NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77: The Obelisk
(Third Person POV)
[Harrenhal]
In front of the Castle that was being repaired, many smallfolk began to gather around a large structure that had been erected out of nowhere. It was tall, around 30 feet, and 8 feet wide. It was made out of a pure black stone that oozed a strange black oil-like substance and had several runes carved into it.
The runes were outlined with a white substance that glowed slightly as there were small spikes that sprouted all over the thing. At the top of it, there was a large gold disk that had engravings of two dragons and a single man; the dragons had four limbs and two wings while the man had four wings on his back.
At the base of the structure, there were large stones that surrounded it and on the front of it, a large stone bowl that had a single golden spike that sprouted from it. The end of the spike was rather shiny and sharp that anyone that tried to touch it would be immediately cut.
This object was The Obelisk, a relic that was commissioned by Drakken in order to take the next step in his plan. He had all of his followers to gather in Harrenhal, even those from the Tower who were refuged there.
On this day, hundreds, nearly thousands, of Smallfolk had gathered in front of the Obelisk as members of the Duskguard stood guard behind it. Jon Rivers, one of the Duskguard's commanders, was merely watching as the smallfolk stood in unease, scanning the situation.
He noticed that Lady Mya had walked out from the Duskguard group and towards the Obelisk.
"Hm...." He said, "It begins."
Brynden Smallwood, a Knight who was recruited during the conflict, looked at Mya, "Is that so?" He said, "I do wonder how the people will react to this."
"However they react, it will be a moment that changes their lives forever." Jon said, "They will be a part of the Trinity now."
Mya walked in front of the Obelisk and looked at the massive gathering of smallfolk, a slight smile on her face.
Everyone stopped their murmuring and looked over at the Lady of House Drakkengard, seeing the beautiful black hair and alluring black eyes that Mya had. They saw the beautiful black dress she wore, outlined with red, and they saw the gold jewelry that she wore. They could not help but be intrigued by the sight of the beautiful woman.
Mya cleared her throat, "Welcome...." She called out, "It must have been a long journey for those that come from The Tower, where you have been promised protection....but make no mistake.....Harrenhal is Our Lord's territory as well, where you will not be harmed."
The smallfolk looked at each other and began to murmur in agreement.
"Today is a magnificent day, people of the Riverlands...." Mya started, "Today is the day you are taken in by the Trinity....."
Everyone began to murmur even more, a bit confused as to what was happening.
"Some of you worship the Old Gods and others worship the Seven." Mya said, "But today, that will change. Today, you will worship the one true god; The God of War and Death. You will denounce your gods and will swear to the Trinity. You will step forth to the Obelisk and will place your finger on the golden tip which will draw your blood....then, the Mark of The Trinity will be placed on you...."
Ser Brynden looked at Jon, "A bit ritualistic, no?"
"It is Lord Drakken's ways." Jon said, "We cannot question it."
"Agreed..." Brynden said, "But I wonder what purpose will the Mark serve."
"To test their Faith." Jon continued, "It is the same Mark Maegelle bears....if they are still loyal to their old gods, they will feel great discomfort in their hearts and bodies."
"Ah." Brynden said, "That is quite impressive."
"The Trinity will judge your heart....should you be worthy...there are laws that should not be broken when in the grace of the Trinity....." Mya told the smallfolk, "You will not Rape...you will not steal...you will not murder.....and you will not worship other gods."
She gestured to the Obelisk, telling them to step forth.
As the first person walked up, the members of the Duskguard stepped forth in precaution. They were not sure if something unpredictable could happen.
"When truly integrated into the Trinity, you will be connected to the aspects of the Trinity." Mya continued as the first man placed his finger on the golden tip, "Sol'Tyr, The War Dragon, will grant his favor on his soldiers and will protect the innocent from any unjust warring. Thanatos, The Death Dragon, will prevent death from illness and ailments and will reap your life when it is fully expired....you will only pass on from the oldest of ages...which means.....so long as you are truly faithful to the Trinity...you will be protected from War and Death....."
As she said this, many people had already placed their finger on the golden tip, blood flowing from the small wound caused and towards the bowl. There were runes on the bowl which began to glow and the moment it did so, the Obelisk began to give off a strange and low hum as it vibrated slightly.
"The Third Aspect; Lord Drakken...." Mya said, "Will grant you Blessings should he find you worthy of them. Please him and you will be treated well, better than anything you can hope for. The Mark of The Trinity will judge your Faith.....should you still not be fully committed, you will feel great discomfort in your heart and body.....it is not a punishment...it is not meant to force you.....it is merely a way to make sure that you are truly committed to the change. Follow the Trinity, it is the only way you can live a prosperous life. How many wars have ravaged the Riverlands? The last one was caused by our Lord, yes....but he's protected the innocents, he's given a chance to those who surrendered and he has made sure they were spared and brought back to life. Lord Drakken is a powerful God who shows no mercy to his enemies....but to his followers...his worshippers....he only promises them protection and a better life. With time....Harrenhal will be reformed into a safehaven....no longer will it be a remnant of Harren The Black's ruined fortress....it will be the center of an utopian city that will be built on the Trinity....."
"Today is the first day of that long plan."
***********
"What is the true purpose of the Obelisk?" Maegelle asked Drakken as she looked out the window, "Why did you have a thousand smallfolk to draw their blood and offer it to that thing?"
Drakken sat on a chair and had his arms crossed, "Wouldn't you like to know, hm?" He said with a chuckle, "What, you will tell your Mother the next time she comes visit? She told me that Dorne has backed off so my end of the deal must be held."
Maegelle looked at him, "You are making quite the moves, Lord Drakken." He said, "You created a creature that provides an infinite amount of wealth and you've erected a magical structure that will.....I suppose it will draw the power of the innocent..."
"Smart, aren't you?" Drakken said as he smirked slightly, "Worshippers fuel their god's powers....and in my case, this is the best way I can do that. I am not from here, remember? I don't have the Ether connection to everyone that worships me. When reaching Divinity, a Dragon God has access to those who worship them...a metaphysical connection so to speak...it is hard to explain. Anyways, when I reached Divinity, I started my own following and they worshipped me, which had its benefits....I blessed them and their constant worshipping kept some key powers intact...."
"What key powers?" Maegelle said
"I won't say." Drakken said, "But it is basically like making deals....except it is bound by the power of divinity."
"Are you not worried someone will try to steal your gold? Lyssa?" Maegelle asked
Drakken shook his head, "No." He said, "The cave she resides in is in the territory of The Guardian, whom you haven't met yet. Trust me, that one is quite the vicious guard dog. He defeated Vhagar, Caraxes, and Meleys already."
"What?" Maegelle widened her eyes, "That's....."
"Yep." Drakken said, "I really hate Caraxes....he looks so stupid."
She was going to speak when she was cut off by the nasally sound of Caraxes's roar.
Drakken rolled his eyes, "Ah shit." He said with an annoyed tone,
"Speak of the devil....your brother's here."