Warning: Just to be safe I am putting a warning on this chapter. There is no blood or fighting or violence in this chapter but a character does get hurt. I wanted to give a warning for this.
2. Celebration
“Come on Meri” Yuka’s voice was far too loud for tonight’s festivities. It was the night of Underworld. The veil between the spirit world and the human world becomes thin one a year. Shamans bring offerings to Hira so she can hunt down the wicked. The young amazon women dress up as Huntresses of the Underworld, to be blessed by the Goddess. Once blessed they can bring the justice of the Goddess to the wicked.
Meri was at the back of the group, trying to avoid Sarai. Sarai’s mother had finally allowed Sarai to take the blessing and of course it would be the same year that Meri would go through the ritual. The thought of dealing with Sarai tonight had Meri upset. Until Meri met the other girls, mostly Yuka. Yuka was from a tribe deep in the mountains. The tribe rarely left the mountains, when they did gods and magic usually followed.
“who cares if she is lagging behind, her mother is a traitor, she is probably just worries that Hira will punish her due to her stupidity and her family’s status as traitorous” Sarai whispered loud enough for Meri to hear her.
“I would think Meri would worry more about you then herself. I am. It’s not every festival that a petty little child is welcomed into the sisterhood. Someone who whines and be little others dishonors the sisterhood of Hira’s warriors. ” Yuka linked arms with Meri and brushed by Sarai. “Lady Hira frowns upon that”
Meri found herself smiling.
The closer that the group got to the temple the quieter the girls became. The temple of Hira had that effect on people. The temple was built of dark stone, and gave off a cold otherworldly feel. It mimicked the underworld.
The group filed into the dimbly lit room. The Shaman of Hira stepped forward. Meri was holding her breath. The Shaman chose one girl from the group to give the offering to Hira before the blessings to the young women.
“Daughter of Helike, step forward” Meri felt Yuka squeeze her hand in excitement. Meri stepped forward, followed by a fury of whispers. The shaman faced Meri and handed her a bowl. As Meri took the bowl the Shaman gripped her hands, holding her in place.
“The Goddess has chosen you Meritamun of tribe Isla. Daughter of Helike, Hira has chosen you to bring balance and fix those whom has been wronged.” The shaman was speaking low, Meri wasn’t sure if the others in the room could hear. “Go child of Helike and give the goddess her offering and bestow the gifts to your sisters”
The Shaman stepped back allowing Meri to place the gift into the flames. The flames glowed a bright blue color for a moment. When the flames returned to normal Meri went to the other girls and along with the Shaman recited the blessing of Hira.
Meri stepped out into the cool night air, saying goodnight to the other girls and heads to the docks. The boat that would take her home was nowhere in site. It didn’t matter , it was a nice night. Meri stood on the docks, watching the stars. She wondered if her mother had gone through all the nervousness growing up. What advice she would give her daughter. The mothers of the other creator heiresses in the group had given their daughters words of wisdom. Meri wished that Demetria could have stepped in.
Meri was lost in through and missed the sound of footsteps coming up behind her. A blow to the head sent Meri’s world spinning. Meri looked for her attacker. The darkness did nothing to help her see. The only light was from the stars that looked like shattered glass. Another blow sent the world falling away. The waves reached up to greet Meri as she had fell into the sea.
Amaru
Those stupid sea witches had Amaru running around like a fool. They promised to cure him of his affliction but they need ingredients, ones which he had to fetch. He couldn’t wait to get them out of their stupid puddle and make them pay for having him mingle with these stupid mortals.
Amaru’s seething was interrupted by the scent of fresh blood.
Isla Amazon Challenge 