Three rotations passed in a blur of training and priestess duties. On one of those duties, a visit to a younglings learning centre. I went there a little bit optimistic because of my love for younglings. But something unexpected happened. A youngling of about five sun cycles old asked some harmless questions that made my countenance drop for the rest of that rotation.
"Priestess" the little female youngling called.
"Yes, little one?" I answered and went on one knee to be of same eye level with her. The youngling, despite her immature features, had deep green eyes that held wisdom too great for her age.
"What is your name little one?" I asked.
"Elyra" she replied.
"That's a beautiful name" I complimented with a warm smile.
"Thank you priestess..." She replied but paused as if she was trying to stop herself from saying something she shouldn't.
"What is it Elyra?" I urged maintaining my warm smile.
"Priestess, are you really a white flame?" She asked, but I knew within me that more questions were coming.
"Yes little Elyra" I replied.
"So it's true that your flame can burn people's souls?" She asked again.
"That is indeed true Elyra" I replied, a little bit cautious now.
"And your life reduces Everytime you use your soul flame?" Elyra asked again.
"Where did you hear this?" I asked, my smile completely gone, replaced by a small frown.
"Every adult is talking about it. They said you could hurt a lot of people with your soul flame when you lose control" Elyra continued innocently.
"That's why I train, to make sure I never lose control. But if ever that impossible scenario happens, I will never hurt my people." I promised more to myself than her.
"So those adults are wrong?" Elyra asked.
"In a way, yes they are" I replied.
Just as Elyra was about to ask something else, an adult female came rushing over.
"Priestess " She hurriedly bowed to which, I just nodded in response with a baffled expression.
"Forgive me priestess, I did not tutor Elyra enough and she must have offended you. She has always been wiser than her age group and tends to ask a lot of questions but please know that they are just harmless, curious questions of a youngling" the female defended with a hint of fear.
"I take that you are her tutor?" I asked, standing from my one kneeling position. I was half a head taller than her.
"Yes priestess" she replied.
"I understand and love little Elyra's wisdom and curiosity. It reminds me of I and my sister's time as younglings. We used to ask a lot of deep and sensitive questions to our mother and aunt. Bring Elyra to visit the palace sometime" I invited.
"Really?!" Elyra asked excitedly.
"Of course little Elyra" I replied.
"Thank you priestess" the tutor bowed. Just then, head elder Vaela walks towards us, tailed by one male elder and one female.
"It is time to return to the palace priestess" she said.
"Of course" I replied and then turned to Elyra.
"See you soon little Elyra" I said and waved at her, which she returned by waving both little hands.
In the royal shuttle, I pondered quietly about my discussion with Elyra. My people still feared me. I looked through the window of the shuttle, down to the peaceful land below. I could hear laughter faintly, mother's and sires carrying their younglings, some even chasing after their stubborn younglings and the thought that I might one day, harm these people, that I might one day destroy this peace, was devastating.
I tore my gaze from the sight and faced the cockpit where the pilot flew the shuttle. This shuttle was for my personal use only. It was a gift from the late engineer who created our technology. This shuttle is modified and passed down from generation to generation of priestesses. It is linked with our soul flames just like the rest of our technologies that resonates with our flames, and it recognizes every priestess soul twin.
"Where is my sister?" I asked the only person with me in the shuttle, my pilot.
"The lady Selith was last seen in the royal farm" the pilot replied.
"You flew her there?" I asked again.
"Yes priestess, she left the palace for the royal farm a few moments after you began your training for the day" he replied.
"You seem to know much about me" I commented cautiously.
"There is no need to be guarded against me priestess. Every personal pilot of the royal family is chosen from the best pilots of the head elder's family." He said.
"So you're saying you are of same family as the head elder Vaela?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes priestess. I am her late Sister's youngling, sired by the previous priestess's pilot" he said.
"I see. What is your name?" I asked curiously.
"Lyren, my name is Lyren" he introduced.
"Pleased to meet you" I replied, and couldn't help but wonder why I had never communicated with him much.
"Shall I take you to the royal farm?" Lyren asked, breaking my train of thoughts.
"Yes. Selith will be so surprised to see me" I muttered the last sentence to myself.
I arrived shortly after, and walked quietly to my sister who was engrossed in whatever she was planting. I had sent Lyren back to the palace, together with the other shuttle that carried head elder Vaela and the other two elders.
I reached for Selith and covered her eyes from behind.
"Selera" she called confidently.
"How do you always notice?" I asked, removing my hands from her eyes and sat on my knees on the ground beside her.
"You make it too easy" she mused and then chuckled.
"How was your visit to the learning centre?" She asked.
"Was going well at first but I caught words that ruined my mood, from a youngling's mouth" I then went ahead to recount everything to Selith. When I was done, she hugged me.
"You're carrying a lot Selera, it sips into our bond sometimes. I wish I could ease your burden some how" she said and sniffled, only then did I notice she was crying for me.
"Why are you crying? Being here with you has already eased my burden" I said and pulled away slightly to give her a warm smile.
"Now, what were you planting so seriously?" I asked, knowing her love for plants.
"Oh" she began and wiped her teary face before she continued.
"It's a kind of fruit tree that makes lots of beautiful white flowers. According to the records I found, when the tree matures, you wouldn't know the difference between the flower and the fruit until you pluck it. I found it fascinating so I wanted to plant one" she said beaming from ear to ear.
"It is fascinating. How long does it take to mature?" I asked, Reaching for the very small plant only to have my hand knocked away.
"Don't touch it or it won't grow" Selith reprimanded while I laughed.
"My apologies" I said.
"Anyway, it takes two sun cycles to grow to maturity. I can already imagine sitting under it's shade with Elion and you and Toren and Liora" she said with a dreamy expression.
"Does it not sound romantic?" She asked.
"Very. But isn't two sun cycles very long?" I asked with a small frown.
"Doesn't matter, we have all the time in the world to watch it grow and enjoy it." She said and hugged my arm.
"We do" I replied and prayed to the goddess above that she grants me more time and help me control my soul flame so that my sister's dream may come true.
"It's called a Kval fruit tree" Selith added and I answered with a small hmm as we stared into the sun set.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Please leave a comment 😢😢
Much 💖💖💖💖 from your Author.