Ainmhí-Square, Leuda.
20th of March 1718.
The morning was beautiful. Even in Leuda's harsher climate, harsher then the Archipelago, for example, one rarely got a morning of a Spring Festival, that was this beautiful. Usually, one still had to fight snow and cold.
This year, a surprising bout of warmth had entered from the south. It wouldn't last, but it would be enjoyed for the time being.
The time being – being the Spring Festival of 1718.
The Merchant Guild of Leuda once again sponsored a trade fair along with it, the Grand Temple of Gavida had the pleasure of hosting the wedding of the Enjoy of Gavida to their God, Miss Amy Bolgán of the Tribe of Cork already being a sight to behold. The Mercenaries, who would offer their services to the highest bidder again and would hold a tournament.
Half an hour after the Spring Sacrifice, the Trade Fair would open at the Counting House by the harbour – the harbour was full of vessels, many of local origin, but also quite a few from abroad, a sight to behold for curious eyes.
But even the most curios child would not miss this for anything in the world: The Spring Sacrifice.
Once a year, the Selkie, who abhorred sacrificing living things to their Gods, offered them a horse of good stock, an unblemished colt or filly, never mounted, neither by man nor by woman, the only time, when they would not offer up their sweat, their tears, their prayers and incense to their Gods.
Every man, woman and child, which could, had come to the Ainmhí-Square to watch the proceedings.
The horse was led through the masses by a young woman, brown haired and beautiful, dressed in a white, silken robe, escorted by two horsemen, officers of the City Guard of Leuda of high esteem, their lances held high as the moved through the crowd, who lowered their heads for Miss Bolgán as she moved towards the altar.
The High Priestess of Gavida already waited with three young Priestesses in Geansai at her sides, the ceremonial dagger in one hand and the herbs in the other. The horse, a fuchsia-brown filly with a white mane and bright, green eyes, was nervous as it was led up to the bowl, which would collect the blood.
The Selkie were silent, no song was sung as the sacrifice for the God of Arts and Crafts was prepared. Once there, the herbs, which were supposed to calm the filly down, were fed to it and indeed, it became calmer...
...as it was led to the bronze bowl. Once there, a low song was begun by the Selkie, a song about Spring and Flowers and Love, a sung prayer for all three, which grew louder and louder... until the ceremonial dagger was plunged into the horse's throat.
One swift move later, the horse was bleeding out into the bowl, calmly and with calm words being whispered into the ear of the filly.
And as it closed its eyes, the High Priestess, an elder woman clad in Geansai in the natural colours of the fur, Gavida's Colours, raised her bloodied dagger and the crowd cheered. The young Priestesses at her side lowered their heads and eased the equine down as it bled out. Two men brought a large canvas, that would play a larger role later, but for now, a long line of young men and women, who would turn fifteen Springs, adult, today, formed, Miss Bolgán in the lead.
She put her hand in the horse blood and pressed it onto the canvas, leaving a mark and thus telling the Gods, that she was an adult now.
Their parents and siblings and caretakers awaited them.
Spring, they knew, would come. A new year had begun and the merchant's would make their deals, with the goods they had brought from far and wide – many a silver coin would change hands today, many wares being dealt with, from tools to mercenaries.
Today, they would celebrate exactly that – Spring, new year, life and merchantry.
