Queen

The familiar sight of the valley was made hazy by the mist. The ground swerved into the narrow Valley that was almost a gauge, it ran for around ten miles before sloping back up. From here we could see herds of cattle swarming through the narrow corridor of the valley and small shrubs growing on the sides. The forest had been the heart of this new world but we were in the soul. "Aim here," I yelled at Jessalyn, gesturing towards my throat before taking a light swing at her bamboo staff, and unintentionally knocking it off her hands. I sighed, "How many times have I told you to tighten your grip?" She heaved in frustration, hot breath clear in the ice cold air, "It's easier for you." Shaking my head, I grabbed the staff off the floor as she has made no attempt to do so herself. "You have yet to master this, amongst several others," I stated, knowing that if she does not then she will be stuck here until the day she dies, unable to travel beyond the high stone walls of the temple. I passed Jessalyn the staff and rub my hands together for warmth. She swung the staff at me once more. I caught it and yanked it back, no hesitancy in my strength. Jessalyn hung on and we grip the staff face to face. I saw her mind go blank as she looked to me with doubt in her eyes. "Spin it fast and pull," I reminded her. She whipped the staff in a rotation fast enough that my wrists could not rotate within and I am forced to let go. And with the upper hand, she jammed the shorter end of the staff into my chest. I fell backward and landed with a massive thump upon the rock hard gravel. Gasping, she gripped my forearm, pulling me to a standing position. "Sorry," She said. I shrugged, "I would've done the same." But then I smiled, "However, I wouldn't have helped you up." Jessalyn was inexperienced, to say the least. She joined at fourteen, however, I have been here since I was eighteen months old because it was declared that it was 'safer' for me. Skimming the back of my hand against my forehead, I am relieved to find it cool to the touch. I remembered the time when Jessalyn used to train with the younger girls at the lowest level of training in both dance and sparring and having them beat her. She would come back in tears at the thought of having to spend her entire existence here serving the Gods. Finally, she had won her match and moved up to her age group, but she is still the lowest level compared to other eighteen-year-olds. "Up for one more round?" I brushed a strand of pale blond hair from my face and then took the staff from her, "See if you can stop me this time," I said. A sudden noise, like the sound of horses hooves against the solid earth, comes from beyond the temple wall. We still and turn towards the sound. Jessalyn stared straight at the wall, "It's them." By them she meant benefactors. Many mysteries surround our contributors, but I was more curious than frightened. However, I didn't want to gain the wrath of Priestess Felicity. Jessalyn's face was full of mixed emotions; there was hope that their arrival would mean her departure; there was also curiosity much like my own because we had never seen a male in our lifetime. "Let's head inside," I suggested and instantly she agreed, "I need time to work on my dance routine if I want to be picked." What I hated most about the benefactors was what they did to Jessalyn, every time they arrive and it is for a claiming she gets her hopes up only to be disappointed when they do not pick her. But I nodded and grabbed her hand to take her inside. I quicken my step as I dragged her towards the dining Hall within the temple. We walked the halls as those before us have done also, even from the time when the claiming came around. When the first ever temple of the sisterhood began, they needed funds to start up a wider range of orphanages. But the benefactors were not without cost. Whenever they like they may take a woman of age to be either his wife or servant. Laughter and chatter flooded out from hundreds of girls as we entered the hall. I paused at the doorway as I scanned for a place to sit. Two empty seats laid that the end of Hall with other daughters our age, including Halynn and Viola. We sat across from them as Viola frowned at Jessalyn before muttering, "What a disgrace to the sisterhood." Picking at my food with my fork, I snuck a glance at Jessalyn, wondering what her next move would be except nothing happened. I wanted to talk about the arrival of another visitor but I figured they'd all find out soon enough when Felicity comes to announce it. Almost as if on cue in came Priestess Felicity with an orderly line of sisters behind her. Haylnn and Viola stopped talking and all eating halted across the room. They lined up against the wall and Jessalyn tensed up beside me. Our leader rarely ever interrupted mealtime. "Girls, I have wonderful news." She nodded her head as if to thank the Gods, "A benefactor has arrived for a claiming!" All of the daughters, even those too young to even participate in this rite, gasped with delight. I found Jessalyn's hand beneath the table and clasped her chilly fingers in mine. The Priestess strode in our direction to address those of whom were of age. Ten of us are seated along with two tables. "The benefactor requests that tomorrow's trials are discontinued but you will go about your daily lives here whilst he anonymously observes you in your natural habitat." The Priestess informed us and I could feel the unsaid thank you's throughout the room from those who did not wish to participate. "But why Priestess Felicity? " The sickly sweet voice of Viola appeared out of nowhere as she questions the Priestess. "Because, dear daughter of the sisterhood, this man is searching for a particular somebody that he once knew before she was brought to the temple for her own safety and he believes that he will recognize her by her actions." After she has said that gasps of wonder erupted around the hall. "However, we have our assumption on who this might be therefore it is clear that you would not know if it was you because you were only close to infancy when you arrived here." Giving me a slight nod, I realized what she was suggesting, that I was the one he wanted. Dismissing us, she left to join the table of leaders with her companions. It was then a thud. And then a scream.