It was a question I suspect he has wanted to ask but had been unable too
for some reason. I am unsure if I have the power of mind to perform the
ritual by myself but I could try. He had wanted to know what the ritual
meant and he had some knowledge now of what it meant for both his friends
and myself. It was only to gain more understanding of each other. He did
not answer but didn't move away, I take his hands back into my own, and
close my eyes, the ritual words whispering on my lips. As I whisper, I can
feel the heat of the burning oil bowl on the side of my face. I
concentrate on reaching out, like the heat touching me, letting my mind and
emotions spiral as I have been taught, imagining them to be like fingers
twisting and turning like the weaves of holg baskets. I can feel the void
of darkness standing in the way, but also other emotions, the need, the
want, the contentment and peace of this world he had come to. I move from
the void and concentrate on the emotions available to me, sending out waves
of reassurance and comfort from myself. The void moves to once again stop
me, the barrier shutting out the twisting emotions. Concentrating I let
the fingers push and twist, pushing the barrier which clung to him for no
reason. Keeping the constant pressure of my emotions against the void, I
open my eyes to observe Daniel. His eyes closed I sense he is trying to
relax confused as to what it was he was doing to prevent my probing mind.
I take a hand from his and lay it on his chest softly, causing him to open his eyes. It was not right for me to force, yet the barrier is taunting me to do so. He lays his hand over mine on his chest and silently urges me on, as if I am the key to opening the barrier to the answers he seeks. Taking a long breath as he closes his eyes once more in concentration I summon upon all the rituals I have been taught, the lessons I have learned and tap into the raw emotions I hold inside myself. The emotions, which are hidden and private, which no one but I can ever feel. I tap them into the twisting fingers already emanating from me and bombard the barrier with a force I was unaware I held. As the void opens it feels as if I am falling into its darkness. Then flashes of memories, as if I am detached from this world and not part of the next. Voices and emotions echo and then silence. I can feel warmth on my face and I open my eyes. The oil lamp burns by me, and a pair of eyes open to reflect it's light.
We are startled to hear footsteps and voices hurrying up the steps before Nina, Lanka and Jack burst into the room. Nina drops to her knees by me, worry and fear hitting me from her and throws her arms around me and squeezing me tightly. Lanka leans on the doorframe and relief emanates from him. Jack looks and us.
"What was that all about?" he asks Lanka in our own tongue to which Lanka shrugs in a daze unaware himself.
I try to concentrate on what Nina as whispering as she refuses to let go of me. Daniel smiles and stands and I manage to remove Nina from myself. Eventually standing, Nina firmly holding one of my hands in both of hers, as if afraid I was about to leave. We look to Jack for an answer to their strange behaviours, all I feel from Lanka and Nina is a mixture of relief and happiness.
"One minute were sitting having a chat. Carter and Darla are getting ready for this evening. All of a sudden these two leap to the feet and are bounding up the stairs yelling blue murder. I followed them up and we found you two. So whatcha up to?"
"Rani and I had a good talk and then we performed the ritual from last night."
"It work on you this time?"
"Um, yeah I think it did"
"You may feel a little disorientated for a short time but it will pass" I reply, trying to prise my hand from Nina but with no luck. Realising time was short I usher us down the stairs.
"Come we must get ready, it is nearly time to go to the temple. Lanka will have your robes lain on your beds, Nina and I will join you soon." They continue down the passage as I turn to my room, I pause and glance into the open doorway of Samantha's room and watch as Darla dresses her hair with yelk blossoms. Excitement tinges through the room and I leave them to finish dressing and enter my own room, Nina close at my heels. My clothes lay on the bed ready for this eve, but Nina is hanging over me, and concern is the emotion tingeing my own room, coming from her.
"Nina what is it?" I ask quietly, concerned at her concern for me.
"We were sitting finishing the preparations. I was about to come and get you when suddenly... It was as if..." confusion now mixed with her concern and I am unable to understand what she is trying to explain. Continuing I am still unsure what exactly has occurred.
"I felt you no more and I assumed neither could Lanka for he was already running to the stairs when I felt it"
"Felt what?"
"The void, a pain here" pointing to her chest "I couldn't feel you anymore, it was cold and empty. Like before except I felt everyone else. Such a void Rani. And then as we neared the upper room you were suddenly there once more. The only time I have felt such a feeling of loss is when..."
Lowering her gaze, she glanced to the door. Through that door and across the passageway to the room where Samantha now resided. Taking Nina's hand in mine, I reassure her.
"I understand Nina, but I am still here. There is no time to talk about it, we must get dressed. After the ceremony, we shall talk I promise. Go get dressed, check Darla is dressed also. Go"
Ushering her towards the door although she is reluctant, Nina leaves to walk along the passage to her own room. I turn to my bed and slip off the clothing I wear, quickly washing myself down in the basin in a small alcove of my room. Quickly returning I slip on my temple dress of the evening, soft pale green like my eyes, the colour of the holg leaf. It hangs heavily, Kentalyah blossoms and flowering yelk buds lightly brush my ankles where the skirt reaches and I straighten the sleeveless bodice and tie a garland of flowers weaved with holg sprigs about my waist, with coloured temple scarves hanging down one side. Sitting at a table by my window, I look out to see figures moving from homes through the village slowly towards the temple. I reach out and pick up a small bowl of crushed berries mixed with oils and dab the sweet smelling liquid onto my cheeks and lips as Nina once more enters my room with a basket of yelk blossoms. She is wearing an outfit like my own, a deep purple like the holg sprigs which are tied about her waist. Her hair, a mass of black curls likes my own, hangs about her shoulders as she sits in front of me. I smile as she dresses my hair with blossoms and I dab the sweet oils onto her cheeks and lips. Her concern is still present but overridden by her excitement of the forthcoming celebrations. I take the opportunity to tease her about the eve.
"Will Tark be joining us before we go to the temple?"
The colour of her cheeks rises, accentuating the redness of the oils I have already dabbed on them. I take some of the Kentalyah blossoms and pin them in her hair as she dabs more oils into my face un-answering. She is neither embarrassed nor uncomfortable but more confused and bewildered at the growing friendship they share. Finished we look each other over as we stand. Spinning around as we used to when we were younger for each other to praise and applaud our appearance. A tap sounds at my door and I open it to admit Darla and Samantha. I smile at Darla who is simply bouncing with excitement, chattering in high tones about how wonderful everyone looks. Dressed in a dark green robe, with matching sandals, their straps wrapping around her legs to the hem of her skirt, which hangs just below her knees. I straighten the collar of her dress and re-pin a hanging flower on one of the sleeves as she ushers Samantha forward for us to admire her appearance.
Samantha is beaming in her attire. A temple robe, which used to be my own, has been expertly refitted by Darla to fit her slim form. The sligth shade darker than the colour of her hair, it floats about her figure as she walks, the different blossoms brushing lightly about the ground as she walks. She pulls slightly at the low sleeveless bodice a little self-aware and I sense a slight embarrassment forms her, mixed with happiness and I commend Darla on her work. Smiling Darla exits the room, skipping along the passageway and down the stairs, Samantha and Nina following at a slower pace. Slipping soft sandals onto my feet, I also follow.
The men seem taken aback as we enter the room. I sense approval from them as they look us over and their attire equally impresses me. Dressed in temple robes of dark trousers and long hanging overshirts. Jack in a deep green, Tealc in a dark shade of purple. Daniel's shirt is of a light green like my own robes and I glance over to Nina who avoids my gaze and lifts the cloaks for us to wear with a soft smile on her face.
"May I say ladies you look wonderful this eve?" says Jack as Nina slides a cloak about my shoulders, before picking up her own which Lanka politely helps her fit delicately over her dress.
"Thankyou Jack, you all look wonderful yourselves" I reply as he steps forward and helps Samantha place her cloak about her shoulders before taking a cloak for himself.
Darla impatiently stands by the door a cloak already fastened about her shoulders the hood delicately lying over her hair, a basket in her hands. A knock resounds behind her and she opens the door excitedly to a figure holding an oil bowl, lighting his silhouette against the night sky. Nina looks to me before walking to greet Tark pulling her hood up onto her head. Placing my own hood over my hair to protect the blossoms from the night sky I bid Samantha to do so also and pick up a lit oil bowl in my hands as does Lanka. We all exit the house to the path, Tark offering Nina his arm. They walk ahead of us as we join the people making their way to the temple. Daniel takes the lit bowl from me and offers his arm, which I take, lifting my skirts with my other hand.
I take a hand from his and lay it on his chest softly, causing him to open his eyes. It was not right for me to force, yet the barrier is taunting me to do so. He lays his hand over mine on his chest and silently urges me on, as if I am the key to opening the barrier to the answers he seeks. Taking a long breath as he closes his eyes once more in concentration I summon upon all the rituals I have been taught, the lessons I have learned and tap into the raw emotions I hold inside myself. The emotions, which are hidden and private, which no one but I can ever feel. I tap them into the twisting fingers already emanating from me and bombard the barrier with a force I was unaware I held. As the void opens it feels as if I am falling into its darkness. Then flashes of memories, as if I am detached from this world and not part of the next. Voices and emotions echo and then silence. I can feel warmth on my face and I open my eyes. The oil lamp burns by me, and a pair of eyes open to reflect it's light.
We are startled to hear footsteps and voices hurrying up the steps before Nina, Lanka and Jack burst into the room. Nina drops to her knees by me, worry and fear hitting me from her and throws her arms around me and squeezing me tightly. Lanka leans on the doorframe and relief emanates from him. Jack looks and us.
"What was that all about?" he asks Lanka in our own tongue to which Lanka shrugs in a daze unaware himself.
I try to concentrate on what Nina as whispering as she refuses to let go of me. Daniel smiles and stands and I manage to remove Nina from myself. Eventually standing, Nina firmly holding one of my hands in both of hers, as if afraid I was about to leave. We look to Jack for an answer to their strange behaviours, all I feel from Lanka and Nina is a mixture of relief and happiness.
"One minute were sitting having a chat. Carter and Darla are getting ready for this evening. All of a sudden these two leap to the feet and are bounding up the stairs yelling blue murder. I followed them up and we found you two. So whatcha up to?"
"Rani and I had a good talk and then we performed the ritual from last night."
"It work on you this time?"
"Um, yeah I think it did"
"You may feel a little disorientated for a short time but it will pass" I reply, trying to prise my hand from Nina but with no luck. Realising time was short I usher us down the stairs.
"Come we must get ready, it is nearly time to go to the temple. Lanka will have your robes lain on your beds, Nina and I will join you soon." They continue down the passage as I turn to my room, I pause and glance into the open doorway of Samantha's room and watch as Darla dresses her hair with yelk blossoms. Excitement tinges through the room and I leave them to finish dressing and enter my own room, Nina close at my heels. My clothes lay on the bed ready for this eve, but Nina is hanging over me, and concern is the emotion tingeing my own room, coming from her.
"Nina what is it?" I ask quietly, concerned at her concern for me.
"We were sitting finishing the preparations. I was about to come and get you when suddenly... It was as if..." confusion now mixed with her concern and I am unable to understand what she is trying to explain. Continuing I am still unsure what exactly has occurred.
"I felt you no more and I assumed neither could Lanka for he was already running to the stairs when I felt it"
"Felt what?"
"The void, a pain here" pointing to her chest "I couldn't feel you anymore, it was cold and empty. Like before except I felt everyone else. Such a void Rani. And then as we neared the upper room you were suddenly there once more. The only time I have felt such a feeling of loss is when..."
Lowering her gaze, she glanced to the door. Through that door and across the passageway to the room where Samantha now resided. Taking Nina's hand in mine, I reassure her.
"I understand Nina, but I am still here. There is no time to talk about it, we must get dressed. After the ceremony, we shall talk I promise. Go get dressed, check Darla is dressed also. Go"
Ushering her towards the door although she is reluctant, Nina leaves to walk along the passage to her own room. I turn to my bed and slip off the clothing I wear, quickly washing myself down in the basin in a small alcove of my room. Quickly returning I slip on my temple dress of the evening, soft pale green like my eyes, the colour of the holg leaf. It hangs heavily, Kentalyah blossoms and flowering yelk buds lightly brush my ankles where the skirt reaches and I straighten the sleeveless bodice and tie a garland of flowers weaved with holg sprigs about my waist, with coloured temple scarves hanging down one side. Sitting at a table by my window, I look out to see figures moving from homes through the village slowly towards the temple. I reach out and pick up a small bowl of crushed berries mixed with oils and dab the sweet smelling liquid onto my cheeks and lips as Nina once more enters my room with a basket of yelk blossoms. She is wearing an outfit like my own, a deep purple like the holg sprigs which are tied about her waist. Her hair, a mass of black curls likes my own, hangs about her shoulders as she sits in front of me. I smile as she dresses my hair with blossoms and I dab the sweet oils onto her cheeks and lips. Her concern is still present but overridden by her excitement of the forthcoming celebrations. I take the opportunity to tease her about the eve.
"Will Tark be joining us before we go to the temple?"
The colour of her cheeks rises, accentuating the redness of the oils I have already dabbed on them. I take some of the Kentalyah blossoms and pin them in her hair as she dabs more oils into my face un-answering. She is neither embarrassed nor uncomfortable but more confused and bewildered at the growing friendship they share. Finished we look each other over as we stand. Spinning around as we used to when we were younger for each other to praise and applaud our appearance. A tap sounds at my door and I open it to admit Darla and Samantha. I smile at Darla who is simply bouncing with excitement, chattering in high tones about how wonderful everyone looks. Dressed in a dark green robe, with matching sandals, their straps wrapping around her legs to the hem of her skirt, which hangs just below her knees. I straighten the collar of her dress and re-pin a hanging flower on one of the sleeves as she ushers Samantha forward for us to admire her appearance.
Samantha is beaming in her attire. A temple robe, which used to be my own, has been expertly refitted by Darla to fit her slim form. The sligth shade darker than the colour of her hair, it floats about her figure as she walks, the different blossoms brushing lightly about the ground as she walks. She pulls slightly at the low sleeveless bodice a little self-aware and I sense a slight embarrassment forms her, mixed with happiness and I commend Darla on her work. Smiling Darla exits the room, skipping along the passageway and down the stairs, Samantha and Nina following at a slower pace. Slipping soft sandals onto my feet, I also follow.
The men seem taken aback as we enter the room. I sense approval from them as they look us over and their attire equally impresses me. Dressed in temple robes of dark trousers and long hanging overshirts. Jack in a deep green, Tealc in a dark shade of purple. Daniel's shirt is of a light green like my own robes and I glance over to Nina who avoids my gaze and lifts the cloaks for us to wear with a soft smile on her face.
"May I say ladies you look wonderful this eve?" says Jack as Nina slides a cloak about my shoulders, before picking up her own which Lanka politely helps her fit delicately over her dress.
"Thankyou Jack, you all look wonderful yourselves" I reply as he steps forward and helps Samantha place her cloak about her shoulders before taking a cloak for himself.
Darla impatiently stands by the door a cloak already fastened about her shoulders the hood delicately lying over her hair, a basket in her hands. A knock resounds behind her and she opens the door excitedly to a figure holding an oil bowl, lighting his silhouette against the night sky. Nina looks to me before walking to greet Tark pulling her hood up onto her head. Placing my own hood over my hair to protect the blossoms from the night sky I bid Samantha to do so also and pick up a lit oil bowl in my hands as does Lanka. We all exit the house to the path, Tark offering Nina his arm. They walk ahead of us as we join the people making their way to the temple. Daniel takes the lit bowl from me and offers his arm, which I take, lifting my skirts with my other hand.