Little Pink Starfish

The puzzle pieces Lu had given made a big difference in easing the boredom of the carriage ride. But they couldn’t erase it completely, and by the time they finally arrived at their destination, Nyne felt so overjoyed he almost forgot his dignity and wanted to cheer aloud. He hadn’t known traveling by carriage could be so exhausting.

Near the forest stood dozens of tents that the priests had built in advance. Among them, the place prepared for Amon and Nyne was the largest—so massive it hardly looked like a tent at all, more like a wooden building. Built solely for the Sha, the grand circular tent was framed with expensive white wood and decorated with such craftsmanship that it appeared to be a structure made of fine white linen.

The building itself was impressive, but what surprised Nyne the most was the altar. Clearly, many laborers had been worked hard for an entire month—priests had stacked stones into a fairly elaborate altar. Since Nyne had no good memories associated with altars, his brow creased.

“How talented they are. They built all this in such a short time…”

“Thank you, Sha. We worked with devotion solely for your sake.”

At this reply, Nyne shot a glare at Osen Iyad. He clearly hadn’t offered a compliment, yet the sly priest had jumped in to answer shamelessly. Annoyed, Nyne turned away just as priests were scattering flower petals and arranging golden candlesticks and ritual items on the altar.

“Sha Nyne,” Osen Iyad called and began to speak.

“How are you feeling lately?”

Nyne scowled at the old priest’s scrutinizing gaze.

“What do you think I feel like?”

“Forgive me, Sha.”

Whether Osen bowed deeply or not, Nyne spun away without a word. Lu, fanning him diligently nearby, shot a glare at the priest and muttered once they were far enough.

“That old man lives too long. Isn’t it about time he retires and hands his post to one of his children?”

“Osen Iyad has children?”

“Of course. At his age, most would have several grown ones. They say he has so many wives and concubines he needs both hands to count them. His eldest son is already over forty, and the youngest isn’t even ten.”

Nyne frowned at that. He had never seen Osen’s children at the high priests’ banquets. Most high priests would bring their heirs to show them off in front of the Shas and their companions. Was it because Osen had no intention of passing on his position?

“This place is unworthy of you, Sha. It’s smaller than your study!”

Lu complained, though Nyne found it impressive considering it had been built in just a month. Despite Lu’s protest, the space was large enough for dozens of people. It had a spacious bed, tables, chairs—everything needed for daily living. There was even a separate bedroom and a bath.

Soon, attendant priests led Nyne inside the bedroom and set up a screen near the entrance—to prevent the “lowborn” from daring to violate the Sha’s nakedness with their eyes. They carefully removed his garments.

Will the ritual come before or after the meal? Hopefully after, since it might ruin my appetite…

As Nyne mused, the priests wiped his naked body with warm towels, applied a much fresher-scented oil than what was used in the Temple, and dressed him in robes carefully pleated by master craftsmen. From the style—a kalasiris—it seemed the ritual would come first.

Though small in scale, the ritual required heavy gold accessories. Since it was a hunting festival, the decorations featured predators—leopards, hawks, and the like, their red eyes gleaming from various points on Nyne’s body.

By the time Nyne stepped out, the altar had been splendidly decorated. Thankfully, the sacrificial animals waiting nearby were not humans, but five male deer.

Indeed, while offering humans for the sake of the Sha might be justified, sacrificing humans simply for a successful hunt would be absurd. Humans were more precious than animals. Slaves, while less valued than oxen or horses, were still worth more than rabbits or deer and thus not used as offerings. Whenever these social values were laid out so plainly, Nyne always felt bitter.

Thanks to the time he had spent in Amon’s sanctuary witnessing animal sacrifices, Nyne had grown somewhat used to it. He could now watch calmly as priests severed the deers’ heads, caught their blood in golden chalices, and offered the skin and flesh on the altar. Of course, “used to it” didn’t mean he liked the practice.

The strong antlers and fine hides were offered to Amon. The tenderest cuts of meat were served on his plate, while the rest was divided for the Leshas and high priests.

Nyne barely touched a piece and then signaled for the remaining meat to be given to Lu and Popo. Seeing that the Sha had shown them special favor, both Lu and Popo ate with visibly proud expressions.

The first day did not involve actual hunting—it was all about celebrating the festival. From noon until late into the night, priests drank, ate, danced, and sang. As dusk fell, a massive bonfire was lit. Drunk priests danced around it in circles, chanting praises to Amon.

Amon, however, lost interest early and left the feast. Nyne, still tired from the journey, returned to his tent after watching the bonfire ignite. The constant revelry outside made him unsure whether he could sleep—but after a bit of tossing and turning, sleep overcame him.

The next dawn, Nyne was gently woken by Popo. He hadn’t slept well—his face was weary. The priests had chanted and danced deep into the night, loudly crying out to Sha Amon and Sha Nyne in fervent prayer, waking him repeatedly.

“I don’t have much of an appetite…”

Nyne frowned at the breakfast Popo had brought. The peaceful, cool morning air made him just want to go back to bed.

“Considering today’s hunt, wouldn’t it be best to eat even a little, Sha?”

At Popo’s urging, Nyne ate a few bites listlessly. Lu, apparently drunk through the night, stumbled in half-asleep, hugging a box of accessories. As Popo passed by with Nyne’s breakfast tray, she kicked him awake.

“’M so—s’rry, Lord Nyne…”

Lu’s speech was slurred. Maybe the alcohol hadn’t worn off yet. Despite clearly having washed, he still reeked of drink.

“You’d better go back to sleep.”

“No, no! I must… serve…”

He trailed off, nodding off again, his face falling into the box. He only opened his eyes when the attendant priests were nearly finished dressing Nyne. He’d missed the dressing, but he refused to miss the jewelry. His determination was clear. Only after clasping a sunset-red ruby necklace on Nyne did he collapse in place.

The sharp-eyed priests, offended at Lu’s brazenness, tried to drag him out—but Nyne intervened.

“Leave him. He must be exhausted.”

“Sha’s kindness spoils him. That’s why he’s so shameless.”

Popo sighed and glared at Lu, curled up and snoring softly. Rather than wake him, Nyne gently covered him with a blanket. Displeased, Popo muttered to herself, Truly undeserved blessings… though Lu, of course, couldn’t hear her.

Luckily for Lu, today didn’t require his service. The first day of the Hunting Festival was reserved exclusively for the Sha. Only select warrior priests were allowed to accompany the hunt. Ordinary priests like Lu had no part.

“Where are my bow and arrows?”

Just as Nyne looked around before the hunt, a familiar voice rang out.

“I’ve prepared them already, Sha.”

Iyu approached, smiling brightly without a trace of fatigue, and turned to show the bow and quiver slung over his back. Nyne had been nervous, knowing only Amon and the warrior priests would accompany him today—but hearing Iyu would be joining brought great relief.

The warrior priests were lined up at the edge of the forest in perfect rows. Behind them, other priests knelt to see the Sha off—though judging by Lu’s state, many of them looked more like they were asleep than in prayer. Someone even snored quietly until the priest beside them pinched their arm sharply. Seinka Hoan’s glare toward the group was especially cold.

At that moment, Amon also exited his tent. Unlike Nyne, who hadn’t slept well, Amon showed no signs of fatigue. The scriptures claimed he could go without sleep for long periods—and now it seemed likely true.

Amon’s outfit was much like his usual, unlike Nyne’s specially tailored hunting attire. The only difference was a dagger hanging at his waist. Nyne glanced at the blade as he approached.

Before he could greet him, Amon spoke.

“I have a feeling you’ll enjoy the hunt.”

“…I hope so.”

Amon’s statement carried a strange certainty. Nyne, however, wasn’t so sure. He’d only shot at targets a few times before. And given his discomfort with even animal sacrifice, he had doubts. Still… he hoped he could at least catch something—to offer as tribute to Amon.