The Celebration of a Birth

Maziken had prepared much of the week for the celebration.  He made sure that the servants of the temple cleaned the marble floors and polished the statue of the Goddess.  He had them prepare several tables for the refreshments and retrieve a few bottles of wine from Nebyet's cellars.  He meticulously put together his gift for the mother and child, wrapping it in fine, deep violet silks. 

The day had finally come and the hour was near.  He stood near the entrance to Nebyet, waiting to greet any that would come help honour this mother and child.  From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Sybaryss approaching.  She carried a small basket at her side, a smile written across her lips.  Maziken returned her smile and looked curiously to her basket before he saw the little bundle of wolf pelts inside.

"Are we all prepared for tonight, Syb?" he asked with a bit of excitement.

"Of course, High Imam!" she exclaimed before looking down at the tiny face peeking through the wolf pelts. 

The two made some small talk, discussing when Syb's dear friend, Buuj, would find a man to give her a child as well.  As they were talking, a representative of House <> arrived to greet them.  Both Maziken and Sybaryss welcomed Miss Arness to Nebyet and thanked her for coming to tonight's ceremony.  Miss Arness spoke of her House and Maziken noted to speak to her after the ceremony more about it.  He had not heard of this House yet and pined to know more of such a House that seemed to hold the same values as Nebyet did.

After a few more minutes, the slave Paks arrived followed shortly by Sir Sayf.  Sayf said that his wife would be along shortly when Sybaryss seemed confused that she wasn't at his side.  Maziken had spoken with Paks a few days earlier about her attendance and he was glad to see that her master allowed to her to come.  She did seem a bit ... "on edge" though.  Arriving next was a curious fellow, a northerner.  Maziken quickly turned his attention to the outsider that appeared to be lost. 

"You seem a bit ... lost and confused." he stated clearly as he looked the northerner over.  His eyes caught something black slithering away from the northerner and he was surprised to see that it was Lucien.  "Did you follow Lucien here?"

The northerner nodded a bit and spoke of a vision that he had of which a beautiful woman was cradling this snake as a babe and told him to seek out "The Golden City of the Snake".  Maziken's mind instantly raced to the conclusion that this woman in his vision must have been Derketo.  Lucien was the guardian of their temple to Her and it would only make sense, but ... why would the Goddess have sent this kuffir to Nebyet? 

Maziken quickly returned his attention to the crowd and motioned for them to head to the Temple.  He invited the northerner to come along as well since the Goddess had brought him here.  The group followed him to the Temple of Derketo and he lead them into the main worship chamber.  An altar was near the back of the room and behind that stood a very tall statue of the Goddess.  She was holding an infant and had the symbol of the fish adorned about her waist.  A small bowl rested upon the altar as Maziken stood in front of it.

"Thank you friends for coming tonight.  We are here to celebrate this mother and child.  To ask the Goddess' blessing upon little Boo, to watch over her and see that she doesn't stray from the right path.  We ask that Derketo will give this child the same strength that her mother has."

He went on to speak about Sybaryss' strength through her pregnancy and attest to the capabilities of her as a mother.  Maziken asked Sybaryss to show little Boo to everyone and then to hand her to him so that he may bless her in Derketo's name.  Sybaryss carefully took the bundle of wolf pelts out of the basket and showed that tiny face to the gathered folks before handing her daughter to Maziken.  He took the babe carefully and dipped two of his fingers into the bowl on the altar, showing them to the group afterward.

"With this blessed water of the Styx I will bless this child in Derketo's name.  The Goddess' life will be infused into her and nourish her body through the many years to come."

With that, Maziken drew the sign of the fish upon baby Boo's forehead and then handed her back to Sybaryss. 

"It is done.  Derketo has blessed your child with a healthy life, Syb." he spoke before turning to the gathered crowd.  "If any would wish to offer some words of wisdom to the mother and child, please come up and do so."

Miss Arness was the first to approach.  She presented a small, wheeled horse for baby Boo and willed her blessing upon them both.  Sybaryss was very happy with the gift, so much so that it was hard to tell the difference between mother and child for a moment.  As Arness was giving her blessing to Sybaryss and Boo, Maziken asked Paks to retrieve his gift from behind the altar.  The slave did as he asked and carried the orb-like gift back to him.

Kh'nihk Jraeti offered some advice to the mother and child next, followed by a few short words of wisdom from Sir Sayf.  His wife had now joined him as they stood near the back.  Maziken then presented his gift to Syb and unveiled it before her.  A glass bowl filled with water in which a fish of shimmering gold swam.  "Let this gift symbolize the Goddess in your home, Syb, and let Her watch over both you and baby Boo."

The ceremony was now concluded and it was time to begin the celebration.  Maziken motioned for the group to join him outside of the temple for refreshments and merriment.  When they reached just outside the temple, there were three tables set up.  Two tables held human fruit trays, one male and one female upon which a variety of fruits and nuts were carefully placed.  The third table held a collection of cups and wines for any to partake in. 

Maziken bid everyone to indulge themselves as he had noticed the curious northerner missing.  Glancing about a bit, he finally caught the outsider near the side of the temple and went to speak with him.  No sooner had he approached the man, then Sir Khalur and Kh'nihk Jraeti joined them, curious as to this man as well.  Before they could question him, Paks also approached to bid her farewell for the night.  Maziken thanked her for coming and gave her a gift as well.  The same that he had given to Sybaryss only this fish was in a much small glass cup.  "I hope that this will bring the Goddess back into your life, Paks.  But it is up to you to nurture it and see that it survives."

She thanked him for the gift and hurried off as did many of the other guests.  As soon as everyone was on their way home, Maziken returned his attention to the questioning of the northerner who appeared to be brought to Nebyet by Derketo. 

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( I need to screenshot the event next time so I can get exact works down for the story.  I'll also grab screenshots to interleave into the story text. )