Chapter 03

Family Descent

Book One �" Divergence

Part I �" Novices

Chapter 03

April 1657

 

            A small traveling trunk stood open in the center of Iyara’s room. Inside the trunk were several small items and, at the moment, Iyara was leaning into one of the two armoires that flanked a large window on wall of the room. She was mindlessly humming an old folk tune as she hunted through the wardrobe for items she might take with her to the temple for her initiation period.

            The three large windows were thrown open to allow the fresh mountain spring breeze to enter. The heavy brown velvet drapes which kept out the winter chill had been packed away in the household storage and had been replaced by delicate linen lace panels that shuffed and wuffed gently in the springtime zephyr. Upon the floor, beneath the open trunk and other furnishings, was a rug in spring colors of white, pale green, rose and yellow. The rug, her mother said, had been woven by weavers in Etivi, the mountain duchy far to the south.

            Her large canopy bed was dressed in silks from far across the seas, they were buttery yellow with vines and leaves of green were embroidered onto the silk. On the small table that sat beside a comfortable chair in front of the cold fireplace was a vase of newly cut yellow tulips.

            Iyara tossed a pair of well-used and well-loved riding boots into the truck. So engrossed was she in her packing that she did not notice the diminutive intruder enter her room.

            “Will you really need riding boots at the temple?” asked the small voice from behind. Iyara turned around nearly hitting her head on the open wardrobe door to see her middle sister, ten year old Miranda, sitting on the edge of the bed. Miranda was dressed in a short one piece dress made of light billowy cream colored cotton. The dress was trimmed in pink. Soft suede slippers covered her stocking feet. Miranda looked at the trunk and frowned.

            “Probably not.” She sighed and removed the boots from the trunk and replaced them in the wardrobe. “In truth,” she continued turning back to the trunk. “I think the trunk itself is overlarge for my needs. I really don’t have that much to pack.”

            She sat down on the bed beside her sister. Although alike in feature, Miranda had hair as raven black as their father, where Iyara’s was golden like their mother. Too, Iyara was fair skinned, but Miranda’s had an almost golden tint to it. Miranda’s features were also more refined. Her finer nose and eyes that were very slightly tilted gave evidence to the elven blood inherited from their father’s side of the family. Where Iyara’s eyes also favored her mother’s golden eyes, being only slightly darker and more amber, Miranda’s eyes were a startling blue-grey like her twin’s eyes. Tholin also shared Miranda’s general features and coloring.

            “I really don’t understand why you are going to become a priestess.” Miranda stated in that princess tone that everyone in the family, and indeed the entire academy, were familiar with. It was a question Iyara had heard from her sister many times before. Miranda was in many ways different from Iyara. Miranda preferred studying needlework and spinning with the women to any outdoor activity. Too, she showed no great interest in academics of any sort. She did have a quick mind, it was clear she shared that family trait; it was just that she saw much more value in putting that mind to different purposes. She did apply herself to figures well and spent much time with academy’s bursar watching him tend the books. She spent a great deal of time among the house staff learning how a household should be properly and efficiently run. “No doubt she will make some lord a worthy wife indeed.” Iyara mused to herself.

            “Do recall,” Iyara began, recalling an incident that might help her answer the question, “When you were a few years younger and learnt how ill Korrie is?” Miranda nodded.

            “At that time Korrie had suffered an outbreak of the Syndrome and you wanted so badly to go to him and help him. Do you recall?” Again, Miranda nodded.

            “Mother said I would only be in the way.” Miranda said in a subdued voice.

            “Nevertheless, you felt you should answer his need. You felt it deep within you. Something you must do. I remember you sneaking into his room to sit by his bedside.”

            “I remember.” Answered Miranda and clearly by her expression, Iyara knew she did.

            “That is how I feel.” Iyara replied. “Deep within me I hear the call of the goddess. I know that I must answer the call. I feel it deep within me.” She laid a hand over her heart to emphasize the point. “Do you understand now?” Miranda thought for a moment. A serious thought to judge by her brow furrowed in concentration. Then she nodded.

            “Yes. I think I do.” She answered finally. “But don’t you want to get married someday and have babies and such?” She asked.

            “I do very much.” Iyara answered. She stood and walked over to the chest in the middle of the floor and began pulling items back out to reconsider. “Being a priestess of Ilmatar does not preclude such things.” She explained to her sister as she restored several garments to their place in the wardrobe. “Many priestesses are married and have families. Some choose not to, ‘tis true, but that is a choice they freely make.”

            “What do the priestesses do?” Miranda asked while getting up from the edge of the bed to happily help Iyara empty the chest.

            “Well, all sorts of things.” Iyara answered. “Mainly they serve the goddess, but in doing so they help many people. The Sisters of the Wellspring, like Denar and Catala, are healers. They help woman who are giving birth. The Sisters of the Shroud help ease the souls of those who have died to reach the afterlife. The Daughters of Ilmatar help children and protect them.”

            “And the Sisters of Arms?” Miranda prompted while handing Iyara an ink pot and pen set from the trunk.

            “No, that goes.” Iyara handed the set back. “Yes, the Sisters of Arms are protectors of the church �" Ilmatar’s warriors. They protect other priestesses and followers of Ilmatar. Too, they perform other tasks given by the goddess. She may send them to aid a king who has asked the goddess for aid in time of war.”

            “I see.” Miranda nodded. “And what sort of priestess will you be, sister?” Iyara turned once again to face her sister.

            “I don’t know, Miranda. There is much else to know about them and I won’t have to decide until the initiation is over. By then I will have learned enough to make a choice �" one that will allow me to use my skills to best serve the goddess.”