9. Unsettling
“Such a troubled face on what would should be a day of triumphs. What bothers you Creator Heiress Meritamun ” Meri started, she hadn’t heard the priestess in training join her in the gardens until now.
“Good Morning Antiope” Meri made room for the young woman to sit next to her on the bench. “You can join me if you would like”
“Many thanks Heiress Meritamun” Meri marveled at the grace of the way Antiope did things. From the way she walked to how she sat without wrinkling her skirt.
“Such a beautiful day, a gift from the goddesses on your day of triumph.” Antiope started. “a day the goddesses recognize you for all your work at studies and yet you do not seem in the mood for joy”
“I am excited Antiope” it wasn’t an outright lie. Meri was happy to finish her time at the studies but that would mean she was almost and adult and full on creator. “I have been waiting for this day for what feels like forever but I am anxious and I don’t want to bother you with my problems”
“If you lay your troubles at the feet of the goddess, she may free you of your woes” Meri made a face at the thought of talking to a stone statue. Even if it was a stone representation of the goddess Kala that didn’t mean the goddess would listen or care.
“Do not feel bad, speaking to the statue of Kala isn’t for everyone. I often find myself feeling foolish talking to carved rock” Antiope seemed to read Meri’s thoughts on the subject. “If you need to vent I can be of service or I can find Heiress Yuka if you would prefer”
“I’m anxious” Meri admitted after a brief silence. “It’s going to be my birthday soon. I’m going to take over and lead a tribe, I mean it’s just Chrysippos, Levi and me for now so it isn’t a big deal but Marcella keeps going on and on about what needs to be done and how to properly run everything and I don’t think I want this. I don’t think I want to be a creator heiress. I want adventure and excitement. I want to see different places and meet to people. I don’t want to be stuck here forever”
Antiope listened to Meri as she released all her fears and woes. Once she had finished Antiope spoke.
“Many worry about their future so you are not alone. If you wish I can read your future to settle your mind” Meri hesitated. Palm reading or future seeing was something that was generally frowned upon. It would be done by traveling wise women who needed coin. It was how silly girls in her father’s old stories got cursed.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt” Antiope was harmless, no way the goddess would choose someone who would harm their fellow sisters. Antiope was kind and friendly, so this was going to be harmless. Right?
Meri held her hand out to Antiope.
“There are many trials a head. A joyful time that will be tainted by a surprise betrayal. Enemies will become allies before a powerful foe. There will be more losses then you can imagine but the good can outweigh the pain. A pact made to save your loved ones will cost you one you hold close. Fret not, many happy years are ahead. As time passes the goddess will come for you and you will pass into her embrace with the future of Isla sitting next to you” The priestess in training traced the lines on her hand. “That is your destiny unless the goddess decides different.
—
Meri made her way up the hill that held Isla. This was the last time she would walk up these hills as a child. While the celebration at the school was nice the glimpse of her future from Antiope had unsettled her. Was she really going to lose all of her friends and loved ones? At some point she would, when the goddess or her reaper came to collect them but that wouldn’t be for a long time or she hoped.
“You are not allowed to enter! Your fabrications do you no good. As Creator Heiress Meri’s mentor I have control until she returns!” Marcella’s voice cut through Meri’s thoughts. Meri then noticed two men standing at the front gate as Marcella stood inside Isla’s gates, blocking them from opening.
“What is going on here?” Meri demanded.
“These men marched up to the gate and demanded entry! One says he is your father!” Marcella hissed. “That can not be true because his traitorous actions is what got your mothered killed and himself banished”
“You no nothing of what happened woman” the elder of the men spat. He turned to face Meri his expression softening from rage to warmth in an instant.
“Hello little cat” The unsettling feeling Meri had since this morning had vanished upon seeing her father for the first time since she was a young toddler.
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