14th night of the Month of Ice, 2:00, After Walpurgis
It was a spur of the moment decision. One that will bring her mother’s rage to her in the worst ways, but the Nomad looked terrified and Jeza is a weak, weak woman.
Enuma, she names her. A name Jeza has heard before around Neth meaning ‘rain’ in the old tongue, and the suffix -ma, to meaning Outside. A strong name, appropriate for a family of mainly water Ashas, and, as Jeza’s heir, Enuma needs all the strength she can get.
Jeza doesn't dare to look at the prince straight in the eyes. But she can feel his heavy stare. She wonders, as she kneels with her head bowed and palms of her hands cupped over her head, what her old childhood friend is thinking. His uncle is dead and while the royal family mourns, prince Artemy seems indifferent and more focused on the current task.
“I accept this decision” declares Artemy in a loud voice and only then Jeza dares to look up at him.
His eyes shine with wonder and a smile adorns his face, Jeza blinks confused and the rising voices of the Night Hall fill the room in a terrible cacophony that makes her dizzy.
“Enuma Zasya, I, Prince Artemy Drest, welcome you to Neth!” yells Artemy, making himself heard over the council members “Now, let’s finish this trial with the Aygoz ritual. Lady Zasya, come and bring your new heir”
Jeza gets up and holds out a hand towards Enuma, the girl looks confused and scared and Jeza tries to transmit calmness and lock eyes with the Nomad, but it’s hard to do so with those strange eyes. Enuma eventually takes the offered hand, skin hot to the touch. Together, they walk up the stairs to the throne, where Artemy has gotten up and all the Vyshe are collecting around.
The Haruspex’s holds a wooden bowl filled with raw meat, The Scyphomancer a pitcher full of water, the Soothsayer a handful of nutha berries and the Augur a black feather that Jeza is sure belongs to a vorona.
Artemy is offered the bowl first, his hands covering the Haruspex’s in his hurry to get to the bowl, and offers it to Jeza and Enuma. Jeza picks up a piece of meat-it wasn’t needed for the ritual, but it was known that showing a Nomad that the ritual was safe via example did wonders-and eats it, chewing carefully, it’s Andava, she believes, and looking at Enuma with hopeful eyes. The Nomad looked wary, and Artemy slightly shakes the bowl towards her.
Finally, Enuma picks up the smallest piece of meat and eats it with a scrunched face, swallowing noisily and gagging after she is done. Jeza breathes, the hardest part is over.
The Augur goes next, and before Enuma can even react, Vyshe Kyome has already scratched her with the feather, drawing the slightest bit of blood on her bare arm. The Nomad yelps, but Jeza holds her shoulder before she can run.
“It’s okay” murmurs Jeza, but Enuma can’t understand, not yet.
Vyshe Diyu offers the water and Jeza cups her hands, softly touching Enuma with her shoulder so she does the same. She does and Jeza figures the girl just wants all of this to be over.
They drink together and then, when Vyshe Ulrik offers her handful of berries, they eat those too.
With the ritual over, prince Artemy grabs Enuma’s hands, a respectful greeting, or at least, as respectful as the prince of Neth can get, Jeza woulf have added a head bow, but Artemy is not used to bowing to people.
“Okay?” Mutters Enuma and Jeza feels overjoyed that the ritual worked and that everything will be so much easier now.
“I suppose I should welcome you now, Enuma Zasya” chuckles Artemy with a smirk and Enuma’s eyes widen and mouth gapes.
Jeza bows her head to Enuma and smiles. She is happy to help this Nomad but her happiness is also selfish. She won’t need to marry, or at least, she won’t be forced to marry to produce heirs. She has a heir now, a Nomad one, but Ayth doesn’t care, and as result, people may talk behind her back, but they won’t be able to renounce the Enuma in public.
“I vow to teach you our ways, Enuma” says Jeza gently “So that you may be happy for many years in Neth as my heir”
“I think” says Enuma slowly, almost tasting every word “I’m going to pass out”
And then, like a prediction by one of Neth’s Vyshe, Enuma faints.
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