Daughters of the Goddess--Part 11

She breathed in deeply as she tried to relax further into her mediation. Rian hoped the addition of the herbs would help. The Goddess had been elusive as of late.

Just when Rian desperately needed her guidance.

She continued to struggle with the decision about Aneri. Her daughter was so young. Too young, she believed, to handle the sacred duties being a priestess would require. Yet her ability with healing balms and tonics could point to favor from the Goddess.

Was it so wrong to want to protect her daughter given the situation in the village? She feared things would only get worse before improving. But was she denying Aneri a place as a priestess?

'Goddess, guide me,' she prayed. 'Show me the right path.'

She waited as the candles burned down and the herbs burned out. But there was no answer. The herbs were no help.

She tried to hide her disappointment as she heard Prica move about in the main chamber. The Goddess would reveal her plan in her own time, Rian reminded herself. It was one of the main things taught by the priestesses to everyone.

But in such trying times, the silence of the Goddess was very troubling.

* * * * *

The fields were turning green with new growth, evident even in the fading sunlight. She thought she heard more birds in the trees. But Rian could not be sure.

She desperately hoped that the favor of the Goddess was returning. Yet, perhaps she was imaging the birds. Shaking her head, she pulled her cloak tighter around against the cool evening breeze.

She hummed a song of thankfulness as she made her way through the village. Occasionally she would sing a few words aloud. She began to feel her spirits lift.

As usual, Esus was waiting for her. He greeted her with a kiss and took her cloak. With a smile, she accepted a bowl of barley soup from Aneria and settled onto a stool. Iora looked up from her embroidery, nearly finished with her ceremonial robe. Efrir grinned as he showed off the parts of a stool he and Utin were carving for Dia's son.

She listened to the events of their day as she ate. Esus and the boys had finished repairs to the roof of the barn. Efrir, daring as always, had overreached and fallen into the pigs' sty. His brother was still giving him grief about the smell though the boy had scrubbed after the incident. Rian was just grateful that he was unhurt. It seemed that her youngest still had yet to learn to caution.

The girls, at least, had a less eventful day. They had tended the herb garden, started the soup, and finished most of the mending. Once finished with those chores, Aneri had resumed knitting leggings for her brothers while Iora continued her work on her ceremonial robe.

They discussed her day at the shrine. She talked about the preparations for the upcoming ritual. The observation of new life had always been one of her favorite rites. All children born since the last observation would be presented to the Goddess. Dia's son, Anin, would be among them.

Next rite would have Hirel's child among those presented. With the arrangements nearly finished, Iora would be married soon. Utin, her middle son, had chosen a girl and would likely be married as well.

'Goddess willing,' she prayed as she squeezed her husband's hand.

Her family was expanding and dispersing. Soon it would be just Efrir and Aneri with her and Esus. But then it would be their turn to leave and start families of their own. And their children would continue the cycle.

Iora finished her robe. She waited while Rian inspected her needlework. The girl had done well. She handed it back and told her so. “Present it to Brigid so you can receive your first cord. You can wear it for the rite.”

The girl was beaming as she and Aneri went up to bed. Efrir and Utin was quick to follow. In the resulting quiet, Rian settled closer to Esus and watched the dying fire.

“We will have to get accustomed to quiet soon,” he said, echoing her earlier thoughts.

“I know. We haven't had quiet in a long time.”

He ran a hand through her hair. “I think we will be able to find ways to pass the time.”

“Yes, I think we will,” she murmured as he lowered his mouth to hers.

* * * * *

With an amused smile, Rian helped Iora with her robe, arranging the garment so the fabric hung perfectly. The girl proudly tied her first cord at her waist. Behind her, Prica finished an intricate knot to tie her cord.

Beris would lead the rite. It was good training for the presumed future high priestess. Prica and Iora would assist her while the older priestesses looked on.

“It's time,” Brigid announced.

Beris nodded and quit adjusting the two cords at her waist. She took a stone basin and left the main chamber. Prica with a jug of water and Iora with bundles of herbs walked out next, flanking Beris. Rian and Brigid were the last to leave.

The people of the village waited outside the shrine for the start of the rite. Beris set the basin on a stand before her. “From earth we are born,” she said, adding a handful of dirt to the bottom of the bowl.

“Water helps sustain us.” Prica poured water into the basin.

“Plants are part of the bounty the Goddess gives us.” Iora crumbled the herbs before adding them to the water.

“The Goddess blesses us with new life, from plant to animal to child. We observe her blessings. We present our children to her and ask for her continued blessing.”

Beris dipped a finger into the water and stirred its contents. The first mother stepped forward. With great care, she drew the symbol of life on the infant's chest. She continued with each child until Dia stepped forward.

With a smile, Beris stepped back. Rian sucked in a breath. Was Beris denying her cousin's child the rite?

Beris bowed before Rian. “Sister, this honor does not belong to me. It is yours.”

Blinking back tears, Rian stepped forward. She had never performed this rite on any of her children as she had been the one to present them before the Goddess. She shared a smile with Dia as she dipped her finger in the water. She drew the symbol of life on the infant's forehead.

She stepped back to allow Beris to finish the rite. With the last child blessed, the young priestess again thanked the Goddess. The ritual was over and the priestesses returned to the shrine.

* * * * *

Rian lingered at the shrine. She sent Iora on home, promising she would along shortly. The girl obediently left.

Brigid quickly sent the other girls on as well, volunteering to finish cleaning up from the rite. Though surprised, the girls quickly took the opportunity to leave. The high priestess waited a moment before motioning for her sister to take a seat.

“What is troubling you, Rian?” she asked, assured that the younger priestesses were gone.

“I have been thinking a lot about testing Aneri,” she said. “I wish to wait.”

“If that is what you think is best,” Brigid replied, her tone completely even.

“It is.”

“Very well. We will wait for another cycle of seasons to pass before discussing testing Aneri again.”

“Thank you, Brigid.”

“Of course, sister.” She eyed Rian carefully. “Is there anything else bothering you?”

“No, nothing. I need to go. Esus will be wondering what is keeping me.”

Brigid nodded. “I will see you tomorrow.”

“Until then.” With a smile, she turned to go.

But the smile quickly faded. Rian left the shrine with a heavy heart. Had she lied to Brigid, her sister and high priestess? She felt like she had.

If this was the price she had to pay to protect Aneri for even a mere cycle of seasons, then so be it. Brigid would understand. The Goddess would understand.

That was her prayer as she hurried home.


Part XI She breathed in deeply as she tried to relax further into her mediation. Rian hoped the addition of the herbs would help. The Goddess had been elusive as of late. Just when Rian desperately needed her guidance. She continued to struggle with the decision about Aneri. Her daughter was so young. Too young, she believed, to handle the sacred duties being a priestess would require. Yet her ability with healing balms and tonics could point to favor from the Goddess. Was it so wrong to want to protect her daughter given the situation in the village? She feared things would only get worse before improving. But was she denying Aneri a place as a priestess? 'Goddess, guide me,' she prayed. 'Show me the right path.' She waited as the candles burned down and the herbs burned out. But there was no answer. The herbs were no help. She tried to hide her disappointment as she heard Prica move about in the main chamber. The Goddess would reveal her plan in her own time, Rian reminded herself. It was one of the main things taught by the priestesses to everyone. But in such trying times, the silence of the Goddess was very troubling. * * * * * The fields were turning green with new growth, evident even in the fading sunlight. She thought she heard more birds in the trees. But Rian could not be sure. She desperately hoped that the favor of the Goddess was returning. Yet, perhaps she was imaging the birds. Shaking her head, she pulled her cloak tighter around against the cool evening breeze. She hummed a song of thankfulness as she made her way through the village. Occasionally she would sing a few words aloud. She began to feel her spirits lift. As usual, Esus was waiting for her. He greeted her with a kiss and took her cloak. With a smile, she accepted a bowl of barley soup from Aneria and settled onto a stool. Iora looked up from her embroidery, nearly finished with her ceremonial robe. Efrir grinned as he showed off the parts of a stool he and Utin were carving for Dia's son. She listened to the events of their day as she ate. Esus and the boys had finished repairs to the roof of the barn. Efrir, daring as always, had overreached and fallen into the pigs' sty. His brother was still giving him grief about the smell though the boy had scrubbed after the incident. Rian was just grateful that he was unhurt. It seemed that her youngest still had yet to learn to caution. The girls, at least, had a less eventful day. They had tended the herb garden, started the soup, and finished most of the mending. Once finished with those chores, Aneri had resumed knitting leggings for her brothers while Iora continued her work on her ceremonial robe. They discussed her day at the shrine. She talked about the preparations for the upcoming ritual. The observation of new life had always been one of her favorite rites. All children born since the last observation would be presented to the Goddess. Dia's son, Anin, would be among them. Next rite would have Hirel's child among those presented. With the arrangements nearly finished, Iora would be married soon. Utin, her middle son, had chosen a girl and would likely be married as well. 'Goddess willing,' she prayed as she squeezed her husband's hand. Her family was expanding and dispersing. Soon it would be just Efrir and Aneri with her and Esus. But then it would be their turn to leave and start families of their own. And their children would continue the cycle. Iora finished her robe. She waited while Rian inspected her needlework. The girl had done well. She handed it back and told her so. “Present it to Brigid so you can receive your first cord. You can wear it for the rite.” The girl was beaming as she and Aneri went up to bed. Efrir and Utin was quick to follow. In the resulting quiet, Rian settled closer to Esus and watched the dying fire. “We will have to get accustomed to quiet soon,” he said, echoing her earlier thoughts. “I know. We haven't had quiet in a long time.” He ran a hand through her hair. “I think we will be able to find ways to pass the time.” “Yes, I think we will,” she murmured as he lowered his mouth to hers. * * * * * With an amused smile, Rian helped Iora with her robe, arranging the garment so the fabric hung perfectly. The girl proudly tied her first cord at her waist. Behind her, Prica finished an intricate knot to tie her cord. Beris would lead the rite. It was good training for the presumed future high priestess. Prica and Iora would assist her while the older priestesses looked on. “It's time,” Brigid announced. Beris nodded and quit adjusting the two cords at her waist. She took a stone basin and left the main chamber. Prica with a jug of water and Iora with bundles of herbs walked out next, flanking Beris. Rian and Brigid were the last to leave. The people of the village waited outside the shrine for the start of the rite. Beris set the basin on a stand before her. “From earth we are born,” she said, adding a handful of dirt to the bottom of the bowl. “Water helps sustain us.” Prica poured water into the basin. “Plants are part of the bounty the Goddess gives us.” Iora crumbled the herbs before adding them to the water. “The Goddess blesses us with new life, from plant to animal to child. We observe her blessings. We present our children to her and ask for her continued blessing.” Beris dipped a finger into the water and stirred its contents. The first mother stepped forward. With great care, she drew the symbol of life on the infant's chest. She continued with each child until Dia stepped forward. With a smile, Beris stepped back. Rian sucked in a breath. Was Beris denying her cousin's child the rite? Beris bowed before Rian. “Sister, this honor does not belong to me. It is yours.” Blinking back tears, Rian stepped forward. She had never performed this rite on any of her children as she had been the one to present them before the Goddess. She shared a smile with Dia as she dipped her finger in the water. She drew the symbol of life on the infant's forehead. She stepped back to allow Beris to finish the rite. With the last child blessed, the young priestess again thanked the Goddess. The ritual was over and the priestesses returned to the shrine. * * * * * Rian lingered at the shrine. She sent Iora on home, promising she would along shortly. The girl obediently left. Brigid quickly sent the other girls on as well, volunteering to finish cleaning up from the rite. Though surprised, the girls quickly took the opportunity to leave. The high priestess waited a moment before motioning for her sister to take a seat. “What is troubling you, Rian?” she asked, assured that the younger priestesses were gone. “I have been thinking a lot about testing Aneri,” she said. “I wish to wait.” “If that is what you think is best,” Brigid replied, her tone completely even. “It is.” “Very well. We will wait for another cycle of seasons to pass before discussing testing Aneri again.” “Thank you, Brigid.” “Of course, sister.” She eyed Rian carefully. “Is there anything else bothering you?” “No, nothing. I need to go. Esus will be wondering what is keeping me.” Brigid nodded. “I will see you tomorrow.” “Until then.” With a smile, she turned to go. But the smile quickly faded. Rian left the shrine with a heavy heart. Had she lied to Brigid, her sister and high priestess? She felt like she had. If this was the price she had to pay to protect Aneri for even a mere cycle of seasons, then so be it. Brigid would understand. The Goddess would understand. That was her prayer as she hurried home.


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