Into the Abyss: M.I.A.
Chapter 13
FYI: Most of my character’s names have meanings that are important to that character. I go to Babynames.com to find them. It’s a fun web site...check it out...
Here we go again, enjoy everybody...
The trip to Zion was boring and uneventful. Ayana was nearly bouncing off the walls,
only a sharp word from Kali calmed the hyper teen.
After docking M.I.A. everyone exited. The crew was met by Ondrea and another
Priestess, both of them bowed to Kali. Who respond in kind.
“Reverend Priestess Kali, allow me to introduce Reverend Priestess Razi. She will show
you to High Priestess Didrika.” Kali nodded to her. Ondrea bowed again and left.
Razi smiled softly. She was a small woman, but she carried herself well. Her shining blue
eyes and the laugh lines around her eyes gave away her cheerful disposition. She pushed back her hood and short cropped brown hair was revealed. “Please follow me Kali and guests. High Priestess Didrika will be waiting.” Razi looked down into the awed face of Ayana and her smile widened. Ayana grinned back whole heartily.
They group was led down an ornately decorated hall and let into a splendid room, deck
out in deep red and purples. There wasn’t actual furniture. Instead there were pillows
thrown in a seemingly careless manner all about the room. The table was low to the floor. Red and gold trimmed pillows placed around it to indicate seats. Ayana and the twins were all wide-eyed. Dyro was the same way. Only he was more interested in what looked like covered food trays sitting on the low table in the middle of the room.
Razi walked over to another door and knocked. A muffled reply was heard and she
entered. Razi could be heard saying, “...here High Priestess.” Before she came out again. “Please make yourselves comfortable. High Priestess Didrika will be out shortly.” Razi bowed and left, closing the door behind her. Kali sat down on the floor on the cushions, everyone else followed suit.
“Kikyou’s rooms were nothing like this, Kali.” Lania commented. Kali nodded as she
looked around. “This is a far more traditional atmosphere. Back home things have
changed a great deal."
“And I cannot wait to learn how much they have changed.” A new voice from behind
them made everyone jump. Kali rose to her feet and bowed. Didrika smiled and motioned for her to sit. “No need, I want us to be friends. I almost didn’t believe Ondrea when she told me that there was a Priestess from beyond the A.T. But, here you are.”
Kali gestured to the others. “Before we begin allow me to introduce my friends and
fellow crew members; Jared, our weapons expert; his sister Melian, our engineer; Lania,
our Yrokia healer; Dyro, our shield specialist; Ayana, and Melian’s children Eryk and
Katina.” Everyone smiled and greeted Didrika.
“It is a pleasure to meet you all. Now...come and eat.” She gestured to the table. “We
can talk while we eat.”
Didrika asked Kali how she became a Priestess. *See chapter One*
“How does this Kikyou run things? Is it any different from my methods?”
“Not really High Priestess. Your rules and traditions are a bit stricter. But that’s the way
things were for the Priestesses I know two generations ago. And with the difference in
location and life style it’s understandable that there are differences. I’m a bit surprised
that there aren’t more.” Kali spoke thoughtfully after a moment.
Didrika nodded, “We have kept most of the traditions that were started by the founder of
the A.T. Priestesses. I am the Eleventh High Priestess since we started.”
Kali was surprised, “ I had no idea that Priestesses had been in the A.T. for so long.”
Didrika nodded, “Yes, many people say that. We many keep to yourselves. As I’m sure
your Priestesses do.”
Kali nodded in the affirmative. The conversation had been mainly Kali and Didrika for
most of the meal. Ayana however was full to bursting with questions. So when the
conversation paused she spoke, “What do you need to become a
Priestess-in-Training(P.I.T.)?”
Didrika smiled at the attentive girl and told her, “Well, you need to show that you have the personality qualities that Priestesses need and you have to have a Priestess to vouch for you. A High Priestess will give you your first Training outfit and will declare that you are a P.I.T.” The Priestess that vouched for you will be your teacher and will decide when you are ready to became a real Priestess. Then a High Priestess will perform a ceremony that proclaims you a Priestess and she will give you your circlet.”
“Can the circlet ever be taken off?”
“No Child. Once the circlet is placed it is permanent. Only at death does it get taken off.
And placed in a Death room.”
“What’s a Death room?”
“Ayana,” Kali spoke, chiding her. “Enough of your questions.” Ayana looked down and
mumbled an apology.
Didrika shook her head, “Don’t worry about it Child. I don’t mind your questions. Ask
away.”
Ayana looked up and smiled tentatively at Didrika’s kind face. “Thank you...So um What
is a Death room?”
“A Death room is where the circlets of late Priestesses are placed. With name plaques and sometimes a small story as to how they died.”
Ayana nodded and went to ask another question when frantic pounding interrupted her.
Didrika stood and called, “Enter.”
Razi came in with a pensive look on her face. “High Priestess, we have been attacked.
Four are dead, thirteen wounded.”
Didrika’s voice was instantly cold and demanding, “Who has attacked us?”
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