Chapter 149: The Power Of Sleep
The large wooden gates swung open and if I thought the outside was beautiful then nothing could have prepared me for the interior. It looked like we had walked into Naktus residence herself. The minute we entered I could feel the air shift into something warmer with deep fragrant air like the breath of a thriving forest. A blend of wild herbs and damp moss along with fresh rain permeated all surfaces. From above the ceiling soared so high until it resembled that of storm and the smooth stoned surface had been entwined with creeping ivy which produced golden flowers that emitted a faint glow in the dim illumination.
Crystal window skylight shaped like floral petal shapes let sunlight create gentle floor patterns on the polished stone surface. Marble floors revealed pale veins of tree roots which extended from the ancient trees and twisted across the surface like living tissue with weak life forces. The path was crossed by running pure spring water which shone like moonlight under our feet.
The entire structure did not resemble as it had been pictured on the scrolls in the archive. It was like the mountain had parted itself into two to become our entrance.
"Wow!" Ivana breathed out and I guess that was one word for it because there was no amount of words that could have described this beauty.
We all turned around breathing in the clean air and soaking up all the purity. Women walked around dressed in white each one also wore crowns made with flowers. There was no single male in sight, everyone were all women. Different ages, young, old and there were also people of different ethnicities and colors too but most importantly there were all so beautiful they looked like they were from another world entirely, as though the earth itself and poured life into them.
Some of the women walked through the stone paths by using willow twig brooms to sweep the grounds and they did it without making any noise. Others carried basket with sweet smelling herbs and others contained fruits of different kinds. When they walk it is as if they drift across water cause their footsteps was almost soundless. The area rang with laughter that sounded distant as water waves made their way through stones.
There was no urgency here. No shouting. No harshness, just the soft rhythms of nature of living in tune with something much older, deeper.
The gentle wind from the chamber carried away free wandering pink petals that danced elegantly in the air and a few attached in my hair. I didn’t bother to remove them and instead allowed them to remain there. Everything here felt clean and sacred. The place felt like the original home of Naktus, where she resides.
The women who led us inside suddenly stopped and turned to look at us. I noticed she wore a look of pride on her face when she saw Heather was still looking around. "The keeper will be with you in a moment but first you will need to go into your room and have a bath."