Happy Birthday

He knelt at the foot of her dais. Most on the isle considered it tacky to have a throne, Cathak Exultant Radiant Hearth believed that it was her right as a prince of the earth. The rest of the house and those gathered spoke in hushed tones. The young man was strange. bronzed skin that almost gleamed when the sun struck him correctly. Red Silks held in place by white leathers, which themselves were wrapped in more red silks. Gold accents highlighting the garb. On the biceps of both sleeves, the house mon, in gold, the same on his back. A golden sash tied around his waist, bearing a set of braided leather belts. Well worn riding boots, neatly polished and well maintained with red pants embroidered with golden glouds on his legs. His face's features are sharp, and angular, like a hawk. The his face is clean shaven, as are the sides of his head. His hair is pulled into a neat bun, tied in place by a silk ribbon holding a golden house mon seal upon it. One object catches the eyes of the entire court. Not his piercing green eyes. Not the small scar across his lip, nor it's twin in his left eyebrow. Their eyes settle on the golden earring that hangs from the right lobe.  An eight pointed sun, the sigil of the highest god in the heavens.


His mother is a sight to be hold. Wrapped in similar red and gold silks, although their patterns centered around flames and flowers. Her orange hair flickers with sparks, and her red eyes glint with amusement. She looks as though the world is being handed to her on a silver platter. The banners of House Cathak flutter in the wind, sunlight and gentle breezes flowing through the open windows. Those of the house are silent as she clears her throat once, and then speaks.

"Today, is a momentus occasion. The Highest God in Heaven, the Unconquered Sun has spoken, and the Anathema are no more. The Solar Exalted, his chosen, have returned, as he has from his long repose. You all witnessed his unrivaled incandescence, from atop the imperial mountain. More magnificent than any sunrise." She begins, her voice filling the room. His head remains bowed. The guests note the neutrality on his face and search for weakness.

She continues, "You witnessed the glory of the pillars of light that dotted the sky that day. Proof that his chosen walk amongst us."

"It reminds me of a day, two years ago." Radiant Hearth says, smiling fondly. "When my son dishonored me in front of my war council with his ill manners. I challenged him to a duel so that he may be educated on his failings. He chose the bow, and drew an arrow upon me, his mother."

"A mortal boy, opposing his superior in every way, and he did so without a trace of fear upon his face!" Radiant Hearth exclaims, laughing raucously, prompting nervous laughter from the crowd as she smiles. His face remains unchanged, although his head lowers. "And then, as his arrow splits mine and attempts to drive itself into my heart, a beam of golden light fills the sky."

She goes quiet. "What did the boy do that day? Did he beg my forgiveness, did he weep in regret, did he celebrate his newfound demonhood? No."

"He knelt on the ground and set his bow at his side, and said, 'Let me die with honor, mother.'" Radiant Hearth says with barely restrained enthusiasm. "But it was not his fate to die. Hesiesh teaches passion, but restraint. A demon who knows his place has many uses."

The crowd murmurs amongst themselves for a moment. She speaks again when she deems that the time has come. "I had him trained by the finest instructors the threshold the threshold territories had to offer. Archery, horsemanship, sorcery, social graces, strategy. For the power of the anathema is great and terrible, and would make a fine weapon for this house. And now, as the Sun returns, my son's true nature is revealed to all of Myion prefecture. I humbly present, Cathak Hyoh, our house's greatest weapon in the coming times of change."

Cathak Hyoh closes his eyes, and ignites his caste mark, touching it to the floor, prostletizing before Radiant Hearth. She glances to a collection of servants, who stride forth and present the boy with a strange bow of gold, as well as a quiver with eight arrows, an occasional glint of purple shining in the steel. "Rise my son, We arm you with Summer Thunder, and a quiver of arrows to arm her with. Show the world that the sun shines upon House Cathak."

The Dawn stands and takes the bow, saluting his mother. The observers clap in nervous awe. Radiant Hearth chuckles to herself, before raising a glass brought to her. "Happy Birthday, Hyoh. May there be many more to come."