Page 15 of The Gods Veiling (The Valorian Veil #1)

He’ll just have to suck it up and get over it until I can permanently escape from my brother’s and Jeremiah’s watchful eyes. It may take me longer than expected to find a way out of Godsden, but those two, I’ll be getting away from as fast as possible.

I tune out the murmurs floating around me and my undivided attention falls forward.

On a platform, much like the one that we all had to stand on this morning, four Chancellors wait with their fingers linked in front of them.

In the center of them are four Volreens and an empty space I assume is for the High Chancellor .

I can’t make out much behind them. There’s a wall of water sprouting up in the air from a fountain that blocks our view. I’m not even sure now what to assume we’ll see.

A hush descends on the murmuring crowd as a single, booming clap echoes through the small space. My head whips back forward and I observe intently as the four Chancellors turn their attention to the stairs at the back of the platform.

Even if I wasn’t expecting it to be the High Chancellor, I’d know this man has status and power. He radiates authority. His white robes are pressed to perfection and his face is etched in seriousness, even though he’s attempting to smile.

“This Veiling’s Chosen, I welcome you to Godsden and into the Godsdawn.

I am High Chancellor Harriseen. You will address me as High Chancellor.

My council and I will oversee your orientation today.

There is much you will learn in the coming time.

Rest assured, we will guide you through the stages of processing. ”

He slams his hands together once again and I’ll admit I jump. The noise, as well as the shifting on the platform, has shock radiating through my entire body.

The four Volreens’ appearances blur to the point they’re unrecognizable. Once the vibrations stop, instead of the multiple pieces, one precious stone stands a little larger than what they were moments ago.

What in the realm? Is it one sacred creation or multiple?

“You are about to undergo a series of three tests. Do not fret. You do not need to be prepared or intimidated by this. Your blood will be judged, and the creations of the gods will measure you just as the Volreen did and will do again soon.

“The three tests will consist of the Designation Revelation, the Attendant Worthiness, and the Pairing. At each stage, I will explain to you what is expected. Do not ask me questions, for I have heard them all before and I will tell you what is relevant for you to know at that given point. You will not learn everything in half a day. Do not interrupt me and do not fall behind. Am I understood?”

“Yes, High Chancellor,” the entire crowd answers and I glance around, gobsmacked.

Is he serious right now?

I have a million questions and the only one he’s answered is what’s immediately about to happen.

“Good. Drop your things. They will be retrieved and returned at the end of the ceremony. Follow me. ”

Right before our eyes, he waves his hand and the platform they were standing on, plus the Volreen, disappear. The five Chancellors are left standing on the ground feet from us and the rush of water drops into the ground.

My jaw follows suit as I gawk ahead of me.

The white and splattering gold of the palace…fortress—hell, I don’t know what to call it—is somehow even brighter than the wall surrounding us.

The stark color makes the six smooth obsidian statues that are chiseled to perfection stand out even more. Each figure seems to play a role holding the structure up, like they’re protecting it.

As we draw closer, quickening our steps to catch up with the Chancellors, who aren’t waiting around for us, my heart races in my chest as we approach the gargantuan statues. They’re at least three times my height.

With a quick bow, the Chancellors keep on moving, not giving me enough time to analyze each one like I’d like. I observe enough to realize some crucial things, though.

First, the engraving in the stone above their heads reads The Gods Sanctum.

Second, those are statues of the Beginning Gods.

Third, and very telling…

One’s face is smoothed over so you can’t identify him.

I know exactly who he is.

What I don’t know is why they’ve left another one completely out.

The Gods Sanctum is exactly what I imagined everything in Godsden would look like.

This first room we enter is a lobby-like area. It’s very orderly and pristine. It reminds me of a display room. We have a very tiny one in the Grand Library back home. It held our most precious items, documents, and history.

The more important items were kept safely in glass cases or on display with someone watching over them. The books, tomes, scrolls, or documents were free for all to look through.

I’m pretty sure the High Chancellor would smite me if I touched a single thing in here.

I’m nervous to even keep walking. I refuse to look down at my feet in case dirt from my beat-up shoes is leaving a trail with each step .

The marble floors shine as though they’ve just been swept, mopped, and polished all for us. The walls are perfectly styled with beautiful paintings of different natural environments.

I’ve never seen any as gorgeous as them. The depictions are either all from Godsden or there’s an incredibly talented and imaginative artist living somewhere among us.

Chiseled full-body statues, as well as just heads, sit on top of pillars that hold them up proudly. Some of the gods I recognize from books. Others I don’t have a clue who they are.

“This will be my last warning for you all to keep up. I am not a god that repeats himself.”

The crack of the High Chancellor’s voice has the entire group of us—who had slowed our steps to gawk—practically racing to get feet from his back.

He’s a no-nonsense kind of god obviously.

Typically, I’d respect that straightforward, to-the-point attitude, but in a situation like this, it’s getting on my nerves. His little speech on us being tested and he’ll tell us only what we need to know doesn’t sit well with me.

There’s a common look etched across the faces of the twenty of us. Some hide it better behind their excitement, others behind their fear. Regardless, I detect the underlying confusion and desire to know what the hell is going on.

The only option we have, the only one given to us, was to follow along like good little desperate wannabe gods and do as we’re told.

Ugh. It drives me insane being bossed around just for the hell of it.

My eyes blink rapidly as the lighting changes from the bright white of that room to the dimly lit narrow hallway we’re entering. The path is big enough for us to walk two at a time.

I shove Garish out of my way so Lambrit stays at my side, and we can walk ahead of the rest of them. Some sort of ungodly groan sounds behind me, but I act as though I didn’t hear a thing.

That same uncomfortable pull against my skin crawls all over me as we turn off the hall and enter another room that’s bigger than my house. The shock startles me, but what almost trips me up is the crowd of people standing in here like they’ve been waiting for our arrival.

I know good and well we aren’t about to be tested in front of people.

“Chosen,” the High Chancellor booms and we all stand up a little straighter.

“In this room, the Volreen will perform your first two tests.

Your first test is the Designation Revelation.

Godsden is built on a societal structure that has been perfected by the gods.

Each area of focus plays an intricate part in our godly region running smoothly.

You will be tested for all six Designations, but one will weigh heavier than the rest. That will be your dominant Designation and where the majority of your focus will be.

The rest will fall secondary, third, and so on.

“The Defenders. The role is self-explanatory, but for your benefit, I will explain. Individuals who test higher in this Designation typically possess a defensive domain. One that will be composed of strength, possibly a strategic mindset, and most certainly the desire to protect the region. That is their job. Protect Godsden.”

Protect it from what?

“The Healers. This role in society is mostly medicinal. That is the most crucial part, but it is not always us gods that need to be healed. You’ll soon find many domains within this designation that you normally would not consider healing.

“The Plentiful. This is our broadest role. The gods within this structure ensure we have resources, substance, and prosperity. This can come in many forms, such as what you experienced on your trip here. The Goddess of Illusion is sacred within this Designation.

“The Guiders. Myself and my other Chancellors fall into this Designation. We are full of wisdom, history, and knowledge. We use our domains to guide and teach you all we can.

“The Rulers. In our society, we have laws and consequences that must be followed to ensure our balance isn’t broken.

Those within this role hold the gods, all of them, and the Valories with the utmost regard.

They make difficult decisions, lead, and do what is necessary for the region. Lastly, the Attendants.”

All our heads follow his outstretched arm as he gestures to the group of individuals in this room with us. Each of them looks like they’d rather be anywhere but here.

“The Attendants, although the lowest in our society, they play an essential part. They aren’t blessed with exorbitant power, but where their strength lies is taking care of those worthy enough for their services. That leads me into your second test. The Attendant Worthiness.