Chapter B5: Upon A Golden Throne
There was a certain… thrum in the air around the Palace of Ascension. The air, the earth, everything seemed to pulse at an incredibly high frequency, a vibration so slight as to be almost undetectable. A remarkable achievement, really, to experience so slight an effect while in the presence of such an unimaginable outpouring of power.
Selene’s Chosen raised his staff, a blazing stave formed of pure light, and proclaimed: “All kneel!”
In one smooth motion, along with the other thousand attendants, ministers, Nobles and officials, Administrator Merigold Kent knelt, then pressed her forehead to the hallowed ground. Behind her, the other members of her office were arrayed, while in front, the Grand Duchess Tiranda also knelt, but was permitted to keep her head up.
In that position, the gathering froze, waiting for permission to rise to be given.
The thrum grew stronger, to the point Merigold could feel it, deep in her chest. The palace was coming closer. She wished she could see it descend, but such a thing was forbidden by the Gods themselves. Even throughout the capital, all would be averting their eyes from the spectacle, for it was something they were not worthy to see. If even a child turned their gaze upon the palace, even for a moment, they would be blinded, according to Imperial law.
It was tempting to look, but not that tempting. The Gods did not permit any who were not of the purest blood to see their power made manifest. As a minor noble, Merigold knew she would never be afforded that privilege.
When the vibration had reached her teeth, she knew the palace was close. It was eerie to think that something so large could rise and fall in the sky without making so much as a sound. The wind moving around the palace was the only indication it was there at all, if not for the thrum.
Then came the deep C-kroom that seemed to reverberate up from deep beneath the ground. The Palace of Ascension had connected to the cradle which would hold it in place for its time upon the ground. She had seen the cradle with her own eyes, a tiny thing, no larger than her fist, held in place by four beams that cut through the centre of the depression holding the Ascension Array. The very bottom tip of the palace would sit, nestled in that cradle, until the palace rose to the sky once more.
Here it comes.