The weaver’s daughter

From the pinnacle of the palace, Mariam stood tall, her robes catching the morning light. “The great women of Aloha!” she called. The villagers bowed in unison, their voices rising in worshipful chorus. Mariam lifted her hands She spoke of gratitude for the ancestress’ protection of thevoice rang with command and celebration alike. When she finished, the village flared into music, laughter, and dance. The drums spoke joy, and the dancers spun until dust rose beneath their feet. Among the crowd stood Kilia, a thoughtful girl of seventeen, beside her mother Kadida. “Mami,” Kilia said softly, “our village keeps growing every year.” Kadida smiled. “Praise be to our ancestress.” “Be praised,” Kilia echoed, then hesitated. “But… I have never seen anyone pregnant.” Kadida’s smile vanished. Her face hardened with sudden fear. “Kilia,” she said sharply, lowering her voice, “never ask such a question again.” Kilia frowned. “But, Mami” “But nothing,” Kadida cut in. “Our ancestors bless every woman with a daughter in due time. That is all you need to know.” Kilia fell silent, troubled. She had never seen her mother react with such anger or such sadness. As the initiation songs rose and the mothers paraded their children before the priestess, Kilia’s mind wandered. Something was hidden beneath the beauty of Aloha. She could feel it. Later that day, Kilia walked toward the stream with her friends, Sira and Nagobe. They laughed and spoke of Nagobe’s newborn niece, whose naming would soon take place. “She should be named something as beautiful as she is,” Sira teased. Kilia walked quietly beside them, lost in thought. Nagobe noticed. “Kilia, what’s wrong? You don’t look bright today.” “I’m fine,” Kilia replied, too quickly. Sira narrowed her eyes. “You’re lying. What’s bothering you?” After a moment, Kilia spoke, her voice unsteady. “Nagobe… did you see your sister when she was pregnant?” Nagobe froze, then yelled in horror. “Kilia! Do you want Homah to curse you? Such questions are evil!” Sira frowned. “Didn’t your mother teach you better?” Fear rippled through the air. Nagobe quickened her steps, ending the conversation. Kilia followed behind them her heart pounding The silence confirmed her suspicions: the truthThat night, unable to sleep, Kilia stepped outside her home for air. Voices hovered through the darkness. Curious, she followed them to a netted cottage behind the palace. Peering through the mesh, she saw Queen Mariam standing with one of the women of Homah. “Mariam’s voice was cold. “My daughter, Nene, will soon turn eighteen. You must protect her.” The Homah woman hesitated. “Your Majesty, I do not understand.” “I will not allow my daughter to be defiled by any male werewolf,” Mariam said. “Not even the pack of Alasu.” “But that is our tradition,” the woman whispered. “To refuse it is a curse.” Mariam smiled a cruel, unsettling smile. “I made this tradition. I can destroy it.” She revealed the truth then: that your daughter secretly conceived, a male child he was meant to be slaughtered at birth, and that was Homah’s own daughter who had once borne a son in secret. But, you smuggled him away. Now, “You will give my daughter a female child,” Mariam commanded. “Kill another newborn if you must. Fail me, and I will burn your bloodline to ash.” The Homah woman collapsed in tears as Mariam walked away. Kilia fled before she could be seen, her body shaking with fear. That night, she lay awake, staring into the darkness, her mind racing. The ancestress, the men, the supposed murdered sons. The lies woven into Aloha’s beauty. By morning, Kadida prepared for the market and reminded Kilia that she would soon meet Princess Nene, who was to address the girls nearing womanhood. “She is kind,” Kadida said. “Do not be late.” Hope stirred in Kilia’s chest. At the palace, the girls gathered, humming with excitement. When Princess Nene entered, she spread out warmth and grace. She spoke gently, encouraging them as they prepared to leave the village in service to tradition. As Nene smiled among them, Kilia knew she could not remain silent. When her turn came, she bowed low. “My name is… Mina,” she said, disguising herself. Nene studied her kindly. “You look troubled.” With trembling words, Kilia told her everything every secret she had overheard, every truth buried beneath tradition.“I swear by our ancestress,” Kilia said. Nene exhaled slowly and grabbed Kilia’s hands. “Thank you. This will not remain hidden. I will speak to my mother.” Relief washed over Kilia as she bowed and withdrew. Nene could not shake the weight that settled in her chest after speaking with Killia. The girl’s words were unpleasant, impossible to ignore. As night deepened and the palace grew quiet, Nene found no comfort in rest. The truth, or whatever shape it held, needs to be confronted. When the moon rose high, she finally rose from her bed. Her steps were slow as she walked down the corridor toward her mother’s chamber. The torches flashed as though aware of her hesitation. She paused at the entrance, drew in a breath, and stepped inside. Queen Mariam looked up from her seat almost immediately. One glance was enough. “My daughter,” she said, setting aside her staff, “why does your face carry such sorrow? What has happened?” Nene stood before her, hands clenched at her sides. She wanted to speak, yet fear held her tongue. What if Killia had misunderstood? What if the words she heard were twisted lies? The last thing she wanted was to anger her mother without proof. But the heaviness in her chest would not lift. “Talk to me,” Mariam urged gently. “Did anyone offend you during your meeting with the young ladies today?” “No, Ma,” Nene replied quickly. Then she hesitated, her voice softening. “Mother… I heard something about our tradition. Something terrible. I cannot stop thinking about it.” Mariam’s posture hardened. “What did you hear?” she asked. “And from whom?” Nene raised her chin. “Mother, tell me the truth. Did you meet with the Homah woman two nights ago?” For a moment, Mariam said nothing. Then she smiled a slow, unsettling curve of her lips. “I am the queen,” she replied calmly. “I have many duties to protect this kingdom. I meet with many people to ensure order.” Nene’s restraint shattered. “Stop it, Mother!” she cried. “So it’s true? You built our tradition on lies and falsehood?” Mariam’s eyes flashed. “What did you just say?” “You send young girls away to be taken by unknown men,” Nene continued, her voice shaking with rage. “Against their will! You call it tradition, but it’s cruelty. And now you want to kill another woman’s daughter just to keep yours safe?” Her words echoed against the chamber walls. “You are despicable, Mother.” The slap came without warning. Mariam stood, her hand still raised, her breath sharp. “I am doing this for you!” she snapped. “For your sanity! The men of Alasu are not ordinary men. You may not survive the act.” Nene looked at her in disbelief. “Really?” she whispered. Without another word, she turned and fled the chamber, slamming the door so hard the torches and walls rattled. Morning came swiftly, but the palace was tense. Queen Mariam summoned all the young girls who had attended the princess’s gathering the previous day. They were brought into the great hall one by one, questioned carefully, their words weighed and measured. Killia stood at the back, her heart pounding. She had not slept. The queen’s eyes swept over the girls like a blade. When it was Killia’s turn, her hands trembled as she stepped forward. “You attended the meeting,” Queen Mariam said coolly. “Why is your name not signed here?” Killia’s mouth went dry. Before she could answer, the doors burst open. “Nene!” a voice cried. The princess staggered into the hall, holding her stomach, tears streaming down her face. She collapsed to the floor, sobbing loudly. “My stomach… it hurts,” she cried. The hall was filled with confusion. “Nene!” Queen Mariam rushed forward, panic replacing authority. She waved her hand sharply. “Dismiss everyone. Now!” The girls scattered as the queen knelt beside her daughter, lifting her gently. “Bring the medicine,” Mariam commanded. “Quickly!” As the hall emptied, Killia fled her chest tight with fear. She knew now. The truth was no longer hidden. And Queen Mariam would do anything to bury it.