Hey all back with Chapter 3. I just couldn't wait to write the next scene. It's been running through my mind since I started this story and I hope it is well enjoyed by all. Smile. Enjoy the next Chapter and don't forget to review.
Chapter 3: The Journey.
Serenity followed High Priestess Zoe pass the sleeping rooms and down the hall to High Priestess Alexis personal chamber. High Priestess Zoe knocked on the door until she heard a voice allowing them entrance.
"Leave us, High Priestess Zoe," High Priestess Alexis said, once they entered the chamber.
Zoe bowed retreating out the door.
"Many greetings, High Priestess Alexis," Serenity bowed her head.
"Many greeting, Serenity," High Priestess Alexis said. "I have news for you."
Serenity waited with bated breath as a new wave of nervousness washed over her petite form.
High Priestess Alexis sat on a small cot on the floor her feet cushioning her bottom. The room was filled with parchments of all kinds and a quill sat in an ink bottle while a clean piece of paper laid on the floor before the High Priestess, other then papers the room was bare, only one window decorated the room allowing the sun light in.
"Do you remember how you came to me?" High Priestess Alexis started, her chocolate eyes hard.
"You found me in a field when I was five, I lost my parents to a house fire," Serenity stated, wondering why the High Priestess was bringing up her past.
"Yes, and now look at you almost grown, soon to take the trials to become a High Priestess yourself. We are a lonely group of women in a world of men and it takes a lot of discipline to become a High Priestess," High Priestess Alexis said.
"I have the discipline," Serenity explained.
"We'll see. I have a quest for you. I need you to take this letter along with Mina and Ella to King Damon of Thessaloniki," High Priestess Alexis said, handing her a parchment with a wax seal of two crescent moons.
Serenity's mouth hung open in shock, to walk to Thessaloniki was a month journey from here and with the war raging on it was near impossible not be to caught.
"But High Priestess, it is too dangerous for me to travel so far," Serenity cried, shocked.
"King Damon has offered us protection from Queen Metalia, we are but humble women with no line of defense and they grow near to us and I fear for my girls, not many people worship the Goddess Selene anymore and we are no longer safe, I have chosen you, Mina and Ella for this journey and I know that you will succeed," High Priestess Alexis stated, standing up from a small cot that she was sitting on, approaching Serenity.
"What about King Daniel, we are living off of his land," Serenity tried again.
"King Daniel can not help us; he has other matters to attend to. I would not have sent three Priestesses in training if I didn't have faith in them. Now go and pack," High Priestess Alexis said, ending the conversation.
Serenity wanted to protest again but with the hard look on High Priestess Alexis face she swallowed the protest back down her throat. With unshed tears Serenity left the chamber.
"Do you think it's wise to send Priestesses in training?" High Priestess Zoe asked, stepping into the room after Serenity has left. Her blonde hair cut short at the nape of her neck, blue eyes staring curiously.
"King Damon has giving his word to protect us as long as we give him a bride; I could not send a High Priestess since we have already giving our vows to the Goddess Selene and you know death is the only one who can take our maiden head," High Priestess Alexis explained. "The letter states that he has to choose between the three girls I sent to him and when he chooses one of them, he will send a small army to defend us when the war comes our way. I am doing this for the good of the Priestess hood. Now leave," High Priestess Alexis demanded, ending the conversation.
High Priestess Zoe bowed her head leaving the High Priestess Alexis alone in her chamber.
Serenity with a heavy heart slowly went back to her meek room and gathering together her three silver dresses that she owned and a black cloak she'd used in the winter to keep warm. Neatly folding the gowns in a brown sack along with the sealed parchment. With tears staining her pale cheeks red, she took one last look at her room before heading to the main hall.
"It's only a month or two, I will be back before my birthday and I can still take the trials for High Priestess," Serenity said to herself, trying to convince herself that everything will be all right and that she will return to the Priestesses.
Serenity met up with Ella and Mina in the main hall, bags slung over their back's and cloaks covering they're silver gowns.
"Can you believe that High Priestess Alexis trusts us to deliver this important message," Mina gushed, happy about traveling.
Ella showed the same excitement as Mina; Serenity sighed again wishing she could go back to her room.
"Aren't you guys worried about bandits and ruffians? Or what about the soldiers from the next Kingdom, we could be killed on this journey," Serenity said, voicing her worries.
"Not to worry, the Goddess Selene will watch over us," Ella said, confidently.
"I hope so," Serenity mumbled biting her lower lip in habit. "But you guys, we have to travel through Volos to get to Thessaloniki."
Ella and Mina shivered at the thought. Serenity knew that she was right; traveling through Volos was dangerous territory to cross. Volos had the largest Military winning new lands everyday. They followed under Queen Metalia command. King Ramos died mysteriously six years ago leaving a young Queen Metalia his new bride of three months behind. Instead of the King's cousin or heir to take the thrown Queen Metalia took over and had the citizens of Volos eating out of the palm of her hand. Before Queen Metalia all the kingdoms lived in peace, after Queen Metalia war broke out. Queen Metalia started to take land outside of Volos raging the other Kingdoms to act. It was her who started the five year war, now all the kingdoms are fighting over the lands so whoever wins will be crowned as Ruler of Earth and Queen Metalia is making sure it is her.
Two small girls ran out of the side door and Serenity noticed that these were the same girls from this morning. Serenity smiled as the girls bow their head then passing them two bags filled to the brim with food and other necessities.
"This should last on the journey there but you will have to re-fill your food supply before you return," The little girl with strawberry blonde hair said.
"Many greeting and thanks," Serenity said, with a small bow.
The girls giggled as they rushed off.
"This is going to be great, we will get to see the world beyond this small patch of land," Ella smiled.
"Then let us see how far we get before dark," Serenity chided.
With black cloaks covering their bodies and small hoods hiding their hair they step out of the hall and headed west to King Damon of Thessaloniki, not knowing what awaits them.
By twilight the girls found themselves in a field of tall grass, no buildings or roads caught their eyes. They were on the outskirts of Pherai and Serenity felt homesick. Serenity flopped on the ground the grass stabbed her back but was squished them under her weight.
"I am tired," Serenity whined.
"Me too, we should start a fire before it becomes true night," Ella stated.
"With what wood, there are no trees here, only grass," Mina said, looking around at the endless view of the grassland.
"True, grass with burn but it will die quickly and I do not think this land could hold our fire lest we scorch the land," Serenity explained, from the grass.
"Than it is going to be a cold night, we should set camp, have a cold meal and be up at first light," Ella stated.
The first of the Moon's rays started to come out to play which made Mina, Ella and Serenity bowed their heads to give homage to the Goddess Selene. Serenity heart warmed as the moon's rays touched her golden hair turning it silver as if acknowledging her. Silent prayers of thanks were whispered from their lips before setting up their beds for the night.
After a cold meal of bread, apples and a little bit of water from their water bag, the girls snuggled under a brown blanket they found in one of the bags the young girls have given them. Serenity too tired to think closed her eyes and dreamed.
The moon bathed the girls in a protective glow as a figure in white crossed the grasslands and watched the girls slumber, a smile appearing on her ivory face, a crescent moon glowed on her forehead as rivers of moon light hair fell down her back and across the ground ending two feet away from the Goddess. She wore a pure white dress that clung to her body, showing off a small waist and sturdy hips.
"Serenity," The Goddess whispered.
Serenity hearing a voice calling her name, she stirred from her sleep. Opening her blue eyes she gasped when she saw the figure before her. Serenity quickly jumped from her grass bed and knelt before the goddess.
"Goddess Selene I am honored by your visit," Serenity choked out in wonder.
"If only I have come on better terms my daughter. There are many trials ahead for you and your companions and I fear for you. I have in-listed my family to assist you on your journey in anyway they can. Please be safe and returned to me," Goddess Selene cried small tears dripping from her eyes as her body started to fade into the moon light until she was gone.
Serenity stared in shock at her warning. She knew something bad was going to befall them on their trip but she did not know what, and with the Goddess warning she wanted to turn back and go home but something stopped her from waking the others and head back home. Serenity laid back down, closing her eyes and falling back to sleep as the memory of her encounter with the Goddess faded from her mind.
That's Chapter 3 for now, there is some Shakespeare in this chapter if you don't get it look at Romeo and Juliet. It will get more interesting as time go's on, there will be many surprises on the way, just stay tune and keep reading and review please! Tell me what you're thinking and see if you can guess what I am going to do next… Smiles.