Chapter 2: Naming

The baby had figured out a few things in the nine days he had lived so far. The name and faces of his father and mother. The blonde-haired woman with a sharp face, and almost a perpetual scowl, was his mother. Despite the scowl, she was kindhearted and quick to help those in need, even at the risk of her health. Her name, from what words seemed to grasp her attention was Octavia. The large man, almost a full head and shoulder higher than the rest of those in the house, was his father. His face was mostly covered by his beard, it was well kept, however. His father was named Sextus.

The language, from what he could understand, almost seemed Latin, but words meant other things, and vowels were pronounced differantly. Because of his background in history, he was quickly learning to understand the language. They also performed rituals every day, at dawn before eating they would lay a loaf of bread made the day before, at an altar cut into the wall near the main entrance. They often said something, either thanks or simple requests. At night they would put a full chalice of wine, and give thanks again.

The strangest yet, it seemed as though the family ignored him most of the time. They would change him and feed him, but other than that they gave almost no other contact. It was almost as if he was a decoration, not a child. He had tried crying to gain the attention of someone, but they all ignored him until he stopped.

He come to terms with what had happened to him. There is no use fretting over what cannot be controlled. Today was different, however. His father Sextus had picked him up and held him. This was a change of pace. He was carried out of the house to the courtyard, where Octavia had laid out an intricately designed clay bottle of liquid. She took him from Sextus and raised him in front of the altar while saying something. He couldn't understand it. Octavia carried him out of the gate and into the world. He couldn't see much because of how Octavia was holding him, but he could feel the sun on his face and the light breeze. It seemed as though they were quite far from their destination because a wagon had been prepared. It was nothing fancy, sunbleached wood painted black.

There were a few other houses around that looked similar to our family house. Each had a small farm, probably for personal use. He also saw a few local shops, things like clothes, and blacksmiths selling wares from their houses. Although he wasn't paying much attention to the houses other than the occasional glance. What caught his attention the most was the thing pulling the wagon, a large wolf with long fangs sticking out of its mouth. It had to be dangerous right? Such a large meat-eater turned into a pack-horse, it was hilarious. He couldn't contain his fearful laughter. Sextus said something to Octavia and they laughed.

After only what seemed to be an hour, they arrived at a massive wall. At the gate, Sextus hopped out of the wagon and said some things to the guard. They laughed together, then were waved on. The city took his attention away from the massive wolf. Buildings that were 4 stories high, made of concrete and stone. People filled the streets, vendors lined them. The deeper into the city they got the cleaner it became, and the more magnificent the buildings. There was a second wall inside the city. At this gate, Sextus took the baby and presented him to the guard. After a short exchange, the guard yelled something out and pounded his spear into the ground. The gate was opened and they went through it, this time on foot. The inner city was on another level than the first half. Each building was a work of art, made almost entirely out of something akin to marble. Some had massive pillars holding up large balconies. Some were made of marble bricks. Some had intricately worked stained glass. It was an amazing sight.

They came across something different from the amazing shining city, a wooden building. It wasn't out of place, but simply a different color than the rest of the buildings. It was massive and there were intricately carved designs on the pillars holding up a large overhang. Massive painted walls waited beyond the pillars, with a large purple door. A man wearing a red robe walked out of the doors to greet the small family. A quick exchange between the man in the robe and Sextus ended with the robbed man waving them inside. Inside of the doors was a large carved statue of a woman in a flowing red robe. She was standing on a yellow cloud, and under the cloud was a red flaming bird. in one hand she held above her head a baby. In the other lowered hand she held a sword that looked like it was made of jade with a red handle. Her black hair was pulled up in twin buns to rest on top of her hair. Her eyes were bright yellow. The statue was so well made that it looked like she might move at any second.

After some talking between a man in a red robe and Sextus, the baby was brought forward. Sextus and the man exchanged more words and a scribe showed up, the scribe wrote something down, and the baby was given back to Octavia. The robbed man brought an amulet out and hung it around the baby's neck. The man chanted something, and they left. He felt as though the eyes of the statue grew brighter as they left the temple. From that day forward, the baby was treated as part of the family.

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Today was the naming day. Sextus had been preparing for this day. He even rented a wagon with a Saber Wolf for good luck. Sextus needed to bring his child to the temple in the inner city. Because of the importance of this ceremony, it needed to be performed in the temple, and not in his own home. Sextus and Octavia had even prepared an offering beforehand for even more good fortune. He brought his son to the courtyard, where Octavia was performing the prayer. She had laid the wine in the shrine and was ready. Sextus handed the baby to her. She held the baby up to the shrine, "Please help this child, so that he may receive the blessing of Xuannu." After the short ritual, Sextus opened the gate for his wife. The wagon was waiting for them at the gate. After getting on the wagon it lurched forward.

Saber Wolfs, despite appearance, was quite mild-mannered. They only attacked those that attack first. Because of their rarity, their presence, and their appearance, they are used often as status symbols. Some lords offer services such as the one Sextus is currently using. Gold in exchange for temporary usage of the Saber Wolf. Sextus had used his connections as a merchant to get the rental, as it is usually reserved only for the elite. The baby started to laugh while looking at the wolf. "Look the child wishes to ride the wolf," Sextus pointed his wife's eyes to the baby and then the wolf. They chuckled at the thought of the baby on the back of such a fearsome-looking beast.

They approached the main entry gate to the city. Sextus got out and hailed the guard. "Another day another dollar Sextus," Called the guard. "No, today I name the child," Sextus pointed to his wife holding the child. "Oh my, and with a Saber Wolf no less! Congratulations Sextus, I wish prosperity to your family," The guard laughed with glee. The guard waved them goodbye and to continue on.

The path to the inner gate was a difficult one, mainly because of the crowded street. At least that's what Sextus expected. The streets cleared themselves at the sight of the wolf, which made travel much easier than normal. At the inner gate, a ritual must be performed, it was to signify one's entry into the real world from the spirit world. Sextus brought the child with him to the guard at the second gate. "Who goes there!" exclaimed the guard. "A lowly man returning a spirit to its home," responded Sextus. "I see no spirit! Only a man and his child, you may enter. Let me clear the path for you," The guard said. The guard then began to pound the end of his spear into the ground. The gates opened. Sextus brought the child through the gate, and his wife followed behind. The rest of the journey was to be on foot. No weapons, animals, or weapons were allowed inside the inner city. The two main reasons for this were: First, this was the home of some of the most important people to the city, and second, this was the home of many spiritual places.

After some walking, they approached the temple. A tall man in a red robe came out to welcome them. "Greetings! With the child in tow I assume this the day of naming for it," The robed man said. "Yes, we come to name the lad," Sextus replied. The robed man waved them inside and guided them to stand in front of the goddess Xaunnu. "We will wait for the scribe my child, then we will begin. Have you thought of a name?" The man inquired. "Yes, after some deliberation, we have decided on one," Sextus answered. The scribe had arrived. Octavia handed Sextus the boy. The priest began, "I see a man and his child Goddess, what is your business here, to be in front of the Goddess?" Sextus had rehearsed and was ready, "Goddess, I come bearing a home for a lost spirit. I plead with you to grant this husk my wife has created a spirit, so that our blood may continue to fertilize this soil!" The priest waited for a moment, then replied, "The Goddess Xuannu has heard your pleas, but for this husk to be granted a spirit, it must be given a name, speak its name!" Sextus began tearing up, "Its name shall be Sextus Dragomir! Now, please! Grant my wish!" The priest smiled and shouted, "Your wish has been granted! You have been heard! This husk has been given a name, and with Xuannu as witness and provider, a soul. Rejoice man for your wish has been granted!" The baby was handed back to Octavia, and the priest grabbed a necklace from near the statue. He wrapped the necklace around the baby.

As they left the temple Sextus felt a gaze on the back of his neck, when looked back there was no one there. What a strange feeling, he thought.

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