Chapter 3
1952 Words
Chapter 3
The sound of ancient drumming and singing could be heard from the royal grounds from miles and miles away. The excitement was in the air . My Mother had informed me that over 300 girls were becoming women tonight. People from all the 4 Lands of the Earth Lands, Dahi, Doma, Denai and Devalia , the royal district ,came to watch and rejoice every year at the Royal grounds . The main event would last for about an hour, after which the celebrations would Last till first light. This was a very intentional part of the Earth culture as mothers and fathers would be out hunting for eligible young men to get their daughters proposed to. Not all the ladies today would get marks and it was common knowledge, but every woman who played her cards well could go home with a proposal and that in itself was exciting enough.
Well for most people I guess..
The air was warm and perfect for tonight. I stood behind the palace doors with the other girls and their omas .
I was dressed in a golden and dark red top with golden sparkly strands holding it together criss-crossed all the way down my back to my waist,
with a maroon leaf skirt with the leafs layered to make it full with golden threads at the fringe.
I wore my family golden arms cuffs and golden chains with the family symbols around my neck and ankles.
My nail buds had been painted with a sparkly gold liquid which I really liked. My long, waist length hair was loosely braided with golden strings and some strands were left loose to hang down my face and around my ears.
I wore simple golden earrings so as to not lose them in the crowd and Reeva had made me up lightly with black liner to my eyes .
I looked around and there were all kinds of colourful clothings and hair styles . I turned to a very petite girl I had not seen before . She was dressed in a golden top that showed too much skin and had a low cut in front . Her skirt was also quite short and her black eye liner was definitely too much. We locked eyes for a few seconds and she eyed me and turned to her oma.
Don't take it personal. Aria is like that to everyone. You're so beautiful and curvy…I'm milania”, a slim but very beautiful young lady said kindly to me as I turned to her .
She had on a blue leaf top that was well covered but stopped just above her belly button which held a beautiful ring.
Her skirt was well layered to match her golden pearls and beads that decorated her hair which was black and was let down her back where it stopped ,her ankles and wrists were beautifully decorated with golden beads as well.
“As you milania . I'm Liora”, I replied kindly as our omas walked away and the drumming changed.
“Wow. You have the royal accent. What are you doing here with we commoners?” Milania asked sweetly but curiously as well.
“My mother is Queen Sonalia's Hand Maiden so I grew up in the palace grounds ,but that's it really “ I shrugged.
“Oh really! That means you've seen the famous bachelor , Prince Rowan”
A chubby lady in a black outfit too small for her with short hair said dramatically as she added herself to the conversation.
“Do you even know what he looks like Rabi?”, milania asked chuckling.
“I don't need to silly. He's the Queen's heir. A proposal from him will make me my father's favorite out of the 9 daughters. Oh I'm sure I can get his attention tonight”, Rabi added lost in her thoughts.
Milania and I looked at themselves and laughed as they turned towards the squeals of excitement as the doors were being opened.
The ladies walked out gently as the people sang in celebration and they stood before the Queen and the elders of the Earth Lands.
Rowan was standing to his mother's left and we locked eyes for a few seconds and he smiled which brought back the fluttering from earlier. To his own right stood Nali whom he helped down the steps to stand with us as we made our way the center where the ceremony would take place.
He kept his eyes on me as they walked down the steps together and I did everything I could to not look at him. Nali took my hand and squeezed light as I admired her white attire. Every member of the Royal household wore white when they came of age . She looked beautiful.
The Court Leader and Queen's Adviser, Uza , who was Midan's Father stood to address the people as the Queen was not to speak . Her presence represented the presence of a God.
“Our Mother ,Fathers, Mothers, Elders and Royals , and my great people of The Earth Lands. The time has come again to honor mother nature and the gift of womanhood. We gather every year to celebrate the changing of garments as our daughters become women.
May every young lady in the field kneel..”
We all knelt and he made proclamations of health and vitality upon us and we all got mud from the sacred grounds placed on our foreheads We took turns in tens dancing to the sacred mating sound we had been learning since we could walk .
I felt I was being watched as my dance came to an end and i turned to see Rowan looking at me ,but differently, like earlier.I concentrated on the Last group that was dancing as I looked away again.
“I feel Rowan may propose this year to you lily”, Nali whispered softly and laughed when I shoved her and rolled my eyes.
“You sound just like reeva”
“I'm serious. My brother has loved you since we were children. Open your eyes silly woman".
Nali added softly .
She shoved me this time and I turned to where he was standing with midan who couldn't take his eyes off Nali.
“I do hope Midan proposes soon though. We were a match made in Mira”, she said shyly as the dance ended .
“The Mark of Our Element has been a gift bestowed upon by Mira . You have all been marked by sacred waters and have danced to honor our mother the earth. Now let us see who she chooses to bestow her gift upon.
" SPEAK MOTHER!! “ Uza yelled .
The crowd began singing and clapping to an ancient earth land song and the marks began to glow and take form on the arms of the young women .
Nali's Mark came in almost immediately and we rejoiced . Milania and Rabi also received marks as far as I could see and I received nothing. The song ended and the ceremony came to an end as proud family members and friends came down from the high seats to congratulate the young women and the festival.
Nali turned to me with tears in her eyes and took me in her arms. “This can't be happening.I can't go to Gonoria without you Lily”
“You can and you will . I will visit whenever I can with the royal escorts and I'll be cheering you all the way”, I added smiling softly and trying to hide my own sadness. I turned to see Rowan staring straight at me as he approached us, midan by his side.
I let go of Nali and handed her to her female guard for the night as she was still sobbing softly and ran towards the royal garden. I ran hard and didn't stop until I got to the entrance.
I stood there panting and the tears came hard. I knew there was no certainty that I would get a mark but I really believed I would. Why didn't I get one?
I was still sobbing when I felt a hand on my shoulder from behind . I gasped and turned to see Rowan staring at me with sad eyes. He stretched out his muscular arms and stood there waiting for my stubbornness to give way, as I stood there, arms folded as tears streamed down my eyes. He sighed and put his hands down and covered whatever space was left between us.
“You know for someone so delicate, you can be as difficult as a bull…Lily look at me…please..”
He said softly as he tried to lift my head to his but I wouldn't look up .
I broke down completely sobbing and he took me in his arms before I hit the ground and held me as I sobbed hard. I quieted down after a while and was suddenly very aware of his scent. Pinewood and oranges. It was distracting but in a good way, but it was strange so I slowly moved back but he held me at the waist.
“I'm sorry. You should be out there celebrating with with nali and your mother and”, I muttered out as I looked up to him and hated how affected I was by not getting a mark .
“Shh… it's okay. I'm not going anywhere. You're very important to me Liora. I also wanted to…”
‘Lioraaaa…..Lioraaaaaaaaaaaaa’
The voice from my dreams was calling me from the middle of garden and I turned from Rowan's hold towards it.
“Did you hear that?”
“Uh, no…hear what Lily?”
‘Lioraaaaa……Lioraaaaaaaaa’
“That voice…” I added as I started jogging further into the garden.
“Liora, there's no one there. Its just an old dried up tree at center and. ..” Rowan added and grabbed my hand as he got to where I stopped, trying to lead me back.
An old tree? I had never been to the heart of the large garden before.
“Can you take me to it ? Please?”, I turned to him and reached out for his other hand.
“We should be heading back…”
‘Lioraaa…..Lioraaaaaaaaaaaaa’
The voice called a
“Pleeeeaaaasseeeee…” I said softly and closed the space within us and placed my hands on his face before I had time to think .
He placed his hands on my waist and pulled me closer. I saw his gaze shift to my lips and slowly back to my eyes. Mine went to his as well and back to his eyes. He gently closed the remaining space between us and..
‘Lioraaaa…..Lioraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa’
I snapped out of the moment I didn't quite understand and started running towards the voice. As I ran , I saw a sliver trail in the earth that led me to the center. I heard Rowan shouting my name to wait for him but a force took over my body and I was running with supernatural strength. I reached the tree and stopped infront of it. It was glowing with white leaves like the one from my dreams. A hand space was carved into its trunk and it was glowing A little puddle surrounded the tree and I stepped into in. The Earth began to rumble and as I placed my hand In the carving , I heard the sound of thunders and a light came out from the tree with a blast and hit me hard.
“LIORAAAAA!!!!!!!..”
- Writer
