by Bridie Blake
“The Great Gods argued day and night on how best to fix the problem.”
“‘Could we not just create another piece of land?’ The God Windel wanted to know, his strength waning the longer his people fought one another. Yet they knew they could not create a new piece of land without taking land from their brothers and sisters, and in doing so bring about the end of Delthenon.
“‘We will use a human vessel, brother. But while we wait for a worthy vessel we must send a message of hope to our people.’
“With the God’s strength waning, the Goddess searched high and low for a messenger she could use. But as the human years continued to pass by she felt as though she would never find someone strong enough to get a message of hope out to the people. Until one day she found her. A woman about to be persecuted for using her gifts. The night before she was due to be burned in the city of Fenella, the Goddess paid her a visit and whispered in her ear.”
“To this day the people present at the burning of Serenite the Witch claim she did not scream in pain nor did she cry for help. She only spoke once and after she did she was bathed in a golden light and carried into the afterlife by the Goddess herself. The story of Serenite the Witch spread throughout the kingdom until every Kamari and Kalaowin knew her message by heart.”
Tempani inched forward, eager to hear the message.
“One woman will come forward to bridge the gap between our two people for she understands and is the voice of both.
She will bring forth the freedom of all enslaved as she is bound to them for all eternity.
She will bring about the rise of women and lead them into the power they should possess for not only men should wield magic and strength.
She will be blessed with the Power and will have the hand of the Goddess on one shoulder and the hand of the Black and White Woman on the other.
And the Goddess in a way very few will see shall mark her as The One.
Her faithful servants - woman, man and beast alike - will aid her, until peace is found once again across this land.
We will know when she has arrived, for the strength of her Power will reach the furthest corner of this great land.
Listen for her call and follow her to your destiny.”
“So they were her last words?” Tempani asked. “And people believe it? They really believe that one person can deliver so much?”
“They did. There was a time when those that suffered believed their savior would come. But as time wore on, faith faded and desperation took hold.”
“So I am to place my faith in a story of hope?”
“You are to enter this new phase with a belief that there is still hope somewhere in this kingdom. That not all are blinded by prejudice.”
Tempani sighed. She wanted to believe that one day people would not look the other way when she passed, but she had long ago decided that was a child’s dream. She had seen her mother slain before her very eyes. And from that day she had lost her innocence.
Mother Chennai placed her hands on Tempani’s shoulders and kissed her forehead. “I know you wish to return to Amarill, but believe me when I say that is not the place for you, my daughter. Your path in life is just beginning, and it will take you to some interesting places. You need to trust in the people around you. Don’t run from something because you are afraid. Fear is no one’s friend.”
“Do I even get a choice?” She whispered. But she knew she had no say in the matter. She had been dragged here against her will, and now she was being dragged to the city. Her father made her decisions until she wed. Then it fell to her husband. She looked around her. At least here she had been able to make a choice about some things. She had chosen to work in the vegetable garden and in the infirmary. It was the first time in her life she’d been free to make a choice. But now that would end. And there was nothing she could do to change it. She sighed. “How long do I have?”
“Your time with us will end in a matter of days.”
Tempani bowed her head and kissed the abbess’ hand. “Goodnight Mother Chennai. Fear not, I feel no contempt towards you. You are, after all, only the messenger. Sleep well.”
The young girl walked away, head lowered and shoulders hunched. The dog, Tilaw, followed closely behind. Mother Chennai frowned and gazed up into the night’s sky.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she whispered to her Goddess.
Tempani did not sleep well that night, nor the next. If there was one thing in life she knew she didn’t want, it was to go to Fenella and be handed over to any man willing to take a half-blood into his bed as his wife. She knew the chances of a good man, a man she could maybe one day fall in love with, wanting to be hers were not good. It did not matter that her father was the most recognized and decorated knight in the kingdom. The only thing that would matter would be the color of her skin. She had faced these prejudices for as long as she could remember. Her childhood friends at the palace made sure she knew she was different.
And she did know it. While most girls enjoyed their lessons on how to be a lady, Tempani preferred to be outdoors, running through the fields, riding her horse Mincha, swimming in the lake on Amarill. She liked hearing stories on Kamara’s history, stories of their neighbors and stories of her mother’s people, the Kalaowins.
She often thought about slipping away in the night and trying to find her mother’s tribe. But then she thought of Chae, the brother she had not seen in years, and she came to her senses. The only good thing about going to Fenella would be reuniting with her older brother.
Chae was now twenty years of age and had been a knight for two years. He had left for the palace when he was ten to begin his days as a page. She had never seen her parents so proud. Her father boasted to all the villagers that his son was going to be a greater knight than he was. Chae put on a brave face, but Tempani knew of the struggles he faced in his first year as a page. No one wanted to befriend him. He was picked on most days. But in the privacy of his room, he practiced well into each night until he could prove to everyone that he belonged there.
Tempani had only seen her brother once in ten years. He returned to Amarill with his knight master Sir Danei of Quito and the contingent from the palace to be with his family on the day they buried Lady Hamalia of Amarill. His visit had been brief. He had stayed one night only, and then he was gone.
Two days after that, Sir Otto followed him. King Wimarc had attended the burial with his family, to pay his respects and to convince his good friend Otto to return with him to Fenella and take up the position of Training Commander to the pages and squires and the position of Defense Minister on the King’s Parliament. It had not taken much to convince the grieving widower to leave his estate and take up residence at his manor in the city.
The day after Sir Otto left Amarill, Tempani was woken at dawn by her Aunt Sofhia. She dressed quickly and ran outside to find a horse saddled for her and a guard of eight of the estates finest fighters. She was being taken to the convent. Indefinitely. No time for goodbyes to her friends in the village. Tempani was whisked away.
The young girl had arrived at the convent, scared and tired. She had lost her mother, and she felt as though her father had abandoned her. And then she was taken from her home and forced into a world that she did not want to be part of. Tempani refused to speak for her first season there. She did not pray, and she barely ate. On the rare occasion that she looked someone in the eye, all they saw was an emptiness that threatened to consume them. The only company she kept was Tilaw.
And then it all changed. Mother Chennai saw her slip out of the convent walls that first time. She stood, hidden in the shadows, for half the night until she saw Tempani and Tilaw return. They walked past where she stood, and she heard the girl speak for the first time.
“Nika is here to save me Tilaw. I know it.”
Mother Chennai could have scolded her for sneaking out, but the relief in hearing the girl talk pushed all thoughts of punishment from her mind. And the next morning th
e girl knelt in the chapel when all the others did, and she prayed.
But now that the time had come to leave a place she thought she did not want to be, Tempani felt a wave of sadness. She had come to grow fond of the convent. She loved Mother Chennai and the animals. She felt a sense of gratitude towards the sisters and even some of the novices. They had, in a sense, become her family. And now she was being taken from them too and being sent to a family that she no longer knew.
Would she and Chae still love one another? She feared that his time in the city may have changed him. Had his quest to be a knight and be accepted hardened him? Would he still laugh at her tales and calm her temper? Would they still share the same thoughts and ideas?
—
The convent buzzed with excitement. The visitors from the city would be upon them at any moment. Refreshments were prepared, troughs filled with water, benches wiped down.
Tempani sat in the infirmary, her packed bag at her feet. She knew she should have been outside, waiting like the well-bred noblewoman she was, but she couldn’t bear the thought. She didn’t want people to believe she was going away willingly. At least in the infirmary, she could distract herself. Keep her hands busy.
She rinsed her cloth and wiped the face of the young villager who had been brought in two nights past with a fever and horrible cough. The boy gripped her hand.
“I’m scared,” Asher whimpered.
“There’s no need to be scared,” she whispered. “We’ll look after you.”
“I don’t want to die.”
She bit her lip and fought back tears. She knew his chances of surviving weren’t good. She had seen too many like him. Starved, the fever set in and then the cough. He would have only a matter of days.
She pressed her lips to his forehead. “Blessed Goddess, guide my hand. Show compassion to this child.”
Their clasped hands grew hot, and she fought back a yelp. “Rest Asher. There’s no need to be afraid.” She watched him until he fell asleep and then freed herself from his grasp and inspected her hands. That had never happened before. Perhaps the Goddess had assisted her.
She walked out of the infirmary, wiping away her tears and almost crashed into Mother Chennai and a man she did not know.
“My daughter, it’s time.” She placed an arm around Tempani’s shoulders. “This is Sir Madoc of Pina. He is to accompany you to Fenella.”
Tempani scowled before remembering her manners and sunk into a curtsey before the young knight.
He was handsome. She noticed straight away. He was tall, perhaps an inch shorter than her father, but he had a larger frame than his former mentor. He had dark hair that was cropped above his ears, watchful dark eyes and skin that was dark for a Kamari.
“Lady Tempani, it is a pleasure to accompany you. Once our horses are rested, we will make a start on our journey north.”
Tempani forced a smile. “I will say my goodbyes and be with you shortly.” She walked away, not really knowing who she needed to say goodbye to. The only friend she was leaving behind was Nika. And she had bid him farewell the night before.
He had not taken the news well. “You don’t have to go. You have rights.”
She shook her head and tried to make him understand. “I am my father’s daughter. I must do as he wishes no matter how much I may disagree with the decision. I have no option but to travel to Fenella and be reunited with my family.”
“Do not forget that they are only half your family.”
She shook her head. “Never. You of all people know how much I miss her.”
He frowned and then did something that surprised them both. He pulled her into his arms. She hesitated for a moment before wrapping her arms around his waist. He pressed his lips against the top of her head. “May the Goddess guide you.”
She reached out and stroked Kwahi’s feathers. “And may she reunite us one day.” And with that she left him standing there.
She wandered through the stables and took one last look at the horses she had loved and waved farewell to the sister who helped her tend them. Then with a heavy heart she went to find Sir Madoc.
—
The road north was a slow one as the snows of the winter melted away. The day had been especially long for Tempani because as a lady she’d had to ride in the cart they’d brought along and the man who drove it had uttered no more than a greeting to her.
So she had sat beside the man they called Rando with a frown on her face, her arms crossed, and Tilaw resting his head on her lap. She almost leapt from the cart when they finally arrived at their resting stop for the night but then remembered who she was and waited for Sir Madoc to offer his arm in assistance.
He led her inside a run-down inn and spoke quickly to the barman, who glared at the girl and then limped away. Sir Madoc gestured Tempani forward, and they followed the man. He unlocked a door and handed the key to Tempani before disappearing.
“It isn’t much,” Madoc apologized as he carried her bag inside and set it down beside her bed. “But our options are very limited.”
He didn’t meet her eyes as he spoke and understanding dawned on the young girl.
“Perhaps I should have covered my face with a white powder, and then we could have stayed in the finest accommodations,” she said.
“I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for ignorance.” He went to close the door and then stopped. “I’ll have them bring dinner to your room shortly.”
She simply nodded and then turned away so he wouldn’t see the tears forming in her eyes. She thought she’d be used to being treated this way. How did Chae put up with all of this? Or was it a different matter now that he had his shield? She would have given anything to have him with her right now. To tell her that everything would be all right and that not everyone would look at her with disgust in their eyes.
She let the tears fall and fell asleep soon after, not even waking to the tapping on her door when her dinner was ready.
Tempani woke before the sun had risen the next morning and clutched her growling stomach. She shoved her feet into a pair of slippers and opened her door quietly. No one was about but the smell of fresh bread wafted down the hall. She crept down the stairs and followed her nose to the kitchen.
She tapped lightly on the door and pushed it open. A loud crash echoed through the room as the blonde serving girl dropped the tray she was carrying, sending two pitchers of water flying, and stared open mouthed at Tempani.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” she said. “I was just looking for something to eat.”
The girl didn’t move and continued to stare.
“What’s going on?” The cook burst through the door, his eyes darkening as saw the pitchers and spilt water on the floor. “Neria, clean this mess!”
The girl finally blinked and bowed her head, hiding her bright red cheeks. She knelt down clumsily and tried to mop up the water with an already wet rag. Tempani pulled a dry one off the bench and bent over so she was level with the girl.
“Here,” she said and held the rag out.
The girl yelped and pulled her hand away from where it was almost touching Tempani’s.
The cook finally registered Tempani’s presence and glared at her. “Ye shouldn’ be in ‘ere.”
“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I was just looking for some food.”
There was a strong hatred in his eyes and it sent a sent shiver down her spine. She stepped backwards, but as she did, he advanced on her. She sent a panicked look to Neria, but the serving girl kept her head bowed.
“Ye’re all the same,” he spat. “I told Jan we shouldn’ let the likes of ye in.”
Tilaw bared his teeth and snarled at the man. A flash of anger coursed through her, and as it did the temperature in the room rose. Tempani didn’t notice it through her fury, but the cook’s eyes darted around to see if a flame had been left unattended.
The door burst open and a large hand grabbed Tempani’s upper arm. She spun, ready to throw a p
unch in defense, and found herself facing Sir Madoc, who had a worried look on his face. He surveyed the room quickly and then pulled her behind him.
“I hope there’s not a problem here,” he said.
The cook backed away and forced a smile onto his face. Tempani thought it made him look even more menacing. “No sir,” he said, through clenched teeth.
“We need food for our journey,” he said shortly. “Have a basket ready for us when we leave.” He turned on his heel and beckoned Tempani to follow him. He led her quickly down the hall, up the stairs and back to her room.
“Don’t ever wander off on your own again. It’s not safe.”
“I did nothing but ask for food,” she whispered.
“Next time find me, and I will get whatever you need.”
She felt the spark of anger again. “I am more than capable of fending for myself.”
“Back in the convent, no doubt. But here it is a different story. I promised your father I would get you home safely, and I intend to do so. Please just do as I say.”
The mention of her father made her stop in her tracks. “My father would no more care what happens to me than that cook,” she scoffed.
“Believe what you want,” he said. “But my orders from him were very clear, and I intend to honor them.” He opened her door and walked in ahead of her. “We leave before the next hour. Pack up your things and be downstairs ready to go. And please cover your head today.”
Tempani scowled but did as she was told and covered her head like any normal unwed woman before she joined her group and took her seat beside Rando. The trek wasn’t as bumpy as the day before, and she was able to sit back and take in the scenery. She had never seen this part of the kingdom before and was surprised to see how bad things had become.
She knew the king didn’t care for much beyond the walls of his palace, but she would have thought he’d ensure his people were cared for. The villages they passed looked like they were on their last legs. Homes had parts of their walls missing; some didn’t have roofs. There was no protection from those creatures that preyed on humans. The convent had been safe, protective charms keeping unwanted species away, but there were none here that she could see or feel. And no guards to keep the people safe.
