Natasha the Halve

I laid on the floor, limbs spread out.

Snow continued to fall, melting the moment the snowflakes touched my face.

“That was rough,” I sighed, my head still pulsating with now manageable pain. “Do we all go through this?”

“You do,” Shorvanna confirmed in Celestial, her even tone next to my ear despite standing a few meters away. “Most consume the Sentinel upon first meeting, making the process painless. The longer you wait, the more your mind has to accommodate for new knowledge.”

I took a deep breath and let it out. “I didn't know how to cook, and birds often carry diseases,” I explained, then complained, “The tutorial sucks, Shorvanna.”

“The tutorial starts henceforth, Young Protector,” Shorvanna countered. “Galeia will guide you directly.”

I grumbled in distaste. “Isn't it a waste of time?” I wondered out loud. “Galeia creates us. Why aren't we given Celestial at birth?”

Pyotr hopped his way to me, stopping next to my face. “LETTER!” he loudly croaked, tapping the floor with his left foot and making a scraping noise with his talons.

I turned to him, seeing the envelope he was carrying earlier, now next to my head.

“You can ask Galeia,” Shorvanna quipped with an amused tone.

I sat up with a groan, holding my head with a hand and extending the other for the Corvitex.

Pyotr took the letter and dropped it on my open palm. “Bones!” he demanded.

I blinked a few times to ease the pain behind my eyes, then produced a big bone the size of a femur on my lap. “Thanks for the letter,” I muttered and took the thing.

The paper was firm, yet soft. It felt very high quality, and even had a floral scent to it that somehow brought to mind the moon in the middle of the night.

I brought it close to my face and sniffed it.

The smell of myriad flowers, oils, powders, and a few enchantments tickled my nose exquisitely, forcing a slight smile to grace my lips.

On the paper, the intricate crest of Uuruhk sealed the thing shut.

I gave it a closer look, recalling my lessons with Alyssa and Lapia these last few months. “I see...” I muttered as recognition kicked in.

It was the Family Crest of Uuruhk's Royal Family: a plateau bathed in moonlight.

With a little exhale through my nose, I opened the envelope, finding three pieces of paper inside. I read the one on the front first.

 

Zhikh'On Thezhun
The Great Regent of Uuruhk
Royal Palace, Pizh'kh

Contact through:
Minister of Eternal Communications, Pizh'kh
Office of the Great Regent's Correspondence
Pizh'kh, Uuruhk

Third Day of the Seventh Month

To Her Excellency Natasha Novak, Halve Warrior,

It is with the highest honor and deepest respect that I, Zhikh'On Thezhun, the Great Regent of Uuruhk, extend to Your Excellency an invitation to bear witness to a momentous occasion in the history of our realm.

As the rightful heir to the throne reaches the age of ascension, the time has come for the coronation of my esteemed nephew, His Royal Highness Prince Fel'Leron Thezhun. This significant event marks the dawn of a new era for Uuruhk, a moment that has been awaited with great anticipation by all.

The coronation ceremony will be held at the Royal Palace in the illustrious city of Pizh'kh. Your Excellency's presence would greatly honor the occasion and lend your esteemed support to the future of our beloved nation.

The details of the ceremony are as follows:
Date: Tenth Day of the First Month of the coming year of this Era of Yiama, Fifth Age of E'er.
Venue: Moon Communion Grounds, Royal Palace, Pizh'kh

Your Excellency's kind have again and again offered their invaluable wisdom and guidance to our land, and it would be our privilege to have Your Excellency join us for this historic event.

Please find enclosed a detailed program of the day's events and accommodation arrangements. We eagerly await your confirmation and sincerely hope that you will honor us with your presence at your earliest convenience through the Office of the Regent's Correspondence.

 

May the spoils of War be plenty.
Yours sincerely,
Zhikh'On Thezhun
The Great Regent of Uuruhk

The feeling of it being the most formal and proper letter I had received to date made my opinion of other countries tank a little, especially Lumin's little Prince, Ronald, who sent me the sloppiest letter to date, though the reasons are understandable.

Next was the second sheet of paper.

 

Schedule for the Coronation of His Royal Highness Prince Fel'Leron Thezhun.
Date: Tenth Day of the First Month of the coming year of this Era of Yiama, Fifth Age of E'er.
Location: Royal Palace, Pizh'kh

Morning Events:

8:00 - 9:00
Arrival of Guests
Guests are welcomed at the Landing Hall of the Royal Palace of Uuruhk. Refreshments shall be served in the Great Hall.

9:00 - 9:30
Procession to the Cathedral of Eternity
A grand procession from the Royal Palace to the Cathedral of Eternity, led by the Royal Guard and accompanied by traditional musicians.

9:30 - 10:00
Seating of Guests
Guests take their places within the Cathedral. Nobility and dignitaries shall be seated in the front rows.

10:00 - 12:00
Coronation Ceremony
The solemn and majestic ceremony wherein His Royal Highness Prince Fel'Leron Thezhun shall be crowned King. This shall include the anointing, crowning, and oath-taking.

Afternoon Events:

12:00 - 13:00
Procession to the Royal Palace
A triumphant procession returning to the Royal Palace, with the newly crowned King directly behind any Excellency if present.

13:00 - 14:00
Royal Banquet
A lavish banquet in the Great Hall of the Royal Palace. Guests shall enjoy a feast of exquisite dishes and fine wines, with toasts made in honor of the new King.

14:00 - 16:00
Entertainment and Festivities
Performances by renowned musicians, dancers, and entertainers from across the Kingdom in the Royal Gardens.

Evening Events:

16:00 - 17:00
Royal Address
The new King shall deliver his first royal address to the assembled guests and the people of Uuruhk, outlining his vision and aspirations for the realm.

17:00 - 19:00
Reception and Greetings
A time for personal greetings and congratulations. Guests shall have the opportunity to meet and speak with the new King.

19:00 - 21:00
Evening Banquet and Ball
A grand banquet followed by a royal ball in the Great Hall. The festivities shall continue with music, dance, and merriment into the night.

21:00 - Midnight
Farewell and Departure
Guests shall bid farewell to the royal family and depart at their leisure, with carriages and escorts provided for their convenience.

Your Excellency may choose to stay in our Royal Palace for an indefinite period of time.

 

I squinted at the paper. “Cathedral of Eternity...” I muttered with a tiny frown. “Isn't that where Eternal worship takes place?”

“It is,” Shorvanna confirmed. “Monarchs swear oaths to Halves there, too.”

I bit my lower lip and hummed, then read the final sheet of paper.

 

Accommodation Arrangements for the Coronation of His Royal Highness Prince Fel'Leron Thezhun.
Accommodations for Your Excellency:

Royal Palace Eternal Quarters:
Your esteemed self shall be accommodated within the luxurious Eternal Quarters of the Royal Palace of Uuruhk. These chambers are reserved for Your Excellency's kind and are furnished with the finest amenities to ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Room Details:
A spacious suite with a private balcony overlooking the Royal Gardens and Pizh'kh.
A grand bedchamber adorned with exquisite tapestries and fine linens.
A private sitting room with a selection of books, writing materials, and a warm hearth.
An en-suite bath with scented oils and fresh towels provided daily.

Services and Amenities:
Personal attendants available at all hours to cater to your needs.
Daily housekeeping and turndown service.
Access to the Royal Library, gardens, and private chapel.
A selection of fine wines and delicacies delivered to your quarters.

Additional Arrangements:
A personal carriage and driver shall be at your disposal for transportation within the Kingdom.
Invitations to exclusive gatherings and private audiences with the Regent and Royal Family.
Guided tours of the Royal Palace and notable landmarks of Uuruhk.

Arrival and Departure:
Upon arrival, a Royal escort shall greet you at the borders of our Kingdom and accompany you to the Royal Palace.
A more detailed itinerary of the coronation events and personal invitations shall be provided after reaching the Royal Palace.
At the conclusion of the festivities, your departure shall be coordinated with the utmost care to ensure a seamless journey home.

Special Requests:
Should you have any special requests or requirements, please do inform us in advance, and we shall endeavor to accommodate you to the best of our abilities.

We are honored to host Your Excellency and look forward to welcoming you to our kingdom for this historic and joyous occasion.

 

With deepest respect,
Zhikh'On Thezhun
The Great Regent of Uuruhk.

 

My eyebrows rose in pleased surprise. “Now THIS is a letter,” I approved with a smile, almost considering going. “Hey, Shorvanna. Quick question.”

The Goddess waited.

“Do I need to do anything during a coronation?” I inquired, looking up at her.

“A lot,” she replied. “Your role is crucial.”

I waited for more details.

Nothing came.

“That's it?” I scoffed.

“Coronations are none of my business, young Protector,” Shorvanna simply uttered, her tone not interested in the slightest.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “You're of so little help sometimes...” I sighed.

If the topic wasn't about conflict, Shorvanna had very little to add, it seemed.

“Still...” I muttered, softly pinching my lower lip. “First month of the coming year. Seven months from now. Plenty of time.”

“Young Protector,” Shorvanna called.

I looked up at her. “Mhh?”

“You have a dungeon to clear,” she reminded me with a stern tone. “You'd best go there first, get your fourth Class, and then attend the coronation if you want.”

My eyebrows slowly rose, surprised that a dungeon dive could take long at all. “How long will it take?”

“No more than three months if you apply yourself,” was the Goddess' reply, then added. “Two if you taunt death.”

“I don't plan on dying so soon,” I retorted, then hummed while nodding. “How far is Ualrin?”

“Twenty-one thousand, two hundred and ninety-two kilometers west, going slightly north. The cave I told you about on the letter is deep underground; five kilometers north of Sapul, the eastern-most city,” she informed me.

A particularly sharp throb of pain above my palate made me wince.

I held my head and sighed.

“Your companions may stay here during your absence, if only to not slow your travels,” she added.

A smile crept up my lips. “Aww, you softie~! You'll miss us!” I teased.

“You lot's nightly fornication is preferable to the silence of solitude,” the Divine being spat without a care. “Even without conflict, any clash is good.”

“Shorvanna!” I complained, closing my eyes in embarrassment. “Don't eavesdrop on us!”

“We hear thoughts, vigorous Protector,” Shorvanna teased in an out of character tone. “I, for one, am pleased to stand before a blade undefeated,” she added. “Eases doubts about the future...”

My face burned to match the intensity of my headache, but her humorous wording made me chuckle.