A Serpent's Tale
Chapter 351: Meeting in the Sect Palace

Chapter 351: Meeting in the Sect Palace

Within about ten minutes, I was at the Sect’s palace. Though it would be more accurate to call it a pyramid fortress to be honest.

It was tall, though I don’t think quite as tall as the Royal Palace. And it had a bunch of random towers and perches jutting out along its incline, which in and of itself was rather steep. You’d have to have either a really strong grip or some good tools to scale the thing.

The entrance was completely open, with no doors, and many acolytes, worshippers and more were coming and going, seemingly without a care in the world.

I thanked the guards and they simply bowed before returning to the Royal Palace, leaving me to enter the Sect Palace.

To be honest, it was a little daunting due to the sheer size of the place. Then again, I’ve also been inside the Royal palace at that was even bigger, easily dwarfing this building and any other I’d seen in the city so far.

I slither up the entrance ramp and went inside, finding myself in a large bustling hallway similar to the one in the Royal Palace, but obviously with much more activity since it was free to come and go.

It was then that I realised that I had no idea where to go since I would be looking for the Emypric Coil and the Emberin Ladies as well.

Looking around, I couldn’t see anyone that I thought could take me to them. Except maybe the Cinder Custodians, but I don’t know if they can or will lead me to them.

I’m sure I could force them to, but I don’t really feel like that’d be a good idea. They probably won’t exactly be happy with me forcing them and that might just lead to a fight one way or another.

For now, I think I’ll just wander around for a bit till I find some place off limits and ask why or something.

Also, I’m starting to feel a little sick in my stomachs for some reason... I’m sure it’s nothing.

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I did not end up going with my initial plan as I happened to bump into another Emberin Lady, specifically the one that oversees Magic and Rituals.

She, unlike most of the serpents crawling about this place, could sense my blood. Somehow. She asked me to demonstrate and I did, proving that I was who I was.

Then she ended up taking me to where the Empyic Coil was current having a chat with Zatyraa, the Emberin of Fire.

I also told her about the Futaris and what had happened earlier. She understood quite easily and we quickly arrived at the Empyric Coil’s study.

The Emberin Lady knocked on the door and was allowed in. So, we both entered.

"Welcome, Zakrataa." The the Empyric Coil, or Krytaraa greeted Zakrataa, whom I believe to be the name of the Emberin of fire. Then she noticed me come in behind her. "Hmm? Ah, you brought Traytora with you, I was just about to send for her. I assume you’ve finished talking with the Futaris then?"

"Kind of. We got interrupted by an evil cult attacking the castle. Oh, she’s calling for a meeting about said cult by the way. She’ll be here soon for it."

Krytaraa squinted her eyes at my words. "I see... This concerns us as well then yes?"

"It concerns the future of this religious order yes." I nodded.

"Right... Good thing all the Emberin’s are here for the Veil’s End festival I guess... Well, I better call everyone. You tow take her to the council chambers, I’ll be there shortly." Krytaraa ordered the two Emberin Ladies who complied immediately.

I was then taken to these council meeting chambers, which was a large dark circular room with a somewhat familiar shape to it.

It had a sort of plateau in the middle of it for people to speak. Then it had rising rows of seats for the members of the Sect and their various ranks.

At the very top there was a large grandiose seat, with two throne like seats below it. I had a feeling that I would be sat at that single one at the top.

’This seems like a very inconvenient set up for meetings...’ I thought, because I’d seen this set up before, in the Illuminati meeting room.

’If I remember correctly, they had to crank their neck up and around just to look at those higher than them.’

Zakrataa and Zatryaa then went to the level where five different seats where and got into what I believe to be their respective seats.

"Am I supposed to get into that one all the way at the top back there?" I asked, pointing to the tallest seat, which was also inconveniently the furthest away.

The two of them turned to see where I was pointing before turning back as Zatyraa answered, "I believe so. I’ve never actually understood who that seat was for or why it was even made at all until now."

"Well... It’s just awkward being all the way up there. Those at the very front row would have to look in a very awkward way just to see me. Not to mention the room itself is just awkwardly designed in general. Like, why is it circular?"

The two of them looked at each other with some discomfort. And this time Zakrataa was the one to answer, "It’s always been designed like this since it was built as far as we’re aware."

I simply sighed and made my way up the ramp to what I assumed to be my seat, just above the two thrones, which I assumed were for Krytaraa and Trayzara. Then just below them, the two Emberin’s were currently sat, waiting for the others to arrive.

We then had to wait for like half an hour for the rest of the Sect’s members to arrive, and I could tell the some of them were pretty miffed about my presence and where I was seated but didn’t say anything.

All that was left now was to wait for the Futaris to arrive with her entourage and we could proceed with this meeting.

And fortunately, we didn’t have to wait too long for them to arrive, just another fifteen or so minutes of waiting and once they were in their places, we finally began.

And Trayzara was the one to start us off, "Thank you all for gathering here on such short notice. There was an attack on the Royal Palace earlier today."

There were a few shocked gasps end exclamations from quite a few of the people gathered.

"Please, be at ease. The perpetrators have already been dealt with." There were sighs of relief from most upon hearing that, but some were a little discontent with the lack of explanation as to how it was dealt with.

"With this incident, new information about this unruly brigand cult has come to light." She turned to look at me and bowed lightly, earning a few gasps. "Traytora, if you please." She gestured for me to then reveal said information.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as everyone waited for me to speak.

Opening my eyes, I said this, "This secret organisation is called the Cult of Fate."