Daughters of the Goddess--Part 7

The only sound in the room was Nori’s even breathing. Taran continued his vigil at his wife’s bedside. Their children seemed to form a protective ring around the couple.

Beside her, Brigid was making yet another tonic. While the high priestess was the most skilled at herbs and healing, no potion or tonic had made a difference in Nori’s condition. Yet Brigid kept trying.

Rian envied her sister her work. She aided when Brigid she could but it was not often. Most of time she merely watched Taran and Nori.

‘Was this what it was like for my sisters?’ she wondered, thinking about the fever that nearly took her so soon after Aneri’s birth. How often had they brewed a new mix of herbs only to then spend hour after hour praying for some sign that this one had finally worked? It must have been maddening.

She took the jug by Brigid’s feet. At her sister’s look, she explained, “I’ll get some more water.” But Brigid was already back to her tonic.

The water was merely an excuse as the jug was half-full. There was more than enough to finish Brigid’s current concoction. Rian just needed to get away for a moment, no matter how guilty she would feel later.

“Taran?”

Rian nearly dropped the jug as she whirled towards the bed.

“I’m here,” he said.

“My head hurts,” Nori whispered.

Brigid knelt by the bed. She placed the tonic at her sister’s lips. “This will help.”

“And taste bad,” Nori murmured. But she drank most of it.

She struggled to stay awake long enough to speak to each member of her family. Seeing that Nori was growing weaker, Rian and Brigid ushered the children from the room. Rian gave one last glance at Nori and Taran as she closed the door behind her.

It felt like days had passed before Taran emerged to call them back. His face was blank as he faced his family. “She has fallen under again.”

One of the girls immediately burst into tears. Rian did what she could to comfort the girl. But her soothing words felt false to even her.

Nori lived until sundown. She had never regained consciousness. Rian was gratefully to the Goddess that they had been given one last chance to speak with Nori.

At the news of the priestess’s death, the elders met. Something must been done to punish Lugh or the village would risk the wrath of the Goddess. But what was to be done?

The two remaining priestesses attended the meeting and watched as the elders continued to argue. Many clamored for his death, a life for a life. Others pressed for a more lenient punishment, arguing that their fellow elder had been provoked.

‘Provoked,’ Rian thought bitterly. ‘He was provoked by what would be considered a blessing just a few years ago.’

During a lull in the discussion, Erd glanced at the two sisters. “Perhaps we should ask the priestesses their opinion?”

“Why?” Cied demanded. “What does this have to do with them?”

“One of the priestesses has been slain,” Brigid answered, rising to her feet. “This has everything to do with us.”

“Which is why you should have no say in this discussion,” Cied replied. “You have a personal interest in this because it was your sister and fellow priestess that was killed.”

“And one of your fellow elder is the murderer,” Brigid argued. “This council can hardly presume to be impartial.”

“This is a horrible situation,” Erd interjected before Cied could respond. “Daughter of the Goddess, what would you have this council do?”

“By shrine law, exile would be the lightest punishment allowable. We would not be outside of the law if we demanded his death. But there has been enough death. I, as high priestess, will not call for his blood.”

“We are not bound by your law,” Cied said.

“If you wish to foolishly provoke the wrath of the Goddess by harboring a murderer, I cannot stop you,” Brigid replied. “This council should realize that is what it is doing if Lugh is allowed to stay in the village.”

She motioned for Rian to stand. “I pray that you make the right decision, for all of our sake.”

Rian followed Brigid out of the room. The pair remained silent as they made their way outside. By silent agreement, they began to walk to the shrine.

“Can you forgive me, Rian?”

Rian paused mid-stride, surprised by the question. “Forgive you for what?”

“For not asking for Lugh’s death,” Brigid answered quietly.

“There is nothing to forgive, Brigid.”

But Rian knew that it was a lie. Something in her wanted Lugh’s blood, wanted revenge for Nori’s death. She didn’t think that she could ever bring herself to argue for mercy toward that man. Part of her was angry that Brigid had been able to.

With no further discussion, the sisters arrived at the shrine. Beris emerged from the sacred chamber. She opened her mouth but apparently thought better of it. Without being told to do so, she quickly fetched water for her mother and her aunt.

“Thank you,” Rian said as she settled into a chair.

Brigid accepted the water with a faint smile. “Thank you, Beris.”

The girl lingered for a moment before returning to the sacred chamber. Brigid slowly sipped her water. Rian merely stared at it.

“We need to discuss some things,” Brigid said, breaking the silence. “We have to initiate Beris. We need another full priestess.”

“By the stars, Brigid, Nori isn’t even buried yet!”

“I know, but we still have our duties. We were barely getting by with three priestesses. We can’t function with just two.”

Rian slammed her cup down, not caring about the spilt water. “I can’t believe you’re thinking about this!”

“I have to, Rian.” She studied the curtains leading to the sacred chamber. “Believe me, the last thing I want to do right now is to make Beris a full priestess.”

“Then don’t.”

“I wish it was that simple.”

Rian made a scoffing sound. “I’m going home.”

She closed her eyes as she listened to Rian storm away. “Simple. Oh, Goddess, I wish it was.”

For the first time, Brigid gave in to her tears.


Part VII The only sound in the room was Nori’s even breathing. Taran continued his vigil at his wife’s bedside. Their children seemed to form a protective ring around the couple. Beside her, Brigid was making yet another tonic. While the high priestess was the most skilled at herbs and healing, no potion or tonic had made a difference in Nori’s condition. Yet Brigid kept trying. Rian envied her sister her work. She aided when Brigid she could but it was not often. Most of time she merely watched Taran and Nori. ‘Was this what it was like for my sisters?’ she wondered, thinking about the fever that nearly took her so soon after Aneri’s birth. How often had they brewed a new mix of herbs only to then spend hour after hour praying for some sign that this one had finally worked? It must have been maddening. She took the jug by Brigid’s feet. At her sister’s look, she explained, “I’ll get some more water.” But Brigid was already back to her tonic. The water was merely an excuse as the jug was half-full. There was more than enough to finish Brigid’s current concoction. Rian just needed to get away for a moment, no matter how guilty she would feel later. “Taran?” Rian nearly dropped the jug as she whirled towards the bed. “I’m here,” he said. “My head hurts,” Nori whispered. Brigid knelt by the bed. She placed the tonic at her sister’s lips. “This will help.” “And taste bad,” Nori murmured. But she drank most of it. She struggled to stay awake long enough to speak to each member of her family. Seeing that Nori was growing weaker, Rian and Brigid ushered the children from the room. Rian gave one last glance at Nori and Taran as she closed the door behind her. It felt like days had passed before Taran emerged to call them back. His face was blank as he faced his family. “She has fallen under again.” One of the girls immediately burst into tears. Rian did what she could to comfort the girl. But her soothing words felt false to even her. Nori lived until sundown. She had never regained consciousness. Rian was gratefully to the Goddess that they had been given one last chance to speak with Nori. At the news of the priestess’s death, the elders met. Something must been done to punish Lugh or the village would risk the wrath of the Goddess. But what was to be done? The two remaining priestesses attended the meeting and watched as the elders continued to argue. Many clamored for his death, a life for a life. Others pressed for a more lenient punishment, arguing that their fellow elder had been provoked. ‘Provoked,’ Rian thought bitterly. ‘He was provoked by what would be considered a blessing just a few years ago.’ During a lull in the discussion, Erd glanced at the two sisters. “Perhaps we should ask the priestesses their opinion?” “Why?” Cied demanded. “What does this have to do with them?” “One of the priestesses has been slain,” Brigid answered, rising to her feet. “This has everything to do with us.” “Which is why you should have no say in this discussion,” Cied replied. “You have a personal interest in this because it was your sister and fellow priestess that was killed.” “And one of your fellow elder is the murderer,” Brigid argued. “This council can hardly presume to be impartial.” “This is a horrible situation,” Erd interjected before Cied could respond. “Daughter of the Goddess, what would you have this council do?” “By shrine law, exile would be the lightest punishment allowable. We would not be outside of the law if we demanded his death. But there has been enough death. I, as high priestess, will not call for his blood.” “We are not bound by your law,” Cied said. “If you wish to foolishly provoke the wrath of the Goddess by harboring a murderer, I cannot stop you,” Brigid replied. “This council should realize that is what it is doing if Lugh is allowed to stay in the village.” She motioned for Rian to stand. “I pray that you make the right decision, for all of our sake.” Rian followed Brigid out of the room. The pair remained silent as they made their way outside. By silent agreement, they began to walk to the shrine. “Can you forgive me, Rian?” Rian paused mid-stride, surprised by the question. “Forgive you for what?” “For not asking for Lugh’s death,” Brigid answered quietly. “There is nothing to forgive, Brigid.” But Rian knew that it was a lie. Something in her wanted Lugh’s blood, wanted revenge for Nori’s death. She didn’t think that she could ever bring herself to argue for mercy toward that man. Part of her was angry that Brigid had been able to. With no further discussion, the sisters arrived at the shrine. Beris emerged from the sacred chamber. She opened her mouth but apparently thought better of it. Without being told to do so, she quickly fetched water for her mother and her aunt. “Thank you,” Rian said as she settled into a chair. Brigid accepted the water with a faint smile. “Thank you, Beris.” The girl lingered for a moment before returning to the sacred chamber. Brigid slowly sipped her water. Rian merely stared at it. “We need to discuss some things,” Brigid said, breaking the silence. “We have to initiate Beris. We need another full priestess.” “By the stars, Brigid, Nori isn’t even buried yet!” “I know, but we still have our duties. We were barely getting by with three priestesses. We can’t function with just two.” Rian slammed her cup down, not caring about the spilt water. “I can’t believe you’re thinking about this!” “I have to, Rian.” She studied the curtains leading to the sacred chamber. “Believe me, the last thing I want to do right now is to make Beris a full priestess.” “Then don’t.” “I wish it was that simple.” Rian made a scoffing sound. “I’m going home.” She closed her eyes as she listened to Rian storm away. “Simple. Oh, Goddess, I wish it was.” For the first time, Brigid gave in to her tears.


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