Margot slips inside and looks around, the Thraxian lady taking in the temple of the sea god. She smsiles shyly and looks for a spot at the edge of the group.

Ianthe approaches the altar near the waterfall, her usual grin gone as an expression of near reverance replaces it. She stops at one of the wooden benches and sinks down on it, dark eyes tracing the movement of the water with something close to longing hidden in their fathomless depths.

This shrine is gorgeous. There is no other word for it as the waterfall splashes down and trees rise up. Princess Natalia Grayson is talking to one of the chosen of this beautiful calling. There are tiny paper ships up front constructed of a very thin vallum. It is clear that the water will cause it to almost melt when set upon the pools and within the water.

As people start to attend, Natalia picks up the boats to walk over and let them select one that they feel called to honor them. "We will be writing the blessings we hope to receive upon them. Then we will be casting them to sea so that the Goddess may honor them. If you wish to share what you are writing, you may. If you wish for privacy, you may as well."

Ianthe offers Natalia a friendly smile as she approaches and takes one of the fragile ships. She cradles it carefully in her hands and murmurs in response, "Thank you." She runs a finger over a vallum sail and turns the tiny ship in her hands.

A low, melancholy sea shanty precedes Costas as he makes his way up the great stone stair. The tune dies on his lips as he approaches the small gathering, and by moments his countenance grows more serious here, in this holy place of the goddess that has held so much sway over his life.

2 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

The member of the clergy steps forwards with a smile upon his face. His outfit looks as if it was crafted of the waves of the seas. He nods his head and another few clergy come out. They have trays in their hands of the finest wine for each of the people in attendance and vials of blessed water.

"Life springs from Mangata, the goddess of the air we breathe and the water we drink. She gives us the ability to take that air into our lungs and we must remember her and give thanks when we do. We must remember when her invisible hands guide our boats, our sailors and our victories. When the calm of the night is to be an illusion. One prays for the air not to stir too much, but to offer the smoothest of sail, but they forget."

"They forget that beneath the sky, she turns the water. She sustains us as only she is able. She brines the seas with salt and tests the mettle of those that live upon it. We must not forget that the most noble of callings is that to a life at sea. We must remember as we drink from goblets of water that those others fight upon her glorious waves."

"Glorious Mangata, you are our sustence. You are the air. You are the water. You decide who is allowed to take that air and who must breath their last. You hold our ships and those of our lands in the caress of your waves. We ask only that you will see the offerings and blessings we ask of you today. We pray that you will give us the blessings that are in your power to grant."

His head is lowered soon after before he indicates the vallum ships that have been handed out by the Princess Natalia Grayson. One for everyone. "You are inivited to take up the ship. Write te blessing you wish to have granted of air, sky, water and sea. Then place it upon the waves." He indicates where the waterfall roars. "So that the Goddess may bless it. But even as you set the boats in sacrifice, let it remind you of those that pick up the life of the sails."

Ianthe sits on a bench, contemplating the paper ship in her hands. She looks up and in Costas' direction as she hears that sea shanty. A faint smile quirks her lips and a glimmer moves through her dark eyes before she turns to look at preist as he speaks. She listens in quiet reverence, a rare look of peace on her face.

Natalia takes up her own boat and considers it. She offers one to Costas as well. The priest will now step aside to let the people worship as they feel called. The princess moves forwards to give a light touch to Ianthe's shoulder and then to Costas. She will leave them to their thoughts for now. The princess studying the boat perhaps longer than she should. Natalia moves forwards to pick up the quill and write a few things upon the thin parchement. It is then se to the water to 'melt' upon it. Those who don't know how to write, draw images or just offer prayers of blessing.

After the Priest has completed his invocation and Natalia has placed one of the tiny paper ships in his calloused hand, Costas approaches the altar. His oblation is simple but done with reverence- a lowered head and hushed words, some moments of silence, and then he scatters a half-handful of sea salt on the altar stone. This done, he removes to the back of the assembly, taking a seat and considering the ship with keen interest.

Ianthe offers another smile to Natalia when she feels the touch on her shoulder. She rises shortly after the Princess and takes a quill, writing simple on the parchment, 'May I always be a safe harbor for the storm.' She stares at her writing for a moment. And then adds something else to it in tiny, almost impossible to read lettering. She also lays a handful of seashells on the altar before taking a seat once again to look over her ship in silence.

Ianthe drops a handful of opalescent pink seashells.

Natalia smiles towards those that attend, but she will wait for them to take their own ship and allow it to be overwhelmed by the waves before she speaks. Although, she does move to lift up a glass of wine.

Costas takes very little time in composing his own appeal, having come with the matter on his mind. In careful script he records:

- Bless the venture upon which we embark, that which was spoken of on your shore. May the ship be able, the wind strong, and the fog deep. -

Placing the small paper effigy on the waters he steps back and offers another appeal under his breath, then moves to the pews, this time taking a seat nearby Ianthe.

Ianthe takes a moment, eyes closed as her lips move in silent prayer. She takes a deep breath and then opens her eyes. Ianthe rises from the bench and sets her paper ship on the water. Her dark eyes watch it start to melt into pieces before she returns to her seat on the benches, offering Costas a nod.

Natalia sweeps over because it's what Natalias do. Tiggers bounce, Natalias glide and sweep. "Miss Artusio, it is good that you could come." She will grab a glass of wine to hand it to the Velenosian. "Have you met Master Voducce?" There is a smile as she looks around the temple. "I do think this may be one of the more beautiful temples."

Costas turns his eyes to Natalia and Ianthe upon hearing the question but does speak. Instead he considers the grounds of the shrine himself, admiring the natural space and the clean smell of air and water.

Ianthe accepts the wine with a smile. "I owe Mangata my life. I will take any excuse to revere her. And yes, I've met Master Voducce. Thank you." She offers Costas a smile before returning her gaze to the melting paper ships. "I hope your blessings come true, your highness." She reaches out to gently touch Natalia's forearm and gazes into the princess' eyes, an expression of knowing sympathy within her own.