A Gathering

Around the table, an ancient ritual has commenced. Chanting names and words of the Old Gods, the crowds observed the center of attention - a young woman walking through a corridor of rejoiced smiles. The woman walked with dignity and pride, but on the inside inadvertently nervous. "Steady pace and smile on my face," she repeated to herself. Sweaty from the heat of torches fire an even younger man stood at the end of the path. Both of their lives about to end briefly and be replaced with one of together.