Chapter 472 - Naming Ceremony Ⅱ (1/2)
After what seemed like an exceedingly long swirling green ride, Rowan emerged out of another hearth. Climbing out steadily, she pauses to brush off a touch of soot from her sleeve, before glancing at her surroundings. Her aunt and grandfather were patiently waiting at the side of the foyer and were speaking to their host, Mr. Avery.
Much like his son, Evan Avery, Mr. Avery was a sharp faced wizard with a widow's peak. The older man had a cool but calculating gaze much like that of Stephen Flint. But unlike, Mr. Flint's gaze, Mr. Avery's gaze was much colder, but not entirely unfriendly.
A swoosh from behind her causes Rowan to glance back and see Severus emerge from the fireplace without looking queasy nor without having stumbled. Rowan nods her head in approval, before the two of them stride over to their grandfather and aunt. They come to halt next to them and wait expectantly for the a.d.u.l.ts to begin speaking to them.
While the a.d.u.l.ts make small talk, Rowan and Severus peer about them at the home of the Avery family. The home was decorated in dark, rich colored tones. The statues and paintings were a bit reminiscent of the baroque period, which tastefully contracted with the darker color scheme of the home. It was surprisingly a tasteful home.
Finally, Mr. Avery turns his cool dark gaze towards the Prince grandchildren. He is silent for a moment as he studies the two slender figures. Both were dark haired, pale, and had sharp features including their deep, piercing gazes. And the reason for the exceedingly small naming ceremony as Reginald Prince was not willing to risk his grandchildren with the presence of any other guests.
”Greetings Prince heirs,” Mr. Avery formally said.
”Thank you for your invitation, Mr. Avery, we are honored by thine grace,” Rowan and Severus answered in unison.
Georgine nods her head faintly in approval, before saying, ”Well, Avery, do lead the way?”
”Naturally,” Mr. Avery courteously replied as he graciously offered Georgine his arm to take. Georgine gingerly accepts as he escorts Georgine and leads the way through Avery Hall.
Rowan and Severus follow quietly after taking the time to peek around at the rest of the Avery Hall. Unlike the Black family homes, the Avery Hall had a much more tasteful architecture and décor. It was a rather enjoyable experience to stroll through the Avery home.
Finally, they arrive in a candlelit ballroom lit by hundreds and hundreds of floating candles. Surrounded in a circle is three figures standing next to a small cradle. Rowan and Severus instantly recognize the younger male their same age, but they do not recognize the biscuit haired woman with fair features. No doubt, the mother of Evan Avery and wife of Mr. Avery, Mrs. Avery.
However, they do not recognize the third figure, a dark-haired man with a bit of a tan and strong facial features. He looked quite confident but contrasted with an air of solemnity. But overall, a handsome fellow. And based on physical appearance alone, it was highly unlikely that he was related to the Avery family.
Still Rowan and Severus did not speak knowing that the ceremony had already begun as they followed Mr. Avery into the candlelit circle. Reginald steps to the side as Rowan and Severus come to stand at his side, while Mr. Avery leads Georgine to come to stand next to the cradle in the circle.
Mr. Avery releases the hand of Georgine, who is now standing next to the cradle with Evan's Avery at the back of the cradle, and the unknown man standing on the other side of the cradle. Mr. Avery and Mrs. Avery step back to stand in the middle of the circle with clasped hands.
Rowan recalls that the ceremony will begin at sundown symbolizing the fact that the child was born during the night. Still, her eyes keep wandering to the tanned man before her. There was something awfully familiar about him as though she had seen him before, but where?
Before Rowan can recall, the Avery couple begin to chant, ”Beneath the gaze of the great moon, a child was born, but a mother was lost. Still a name was given at that time of great sacrifice that of Barnabas Avery. A wife lost, a husband widowed, but a motherless child must be protected.”
The Avery couple each take a silver knife from their pockets and approach the slumbering infant. The silver blade's in their hands glitter brightly in their hands as they stab the blade into the tip of their finger. A great, big red drop swells from the tip and falls onto the cradle that holds the sleeping infant.
”We the elders that have come before like the great pines that have sprouted seeds and seen them grow,” the Avery couple said. ”We the grandparents of this new offspring seek blessing of grow and life. The child must be protected by a worthy sword and shield.”