De Luna Solis (Night of Luna)
For those unknown to the traditions of Devereau, always wondered what this De Luna Solis was. But, as you lean closer to those who would quickly spread gossip and rumor around, you would hear the womenn speak, and for once, which is a rare occasion, they spoke the truth.
“Ever wondered what festivities the Devereaus hold to make sure their citizen and people feel looked out for? Or how they feel safe and are always smiling? There are certainly many dark secrets hidden from the townspeople within Deveraux County and the main town, Ashbourne. Alas, but to be able to quench the thirst of a curious mind we, as the family of House Devereau, hold a festival. It may appear to be rather small, but like the poison of a black cobra, it is powerful, for the enjoyment of the people and their kind gestures give life and strength to the Devereau. Every mann and womann has a way to participate, from helping the elderly people, to fresh baked and brewed goods or caring for livestock to be sold. Even the Devereaus will be present, as it has always been customary, for the loyal dagger of the royal family is as traditionalist as the ones they serve faithfully. The young children will learn about the family's lore and history, see the serpents the House have bred for their own self, or to the House of Darkholm. It was usually held at the most ungodly hours, but it was in honor of Luna that, during the festival, some animals would be sacrificed. The blood which was kept in bowls after bleeding the animals out would be used to paint on the people's faces, the sign of their faith, their loyalty to their Goddess of the darkness. It was always to be held when the first full moon was rising. This is what De Luna Solis was.”
The older womann would smirk as she looked at those who had gathered around, listening to her explanation of what the Ashbourne’s tradition was of. With a content smirk, the older lady leaned back with her hands in her lap. ‘And lucky for all you, such night is tonight.’
The other womenn let out a howling of laughter as they simply smirked. Some of the town folk would just roll their eyes and walk away, knowing full well it was that night.
As the night slowly approached and the time came for the festivities of Ashbourne, the carriage of the House Devereau came rolling down the cobblestoned road. The wooden wheels making the tell-tale sign of their approach and the guards following suit. People started to whisper to each other, mostly wondering which Devereau had decided to join the festivities. Their curiosity would always be pricked at whenever the known carriage of the Devereau’s came rolling down the road. The carriage stopped to a halt, the horses snorting and kicking at the ground as they shook their head. The Guards who had followed, slid off the saddles of their steeds, knowing the animals would not trot away. The menn quickly stepped to the carriage, reaching their armored hand out and opening the door, reaching their free hand in as another gloved and dainty hand of a female took it with appreciation. The first Devereau to exit was Genevive, she stepped out of the carriage with grace. Her burgundy dress nicely hugging her elderly form, she stepped to the side to make sure that the next family member would slide out with just the same ease as she herself had.
The guard offered his now free hand to the next Devereau, the naked flesh of Celestine’s hand showing, accepting the help from the Guard as she would step out with equal grace as Genevive. She smiled back, her white dress clinging to her body as she would step next to her cousin. Awaiting her brothers, who did not need help as they exited the carriage. Each one dressed in the same color shade of deep blue. Dante showed discomfort as he kept squirming where he stood, earning himself a nudge to his shoulder by Elias.
‘Well then, we should go to where the Priest and Priestess are waiting. It is a special night after all.’ Genevive spoke to the siblings, each one nodding their head with a smile. With a content nod to her head, Genevive would turn on her heels, her gloved hands in front of her as she walked towards where the Priest and Priestess of Ashbourne was. The large podium, which was built for these kinds of nights would be visible as they ventured further in the small town, it may have been quiet the small town, but it did have some gems within. The podium would have an altar in the center, a table looking thing in front of it with a bowl underneath, as well as a few chairs behind the altar. People would follow the Devereau’s, gathering around the podium as each family member stepped up and sat down.
Two dark hooded figures would approach, stepping up on the podium as they only looked down, their feet bare and their hands in front of them. They would stop in front of the oldest Devereau, bowing and curtsying to her. Genevive gave them a nod. They proceeded to greet each younger Devereau, a smile on their lips as they now looked up, turning around and stepping closer to the altar. They raised their hands, making the whispering crowd turn silent.
The Priest removed the hood from his head, showing his baldness as he only smirked, moistening his lips for his words to come.
‘Elyrians, Blood of Blackheart, Daughters and Sons of Luna, our Dark Mother.
We are tonight, gathered here for De Luna Solis.
As most of you, who know of our ritual, our night of prayers and festivity.
You know what we will perform tonight, you know what you ask for in your prayers.
No judgement will be heard of, no evil will be spoken of, no evil will be heard of.
As a custom it is, for the Matriarch of our home, the County of Devereaux to be the one to hold these rituals of sacrifice to our Dark Mother.
But on our Countess’s request, it is not her who will sacrifice blood to Luna.
It is Lady Celestine, the young womann of Devereau. She has been graced in white garbs for the night. The purity of a Devereau, she has not spilled blood.’ The Priest paused for a few seconds as he softly whispered ‘yet..’
The Priest took a breath, his smirk growing into a grin, the Priestess behind him had disappeared, under his speech, appearing only seconds after he took a breather. A goat following behind her as she instructed the animal to jump on the table. She let the goat stay there, appearing next to the Priest as she as well, removed her hood.
‘We do not sacrifice any of our own, as it is written. But, a sacrifice is to be made, may it be wheat, land or animals.’ The mann of Luna turned around, his wrinkly face grinning in Celestine’s direction, motioning for the young Devereau to stand up. Celestine dutifully stood from her chair, taking a deep breath through her nose as she dismissed her shoes, walking up to the Priest and Priestess, standing between them, her emerald gaze looking at the crowd in front of her. Her face naked of emotions as she stood there in silence.
The old Priest reached for something on the altar in front of him, grabbing a dagger, it’s handle beautifully carved out of bones, it’s design of various battles from their forefathers, the blade smithed from iron, but stained by the several battles and rituals it had witnessed. He held it high in the air, his eyes closing as he spoke out. The blessings for the dagger and those who were to use it. The crowd around hushed down, no words spoken, no whispers whispered. Some even held their breath.
‘The hour of our night is here, Luna is sitting on her dark throne, watching over us.
We, as one Blood will sacrifice this livestock to our Mother of Dark. Done by the hands of innocence. She, who will be our leading future, she, who will guide us into greatness. I bless this dagger, this instrument of souls.’
The old Priest turn towards Celestine, his hands lowering as he stretched his arms out, presenting the dagger towards the Devereau.
‘I bless you, our future. Our blood. Our child. Our Mother. Our Cousin. Accept this moment, to be the one by many generations of your kin, to present Luna this sacrifice. To make the Mother of us all, happy and content. Celestine Devereau, daughter of Elisaire and Andrè. Do you accept this task?’
Celestine looked at the priest right in his eyes, her own gaze dark, no emotions, no feelings presented to him. Which made the old man just smile, he knew she was serious. Her words, barely but a whisper ‘Yes. I do.’ She reached her own hand up towards the dagger, taking the boned shaft in her hand, she walked with her bare feet up towards the goat, who simply stood still.
As practiced, Celestine would chant the words, the words that would send this animal’s soul up to the Goddess they prayed to. The people ready to chant with her.
Dark Moon hiding, as She does cry,
Stealthy knights riding, across the night sky,
She who does die, and She who kills,
Without a sigh, because She heals,
Taking away all our sorrow,
In Her own way, although we know,
Her way is not a painless cure,
It's all we've got so we endure,
Queen of Darkness, Bringer of Tears,
Mother of us all, Goddess of Night.
Please bless us all, as we bring this sacrifice.
She brought the blade towards the goat’s throat, the sharp edge closing to it’s furred vein, she did a sharp cut, the blood now seeping down the table. The poor animal would fall over, it’s blood dripping down to the bowl beneath it. Celestine looked up at the crowd who had finished their chants, their eyes on her, the blade in her hand had stained her dress.
Celestine bowed to the crowd, then to the Priest and Priestess in front of her. The blade she held, was now given to the Priest who simply smiled, pleased by the Devereau’s first sacrifice. She walked back to her family, Genevive, who had been quiet and simply watched Celestine’s performance was now smiling with pride, her chest slightly puffed out and her back straight. The Devereau sat down with her family again, her now stained dress a mess as she slipped her shoes on again.
Two figures emerged up to the podium. Seeing as the goat still bled and the first bowl now was full, they swapped it and waited there. The Priest turned to the crowd, yet again as he spoke his words.
‘Let us all enjoy this night, feast, dance, and drink. Buy the livestocks that is brought by our blood. Let the children roam the lands. We will prepare the drink of our Mother.’
With that, the Priest, Priestess and the two figures stepped down, bringing the first bowl to the temple where they resided.
The Devereau’s all stood up and prepared them self to enjoy this night until morning. Dante, as always hurried down the podium his two older brothers Asriel and Nathaniel following just behind his heel to watch over the hyper child. They all disappeared between the crowd, causing the womenn of the House to shake their head, as always and chuckle.
‘Come, child. Let us go and be blessed.’ Celestine nodded and followed behind Genevive. Reaching the Temple where the menn and womenn of Luna was.
The priestess from earlier closed in on them, holding two goblets as she smiled.
Her whispers of the blessings ‘Atlas Orbis Sit guide est anima mea’ (May Luna guide this soul)
They both drank the liquid within the goblet, a content nod from the Priestess as she took the emptied containers from the Devereaus. They watched the older womann disappeared, which meant that now they could enjoy the night for themselves.
