Good morning mummy I smiled at my mum, she smiled back and turned her back facing the dishes that she was doing. Have you prepared your brother? She asked, facing me again, yes mum, his set for school like the good daughter that I am, grinning from ear to ear. I sat on the island and poured my cereal into the bowl and started eating it like my life depends on it. I see you are ready for school, my father said from the living room. I faced my mum totally ignoring him. Is it a must to answer that man I asked my mum? I'm already irritated. She smiled and replied for the sake of peace, yes you have to. I smiled at her. I believe I'm talking to a person, his voice echoed. Yes father, I am prepared. Good, he replied shortly. I grabbed my bag and headed to school before a sermon of peace and silence will be this morning's breakfast .
I got to school at 7:45am sharp. The assembly had just started, we finished everything that was needed there and then we went to class for our studies.
Today in history we are going to learn the "Wars Of Voices".
Long ago before you were born, Mr Cranfield started, The world was said to be torn apart not by swords, or greed but by women's defiances.
Centuries ago, women began to speak against the High council, questioning the rules made only by men. They demanded equal rights, rules, knowledge and freedom of speech. Because of their disobedience kingdoms fell, armies were formed, families were divided and before dusk millions were dead. This started for about 6 years before the council declared that the cause of it was the women.
" A Woman's tongue brought ruin" The scripture read. " Her silence shall bring peace"
So from that day, women were forbidden from speaking in public without proper permission, their names were erased from records. Their books burned. The world became war free because obedience and silence became the attribute the women started wearing. And anyone who questioned it will be considered an "heretic. Do you understand Mr Cranfield continued now the summary of this history is that The War Of Voices was started by women and ended by men now you guys should write it down.
The students started writing it down, but a girl stood up abruptly, without warning staring at the teacher with anger. What do you want, Mara? Mr Cranfield asked, rather annoyed. Why are you teachers always talking about the downfall of the females? Because It was their disobedience that nearly ended civilization as we know it. Mr Cranfield replied feeling great, Mara continued, if it was really the women that started the war why did the council burn the book why were they trying to erase every record if it was the truth? Truths aren't supposed to be burnt are they?
The classroom froze.
Mr Cranfield was taken aback "Because lies spread faster than the truth" He replied sharply.
Mara didn't end it there, then how do we know which part of their side was never allowed to be heard.
The silence that followed was electric, every head turned to the bold little puppy that dared to question a teacher. The teacher's lip tightened You will not question sacred history Mr Cranfield hissed. Sit down. Now.
Mara's voice now trembling, History isn't sacred if it is one sided and that one single line sealed her fate. The teacher slammed his book shut. I have heard enough, you'll know what happens to those who challenge the truth. She came to Mara sits and dragged her out, throwing her to the open veranda filled with granite kneel down here till the end of the class. I was so annoyed when Mr Cranfield came back to the class I stood up. He sighed what is wrong with you girls? are you guys trying to lead a heretic? No sir I replied but she just asked an intelligent question so why are you punishing her? Mr Cranfield looked at me with an expression saying I should have chosen another topic, if you say another word you'll join her Adele he ended. I closed my book, put it in my bag, then headed to the entrance of my class. Where are you going Adele? I faced him letting him know that I'm going to join her. He nodded satisfied– better you can go, waving his hands removing his concentration from me. I went to kneel with the bold girl. She looked at me, Did they punish you too? She asked, No!! actually I came here myself. I'm Adele Luketon. I stretched my hands to her. She glared at my hands for several minutes and smiled . Hi I'm Mara, Mara Knight. Nice to meet you.
So….. I feel we are going to be here for the next 3 hours because I doubt Mr Cranfield will leave us after the stunt I just displayed. I told her, smiling. I don't care, Adele. As much as I love saying what's on my mind, I don't care about kneeling for more than 3 hours. I stare at the roof of the pavellion, you know what my mom told me? I asked her; she listened carefully. She said we should keep silent until it surrounds us and explodes like a flame, and that's what we'll do. We'll prove to those bitches! that we are not here to play. I smiled at her and she laughed. You are rude Adele
Yeah, yeah!! "I'm a little rebel," I said, smiling at her. "Yeah, you are a heretic,you just committed a crime, you are hereby executed by whatever the council normally says " she replied, smiling. After the punishment, we went to class to finish the studies for the day.
Do you think," Mara whispered one afternoon, that the council is afraid of us? Afraid of us as how? I looked at her, of what we might find or remember of the truth. I closed my book because whatever she just spouted is alarming because if whatever she said is true that explains the rules of not speaking and asking questions. After class they left school strolling home when Mara stopped, looking at her surroundings. Why are you acting as if you stole something Mara? Shush Adele she took a folded page from her bag and snuck it into Adele's hand. "Read this at home. And burn it after."
Then Mara rushed home, Adele watched her mysterious friend shake her head and started walking home. Before she knew it she hastened her steps, then all of a sudden she started running till she reached her house.
Adele waited until she was alone in her tiny room. When she unfolded the page, her heart skipped — it wasn't a note. It was a piece of an old text, torn and yellowed some parts looks like something burnt
"Before the silence, the women spoke of stars, of laws, of peace… They built the first codes of truth."
Her breath caught her throat. She closed the paper as if someone caught her reading a love letter. She threw the paper in her mouth then ate it because if she dared to burn it it would be suspicious. She laid on her bed staring at the ceiling. Thinking what if those burnt books were not completely burnt that some fragments are hidden in some places that won't be noticeable but where she asked herself biting her thumb finger.
If we can find if it is just a little fragment and show the ladies, girls, women any female gender it will raise an army of… No raising an army is considered heretic. Maybe a secret society. Adele continued mumbling to herself till she slept off.
The next day was unusually sunny and a little bit mature because she found out things she grew up to see and find weren't the way things normally are .
She went to the kitchen to greet her mom, good morning mommy good morning my little rebellion how was your night? Just there I replied "taking my normal spot on the Island "Really no dreams about freedom she voiced out slowly. Ha! Jokes on you I unveiled a big secret yesterday I told her smiling victorious. She looked at me trying to break or find something. She dropped the sponge then sat near the island close to me. What did you discover? A fragment of Late Miss Lira Thane I told her she looked at me surprised at what did it say she asked, something about women speaking about stars, laws and peace. But I know it means we were not as quiet as we are now. I concluded she looked at me and she wanted to say something then a voice interrupted us. Are you guys planning an heretic? my father said angrily from the kitchen door. My mum rushed up facing her eyes to the ground ooh no my husband we were planning what food we need to prepare we were this close so that we won't disturb you my mother explained, his gaze left her to mine staring at me, his he expecting me to lower my gaze or what I questioned myself he removed his gaze teach your daughter manners then he left . What is wrong with him? I asked my mom shhh Adele please you put us in trouble then she faced me again. What did you do to the letter she asked me? I ate it. Mara told me to burn it but I thought it'll raise an alarm so I burnt it. I answered her. Who is Mara? she asked, my friend she was the one that gave it to me – where did she find it ? She asked again. I don't know she didn't leave room for the question she left without explaining anything. My mum heaved a sigh, today is Saturday are you going to her place? Yes mummy in the evening I guess. She rubs her fingers through my hair then packs a handful and smells it . Be careful my daughter, you know I love you and I won't stand if anything happens to you. Yes mummy I replied.
In the evening Adele's mother Mrs Rowan went to the outskirts of the town to an old abandoned building which belonged to an old woman Catherine Pierce killed by the council for heresy.
" I think the children know", Mrs Rowan said quietly, her voice masked with fear.
Across the room, Mrs Kerren Mara's mother lifted her head. " Yes", she admitted, eyes darting to the doors. "Even my daughter came to me yesterday asking about Lira. Mrs Rowan sighed. I think Mrs Lira's story is taught in all schools, at least the council allows it. She was one of the voices that began the Wars of voices. But the version they teach now… it's not the real one, it's changed and twisted.
She looked at Kerren. I think your daughter might have stolen a piece of Lira's burnt book and showed it to my daughter.
Mrs Kerren stiffened. " Mara wouldn't," she said quickly, almost like she was doubting herself. She knew what her daughter is capable of and that she is capable of doing it. Mara is a smart, brave, curious girl so much like her late father. Let's go Mrs Rowan ended the silence is already getting late the night guards are already on patrol, Kate and Glory thanks for coming.
The air outside was heavy, a sign of a heavy downpour. Mrs Rowan stopped Kerren. We need to be very careful for our children. Mrs Kerren nodded and before she could reply.
"Halt!!"
Four guards out of nowhere surrounded them holding spears and chains.
" You stand upon a forbidden ground" One of them said, voice echoing. " This ground belongs to a condemned heretic and by the laws of the council and anyone found around the belongings of an exheretic is guilty of the same crime."
Before the women could defend themselves they were bound like yams with chains. One guard acting like a messenger, ran to the council Chambers to drop the news. Miss Kerren voice came shallow "please it is not what you think"
"Silence" barked another one. Your words won't change anything.