Romneka G.

Chapter 1

She still wasn’t sure why the hell she was still following this trail. She laughed knowing that wasn’t 100% truth.  Truth is…..ever since she saw it thru the trees she hasn’t been able to think of much else.  She’d tried everything she could think of and nothing worked.  

 The curiosity was slowly driving her crazy. 

She had to know what it was beckoning her. It had been at least three weeks since she’d gone on a day hike; and while the thought exhilarated her more than she expected, as she was still prepared with several snack packs, a couple of safety kits, her weapons and water. That night she dreamed in shades of greens, browns and yellows that smelled of earth, life and sky. She feasted on sounds of salty sweetness hinted with indefinable spice and savor. She floated in this orchestra of the senses until it came to the sullen conclusion of a single white light beckoning her to come.  

She had never had so much clarity of purpose in her life.  As if suddenly aware, she ran to her closet and grabbed her all weather cloak, shield gloves and her phony SIC card.  There was no way she was risking arrest or public spectacle again; but she had to go.  

She set her alarm to away mode and set off.  She inhaled the light sweet crisp air. It smelled of warm apples and felt cool and sharp on her skin.  She smiled a big smile taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of her home.  Edvaley was a beautiful bountiful island in the West Yara sea. The island has been inhabited and governed by 1 of the 2 great families for hundreds of years. When the mainlander’s war finally ended after years of brutality, a temporary authoritarian leader was chosen by the sitting judges.  The Kotta Family’s, last living heir, chosen  to usher in peace was married off to the daughter of the Vichsers.  

Her great grandfather, many times before her,  had been given Edvaley Island by Marvin Kotta, the founding patriarch, as payment for passage to the new world.  Kotta and Edvaley sailed over to the new world to start their new lives on the same ship.  Edvaley saved Kotta’s life in a fight, in which Kotta promised to repay upon arrival.  

When they arrived to the new world, Kotta generously gave Edvaley Emerald Island; a property his family had been trying to get rid of for years.  Kotta assumed it had no value and signed the deed over without care. 

With no other options, Edvaley moved to the island, built a homestead with houses for his 2 sisters and 3 brothers before sending for them.  While Edvaley spent his first few years cultivating his new land, Kotta had been busy making a name for himself as a savvy businessman.  The land he owned was leased to several other businesses that he revitalized before increasing rates and building what would become Primary City on the mainland.  

In those years, the two remained friends and were often seen about town together, until Edvaley and Kotta’s families arrived.  It was the arrival of the Kotta’s family only daughter and the Edvaley’s boys that signaled the end of peace.  

On the island, the Edvaley family had been living and working the land for about a year before one of the brothers discovered the mountains were rich in highly sought after mineral deposits.  The brothers made a fortune that surpassed the Kotta’s to no one’s knowledge.   After a while, the Edvaley siblings went their separate ways leaving the founder and a sister behind to care for the aging parents.  Not even the gift of land could keep the siblings from leaving.  A parcel of her choosing was gifted to his sister before building a tastefully beautiful home at the highest point on the highland for all to see, always.  A few years later, he met Karina Vichsers, the woman that would be her great grandmother, many times before her, at a festival on the mainland.  Their love affair was instant, strong, and eventually controversial.  Karina Vichsers, part of the Kotta’s family, was the eldest daughter to the youngest Kotta son; disgraced and disowned by his family after marrying for love.  

Edvaley knew nothing of bad blood between the brothers, and married Karina much to the disapproval of his best friend and benefactor.  But he loved Karina so much, that on their wedding night, he gifted her half of the mine and a cash dowry that she used to  move her mother, father and 2 brothers to their new island; where they created a homestead of their own.   Edvaley refused to take sides between the Kotta brothers in their silly brotherly feud.  His refusal to see his dear friend’s side pulled one of the Edvaley brothers onto his side causing a rift in the Edvaley family.  Eventually the rift was repaired, sending Kotta into a state of rage that began to impact the town.  Eventually members of the town felt the need to pick sides and war broke out.  You were either with Kotta and the accepted society or you were not and only deserved to be under heel.  

After years of blood shed, the war ended with a peace treaty between the leaders of the factions.  The under world will be it’s own sovereign state governed by  Caron Edvaley and his wife, Torah Downs magnate family.  The above world will continue to be it’s own sovereign state governed by Marvin Kotta,  head of the Kotta Family; and Emerald Island will remain a neurtral sovereign state governed by the Edvaley Family.  

Sayiti knew she would need this council upon her return.  Maybe they could make sense of the past 12 hrs of her day.  Explain the things she had heard and seen.  She didn’t need to think of such things now.  The light ride to the island port of her home was over an hour away and she was exhausted. 

She let her mind come to a peaceful stillness as she enjoyed the dried fruit and seeds she had packed away.  She let her eyes lose focused of everything around her. She tuned her ears to hear the rhythmic sound of her breathing. The world around her melted away into swirls of colors and sounds that puzzled her.  She couldn’t quite make out the shapes or figures that the jagged swirls were trying to make.  The colors tasted rotten and stale and she felt tension and fear creep over her knuckles. The air grew thicker and heavier with every inhale, constricting her breathing.  She was beginning to suffocate. 

She jerked awake shivering and confused.  She blinked a few times, searching for a sign that would tell her where she was.  Instinctively she clutched for her chest grabbing the charm clasped to her necklace.  Her watch told her she had been asleep for 58 mins.  The station tracker told her she hadn’t missed her stop, in fact it was next.  She exhaled a sigh of relief as she began gathering her things. The thought sat quietly in the back of her mind…”what was that?”

She buckled in tightly for the 20 minute water tube ride to her home island.  She did not recognize the raven haired beauty in the corner and she knew every face that belonged on ‘Her’ island.  

“You presume a lot priestess” the woman said, face still covered with raven curls.  She answered her question before she uttered it.  ” comfort has made you slow Cousin” as the raven hair shed falling lightly, disappearing before it hits the ground and her cousin appeared changed right before her eyes.  It always fascinated her watching skin and bone bend to his command with nothing more than sheer will of purpose.  He was marvelous, truly one of the Great Mother Goddess’ greatest creations in her opinion.  

He laughed at her awe and praise.  Sayiti was always so kind to him he thought. A little insipid, but kind.  At first he thought her fascination with him odd.  He hated feeling like her personal science experiment; always poking and prodding with her dares and questions. However, She always defended him.  No matter if it was with visitors, family members, authority, didn’t matter.  She always bailed him out of prison without judgement and gave him safe shelter and a warm home whenever he needed.  She knew how hard he had it growing up being different and she never judged or joined in.  Sayiti may have seen his gift as a great blessing; He never did.  No; in fact, it was the exact opposite and curse his tender hearted cousin for wanting others to see the kind, chivalrous,  telekentic shape shifter you’d ever meet.  If you can forgive is utter disgust and disdain for all things they consider normal, like those weak ones on the mainland.    

He despised the people of the island for making his life hell and  out of a twisted jealousy.  He hated that they were so unaware of how vast the world was off this beautiful jewel of an island.  He was jealous of the bliss their lives of ignorance afforded them and despised them for how ‘commonly dull’ he found them all to be because of it.  But not Sayiti.  Sayiti and her small tribe have always made him feel like family.  Maybe because they were abnormal like him, with one huge difference.  Sayiti’s tribe was beloved and accepted by both families on the island.  His tribe only had a reputation for impersonating and manipulating… something no on the island celebrated.  

“Dear cousin, you mistake me for a novice, I saw when you boarded. Why didn’t you greet me then!?!?” Her voice filling with excitement as she lunged at her cousin with open arms.  They embraced as if it had been years as opposed to the three days it had actually been.  

“Pasaim, why didn’t you call I would have met you on the main land?? ”  She asked as she jabbed his arm.  He takes the love tap as if he was hurt as he listened to his cousin fire off question after question.  “Cousin,” he said placing his hands firmly on her shoulders to focus her. “I was hoping to surprise you and here you are surprising me.  You, my little field mouse, have left the island??”  He said with curious confusion.  “Its been what, at least a century…i mean Kwa-” he caught himself. He let the awkward silence linger in the air as he tried to analyze his cousins reaction.  

Sayiti kept smiling.  She even chuckled as she remembered her promised one fondly. She took her cousins hands and gave them a comforting squeeze. “Cousin, my grief has passed.” She made sure to make eye contact when she spoke so he could see her sincerity clearly. 

When Pasaim ‘woke’ from his trance he was sitting at the community dinner table with his ‘family’.  He was furious and the emotion radiated from his body.  It took 60 seconds before the others felt the temperature of the room start to increase.  Gila the High Priestess looked fondly at her favorite ‘shua’ and spoke softly ‘Pasaim my dear, do not be upset with her.  Please, have peace child.’ The room slowly returned to its comfortable breezy feel once more.  Gila rose from her seat, speaking with elegant  authority, “Family, Across the ages the Daughters of Eve have remained.  Our shelter, our nourishment, our provider, our safe dwelling, and most important of all, our home…a home that has nurtured the seeds that were planted that bore the fruit that has created our beloved family.  A family that has populated our island, our community…our home; since the beginning of creation itself.”  Her final word emphasized with the simple action of resting her hands on Pasaim’s shoulders.  A seemingly meaningless gesture to someone unlearned in the blessing rituals of the tribe women.  Sayiti knew the dance all too well and was speechless by Gila’s audacious act.  She looked around the table to see if any of the High Mother’s recognized the beginning of the ritual that Gila was starting.  So far no one seemed to notice.  In fact, no one else seemed to be aware of anything happening as far as she could tell.  She quickly averted her eyes to meet with her cousin’s only to realize he was already looking at her.  His eyes full of confusion and fear.  

Gila lifter her hands and continued to walk and talk, taking special care to be aware of her movements.  As she neared Sayiti’s seat, the young priestess rose to meet her.  She began to mimic her movements.  Gila nodded in approval as she continued her coded speech.  “In order for us to remain, we, the The Daughter’s of Eve, the Tribe of the Mother, must remain.”  She returned to her seat at the end of the great dining table, hands raised towards the sky, her eyes locked on Pasiam who had mirrored Gila’s movements perfectly, fixing his gaze on Sayiti who’s gaze was locked onto Gila forming a spiritual triangle base in the room.  Gila was singing a blessing that created a flow of spiritual energy that rose from her skin like blue steam that turned into silkened water as it gathered.  

Sayiti joined in singing as green light began to float from her body, dancing and twinkling in the power pyramid that had formed as her magic joined with Gila’s.   Their magic melted together, changing colors as their singing continued.  Pasaim looked at Gila and back at his cousin.  They were entranced.  He has seen this blessing ritual performed on many of the High Mother’s in the past, never on a male, certainly not one of his ilk.  

He felt a needle prick in his neck.  He flinched as he rubbed the spot where the sensation occurred.  He felt it again, this time in his shoulder.  Then he felt his calf muscle detached from the bone.  His metacarpals were crumbling…he was shifting. He felt his body parts rip from each other and reshape itself but he could not see what, he only felt the agonizing pain of the shift.  He tried to cry out to Sayiti to stop;  To stop this madness and help him, but his throat was by his elbow and his lips were on top of his head, he was helpless.  He tried to fight the shift, but he quickly felt it, that strange feeling he had only felt on the mainland.  That ice cold spot at the base of his spine turned white hot, jus like when he was being forced to shift against his will; and right now it was an inferno.  He couldn’t think of a single reason why the woman he had allowed to mother him would turn on him in such a grotesque fashion.

Gila and Sayiti were still singing, with arms out stretched as if awaiting the other to wonder into them, magic flowing around them, protecting them like a cocoon.  The time was coming and Pasaim knew it all to well.  He was beyond exhausted and incredibly weak but he tried to fight the losing battle until eventually, darkness overcame him, and he knew in that moment, he lost.  

Gila and Sayiti guided the High Mother’s carrying Pasaim’s body into the prepared healing hut.  Sayiti did a poor job of hiding her mistrust.  She had been trying to figure out the High Priestess Mother’s reasons for her actions against her cousin.   She felt sick to her stomach but it was done now and there was no going back.  The High Mother’s laid Pasaim in the bed and began the cleansing rights.  The mother’s worked in concert, scrubbing his skin with rocks and minerals soaked in the moonlight, bathing his skin in the blessed milk waters of the Nothirn falls, praying as they rubbed herbed scented oils on his skin and finally wrapping him in holy sheets of the Father.  Linens only reserved for the High Priest Father,  apparently there was to be one.  

Gila, Sayiti and the High Mothers gathered by the entrance to the hut and began to pray.  Spiritual energy flowed in a beautiful array of rainbow colors into the hut until all the energy was one color and an ominous silence fell.  

Sayiti opened her eyes to be warmed by a beautiful orange-yellowish light radiating from the hut.  She seemed to be only one not entranced in prayer. She felt that familiar beckoning that lead her to the mainland earlier in the week.  How odd that she’d be feeling it at this moment, but she allowed it.  She rose gently, entering the hut cautiously. The healing hut was one of the larger huts in the Priestess village and it was the only hut that had private rooms other than the High Mother’s dwelling.  Sayiti had been a natural born healer, her gifts made evident at the tender age of 10 when she was sent to live with a ‘relative’ on the far side of the island.  She spent her summers with her grandmother, the Healing Priestess herself. Done in secret at the time for fear of some unknown thing.  Sayiti was an exceptional young healer, her gifts manifested years before they were expected, making her the youngest high mother to ever enter the priestess village.  At age of 15 her powers peaked and by the time she was 18 she had surpassed her mentor adding the youngest Healing Priestess to her list of accolades.  Being the youngest priestess to enter the village as a healer was not without its challenges but Sayiti had risen to every challenge with courage and grace, and this would be no different.  She split her energy, allowing a bit to connect to Gila.  She had to be dealt with immediately.  Her actions were not ok and she demanded an explanation.

Inside the hut, Pasaim was no longer lying down, he was sitting, legs crossed in praying lotus position.  He was his normal human shape but he was different somehow.  She didn’t notice the change in his spirit right away and that made her anxious.  She had always been able to sense her cousin intimately without his knowledge, now she felt like she was being blocked from reading him.  That couldn’t be possible, there was no way that the blessing would have made him more powerful than her.  She had to find out what was going on.  The blessing that Gila threw on her cousin was a special one reserved for the bonding families and magics.  It is a painful spell banned as white magic.  She sighed a sigh of regret as she made her self comfortable on one of the pillows on the floor.  She stilled herself amongst the chaos as she entered into praying lotus position. She took a deep breathe in and let it out slowly as she began to focus on a single thought… Pasaim’s heart.  She focused on the steadiness of it’s rhythm and began to quietly forge a spiritual line connecting her spirit to his.  She focused on reading his aura as she prayed the healing chants to restore her cousin’s mind as she poured warm aragreecian oil on his head and placed a cloth upon his head.  

Sayiti intensified her chanting,  colorful swirls of magic radiated from her skin in waves greens, blacks and blues.  Her magic swirled and spun in and around itself, braiding itself around itself and stretching out until it formed a line as fine as spider silk.  The line flowed to Pasaim, wrapping around his neck and ears before flowing up into his nose.  She guided her magic to Pasaim’s changeling core at the base of his spine.  His core was difficult to pin down, flitting about his body like a firefly, but she knew Pasaim.  As her magic manifested, a small door appeared in a peculiar lock that she hadn’t encountered before.  Pasaim had tried to lock her out.  This troubled her but not a great deal. She bypassed the lock to enter a cozy replica of the family library on the inhabited side of the island.  She found Pasaim at his writing table writing furiously.  She called his name gently like a soft song on a gentle breeze and gently covered his hands with her own.  He stopped, locked eyes with his cousin and smiled.  ‘Sayiti!  You came.  You heard me.  They said you’d hear and you did.  You heard me.  This is great.  This is…this…’  he stopped is manic train of thought and hugged his cousin tight.  She could feel the fear and excitement fall off of her cousin the longer they embraced. ‘Pasaim, would you please stop?’  She asked with a tone of authority he never heard before.  He heard a question but understood and followed the command.  ‘Now cousin, tell me.’  Pasaim took a deep breath.  ‘Cousin, I always said you couldn’t trust auntie.  She lied to you, us, our whole lives.  Your father, my uncle is alive.  Has always been.’  He paused to read his cousin’s face.  Sayiti sat, her stoic demeanor slowly turning into a quiet giggle.  She remained quiet, allowing the silence to settle.  Pasaim continued, ‘Going by your silence you are not surprised by this.  How come no one thought to tell me?  Oh, yeah, the ‘unrelated changeling’ he said with saddened disdain.  She hated how indifferent her mother treated him and how hateful her grandmother and the other High mothers treated him.  

Pasaim’s anger was growing.  She could see hues of orange burning like embers in his soul.  She felt for Pasaim.  Her cousin wanted nothing more in his life than to find his family, to be with his tribe.  Finding out that not only was he with his tribe but they had ostracized him his entire life until now only fueled his outrage.  She could see it building, consuming him, turning his magic against him.  She wrapped his hand into hers.  She smiled a warm smile as she siphoned his anger from him.  She couldn’t bear to watch him ruin himself for such trivial things in their past.  That had no bearing on their future and he had yet to learn the whole truth.   She didn’t want this secret to drive him from their home.  Not when he was just blessed as the High Father, fulfilling the prophecy.   

When she had siphoned off enough of his anger to calm him down, she sat again, facing him. “Pasaim, I know all about my father. He was never far from my reach until I matured.  When I matured enough to understand the mistakes Gran and my mother made, I sought my Father out.  I implored him to return to his home, to his people, to his only daughter…to me.  He refused. I begged him to come home…my Father had chosen his underworld family. What I did not learn until later, was that it was to protect you that he stayed.  I have long respected that choice, as you should also.”  She let her eyes wander away from Pasaim’s face as she kept the painful memories at bay.

Pasaim’s eyes where wide with disbelief.  He had not been prepared to hear such truth from his cousin.  He stared at her, eyes filled with so many questions.  Sayiti stilled herself.  “Ask me whatever will soothe your soul dear cousin, I will no hide the truth from you.  We have much to discuss and I fear we won’t have time to do it.”  

They sat and talked for what felt like days  but was merely hours when the connection was broken.  Sayiti was wretched back into her mortal body recoiling from the pain.  She tried to focus her eyes but her head was spinning and her vision was impaired.  She could only make out shapes of things and not very clearly.  She forced herself to ignore her pain, ignore the dizziness, ignore the ringing in her ears and focus her mind on her magic.  As the room came into focus, Sayiti could see her grandmother glaring at her, eyes filled with so much anger and venom.  “What did you do?” she forced thru clenched teeth.  “What did YOU DO?” she repeated, a little louder, with more anger.  Sayiti steadied herself as she rose to her feet ignoring her grandmother, going to Pasaim’s aid as he was beginning to stir as he returned to consciousness.  

Gila waited until both Sayiti and Pasaim were fully present before she spoke.  She held a hand out offering a nearby seat to her mother who stubbornly refused to join them.  She remained in her spot, filling the entryway, blocking anyone from entering or exiting.  Sayiti shook her head in disappointment.  It saddened her that the woman who raised her continued  to doubt her decisions.  Sayiti took a few cleansing breathes as she forced her mind to her meditative space.  She needed to be completely calm before she said what needed to be said. 

Her eyes snapped open filled with fire.  Her grandmother felt and saw the change in her granddaughter’s demeanor.  She shrank into herself as the High Priestess radiated in her full glory and power.  Gran remembered her place and was immediately filled with shame and regret.  She was only doing what she thought best for her people…..for her family.   She let her body slide on to the stool she was originally offered.  How could she have lost her head and gone around her High Priestess??  

‘Gran, Your worries may ease.  You will not receive the punishment you have so effectively earned with your insolence.’ Gila laid her hands on her mother’s shoulders.  She begin to chant a silent prayer as she continued to speak.  ‘However your actions cannot and will not go unpunished.’  Gran’s head snapped back as her eyes and mouth snapped wide open releasing a kaleidoscope of colors in waves.  Gila let her hands dance in the waves as she plucked the darker hues of greens and blues and ushered them back into the High Gran Mother.

When the judgement ritual was done, Gila stepped out into the cool fresh air of the night. She lay the threads of magic into potted soil, whispering a protection spell over it before returning it to the High Gran mother. 

 Several of the mother’s were gathered around, faces filled with concerning.  The High Gran Mother stepped out of the tent taking her place just behind the High Priestess.  Pasaim stepped out as well, standing off to the side, a foot in front of his grandmother.  The mother’s whispers could be heard through out the crowd.  

Gila held up her hand, slowly, gracefully and waited.  

“Mother’s it is with a heavy soul that I inform you of the High Gran’s Treasonous acts.” She paused as shock waved over the others.  “What crimes did she commit” someone yelled.  “The High Gran has committed the act of forcibly imprisoning another life using magic in direct defiance of the High Priestess.  Her actions caused personal injury in addition to causing a ripple that will forever change our way of life in ways that I cannot foresee.” The murmurs from the crowd gave Sayiti a sense of concern.  The other mother’s were not as accepting of the turn of events as she had hoped.   raised her hand again to quiet the small crowd of women and young girls.  

“Our laws state that the punishment for said actions is banishment and magical death.  After much prayer and commune with the ancients, the High Gran’s sentence was carried out and she has been stripped of her magic and the knowledge thereof.  From this day forward she will be known as the High Record Keeper.  May her lessons in life be lessons to us all.” 

Gran stepped forward, faced her granddaughter and kneeled before her.  She bowed her head as Sayiti poured a small vial of oil on her head.  She cupped her grandmother’s face as her eyes filled with tears.  She kissed both cheeks whispering “I’m so sorry Gran” in each ear.  The Once High Teacher rose up and hugged her High Priestess.  She whispered to her granddaughter ‘never feel shame for carrying out your duty’. She turned to the crowd “Mother’s it is with great disappointment and shame that I bessech your forgiveness.  I have failed you in my duties.  High praise to the High Priestess and the Ancients for their wisdom and mercy.  I beg I earn your forgiveness.” She took a moment before allowing herself to fade into the crowd.  

Sayiti raised her hand for the third time.  ‘Mothers, sister’s, daughters.  It is with joy and caution that I present to you for the first time ever in our community, High Brother Pasaim.’ This time the crowds murmer was loud, questioning and angry.  There has never been a man let a lone a man of prominence in the entire Priestesshood.  It had always been understood that there was no place for men, for there to now be a High Brother???  

Several mother’s spoke up in outrage ‘There is no place for man here!!’ ‘The Ancients can not have agreed to this!’ “BLASPHEMY!!!!” The anger was growing.  Sayiti held her hand up for the fourth time.  She waited twice as long as she would have for the noise to quiet to a thick layer of silence.  She could see anger, disappointment, clear confusion in so many of the eyes pleading to her for an explanation.   Sayiti spoke with full authority.  “If you are bothered by the introduction of a man into our folds, you have the High Record Keeper to thank for that.” She paused to let the truth settle.   “If you are questioning the Ancients, they, in their infinite wisdom, have seen fit to bless this addition.  I urge you to find room in your hearts and minds to welcome our new brother to our way of life.” She placed her hands gently on Pasaim’s shoulders.  “Educate him as you would a new Sister.  Train him in the ways of our laws and our land.” Sayiti reached out for Pasaim and he stepped forward, instinctively kneeling before his cousin, bowing his head down.  Sayiti raised her face to the sky, closing her eyes, praying silently to the Ancients.  She annoited Paisaim with oil and kissed both cheeks.  She felt magic rise from the ground thru her feet, felt it coursing through her body as it travelled upwards to her hands and into Pasaim.  The crowd watched as hues of reds and oranges and yellows and whites flowed into the young man.  As the last remnants of magic filled his body, three small marks appeared under his right eye signifying his membership into the Priestesshood.  There was no mistaking it, the Ancients had gifted the young man for all to see.  

Chapter 2:

Only the record keepers knew the truth that was bestowed upon the High Priestess at her Bestowing Ceremony.  Only the record keepers and the High Priestess knew of the great turmoil, massive devestation…of the overwhelming death.  Only they were blessed with the curse of memory.  To rememeber how heavy the air felt; weighed down by blood.  Only a select few we’re gifted with the history of things.  Only a select few we’re strong enough to endure the burdon of knowing how easily history repeats itself.  Only a chosen few knew that their generation may not be strong or bold enough to do what was required and Sayiti wasn’t sure she had what it would take.  But, one thing she knew beyond a blink of doubt was that with Pasaim by her side…she just might have what she needs.  Her grandmother’s punishment wore on her more than she expected, as did Pasaim’s blessing.  It had been decades since she’s performed multiple rituals in a day.  It bothered her, the realization of her complacency.  Pasaim’s blessing was as much an indictment on her than it was a blessing for him.  The Ancients saw fit to send her help.  Her hubris breathed its fire as she thought that she had gotten soft and weak.  That is why The Ancients forced Pasaim on her.  But that notion was quickly quelled.  She knew the truth.  That whatever is coming, whatever they are preparing for, that even at fighting strength, they would still need Pasaim; and the worry weighed on her like a warm wool cloak.  

Sayiti sighed deeply, completely emptying her lungs, forcing her mind and her body to relax as she inhaled the scents of fresh flowers and herbs.  She let her eyes drift upward to the perfectly placed open skylight.  Her aura started to glow, growing brighter and brighter the deeper she relaxed.  She was in a pure meditative state, communing with The Ancients.  

Across the village in Grand Hall of Records, Gran was settling into her new quarters.  There had not been a High Record Keeper in centuries, not since the Exodus 100 years ago.  Gran laughed silently to herself.  The Ancients were jokesters.  She had been praying for less responsibility in the village.  She was aging gracefully, yet she was still aging and she craved a slower pace.  But you cannot allow your gifts to lay to waste when there were generations that depended on your contribution.  She was needed as an outside advisor to her grand-daughter.  She was no longer needed in that role, so to find herself exactly where she wanted to be as a punishment.  Yeah, The Ancients were funny indeed.  There was a knock on her door that pulled her from her thoughts.  She walked out of the bedroom and thru the study, down the short hallway that opened into her office to the door.  “High Keeper??” the young lady knocked again.  Gran opened the door, curious to what this young keeper could possibly want at this late hour.  

“Hi. High Keeper” the girl spoke, oddly sounding out of breathe as she rushed past the High Record Keeper and into her office, dropping her body into one of the chairs facing her desk.  “I apologize for the interruption but I had to see you right away.  Only you can make sense of this….thiss” she was moving her hands around her head.  “Confusion or head ache child?” Gran said interrupting the girl.  In all honesty, she was a lovely young woman, although she seemed frazzled.  Gran sat in the chair next to the young lady, took her hands into her own forcing the young woman to face Gran for the first time since she answered the door.  “Shhhhhhh.  Let us meditate for a moment, calm our minds shall we?” Gran cooed.  She closed her eyes and took deep, deliberate breathes, not concerned with if the young woman was following her instructions.  It didn’t matter, soon, Gran would be able to see everything she needed.  As she let herself flow into a meditative state, she felt a strange familiarity to the young woman.  She forced herself to follow that feeling.  Her hands now gripping the young woman’s tighter as she pressed until she broke thru the woman’s barriers.  Truth flooded the High Record Keeper in an instant. 

She opened her eyes, letting them naturally find their final resting place looking directly at the young woman.  She watched as she made several futile attempts to avoid eye contact.  She finally let herself succumb to the moment and locked eyes with the immortally regal old woman.  “My dear one, what is it you need from me?  Seems you know exactly what is to be done.”  

The young woman, straightened up, alert, disappointed in the High Record Keepers decision to start the conversation this way.  “You crazy old bat, do not talk to me as if we are not bound by blood.  You know why I cannot do this task cursed to me by The Ancients.”  She tried to snatch her hands away from the old woman but  she could not.  “You know if I do this, it means going against the High Priestess…it means treason….it means heresy….it means most certain death!!!”  She let her body go weak as she collapsed into her chair, finally allowing her body to release its tension.  

Gran loosened her grip to now caressing the young woman’s hands.  “Or, it means the salvation of our people.  Why do you assume your cousin would dismiss you so easily?”  She repositioned herself, propping up on her elbows… “because look what she did to you Gran!!  You went from a respected elder to Keeper of Memories!!  It is disgraceful!!”   Gran tried to temper her growing anger but failed in an unexpected fashion.  She slapped the young woman across the face, knocking her out of her chair and onto the ground a couple of feet away.  “You insolent, spoiled, ungrateful, idiotic, child.” she seethed thru her clinching jaws.  Red   You know nothing of respect or grace let alone what is disgraceful or not!!  The next time you think to dishonor your family, your grandmother, your cousin, your providers, YOUR HIGH PRIESTESS… think long and hard about your life here in this heavenly village.”  she paused for dramatic effect as she walked around her desk to her chair and sat down.  “because you could find yourself cast out just as easily as you pass judgement.  You know nothing of my doings or the circumstances there of and if the Ancients gave you a task, I suggest you see to it, lest you STAY one of us lowly memory eaters. Now get out.”  With the flick of a couple of fingers, her office chamber doors opened and the woman half crawled her way out.