by Jessie Wolf
I look over at two of the monks and wave for them to come take the woman away. “Brother’s take this betrayer to the faith away. Turn her over to the surgeons at the Temple Hospital she is to be fitted with the High Priest interface and encased in the unit by nightfall. This one will serve the Temple she has desecrated as its own Network hub until her last days. I will not be dissuaded in this judgment.” The brothers didn’t even blink at my command. They descended on the woman with a vengeance.
“You cannot do this to me! I work for the Emperor, himself! No!! NNNOOO!!!” whoever she was, no one here moved to help her or take her side. That is the problem with spies. Once people find out you have betrayed them, they just don’t care what you have to say or who you may work for. I turn to Father Waylon.
“Father Waylon, will any of these items restore my friend’s voices to them?”
“Yes, Guardian Maiha, while one dose of the Tongue of Fire has the power to render one speechless, a second dose will restore it.” The man had a smile a mile wide.
“Can that other thing remove their chastity belts?” I was hoping that it could but it was not to be.
“I am sorry, Guardian, but not even the Great Dragon has the power to override those.” I could tell that he truly was upset by this fact.
Looking over at Bethany, Lisa, Stacey, and Kimberly. “Do you want your voices back?” their heads were nodding a mile a minute. “Father, give them Tongue of Fire.” the old priest stepped up gave each girl a hug and a quick shot in the neck next to her vocal cords.
“They should have their voices back in one quarter of an hour to take the vows for their new sisterhood with the others.” And with that the old man picked up his tools and bag then left.
Next up was the old Sister Gai Há in her hands was a book that could have doubled as a worktable. It took the two novices with her to carry the book and to lift it onto the altar. Across the front of it was a hand painted picture of a golden dragon over a pair of crossed swords. She opened the book to the first page showing the name of it. ‘Here in lies the names of those who would wield the Fangs of the Golden Dragon. This is the story of the ancient Order of Ryōjin. Below that was a dark brown hand print. Looking up at me. “Who shall be the keeper of names?”
Looking down at the monster book and taking in its age and everything else about it, I know who deserved the honor just because of her love of books. “Nanami, come here please.” My baby sister quickly joined me at my side. “This is the Keeper of our Names, Nakatoma Nanami.” The old woman looked at Nanami’s novice robs, and then turn back to me.
“She is not a full sister, she cannot hold the names.”
“Wrong, she became a full sister on the battlefield. I shall vouchsafe for her.”
The old woman turned back to Nanami. “Nakatoma Nanami, I place into your care the Names of your fellow Sisters in your order. Guard them well, Daughter of the Dragon.” The old woman took out a small ceremonial knife then cut Nanami’s hand. Once the blood pooled she placed Nanami’s hand on the first page of the book wear the dark brown hand print was. “Do you accept this ancient responsibility?”
“With my entire heart sister. None shall bring harm to these names or the ones I shall add over time.”
When Nanami finished the woman pushed the book to her and waited for Nanami to turn it around before flipping it open to the first blank page. I watched as Nanami took a quail and pot of ink from the old woman and began to place the names of our family on the page. The old woman stepped back and Brother Thomas took her place. In his hands was an orb the size of small cannon ball and black as night in color. “Who shall be the Guardian of the orb?”
I don’t even think twice and wave Nanase forward. “Nakatoma Nanase shall be the Guardian of the orb.” The old man place the orb in Nanase’s hands. When she was asked if she accepted the responsibility she replied “With my entire heart brother. Next he placed a three foot tall five inch round sealed on both ends tube on the altar.
“Who shall hold the Fire of Wisdom?”
Once again I didn’t think and waved Fuyuko forward. “The keeper for the Fire of Wisdom, shall be Nakatoma Fuyuko.” After the old man placed the tube in her hands he stepped back only to be replaced by Father Waylon and Mother Katsumi. They waited for my sisters to step back out of the way. Father Waylon waved for Alice and mama to join me at the altar. As one they raised their hands above mamas’ head. When she was asked if she accepted the responsibility she replied “With my entire heart brother”.
In voices that were trained by years of Temple work. “You have all accepted the role of Guardians for this Temple. Do you now accept the roles of sisters in the Order of Ryōjin?”
As one we answered, and didn’t need any prompting. “Where my sisters go I shall go.”
The Reverend Mother turned to mama. “Will you be their Reverend Mother to guide them through the trials and tribulations of youth? Will you as their Reverend Mother show them compassion equally with discipline? Will you accept this sacred duty with all of your heart?”
“Where my daughters of the Dragon go, I go.”
She turned to me and Alice. “Will you two accept the duties that your Reverend Mother will assign you? Will you teach those placed in your care the way of the sword? Will you teach them to be shields for those who cannot defend themselves?”
Alice and I look at each other first then answered. “Where my sisters go, I go.”
When we finished the Reverend Father called out at what had to be the top of his lungs. “So begins the new age of the Great Dragon. Welcome now, brothers and sisters, the new Sisterhood of the Dragon Ryōjin. Welcome Daughters of the Dragon.”
Chapter 2
As one the four orders that were able to all bowed to me and my family. Then as one they bowed to those who were now the newest members of our sisterhood. Then the Reverend Mother Katsumi stepped forward to speak. “Now, Guardian Sister Maiha, what shall be the tenants of your Sisterhood?”
SHIT! Why did she have to ask me that now?! Hell I don’t even have a clue to what I’m going to do with them, let alone what I’ll teach them, or even what I’m going to tell their parents. Talk about a FUBAR situation, and now she is asking me what the tenants for this order well be. However the old bat gives me a helping hand by shifting her eyes to mama with a slight smile. That is all the answer I need.
“Reverend Mother, I am but a humble warrior, and have no knowledge of the other worldly. I have no way of understanding the Goddess’s grand plans, for that I rely upon the guidance of our Reverend Mother Dai Etsu. It will be by her wisdom that this Sisterhood steps forward into the future.” I turned to mama and bowed as deeply as possible with the most respect that I could shove into the act. “Reverend Mother, how shall we step forward into the future? What shall we teach our followers of this path? What shall be the pillars of our order? Who shall we allow to reside within our halls? These are but a few of my questions, please lend us your guidance.”
I must have done the right thing by turning to mama. She gave me a shallow bow before addressing Reverend Mother Katsumi. “The tenants for our Sisterhood are Honor, Duty, Compassion, Acceptance, and Justice. It will be by these five tenants we shall build the three Pillars of our order. They shall be Justice, Peace, and Law. All will be welcomed within our Halls, but especially those who cannot join any other Sisterhood because of the sin of suicide. None shall be turned away from our Halls and their chance at forgiveness. Our teachings shall be those of the Grand Sword Master Eiichi Nakatoma, found in his book, The Five Hands of the Blade. Our Sisters shall go out among the stars to spread our teachings and bring our Pillars where needed.”
“Where shall you place your Hall Reverend Mother Dai Etsu?” this was one question I was wondering myself. As it is we may have the room here, but that didn’t feel right to me. Because from the sounds of it mama was talking about an order to replace the Silent Sisters, by force if necessary.
The answer to this question came from an une
xpected source. “There is more than enough room within the walls of my campus for their uses Reverend Mother Katsumi. Send this sisterhood to us and we shall provide them with the education they will need for the outside world. Let them build their Hall there among those they can set an example for.” Mr. Lenard’s impassioned appeal was not lost on the two Temple Heads or any of those gathered here. I was not expecting it to be accepted though. The thought of a new order of the Temple outside of the compound would be against all tradition.
“Will you provide your students the chance to join this order, sir?” the fact that the Reverend Father was even asking this question and considering the JES campus as the place for our Hall was a shock.
This time it was Doctor Brim who speaks up. “For every student within our walls, and without. If they come to this Hall, they shall be allowed to attend our classes. None shall be turned away from our gates who seek the Hall of the Dragon’s Daughters.”
What happens next amazes me to no end? “Then let it be done. The Daughters of the Dragon shall have their Hall within your campus compound gentlemen.” The fact that the Reverend Mother Katsumi with one simple command would put into motion something that would have consequences reaching far beyond Hades was lost to all of us. It would not be until my later years that I would understand this.
With a bow the Reverend Mother and Father, mama turns to me. “Now, Mistress of Novices, who shall be the first among our initiates to join us as novices?”
With a smile I turn to Bethany and hold out my hand. “Bethany Hightower, once before you wanted to join a Sisterhood that serviced a greater purpose. Do you still wish to?” The tears in her eyes and smile on her face were all I needed to know that she did. When all she does is nod her head yes, I have to remind her to use her voice. “Then I need you to say something, Bethany. I cannot allow you to enter the Sisterhood mute.” It takes her a second, before she understands.
“With all my heart, and soul, I wish to enter the Sisterhood of the Dragon Ryōjin.” It is barely above a whisper and horse from the drugs that were used on her, but I know that once she has had a chance to rest and recover it will return to full force. Taking her by the hand I lead her over to where everyone else had made their sacrifice. Lisa, Stacey, and Kimberly followed at the urging of the others. Once all four were standing before me, I once again perform the ceremony I had with the others. After asking them and receiving a verbal reply I marked them as I had the others welcoming them into the Sisterhood.
However this time when I finished mama took over. “You four have been chosen to be the first among your new sisters. They will look to you for guidance; do not shirk in this duty. Are you now ready to take your first vows as novices of our Order?”
“Where my sisters go I go.” Once again their commitment to each other came through. The joy of being able to stay with their sisters as they enter into something greater than themselves rang out in their voices.
“Do you vow to promise to obey those above you? Will you honor those you wish to protect? Will you accept all who come to you for guidance and understanding? Are you willing to show compassion to the weak, sick, and poor? Can you bring justice to those who need it most whether it be by words or the sword?”
As one all four girls bowed to mama, then voices that were as loud as they could get them. “By our blood, bone, and honor. Where my sisters go I go!” I could tell the girls were straining their selves to be heard by everyone. The conviction in their eyes and words never once wavered.
Mama, walked around the altar, where she pulled each girl into her embrace. With each one she whispered something into the girl’s ear that was only for her. When she finished with them she stepped back and waved Master Yoshi forward.
“What blades do you have for these, the newest of our Temple Guardians, Master Yoshi? Do you have something befitting a fallen flower, a missing star, or a sunrise and a northern wind?”
The questions were all ceremonial in nature, but it was what was needed for these girls, all of them. The old man did not disappoint us or our new novices. Reaching back he picked a pair of swords that were rose colored in nature. “For the flower a pair of Fangs known as the Rose’s Thorns.” He handed the bundle to mama.
I watched as she wrapped the sash around Bethany’s waist then place the twin swords there. She followed this up with the Five Point Kiss. Turning back to Master Yoshi. “For your missing star I have the Star Sisters a pair of blades forged from a fallen star.” The swords were a midnight black in color. Once again mama took the swords and performed the ritual she had with Bethany, only this time it was with Lisa. Turning back to the old Master with an expecting look. “For the one who would be a sunrise only the Twin Rays of Morning will fit.” This pair was a solid bright yellow with blades bright as the morning sun. Mama performed her little ritual with the sash and placement of the swords with Kimberly this time. Before she could turn around the old Master was reaching for a set of swords in the hands of one of his apprentices. The pair of swords are white as the northern snows. “For your northern wind only one pair of Fangs will do, The Northern Winds.” Taking the swords from the old Master mama turns to Stacey, and preforms the ritual one more time.
Stepping back she smiles at the four of them before speaking again. “Welcome Sisters to your new life. When we return to your school our Mistress of Novices shall instruct you in the use of these Fangs. They are your sign of vocation, as well as its tools. However before that can happen I as your Reverend Mother along with the Mistress of Novices need your help in presenting your fellow sisters their blades. What say you my Four Stars of Guidance?”
“Where our sisters go we go!” was all they said as they moved over to the old Master who began to hand out the bundles of swords. As he did this he would tell the girls the names of the swords in each one. Hearing these names they would then head to one of the other girls were they would perform the ritual that I was quickly realizing had far reaching consequences. The Placement of Blades as I would come to call it was the second step in becoming a Sister in the Daughters of the Dragon. After each girl received their swords they would go over to wear mama was and ask to take their first vows of sisterhood.
It took close to an hour to pass out the swords and take the vows of all the girls. Once we had completed this task it was close to dinner time. Mama saw that a lot of our new novices were starting to show the fatigue from the lack of eating correctly. Turning to the other Reverend Mothers and Fathers, she bowed to them before speaking. “Brothers and Sisters, it appears that my new order is in need of something to eat and rest. It has been a stressful day for our new order, and they have a long day ahead of them tomorrow.”
“Pallets will be place here in the main area of the Temple so they can sleep here this night.” it was the Sister Li Mau the Mistress of Novices for the Sisterhood of the Divine Mistress. “I have, but one question of you Reverend Mother Dai Etsu.” Mama gives the woman a nod to go on. “What shall be their vestments in the morning? Those of initiates or full novices.”
I don’t know who was more pissed, mama, me, Alice, or my sisters. Thankfully it was mama who answers the old bat, because if I had it might have been at the point of a sword. “What part of the ceremonies here this day did you not understand, Sister Li Mau? Did you not hear me welcome these young ladies into the Sisterhood of the Dragon Ryōjin as novices? Are you so high bound as to deny their places as novices? Must everyone who comes through these doors be forced to endure your pettiness? I had to put up with your arrogance when I served as the High Reverend Mother, because I belong to no order and only to the Temple as has been my family’s tradition for so long. That is no longer the case, and now I have a true say in what happens within these walls. I am the Reverend Mother of a full Sisterhood and have all the rights and privileges as such.” The more she speaks the colder and harder her voice became. I was afraid she might loss control and gut the woman. Time for me to step in before things get out of control. Placing my hand on mama’
s shoulder to calm her down I step in front of her and face the assembled Temple Leadership.
Two of the three Mistress of Novices, both of the Novice-Masters, all of the Reverend Fathers and Mothers not counting the fake, as I look up at them I realize that I now stand in their number and I have a religious military force at my back, an untrained one, but still there. And they all knew it. Time to shake things up around here a bit.
“For too long you people have seen fit to interpret the teachings of the Goddess to fit your needs. Well, no more! These novices are all Daughters of the Dragon, and the Guardians for this Temple. They answer to no one other than our Reverend Mother. Who was until just a few months ago; your very own High Reverend Mother. Understand something Brothers and Sisters; this Order has the Trial of Refusal by Combat. I doubt your soft life of reverence has prepared you for that.”
I had everyone’s attention with that last statement. I just did something way outside the box, and they didn’t know what to think or do. Time for another kick in the teeth. Only this time it’ll be Missouri Prime mule that does the kicking.
“Within these walls is an entire order of women and girls who have been abused by the system that you’re teaching. You have until my return from this evening’s meal to have them here before me. If not then you’ll be looking for a new Temple in which to reside.”
“What do you plan to do, Lady Maiha? They cannot join the other Sisterhoods or they would have. They cannot join your Order as yours is a military one unless they so wish it. Will you kick them out?” there was a reason I couldn’t stand Sister Elizabeth, and her inability to look beyond her small world was it.
“That is not your concern, you just need to have them here and they have a way to talk to me. I have questions and they have answers.”
Mistress of Novices Goda stepped forward when I finished. “Guardian Sister Maiha, may I know what colors shall your novice wear, so that I can arrange for them to be properly attired in the morning?” she might be a pain in my ass at times, but I will give the woman her due. She did not try to cover up Sister Elisabeth’s mistake.
