Hey people I am back with Chapter 2. My mind kept playing the story in my head and if I did not get it down I might go gaga, I might already be there. Smile. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to review.
Chapter 2: The story begins.
Helios was riding his chariot across the sky bringing the morning dawn. Light spilled through a small wooden room with only one wooden bed and one window to the right. Serenity laid there with her eyes open staring at the ceiling wishing she could go back to sleep, but she knew it was useless. Soon High Priestess Alexis would ring the morning bells so they may break their fast. Yawning Serenity stretched her slim arms in the air while sitting up to start the day. As ritual Serenity would wash her hands and face with fresh water from a basin on the floor next to her bed that she had gotten the night before she turned in. Next was to use the latrine then dressing in a simple silver gown that passed her feet collected dirt from the floor. Combing her long blonde hair to get the tangles out she let it flow over her shoulders, the bottom of her hair touching the floor slightly. As the sun started to move indicating that an hour has passed Serenity heard the chimes sing in her ears. Checking herself over, making sure she was clean and tidy she left her small room to join the other Priestesses in training in the main eating hall. Serenity walked down the plain wooden hallway and out the only door to the building, other priestesses joined her on the walk to the main building their gowns clean and hair tidy as they walked bare footed, the grass tickling their feet as they shuffled into the main building. High Priestess Alexis stood behind her chair at the head of the long oak table. Her black hair falling in curls to her shoulders, she wore a pure white gown that shone like the moon throughout the room calling attention to her womanly curves and small breasts. Only High Priestesses were allowed to wear white and it was Serenity's dream to one day wear the white dress and become a High Priestess of Selene instead of a Priestess in training. There were only three other women who wore the white gowns. Helen to Alexis right; Maya and Zoe to her left. Serenity and the rest of the girls stood behind their chairs, waiting for High Priestess Alexis to take her seat. All eyes watched Alexis, her slim white arm stretched out as her dainty fingers grabbed the back of her chair pulling it out, stepping to the side Alexis sat; smoothing any creases from her white dress. Helen was next to be seated then Maya and Zoe. Once Zoe was conformable in her seat, Serenity and the rest of the girls slowly took their seats, waiting for their meal to be served. Two young girls no older than eight years old wearing homespun brown gowns came in from a side door with trays of food as they started to serve first the High Priestesses and then the others. Once the last dish was set on the table the girls ran off, out the same door they had entered. Serenity smiled remembering when she was one of those girls running through the doors to serve the Priestesses. Serenity remembered one time when she was no older than seven and it was her first day as a server and upon entering the hall with a tray of plates filled with hot food and cold fruit. As she made her way to serve High Priestess Alexis, Serenity's feet fumbled over the rustic brown gown she wore and spilled the entire tray all over High Priestess Alexis. Food flew through the air hitting Priestesses in training and the other three High Priestesses as well. Their gowns and hair filled with food and colorful stains. Serenity was reprimand with a five lashes with the whip and she had to wash all the gowns until there were no more stains. Serenity suppressed a giggle from escaping her pink lips as the memory faded from her mind.
"You may eat," High Priestess Alexis said, dipping her spoon into her oats. The others followed suit.
After eating the two girls came back to gather up the dishes on the table while the Priestesses in training and the High Priestesses went outside to kneel in the grass in front of an effigy of the Goddess Selene. The sun rose high in the sky as early morning turn to late morning and its strong rays making Serenity break out in sweat upon her brow. She bowed her head to the ground as did the other girls before lifting their eyes to High Priestess Alexis.
"Let us pray," High Priestess Alexis said; her voice like chimes on the wind.
With bowed heads and hands pressed together at the breast the High Priestess spoke the words of prayer.
"Goddess Selene, hear our prayers; we pray for the men who fight the ongoing war that have ravages our lands and we pray that one day the kingdoms will unite as one so we may live in peace and put the hard times in the past. Goddess Selene please protect your children as we go forth about our humble duties, Praise be Selene," High Priestess Alexis said ending the prayer.
"Praise be Selene," they chanted as one.
"Ladies go about your chores for the day, but I need to see Serenity, Ella and Mina in my chamber in ten minutes," High Priestess Alexis said, dismissing the girls.
Serenity shakily stood, butterflies erupted in her stomach and she tried to swallow the dryness in her mouth, but it was no use the uneasy feeling would not go away. Why would High Priestess Alexis call me to her chamber, thought Serenity as she found herself wondering about the field with no real destination in mind. Serenity spotted Ella and Mina talking far off and decided to join them.
"Ella, Mina, Many greetings," Serenity said, bowing her head in respect.
Ella and Mina gave her the same respect. Ella red hair was held tightly by braids down her back and her green eyes held the same nervousness as Serenity's blue ones.
"Do you know why High Priestess Alexis has called upon us?" Serenity asked, studying Mina dirty blonde hair held high by a red bow and ocean blue eyes. Her silver gown hung heavy on her hiding any figure that she might posses.
"We think it's about becoming High Priestesses," Mina gushed nervously.
"But we have not gone through our trials," Serenity protested.
"True, maybe it is about that, we are almost of age to give ourselves to the goddess. I will be sixteen in a month," Ella declared.
"Three months for me," Mina added.
"The new moon six months from now, so I do not think it's about that," Serenity stated, trying to think this through.
"We will never know waiting here, let's go to High Priestess Alexis chamber before we are late," Ella said, smoothing her silver gown showing off her around breast and slim waist.
We headed to the far left to a small little house that housed the High Priestesses when they are not doing their duties and Serenity was the first to knock on the door. High Priestess Zoe answered the door.
"Many greetings Priestesses in training, how may I help you," Zoe said, bowing her head.
"Many greetings High Priestess Zoe, we were summon by High Priestess Alexis," Mina stammered nervously. The three of them bowed their heads in respect.
"Yes, one at a time, Mina will you follow me," High Priestess Zoe said, stepping aside.
Mina looked to Ella and Serenity and Serenity could see the fear in her blue eyes, making them a bit darker before she walked into the room leaving Serenity and Ella to wait in the hot sun until it was their turn. Mina came out when the sun reached mid day and she was smiling her white teeth showing. She scurried off without speaking to Serenity and Ella then it was Ella turn to follow High Priestess Zoe, leaving Serenity alone to sweat in the heat. Her gown now stuck to her body as trickles of sweat fell down her back making her silver dress appear darker. Lunch had passed and Serenity stomach growled with need of food. Hopping from one foot to the other Serenity wondered when it would be her turn, finally when the sun was more than half way across the sky did Ella exit the house, she too was smiling as she walked passed Serenity.
"Come with me Serenity," High Priestess Zoe said allowing her to enter the cool house.
That's chapter 2, hope you enjoy it. There will be more to come, please keep reading as thing will progress into more interesting situations. All reviews are welcome and don't forget to smile
