find her?"

"Oh, she is, she is. She headed off royal study not too long ago. You'll likely find her there."

"Ah, thank you."
concluded Azlat, giving the attendant a polite nod before returning on her way back down the stairs. Back in the main hallway, she continued through on her way to the study. The soft murmur of conversation could be faintly heard, softened behind closed wooden doors as the priestess approached. A push of the door swung it open, unmuffling the formerly indistinct conversation.


"Hail and blessings, Queen Esmeralda." Azlat announced herself with a warm smile, the heavy wooden door slowly creaking shut behind her. "I hope you and the kingdom fare well."

@Esme (Esmerelda)
 
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