Estival adj. of or relating to the summer
They weren't supposed to look directly at her during this ceremony. The reason was half theological and half practical. It was the most direct contact with their deity the rest of the Solari would ever get, and should be treated with the appropriate reverence.
Granted, it was not a privilege the Solari had been allowed before the solar avatar's arrival. Luckily Irene had half remembered some passage on such a ceremony. And after a week-long scramble by the library staff - and anyone else available - they were able find out the particulars before the solstice.
They had managed to recreate most of the setup. The sprawling amphitheater's seats were spotless, the end of each aisle punctuated with vases overflowing with every summer flowering plant they could find. The chosen knelt on a raised dais in the auditorium's focal point, both draped in ceremonial red and gold. None of the Solari had known what to make of the line "And crown with a taenia of pure sunlight." So they had approximated with an intricately woven flower crown of sunflowers and buttercups and other mountain flowers.
The other reason for not looking at the dais was that as the sun's power filled the Chosen, she began to glow with its rays. Even the smallest child in the Solari knew not to stare at the sun.
Perhaps the title of heretic was getting to her. Diana didn't take her eyes off Leona through the Grand Helios' lengthy pronouncements or the elders' various ceremonial monologues. When the Chosen knelt and the rest of the Solari with her, Diana did too, but instead of bowing her head piously to humble herself, her eyes staring straight ahead on the Chosen's distant form. Even as she began to shine with golden light.
The sunlight seemed to intensify, the heat on her skin reaching almost unbearable levels. Diana did close her eyes now, because she had to, though the thin skin of her eyelids were no match for the blinding light. She clasped her eyes harder and gritted her teeth against the searing pain.
The others were no having such difficulty, she was sure. She could picture them all clearly, faces a mix of calm peace and ecstatic exaltation, bathing in their deity's light. Diana, standing out as always, could barely keep from grimacing.
The light dissipated in an instant, leaving only the sun in the sky. Its rays felt wan and weak compared to the intensity of a moment earlier. The faces around her looked disappointed. Diana tried to mask her relief.
After a few thankfully short closing remarks, the Chosen made her way up the amphitheater's stairs, grasping hands and exchanging a few words with those closest. Diana's heart sped, as the one closest the stairs in the top row of the theater
Leona reached her in no time and all the time in the world. Warm hands enveloped hers, and Diana looked up raptly into the Chosen's eyes.
She had to keep herself from recoiling. Leona's warm brown eyes shown with sunlight ringing her irises.
Leona tilted her head at Dian's reaction, in a motion thankfully wholly Leona. "Is everything all right, Diana?
Diana nodded quickly to hide her discomfort. "Yes, Chosen." She felt rather than saw the Chosen's smile recede, but she couldn't bear to look. "The sun always rises."
"The sun always rises." Leona's too warm hands gave hers a gentle squeeze, and she was gone.