- The Builder
The first thing Myrina did when she was given the title of creator was to send Titus out to find a builder. Myrina hated the huts. They were too small and keeping the men all lumped together made Myrina uneasy. Katsumi had found out what had happened to the tribe before Myrina was born. Katsumi had found a small doll hidden under a rock. The doll had whispered the story to Katsumi.
The doll had told of the soul that it was bound to. How the doll had been used to call a cursed being to the tribe. The cursed one had used the doll and the knowledge the doll possessed to take down the tribe. The result of the the attack had cost lives. The betrayer and the cursed one had escaped.
Katsumi had told Myrina the story. Myrina was skeptical at first and went to ask her mother. Watching the color drain from Mahina’s face and the quick response of “never speak of that again” was enough to convince Myrina that something horrible had happened.
Fifteen suns had past before Titus had returned with two men following him.
“Sister” he greeted a smile overtaking the exhausted look on his face.
“Titus!” Myrina cried embracing her twin. When she pulled back Titus introduced the men.
“This is Paser. He is a highly recommended builder” he stated gesturing to the man in the leopard skin kilt. “And his assistant Geo” The red head was looking around the small village.
“Thank you brother. I will let you get settled. Take the other one with you” Titus nodded and left Myrina alone.
“You are a builder” she questioned wary of the dark haired man. He had yet to meet her gaze and was busy inspecting the buildings behind her.
“Yes lady” came his reply. “I am the best from the village. Trained to build from a young age by my mother. A creator from a far off village in the desert”
“I do not care for your back story slave” she paused thinking on her words. “I need to know you will do exactly what you were bought to do” She stepped closer to him, finally drawing his gaze to her. He looked nervous now but unable to step away.
“I trust my brother. If you have lied to him about your skill. You will find yourself before the goddesses very quickly” she snapped. That made him frown.
“Lady I assure you that I am the best. Give me what you want built and it will be done. I have built everything from temples to sprawling cities. I can do any assignment you need of me.” he did not seem so timid now.
“Good, you will get started right away” he nodded at her words.
“I want a palace. Everything is far too spread out. I want everything put together. Men will get their own rooms. As far away form the women as possible but still within the palace walls.” she paused as he pulled out something to take down what she wanted. “I need a better place for men to train their skills and a place to mourn the dead and give praise to the goddess who watches our lost”
The continued their discussion deep into the night.
It took weeks to construct and fill every part of the palace that Myrina had wanted. Each person had a room. As the creator Myrina took the largest room, sending Mahina to a smaller room at the end of the woman’s wing. Her brothers and the rest of the men were sent to the men’s wing. Myrina made certain that Titus got to choose his room and decorate it how he pleased. She had made him the leader of the men in the tribe. He had almost as much power as her.
Paser had lead everyone else to their rooms but stopped outside a set of double doors. This is your sleeping quarters Creator. Done to your specifications and a private bathroom” Myrina smiled widely. This place was perfect. Better then she had hoped for,
“Thank you Paser you are dismissed” he left her with a bow.
Before Myrina was settled a knocked sounded at the closed door.
“Yes?” Myrina called, hearing the door open.
“Myrina, dear this is a beautiful place you have built” Mahina smiled. Since Adonis passed Mahina seemed to age quickly before her daughter’s eyes. The loss seemed to take it’s tole.
“Thank you mother but you should be resting. It has been a very long day” Mahina shook her head at her daughter’s chiding.
“Come with me dear there are things we need to discus” Mahina turned and left the room. Those words had Myrina curious. What more would need to be talked about? At Myrina’s young adult birthday Mahina had given her the gifts of the Creator and given her reign with the rule that she must rule for the tribe not for herself. Myrina followed her mother.
Mahina entered the meditation room and gestured for Myrina to sit. She was surprised to see Titus already there and sitting.
“Mother what is going on?” Myrina demanded. The elder woman ignored her daughter and sat on a cushion.
“Sit down dear” came Mahina’s response. Myrina hated when her mother was like this. Mahina would never give Myrina the answers she wanted and it would end up being a long headache filled process to figure out the answer.
“I am not long for this world. I can feel the reaper beckon me more and more each day” Mahina started.
“Mother no! Don’t speak like that” Titus interrupted. A world without his mother was not one either of the twins felt prepared for.
“I have asked you both her to prepare you for that day” the elder continued, ignoring the outburst. “Myrina you have a long journey a head of you. Ruling a tribe is never easy. Ruling alone makes it harder. A leader can easily be blinded to what is going on around them. Flowery words can easily hide someone’s true intent. Titus will be your confidant. I know you promoted him so he is in charge of the men. Do not play favorites. Bitterness can lead to your downfall.”
The twins were silent. Titus knew the words were meant for his sister but he was happy to hear what his mother had to say. He just didn’t like how it felt like a goodbye.
“I know you both will make me very proud” with those final words Mahina got up and left them alone in the room. Titus got up and faced his sister. Neither of them could say a word. Myrina just sniffled. Hearing their mother talk about the reaper coming for her upset them.
Meanwhile
The heat of the day had sapped most of the energy from Katsumi. Geo, the new gardener and Paser’s assistant suggested that she wait until the sun went down. He offered to teach her how to garden. She had agreed, being a Gatherer was something she had wanted to be since she was a child. She crept past the other rooms and down to the garden. The cool night air felt refreshing after the heat of the day.
Katsumi found Geo waiting for her.
“Good evening Geo” she greeted. The man gave a slight smile in return. Katsumi found out that he did not speak much and wasn’t very fluent in the language she spoke. They had managed to communicate with gestures.Geo gestured to the plants. They looked dried and like they were starting brown.
“figure out a fix” came the fragmented sentence came out. She nodded and got to work. She crouched next to the plant and began to work. The dirt was a dry as the desert. She went to the well and got some water for the garden. Geo watched and occasionally corrected some of the things was doing wrong.
Hours went by before Katsumi had finished. She left the garden and headed for the living room. She had almost made it to the bottom of the stairs when she noticed the man. He was looked up at her with a warm smile of her face. What startled her the most was that he was see-through.
When she made it to the bottom of the stairs his features became clearer. Katsumi gasped.
“Papa?” he looked a lot like the picture of her father that Mahina had showed her. Mahina and Adonis had raised her showing her pictures of her parents and telling her how much they loved and cared for her. She loved Mahina and Adonis like they were her parents but she could barely remember her mother other then the smell of incense and a warm smile. Katsumi wanted to meet the people who gave her life, stories would never do them the justice of meeting them in person.
“Hello Katsumi, it is nice to finally meet you” came his reply.
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