Chapter 60 - Providing
After leaving Hamet Garden behind, Scarlett and Allyssa began making their way to where the Providing Ceremony was held. It didn't take them much longer than ten minutes.
The space that it was being held in was a massive square, surrounded on all sides by lines of yellow-leafed trees that separated the square from the nearby buildings. Several roads ushered people into the square from all directions, with large crowds already waiting in the mostly-full space. If Scarlett were to guess, there were probably at least a couple of thousand people here.
The street they had been following from Hamet Garden led into an area of the square that was cordoned off with wooden fences, and mostly only appeared to house those that were more well-off. A decent amount of people were gathered in this section as well, but it was nowhere near the rest of the square. It was also clear that not all of the nobles who had attended the Elysian Proclamation attended this event.
A large raised platform of smooth white stone stood at the center of the square. On the platform stood several figures, all wearing the elaborate gold-emblazoned red robes distinctive to the full priests of the Followers of Ittar. None of their faces were visible, covered by those strange golden masks that were perhaps best described as an odd octagon of two overlayed squares. Scarlett was pretty sure it was supposed to represent the sun, though that wasn't the first thing she thought of when seeing them.
Situating themselves in an empty spot close to the edge of their section, Scarlett and Allyssa waited for things to begin. After some time, one of the priests stepped over to the center of the stage. Unlike the other priests, this priest's robes also had two silver vestments hanging over his shoulders. As they raised their arms, a lot of the noise and chatter around the square quieted down.
"Revered citizens of our glorious empire," their voice rang out, somehow resounding out across the whole square. It was a man's deep voice, and Scarlett could almost feel the reverberations down to her bone. "The end of this auspicious festival is nearing, but there still remains time."
The priest gave a brief pause, as if waiting for his words to sink in and everybody in the crowd settle.
"Many of you have endured much through the year. This period is not simply a commemoration of the resplendent glory of Ittar's light that has been generously bestowed upon us all, but also to celebrate the labor performed by his beloved children. The blood and sweat that has been shed, whose fruits will soon be reaped, providing for us, as Ittar bears his rest."
The priest continuously rotated as he talked, peering out across all of the people gathered around the center platform.
"We, the Followers of Ittar and conduits to his will, shall as ever provide our aid during these times. To those destitute and starving, as well as to those in need of Ittar's grace. This is part of our sacred duty, as it has been since the birth of this brilliant empire. A duty that we have always allowed those most devoted of Ittar's children to partake in."
He gestured to one of the other priests, who pulled out a large scroll from their robe, before walking forward and handing it to him. It seemed the priest who was speaking was the head priest for this event.
"There are yet many efforts shepherded by us followers of the resplendent sun. The renewal of the damage wrought by the blaze-damned dragon of devastation in the Blasted Lands continues to this day, as does the relief given to those affected by the drought in the southeastern regions of the empire the previous year. Blessedly, as in preceding years, there are many in this empire who care for their fellow man and woman, who willingly choose to aid in providing for those who themselves cannot. As is praxis, all of you shall bear witness to these individuals' selfless displays."