Whenever a nation visited Lodja for the first time there were traditions to be upheld. One of them was that the first meeting with the Queen was supposed to take place at the Palace of the Goddess on the island that sat in the middle of the bay in Gaia. It was therefore important that someone of sufficent rank was sent to greet Princess Brigida and her travelling companion as she was effectively the ruler of the neighbouring nation. As such the task was given to
Crown Princess Roksana. As the Queen's wife she would find herself having to undertake roles like this more and more often but the fact she'd served as three different monarchs Lady in Waiting most of her adult life meant she was well accustomed to this kind of event. She was accompanied by Alla Kohan, the Priestess of Sessifet who would be required for the rituals that had to take place before anyone could set foot on the Isle of the Goddess. Unlike the Queen who always wore a dark blue floor length dress with gold embroided patterns the Crown Princess was forced on such occasions to wear pale blue and silver, the small silver wire crown more like a tiara was weaved into her light blonde hair. She wasn't that nervous, she'd performed these occcasions countless times and this one at least was on her own ground in many ways.
She waited for the Aostan aircraft to land and disembark its passengers. A crowd had gathered inside the glass walled terminal building behind where the welcoming committee took place. The concept of nobility and the royal family was something that the Lodjains believed was important and stemmed from the goddess Sessifet who was in charge of all things and according to the nations faithful was residing within Queen Klara who awaited them on the Isle it was believed the Goddess first joined with the initial Queen of Lodja so long ago. "Princess Brigida" Roksana greeted the regent of Aosta with a nod of respect and a smile. "I'm pleased that you've arrived safe and well. I trust the journey was a short and hopefully simple one." She looked past the Princess and nodded respectfully once more to the Lt-Col and welcomed him to their nation. "May I introduce Her Holiness High Priestess Alla Kohan. She is the leader of the faith of Sessifet and we shall be requiring her services. I do hope they let you know of the neccessary ritual before visiting the Isle that our family reside on." A pair of
government vehicles were waiting to take them to the causeway which lead to the Isle of the Goddess. They would need to time this part of the journey well or they would reach the causeway as the tide was coming in and that just wouldn't do. Naturally to ensure no hold ups members of the military had ensured that the various cross roads they would need to pass as they cut through the more beautiful parts of Gaia were clear. The Patricians tended to live in the parts of the city built in 1700 and 1800's where beautiful stone worked buildings still dominated, many fronted by elaborate gates showing the owners family alleigance. The odd modern building intersperced the old lending a strange mix. Beyond the caccoon of the older city more high raises and block of concrete flats could be seen but the Princess from Aosta wouldn't be seeing such sights today. They reached the coastal road and immediately the Isle of the Goddess could be seen, the waters of the Alucard lapping at the shores on both sides of the small crossing.
The cars stopped and Guardsman from the Queen's personal Regiment were waiting and presented arms in salute as their Crown Princess and her guest exited the vehicle. "If Your Higness wouldn't mind standing on the line." High Priestess Alla explained. "It is the belief of our faith that only purity may cross the waters and enter the Isle. As such the first time anyone visits here we must ensure their purity. It will only take a moment and a little salt." Alla reached into a small leather pouch that was on the simple rope belt that hugged the black ceremonial robe to her figure. "Please Lt-Col could you join your Princess." she motioned for Piero to stand next to the Princess and then removed some salt from her pouch. She began offering prayers to Sessifet asking the Goddess to protect the guests and witness that they had indeed been purified by her own salt. She sprinked the salt all around them and on them even carefully spinkling some on their head careful not to allow any of the course white crystals to get in their eyes. Once finished the Priestess thanked them both and gave them each a small leather bag, "It contains some of the salt that is still traditionally made on the Isle, it is said to bring good luck. I believe my duty here is done and I wish you a successful visit." She extended a hand to the Princess and the officer before waiting for them to make the short 200meter crossing on foot, the military guards marching either side of them, not out of security concerns but more as a manner of breaking the breeze which was coming in off the Alucard.
It was a short walk across to the Isle where no motor vehicle was permitted except for those engaged in ferrying supplies to and from the Palace. That wasn't for any insane environmental concern but more the fact that the island was so small. It had probably less than 200 people living full time on the lower reaches of the rocky island. The small grey stone cottages giving the impression of some quient community lost in time 200 years ago. While the outsides may give the impression of some kind of small cottage industry or fishermans homes they were infact rather luxurious and belonged to the staff on the island,the cooks, the cleaners, the gardners, tailors and tinkers that made the Isle of the Goddess run on a daily basis. There was one road that wound its way around the island and snaked ever higher until it reached the castle sat at the peak which was the Palace of the Goddess. A small inn sat at the bottom and provided entertainment to the locals and as the party made their way towards their transport up the hill a few off duty customers came out to witness the arrival. "Normally we would offer any visitors the choice of walking up to the Palace or taking our cliffside railway, today however one of the houses on the road has an issue with a water leak and while we avoided getting our feet wet on the causeway we wouldn't on the hill" Roksana was rather glad actually as the hill even on the winding road was rather steep and she wasn't a fan of the walk.
The railway was less than 100 meters long but went nearly vertical up the Isle's rockface and delivered them at the top where Queen Klara and King Leopold was waiting with the traditional Lodjain entourage, four ladies in waiting, eight members of the conclave and various others. While around 200 people lived on the lower part of the isle around a similar number lived in the Palace, some of these foreign ambassadors from countries with nobility, others members of the government, poets, artists, musicians all of whom were at that moment enjoying the favour of Klara. It wasn't however Queen Klara who spoke first rather Anna Immich, one of the ladies in waiting who stepped forward. "Your Highness Princess Brigidia, it is my honour to present Her Divine Majesty Queen Klara II of Lodja, Guardian of Sessifet." Only then did Klara step forward and embrace the Princess warmly.
"Welcome to Lodja, please come and tell me about how you've found your journey so far."
