Mountain Life

CHAPTER 1C - Serena

“That is all we can ask.” Marissa Taylor, on her right, handed her a necklace. Seven council members wear it to identify them to those in the community. Brigit looked at it a moment, reverently, knowing this belonged to her friend, her sister, Serena. A brown leather circle, maybe two inches across, with an upside-down triangle worked below a pair of holes on either side of the top edge. The flame was between the holes, and the leather passed between the two holes in the back side of the pendant. The Ankh was in the center of the triangle. She placed it around her neck and felt pride in this tradition.

The leader of the council spoke. “Brigit, I know you are familiar with each council member, but as a formality, I will introduce each to you.” He paused a moment, “I am Keven Marcus. Council leader. My role is to provide advice and guidance, and in the event of a deadlock, add my voice to make a decision for the greaterment of the settlement.” He turned to his left.

“I am David Carpenter. My primary role in this council is to see to the well-being of the members. I assist the doctor if needed and watch out for the member’s mental state.”

Kevin looked to his left, to the person past David.

“Hi Brigit, I am Joseph Waters. My role is to watch out for all the animals in the settlement. I make certain they provide for us and do not get ill.”

The final person on that side of the table spoke. “I am Daniel McKay, and I help to keep track of everyone. Those interested in a career and those not certain what they want to do for the remainder of their lives.”

“I am Marissa Taylor. I ensure the homes, the people, the crafts in the community have the items needed to make, or do, what they need.”

The last person at the table spoke. “Hello, Brigit. As you know, I am Marshall Obenga. My son works the desk. My role with this council is two-fold. I provide a reality check for ideas and have a gift – the gift of sight for the hunt. I inform hunters and parties where to gain the best from their time hunting.”

For the next 2 hours, they informed her of the council members’ procedure, policy, and traditions. She knew of them, but now she needed to uphold them also. A new responsibility.

Lunch was a simple meal: bread, meat, and cheese with a wonderfully refreshing fruit-flavored drink she had never had before.

“And lastly, Brigit, my dear friend, we come to the end of this meeting. But, first, we need to tell you what your duties will be related to the council.”

The lead member looked her dead in the eye, “Young one. You will take up Serena’s role.” He paused to let that sink in. It was evident they did not foresee Serina surviving this illness. “Your primary function in the community for the council is to learn, teach, and help. You have the gift of dreams. This is vital to the community, as evidenced in past years by how you and Serena saved this community from disaster. If you dream about us, the community, or something the council needs to know, you must tell us what you see.” He paused a moment and smiled at her.

“Lastly, twice yearly, four council members enter a town, a few days’ journey from here. They pick up needed items and trade for those items. There are several structures along the path, so resting in the buildings is preferable to in the open.”

Marissa spoke, “Brigit, you will join the journey with me, Joseph, and David. The trip always consists of two men and two women. You will learn more as we start the journey.”

David Carpenter spoke, “We have an essential role. This will be my eighth journey. Please understand that what you see, hear, and experience once you depart the community cannot be spoken of outside this room once you return.”

Brigit felt a concern take her over. What were they keeping from the community? What was so terrible that the other members of this close-knit family could not be informed?

“We depart one week from today, just after breakfast.” Joseph Waters said, “Pack light, clothing, water, and snacks. We will be in a cart and not walking for two days. It also makes it easier to bring what we collect home with us.” He looked her dead in the eye, “Brigit, we refer to this as the collection, and you are a collector. Serena knows and understands since she has attended several. Still, her family is not aware of the full impact of the process, and you are not. Of course, you will, but please speak to Serena privately about the collection, and she will enlighten you on the nuances of her role during the journey.”

The council members departed in precedent order, most to least senior. She was the newest and sat in her place until she was alone. About half an hour passed, and she still sat there in the room, in her seat.

She finally stood and left the room, passing an empty reception desk as she did. Leaving the building, she turned right but didn’t know where to go. She had no place she needed to be, so she simply walked. As people greeted her, they noticed the necklace and congratulated her.

She ended up at Serena’s house; knowing she was alone, she walked onto the porch and opened the door. Poking her head in, “Serena? May I talk with you?

She heard her friend calling from the back of the house, “Yes, I thought you may be visiting me just after lunch.”

Serena met Brigit in the living room, and Brigit had her first look at just how devastating the illness was that Serena possessed. She looked old and feeble. Serena motioned to an oversized, comfy chair. Before Brigit sat, she added more wood to the nearly-out fire burning in the fireplace. There were plenty of embers, so it would catch shortly.

Serena said, “Brigit, you met with the council; I see you are wearing my necklace, so congratulations. I figured you and I needed to have a private discussion. I sent my husband and daughter away on errands, so we have several hours.” She smiled at her oldest and dearest friend, “Please remember, what we discuss cannot be spoken to anyone but a full council member.”

Brigit stammered a moment, out of character for her, but it showed how this had left her out of sorts. “I have no idea where to start. What to ask?”

“Then let me begin.” Serena paused and reflected, “I have a very short amount of life remaining. Then I will die. The doctors tell me there is nothing they can do for me. It is my heart. It is giving out, and because of it, my lungs are filling with fluids. So one of them, heart or lungs, will be my doom, but which, no idea.”