(Scene 5) The Wynter Cathedral - The Hallway of Ice

Haukea Diamond hurried down the crystallized hallway with ice pillars emitting frost from its smooth surface. It was cool, but not freezing like the outside world was here. Around the walls were various stain glass designs of snowy landscapes and ones honouring the great heroes of the past, legends and myths, and even the great rulers of their time and as well as previous leaders of the Wynter Cathedral.

Her white priestess robes trailed behind her. Embroidered with a various winter designs, they were the traditional robes of a Snowflake Priestess. Her short blonde hair parted to the left side of her face as her pale blue eyes dared anyone to mess with her. She wasn't mean or anything, she was a kindred soul walking a path that she had been chosen for--her mother had been a Snowflake Priestess as well as her mother before her and so on--Haukea was continuing that family tradition. It was the last thing she could do since her mother had died several years ago when she was quite young.

At least this way, her mother's memory could be reserved.

Haukea often carried a white tome with sliver designs and blue writing around with her. She didn't necessarily need it because it was partially the reason why she became a Snowflake Priestess earlier than most would have been able to achieve in their lifetimes. It took at least three years of training to become one. But it had only taken her a year and a half to complete the training. Hence, Haukea was one of the youngest Snowflake Priestess in the history of the Wynter Catheral, being only fifteen when she had become one.

Now she was seventeen.

The tome was used for various types of healings, for the injured often fell into her hands. Not that Haukea minded, it was her job as one of the current Snowflake Priestess. There weren't many Snowflake Priestess due to the revolts and being called away to other parts of the kingdom--she however stayed.

She passed by a group of Snowfall Nuns, who didn't seem to notice her. Haukea didn't mind. She was used to it by now.

Then she picked up the pace.

After all, she had been summoned.


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If there's anything off.
Please let me know.
I'm new at this...

The Empress stood idly, her eyes roving slowly across each detail of the Cathedral. She could admire its architecture -- a vain gesture, she knew it to be, for she also designed the Cathedral -- it was only natural, since it lay in such close proximity on the outskirts of her own Snow Palace.

But she didn't like the petty stainglasses, depicting boring landscapes, cowardly, pompous politicians, made up fairy tale figures and the likes. She didn't like the Cathedral itself, what it stood for... but all that said, she could not begrudge the priestesses. At least, not all of them. They were hard workers, silent and obedient, and they were peaceful healers. As cold and ruthless as she wanted to appear, she could not bring herself to hate the individuals. However, she was not ever going to let anyone know this.

She stood, staring at the busts of previous leaders of the Winter Cathedral with eyes narrowed in dislike, as she tried to discern the reason for her negative feelings. Perhaps it was simply the fact that it was named a Cathedral, which was synonymous to a church, which was also synonymous to religion.

There was no governing religion in her Empire -- she allowed for them to exist, for she believed that weaker beings needed something to believe in, to live on -- but she refused to allow them any leeway she deemed was not necessary. Basically, she prevented any religious faction from becoming powerful enough to try and stamp out its competitors. And so far, in terms of religious conflicts, there were none in her Empire. They were often the most vicious...

She turned as she noted the footsteps approaching from down the hall and watched as the seventeen year old priestess run to her, and could not help but ponder the meaning of sin. A rueful smile carved across her characteristically stoic visage as she remembered the events of her previous night.

"I would be impressed by your effort, Haukea," said the Empress lightly, her voice chilling the air. "But you are out of breath and five minutes late. I do not have time to waste, so please assure that this does not happen again... do you understand?"

Haukea shivered, knowing very well the consequences that the Empress spoke of and knew very well it was not wise to get on her nerves. But she also knew the Empress hated weak followers, so she stood up straight and looked at the Empress in the eye. However she was careful not stare for too long. Yet, Haukea could feel herself tremble before the Empress, something about her always made her afraid, but she kept a firm gaze on the Empress. She knew that the Empress hated cowards and the catheral but most of all her. After all she was only a tool for her to use.

"Yes, forgive me, my Empress." she said with a graceful bow, careful not to let her posture slip. Haukea kept a straight face, she couldn't show fear otherwise...no, she couldn't think on it now. Lowering her gaze remorsefully, she continued, "I shall not let you down again, my Empress. Please forgive my lateness, I was dealing with..."

The Empress eyed her coldly, her expression neutral. She did not feel like wasting too many words when she had already wasted precious minutes, so she simply raised an eyebrow and waited for the young priestess to continue.

"Forgive me, it's of no importance. Just mere drivel." assured the blonde, meekly. "But what did you seek of me? I'm sure you have other more important things to do than to talk to me, my Empress."

The Empress nodded. Pausing a cold moment before getting right down to business.

"Tell me, Haukea, for I have heard of your skill... How adept are you in the art of healing? And I want to know, exactly and in detail what you are capable of."

"My skills, my Empress?" Haukea was surprised. "Umm...I'm told I'm very skilled in the art of healing to the point I do not need the nessary tomes in order to inchant or intone the healing arts. Surely, you've read the reports that the High Priestess had issued and given to you, my Empress."

No answer.

"Well...as you know, your Highness, the healing arts are divided into three aspects: Spirit, Mind, Body." explained the priestess quietly, feeling the Empress' cold gaze on her. "I haven't been told exactly what I'm capable of, but the High Priestess did tell me that she expects great things from me. Other than that, everyone else avoids me, whispering terrible things behind my back. But I don't mind them, your Highness." Haukea smiled with a hint of sadness in it. "My duty is to you alone, the High Priestess and to the Wynter Cathedral."

The Empress smiled, a display without any genuine emotion. "Study hard, Haukea, for I have instructed the High Priestess to take a more hands-on approach to your education. You will be her personal assistant and you will listen to what she tells you. If you disobey, I will hear of it... and I do not give second chances, so do not disappoint me." She turned away, spinning on her heel so quickly that her white robes swirled about her like gales of wind blowing up a snow devil. Then she paused. "There are fun times ahead of us, Haukea. We must be prepared to enjoy them."

With a whirl of her robes, she was gone.

It was almost like she had teleported.

Haukea shivered.

Great, looking forward to it... she thought grimly.