(This post is rated M for mature content that may be explored. Be advised, and continue at your discretion.)
Ever since her youth, Adahlena knew that eventually one day she would become a priestess. She had fought it in her youth--vehemently so, in fact. There was even a point in time where she had actually run away from home just so that she could escape the inevitable. And then, Adelina found her. Oh, Adelina, with her shining hair and a wide, brilliant smile.
"What are you doing hiding in mother's carriage, little Ada?" she had asked as she tickled her younger sister, forcing a giggle to come from the pouting girl's lips.
"I don't want to do it!" Adahlena had cried as she pushed her sister's hands away from her, desperate to stay upset and angry. "Mistress Mithis is mean, a-and I don't want to be like her! A stuffy, old priestess who loves not anyone! Don't let them take me away and turn me into her." she had begged.
Adelina burst into a fit of giggles by that point, her green eyes scrunching up as she pulled back and covered her mouth. Adahlena sniffled, a look of uncertainty forming on her features as Adelina attempted to calm herself.
"You silly girl," she teased as she reached forward, her hand touching Adahlena's to gently pull her from the carriage. She had been hesitant at first, of course, still worried that she might take her to their mother so that she could be shipped off to the dreadful, dreadful mistress Mithis. Instead, she took Adahlena along through their family's garden. It was cloudy that day, but the flowers still shone so brightly.
And then, Adelina spoke of her own experience. "You have a gift, my sweet, just like me," she had told her younger sister. "The Goddess chose us to be her hand, to be her heart. To avoid your duties hurts her, don't you think?" They talked, and talked, and talked for what seemed like hours. By the end of it all, Adahlena had been transformed. Her resistance, her fear, every negative feeling about her future had been replaced with joy and excitement. She could not wait to be like her older sister, to help the Goddess, and feel as fulfilled.
Now, years later, Adahlena stood at the mouth of the forest, trained and prepared to fulfill her duties just as her eldest sister had. Adahlena should have been excited, in fact, she should have been thrilled! But instead, her heart was heavy. How could it not be? Her family name was in tatters, and her sister... her beloved sister was gone. And instead of searching for her, the court instead decided to replace her--and with her younger sister, no less.
She could find no reason to rejoice in this, even as her mentor began to recite the chant from behind her. "As priestess to this domain, you aren't to seek wealth or acknowledgment. The Goddess works through your will, through your actions. To dishonor yourself is to dishonor her, and your people." the older woman repeated the memorized phrase as her wrinkled hands fastened a locket around Adahlena's neck.
A reminder to the priestess of her duties, and of the place from which she came. Adahlena adjusted the gold necklace around her neck, eyes closing as she felt Mithis move from behind her. "You are ready, child." she finally announced. "You shall make your own way, now, to be accepted by the Goddess's children."
Adahlena felt relief set in her stomach. She looked to her nearby parents--both teary-eyed and somber, and yet filled with pride. They had worn their finest clothing to the ritual--or was it perhaps their most gaudy clothing? Adahlena couldn't tell the difference, sometimes. She smiled at them, though her heart ached at their tears. They had lost their beloved Adelina, and now they were losing their youngest.
Such a thing was bound to happen, Adahlena knew, but... she bit the inside of her cheek to stop the tears from forming and spun around on her heel to face the large, stone arch that led into the forest.
It was mostly covered by nature, a combination of moss and leaves reclaiming the stone as its own. It was beautiful, and yet also completely unknown. And now, it was where Adahlena belonged. The priestess made her way through the arch, the green fabric of her dress dragging along behind her as she began to make her way deeper into the forest. The forest itself was beautiful, filled with life and unseen beauty. Adahlena could have lost herself in the sights alone, but her purpose pushed her further. She carefully stepped over fallen logs, her bare feet squishing into moss and mud as she continued further and further, hoping to even catch side of the spirit.
Bookmarks