"The Artefacts were removed from the furnace and taken to the first resting place. They had always been made in this way.
After three days they were glazed and moved to the second resting place. Once the glaze had hardened the process of decoration could begin.
The Nurse would cradle each Artefact in cupped hands, maintaining a still, kneeling position. The Decorator bent silently over the pieces, carefully applying the different colours and patterns with a fine hair brush. Once the Decorator's task was complete the paint was left to cure.
This sometimes took several days and during that time the Nurse remained in the kneeling position, barely breathing, in a trance-like state.
The Artefacts were delivered to the Reader by ceremonial carrier and their life of service began. Each Reader had their own way of receiving and preparing the Artefacts, but the way in which they were used was always the same - At times, during the reading, the Artefact would be lifted to the lips, which did not make contact, but appeared to whisper or sing silently into the cavity, almost as though words or wishes were being blown in, and stored there. Later in the reading the Artefact would be raised to the mouth again, and this time it appeared that the contents were being extracted.
The Artefacts seemed alive, and visibly aged as would a living thing. Like skin, the surface would darken, dry and crack. With this aging process came a transformation in the colour of the patterns, and also their form. The brighter colours were replaced by darker, richer ones, and gold. The curls and spirals stretched out into longer gatherings of lines.
Eventually, the darkened, gilded Artefacts would crack and crumble, and the pieces would be carefully stored with the relics. In this state they were no longer of service to the Reader.
An order for a New Clutch would be sent to the furnace.
The process would begin again..."
After three days they were glazed and moved to the second resting place. Once the glaze had hardened the process of decoration could begin.
The Nurse would cradle each Artefact in cupped hands, maintaining a still, kneeling position. The Decorator bent silently over the pieces, carefully applying the different colours and patterns with a fine hair brush. Once the Decorator's task was complete the paint was left to cure.
This sometimes took several days and during that time the Nurse remained in the kneeling position, barely breathing, in a trance-like state.
The Artefacts were delivered to the Reader by ceremonial carrier and their life of service began. Each Reader had their own way of receiving and preparing the Artefacts, but the way in which they were used was always the same - At times, during the reading, the Artefact would be lifted to the lips, which did not make contact, but appeared to whisper or sing silently into the cavity, almost as though words or wishes were being blown in, and stored there. Later in the reading the Artefact would be raised to the mouth again, and this time it appeared that the contents were being extracted.
The Artefacts seemed alive, and visibly aged as would a living thing. Like skin, the surface would darken, dry and crack. With this aging process came a transformation in the colour of the patterns, and also their form. The brighter colours were replaced by darker, richer ones, and gold. The curls and spirals stretched out into longer gatherings of lines.
Eventually, the darkened, gilded Artefacts would crack and crumble, and the pieces would be carefully stored with the relics. In this state they were no longer of service to the Reader.
An order for a New Clutch would be sent to the furnace.
The process would begin again..."
