Chapter 87 Solace

Finally, the carriage came to a stop, and Alier stepped out. He motioned for Ethan to follow and from the entrance of the forest, Ethan could make out the silhouette of the ancestral shrine in the distance.

The convoy had stopped in front of the shrine gate made out of bamboo. The actual building was still a bit further ahead however, the shrine premises had arrived.

The fifty knights unmounted and bowed to Alier as they took formation outside the shrine gate, surrounding the shrine premises.

Seeing this, Ethan's eyes flashed with a curious light as he asked, "Aren't they coming in?"

"No, this is the White Family's Ancestral Shrine, and no one other than our kinsmen is allowed to enter," Alier explained.

Ethan nodded with understanding and looked ahead at the stone-paved path before them.

A shiver of excitement coursed through him as he followed Alier deeper into the woods. As the shrine grew closer, Ethan noticed the trees seemed to part for them, as if in reverence for the sacred place.

They continued in silence, the only sound being their footsteps on the forest floor. The further they traveled, the more Ethan felt the weight of the night and the power of the shrine. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the ancient building, and Ethan could feel the atmosphere change around him.

As the two made their way closer to the ancestral shrine, Ethan could feel a strange energy emanating from the building. He was filled with a sense of awe and reverence, and he wondered what secrets the shrine might hold. The full moon illuminated their way, casting a soft light on the stone walls of the shrine, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Ethan thought of the generations who had come before him, and the sacred ways they had practiced and observed. He felt a connection to them and a deep respect for the history and tradition that was embodied in this place.

Alier paused in front of the entrance and gestured to Ethan to follow him inside. Inside the shrine, Ethan's breath caught. The space was filled with the scent of incense and a sense of belonging that resonated with his bloodline.

The shrine was completely made of blackstones. Shrouded in nature's embrace, signs of vegetation could be seen on the walls. However, the vegetation didn't give off the feeling of an unruly mess but the air of solidarity, ambiguity, and the elegance of nature.

Torches lined the walls, their flames dancing in the darkness. Both Alier and Ethan arrived at the Hall of Ancestry which was an open place standing on multiple large stone pillars.

Countless memorials were spread out on the bare ground throughout the hall in a tidy manner in groups of square formations. On these memorials, the names and images of people were carved along with a long bundle of text.

"Ethan, this is the Hall of Heritage. To have one's name etched in here on a mural after one's death is the greatest of honors one can have in their life as the blood of the White Family." Alier said with a serious tone, his hands respectfully clasped in his front.

Ethan moved ahead to the stone memorials as he respectfully looked at the names and read information about his ancestors.

First of all, there was the first patriarch who founded the Noble White Household. There were countless achievements and legends etched in his memorial starting from assisting the First King in the foundation of The Atrana Kingdom.

Even Ethan could not deny that the first patriarch was a legend. He was almost like a God and his achievements were akin to the tale of a legendary hero.

One by one, Ethan went through all the memorials in the hall carefully reading the brief history and the recollection of the greatest achievements of every Kinsmen of the White Household.

Alier simply watched silently from the sidelines and did not intrude. He too had once roamed these halls as a child and knew the feeling of amazement and pride that he had felt.

It was the pride of hailing from a prominent and ancient bloodline. A pride that came from knowing that his ancestors were no less than any heroes and legends.

Alier began having conflicting thoughts as he looked around the sacred hall. He felt the burden of guilt ever so increasing on his shoulders.

Subconsciously, he tightly clasped the pocket watch in his pocket as the hazy image of his wife's final moments appeared in his mind. Alier gritted his teeth in inexplicable sorrow and torment.

After Ethan was done reviewing all the memorials, his gaze now held a new glimmer of vitality, after reading all the information, he couldn't help but feel invigorated.

Ethan respectfully bowed deeply facing the many memorials. When he raised his head facing forward, he sighted a large stone slab on the wall above the entrance of the next hall. The stone slab was like an articulate frame engraved with artistic designs on all its edges along with words in beautiful calligraphy etched in the middle.

Ethan squinted trying to read the words. He saw that it was a poem. Unknowingly, he read the poem out loud.

—————–—————————————

Oh, ancestors, wise and strong,

Your blood flows through our veins all day long.

From ages past, your legacy endures,

Your spirit and teachings, a priceless allure.

With every step we take, you guide our way,

Through trials and triumphs, night and day.

Your wisdom, a beacon, shines so bright,

Illuminating our path, making everything right.

Your legacy, a gift, beyond compare,

A treasure we cherish, a wealth beyond share.

Your memories live on, in each passing breeze,

A gentle reminder, of your love and peace.

Oh ancestors, in reverence we sing,

Your praises forever, until the end of time.

May we honor your memory, in all that we do,

And keep your legacy alive, forever true.

—————–—————————————

Hearing this, Alier nodded with satisfaction and also bowed deeply. The both of them looked at each other and smiled amicably.

Alier gestured for Ethan to follow as he walked ahead. The both of them then entered further inside the Ancestral Shrine together as a swirling breeze blew from behind echoing the whistling sound.

A wave of fragrant, soothing incense tingled Ethan's nose as he stepped inside. The atmosphere and the air were rather different from before, it gave off a mildly intimidating and yet sublime aura. As if even the slightest of insolence was the greatest blasphemy. On the other hand, it also made Ethan feel as if he was being watched

​ A golden-ish dim glimmer reflected in Ethan's pupils as he saw the hundreds of gleaming candles flicker about in front of him around the altar. Torches were lit on the walls every ten inches from each other thus providing a sort of familial warmth and peace of mind.

Apart from the candles, the empty hall, the stone walls, the flickering torches, and the modest-looking yet sacred Altar on which the moonlight shone luminously, there was nothing else in sight.

Regardless, even though the hall looked empty and eerie, it also felt fulfilled and solemnly soothing to the soul at the same time. It was certainly something that Ethan had never felt before.

Alier earnestly and sternly instructed Ethan on the correct way to pay respects and ask for blessings from the departed ancestors and both of them respectfully stepped forward moving closer to the altar.

Alier's gaze was steady and intense as he reverently placed an offering on the altar. He turned to Ethan then and gestured for him to do the same. Ethan stepped forward and bowed his head as he placed his offering on the altar. He muttered the Mantra of Peace under his breath wishing peace to the departed ancestors and then inwardly wished for some peace for himself in his life.

Even though Ethan knew that his wish was impossible to realize until all the troubles were taken care of, he still wished for such anyways.

Ethan sneaked a glance at Alier and thought that the stepping stone for the completion of his wish might just be paved that very night. Thinking this, he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

This new experience of visiting the Ancestral Shrine was rather enlightening for Ethan as for the first time he felt a true connection and a sense of pride with his family and bloodline. Ethan Riddles was slowly becoming Ethan White in a truer sense.

After adequately performing the Ancestral Vows and the steps of Ceremonial Worship, Ethan felt a sense of peace wash over him as he stood there, and for the first time that night, he truly felt at home.

Ethan wished for this serenity and calm to last forever, but alas, his wish was doomed to be short-lived. Ethan still harbored a tint of silly hope but who knew if the tranquility was but the prelude to a storm?

As everything was done, it was time to leave and head back. At this moment, Ethan couldn't help but inwardly recite the lines that had formed in his mind.

"The lake is still and its surface shimmers with light,

The sky is peaceful, as blue as washed eyes.

But the wind is about to come, bringing threats with it;

I'm reluctant in my heart, for this moment of peace will soon pass."