Chapter 188 The New Family of the Air

Chapter 188 The New Family of the Air
Three days after the War of Succession.

The royal chambers.
The Queen sat opposite her High Priest of the Pegasi. In her hands rested a parchment, tied with a black cord. The black cord signified that the parchment was a punishment from the Throne.

Olivia: You committed treason against the throne during the reign of my father, and against me before my coronation. Nevertheless, you were of great help in my ascension and in winning the war against Valero and Aurelio. Do you want to say something right now?

Danilo: I accept any punishment from my queen without resistance. I deserve to die for my crime.

The queen handed the parchment to the man and watched him as he read.

On the parchment there were three punishments of service to the throne.

In a temple of the Goddess of Air.
The High Priest took a slender belt with a wooden dagger in a cloth sheath. He tied it around a slender waist. Then, he placed a copper ring, with a wing design, on a small finger.

Danilo: From this day forward, you are a daughter of the Goddess of Air. I will instruct you in the worship of the Pegasi. I will watch over you until you turn twenty. I will provide you with everything you need. You will learn to guide the lives of those who are lost in spirit. Someday, you will help others like yourself.

Kerstin: I accept this aid and this burden. I will serve the Goddess and the people of the kingdom for the rest of my life.

After the ritual, she was embraced by her brother and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled happily.

Gunther: You will be a great priestess. Anyone who looks at your Pegasus knows that you are perfect for healing lost spirits.

Yegor offered a small flower: My mother always gave me flowers for you. I am very proud of you.

The Wolf kissed her gently on the cheek. Her heart felt true joy.

When the queen asked her what she needed, her answer was simple and sad: I need to start my life over.

In the nest.
Marco stood with his mother and his little sister in front of a woman with a big smile and a girl with bright eyes. With them were the very handsome priest and a short, bald man.

Danilo: Master Rider, I want them to work and live in the nest with our family. The young man is strong and could learn to care for the Pegasi. His mother knows how to cook and possesses extensive knowledge of personal service. The daughter could learn to read and get to know the Pegasi; it is possible that she might eventually become a Rider or a servant of the nest. I am going to pay the coins for them out of my own purse.

Néstor: Of course, Priest. Yes, he seems as strong as a Unicorn.

Marcela: Bonita, would you like to teach this little girl how to read...and tell her about Pegasi?

Bonita Extended her hamd towards the beautiful young girl: Can I call you sister?

The girl looked at her mother and her older brother, who both nodded.

Vega took her hand with a huge smile: Yes, sister.

When the women were left alone in the kitchen, the youngest, who looked older, gazed at the food and drink with wide eyes.

Selva: I want to be honest. Do you know what I am?

Marcela: It does not matter what you were. Now you are part of the family of the air.

Marco, a poor thief from the poorest district of the kingdom, appeared before the queen in a private chamber and was asked what he needed. The young man thought only of the most vulnerable woman in the world he knew. He asked her to ensure that his little sister, Vega, was safe. Nothing else.

As night approached, the family of the air formed a circle around the High Priest and a sixteen-year-old girl. A little snow was falling on their cloaks. No one was bothered. Everyone was smiling, and many were weeping a little.

Néstor: Who would speak for this woman?

Danilo: Her honor is greater than that of any knight I have ever known.

Olivia: She does not want anything she has not earned through her own efforts.

Yegor: Her heart is strong, like that of a god.

Marco: Lupe maintains peace as if she were a Pegasus.

Chara: She is the bravest woman in the world.

Kerstin: She is kind to everyone, without exception.

Néstor offered a dagger and a belt to Chara, who fastened them around the waist of Lupe: Fine. From this day forward, Lupe of Limeburner Valley is a Rider of the Realm.

Many voices: Lupe, Rider of the Realm!

Lupe looked at Marco, her eyes filled with tears. She, a whore, the daughter of a whore, was a rider for the Queen. In her mind, the All-Mother projected images of Lupe standing before Little Feather on a cold, rainy night.

All-Mother: You looked into the eyes of my daughter and wondered why you had been chosen to behold a messenger of the Goddess. You saved my life that night. To you, I was merely an old man, yet you offered me your help.

Lupe, in her mind: Peace, he had not done me any harm. Honesty, I had the opportunity to earn the coin I needed. Kindness, there was no reason to treat him as anything other than family.

All-Mother: And that is why you were chosen.

When Queen Olivia asked Lupe what she needed, the girl thought for quite a while.

Lupe in the room, four days earlier: I do not need anything. I have a body that can sustain me. I have a friend who believes I am someone important. But could I ask you for something that he needs?

The Queen: Yes. Something that he needs could be something that you need as well.

Lupe: He needs me to be something better than what I am. He loves me in his heart, but in his mind, I will never be anything more than a whore. It is not his fault. He is a man; if I were something different, he could give me his love.