Chapter 380 (1/2)

Book 3, Chapter 117 – Throwing Down the Sword

“Finally, I have an announceh Priest Ramiel went on before the council was allowed to disperse “Due to recent events, it is clear that our glorious, divine real a darkness the likes of which we have never seen In order to aid us in preventing further tragedy, I a a name for recommendation on behalf of the Tee, but if she accepts this ether with you as our representative to ensure the safety of our people”

Everyone's expressions changed at the announcement

The Temple didn't involve itself in military affairs, and it stayed out of Skycloud's political discussions It was purely an organization uide the people's faith, and provide for their spiritual well-being It was a thousand year tradition, yet it was one that was about to change What signal was he trying to send by appointing a Temple representative?

Was the High Priest trying to express his lack of faith in the council? Or was this the Te this opportunity to expand its influence on the doible pursuits? Or was there some other plan they couldn't fathom?

While the proclareat change to the future of the domain This was naturally of concern to every Skycloud noble and military officer However, Cloudhaas more interested in the sort of person the Temple would appoint to such an important post Was it one of the cardinals? Grand Prior Phain?

High Priest Ra “Enter!”

A pressing aura suddenly filled the cha, majestic Members of the council felt their breath catch in their throat as they stared entranced The holy lights of the chaance and purity

Baldur?!

No – of course not But it was so

Clad in white gossamer robes, she had the sa, raven-black tresses tumbled down past her shoulders When she walked there was a keen presence to her step, like a sword dancing through the air Every inch of her gloith a sort of natural quintessence, for a woman nearly perfect both in form and substance

Cloudhawk's eyes ide Dawn's mouth fell open The whole council stared in absolutely shock

She was a woone unseen for half a decade In fact, they'd alotten that Skycloud had ever produced soht years old she joined the ranks of the demonhunters, and at fourteen she had been accepted into the heights of the order Her achievements shattered all previous records, and before her disappearance it idely believed she would be the first person in history to achieve Master status before her thirtieth year

Selene Cloude

She walked through the hall to the front of the platorh she had never nified salute, she spoke out in a clear voice which rose like a crystal bell a the clouds, cold and crisp “I, Selene Cloude, coh Priest”

“You are worthy of your spectacular bloodline, and are a shi+ning beacon for the future of our demonhunters I can sense it froh all barriers I can feel your indoth, and noble heart”

High Priest Rah the hall

“Selene Cloude, with her virtuous spirit and faithful heart, is a peerless representative of her generation Five years of tribulations in the wastelands has tempered her into the woman that stands before us today, capable and self-sufficient She is the only person suitable to speak as the voice of the Temple”

Cloudhawk couldn't see Arcturus' expression, hard as he tried to peek

After five years Selene had returned, but she did not return to her household Instead, she turned directly to the tenificance, but Cloudhawk had co factions Things were never as simple as they appeared

High Priest Rareat and noble Governor, Selene is a rare gem of the Cloude family I should not have tapped her for this position without first seeking your blessing, but seeing as the governor's mansion already has the boon of those like Frost de Winter, I thought it would be better if she served the Gods in a hts?”

Arcturus gently nodded his head “With the Telorious future is assured This appointood fortune and future As patriarch of the Cloude fahted”

The High Priest smiled, appeased “Then with that settled… brave and steadfast Selene, do you accept the role of a saint? To becoel in service of our s, freedoms, maybe even your life? To defend the majesty of the Gods and the safety of our twenty million faithful?”

Selene remained on one knee before them “I do”

The old ood With that, you are anointed as an Apostle of the Gods From this day forward, it is our hope that you valiantly defend the realm on the front lines”

Selene said nothing further

The High Priest's announceuard

Never before had the Temple inserted itself in civil or martial affairs, yet with the state of the realer no one objected After all, their representative was Selene Cloude She was no ordinary person Who but she was suitable for the job?

At last, the council was disbanded and theadjourned

Cloudhawk filed out of the hall with everyone else, but stopped at the exit turn back for a final look Standing alone in the chaure He was very curious what she was thinking right nohy she had decided to make this choice

Once they were finally outside of the teain

Dawn petulantly stamped her feet “That bitch shows up and ih Priest's ankles! Don't think for a h! It just infuriates me to watch her play it so cool One day I'll punch all the teeth out of that pretty mouth!”

Once again, Cloudhaas confronted with the suspicion that so on between Dawn and Selene

They were both beautiful, both talented Dawn had a drive to exceed over others and Selene was competitive down to her very bones A fiery volcano and an icy uessed it was only natural two people so different wouldn't care for one another