Once Juliene reached the quarters for the sul'dam and damane in the city, she quickly returned Ara to the kennels, and took her new Miri and the others to the der'sul'dam. She knew the older sul'dam who had traveled with her had already been to give a report, and now she felt the beginnings of nervousness. What if the woman had told her how poorly Juliene had handled everything? She had not remembered proper statements for new damane and wondered if it would lead to punishment. The woman had not said a word to her the rest of the trip.
Juliene tried to calm herself, knowing that the damane could feel her fear, but instead unclasped, held the bracelets, and knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Juliene pushed open the door and immediately bowed her head to the der'sul'dam. Just as Juliene had instructed, two girls who were to become sul'dam and the three girls from the town lay on the floor, but Miri simply stood there. Cursing in her head, Juliene slipped Miri's a'dam back onto her wrist and switched Miri's knees, shocking the girl to the floor with the others.
"Come child." The der'sul'dam said to Juliene, allowing her to sit and join the woman in conversation. Her name was Naribe, and she had been sul'dam since before Juliene had been born. She was lovely and kind, but strict with any who displeased her. Her stories were know by all, and she was something of a legend to the younger girls. She was everything Juliene wanted to be.
Naribe did not offer Juliene any kaf, but Juliene thought nothing of it, pleased to be here even with the anxiety coloring her thoughts.
She gave Naribe her report of the journey, about each town they found themselves in, stopping to catch her thoughts about the last village.
"So," Naribe said first, stirring her drink with a small lacquered spoon. "Arista tells me that you have had an interesting inspection in your last stop." Her brown eyes caught Juliene's, holding no clues as to her mood.
"Yes ma'am."
"She told me about your rather, ah, unconventional collaring." Juliene swallowed at the words. "Yes ma'am." She said again.
"Which was it?" Naribe asked gesturing toward the damane. Juliene lifted her wrist, bringing Miri's head up slightly. Naribe nodded before ringing a bell. Two sul'dam entered the room to take the three damane and the future sul'dam, and left again, leaving Naribe, Juliene, and Miri who had begun to cry softly again. She hadn't really stopped since being collared, and Juliene was afraid that prolonged contact with the bond would make her begin weeping too.
"May I?" Naribe asked puzzled by the damane on the floor. Juliene passed the bracelet to the der'sul'dam, relief washing through her system at the loss of contact. Naribe closed the link and sat back, waiting, it seemed. "Juliene, did you know that you can sort through the feelings of the damane?" Juliene shook her head.
"I feel a great amount of fear, but pushing past that is despair, anger, resentment, and.. Ah the most important feeling from a damane. Acceptance. See, once they accept what they are, then and only then can they become the precious weapon that we rely so much on."
Naribe unlinked herself from Miri, handing the a'dam back. Juliene placed the link back on her wrist, bracing herself for the feelings that hit her. She had never felt such strong emotions in her training. Indeed, not even the three other damane had such feelings. She tried as Naribe had done and attempted to sort through the thoughts. Each was like a distinct flavor, things that Juliene herself had felt before.
"Oh!" She said opening eyes she had not realized were closed and looking right into Naribe's smiling face.
"I felt it." She told the woman. "But it's so small compared to everything else she is feeling."
"How ever small it is does not matter, as long as it is present." Naribe said, raising her cup to her lips. "That is all." She said, dismissing Juliene.
"Who shall I take her to der'sul'dam?" Juliene asked rising, bringing Miri up with her.
"You do not wish to train her yourself?" Naribe asked her. "Very well, take her to-"
"May I?" Juliene asked before she could stop herself. She bit her lip. Interrupting the der'sul'dam was considered especially improper.
Naribe silently considered her before saying, "You may. She is your catch. Remember this for the next time, she will be yours to train if you so choose it. I do not doubt there will be a next time."
Juliene bowed once more before leaving.
A.N. I am sorry this was a bit short. I originally had this and the next chapter combined, but I think they work better separated.
Reviews are always welcome! Thank you Minodrin for pointing out my mistake (:
