Chapter Two: Beginnings
A vicious gust of wind lashed out onto the dozing girl's face, forcing her eyes open and her legs to brace themselves until they were upon relatively solid ground. Alice breathed in sharply once before allowing her weight to settle back down again. She had never touched the tiny flakes of snow that were now falling from the sky, nor tasted sweet droplets of rain, nor lain on soft grass with an autumn breeze grazing her face. All of it was new, and gladly her senses absorbed the novelties…
"Almost there, Alice," said the Goddess, who was gazing through the fog as though she alone could see a noteworthy feature of the land. "Now then, we shall have to make some arrangements, no?"
"Aye, yes," boomed a second voice emerging from a black, unnaturally billowing cloak. Beside him, a line of figures appeared, all nodding their consent. "I speak for my brothers and sisters as well, and we…welcome the little foreigner to our world," he added with a slightly menacing twist.
The blood red lips of the Mother Goddess opened and closed slightly; she spoke in a whisper, but they all heard. "Indeed we shall. Tortall is in dire need of she who is not a warrior, and this is the last chance." The Goddess looked down the line that was receding into the distance and nodded, as if asking for more disagreement.
In the end, it was Mithros, the shining protector, whose rumbling voice broke the uneasy silence. "She will need a title as well, for the convents will not readily accept those of the common blood…that you should know, sister."
"It has been arranged as well. Here stands Lady Alceta of Deimos Point. In a few years she will be managing the estate…in addition to learning with the Daughters."
"Then here is where we part, sister. Good luck, Alceta," Mithros bowed his great head slightly, and the immortals followed his example one after the other. Then they were gone, leaving the Mother Goddess and Alice alone once more.
"My daughter Alice, Alceta of Deimos Point, your life lies ahead. From now on, it is your choice," intoned the Goddess. "Let the magics of Tortall, Helleras, and America be one with you, to form a mighty trinity so that in your blood runs a force to be tamed." She raised her hands, and a web of blue-violet lightening spread across the girl's head and seeped through her skin. In a few minutes the air was still once more, but Alice shook on her feet, nearly ready to collapse.
"Get away from me, you, you," she cried weakly, but the woman before her refused to move. Gradually her breathing became more even, and her face was more resigned than belligerent. No one would be able to claim that she was stupid, not even in this ghostly world.
Suddenly the ground beneath them became the paved stone path winding up to the Temple of the Goddess, severe yet airy, a sentry just outside of the City of the Gods. Alice found herself precariously balanced upon a bay mare that nervously pawed the ground and tossed its delicate head from time to time. She wore a shirt and breeches made out of a strangely soft, smooth material, and they were covered by a dark green cloak. To her right rode the Goddess, who was dressed likewise and looked to be a true mortal for the first time. She smiled down but refused to say a word, even to the contorted expressions of fear on the girl's pale face.
Alice had never ridden a horse before.
* * * * *
King Jonathan ran a hand through graying black curls and sighed at the many maps spread out in front of him. Though the Scanran Wars were finally over, his people were anxious, much too anxious for his liking. They expected miracles, their brothers and fathers alive once more, the nation restored to its formal glory, and eternal peace for the world. And once more, only the rulers felt their anguish and realized that it was impossible.
To exacerbate foreign affairs, many of the small countries bordering Tortall were also weary of soldiers traipsing through their lands and taxing their already meager crops on a yearly basis, a problem that would eventually lead to another war far longer and more draining than any other. He felt powerful magic radiating from their capitals and villages alike and sensed growing unease. No longer could his country depend on old alliances; all such relationships would be forged anew. Thus arose the problem of subtly amassing knights and mages alike, as well as those who were talented in diplomacy. Such individuals were rare indeed.
Little pins sticking out of faded parchment represented key cities, and among them was Corus, the home of the royal family. But at times of strife, not even the king and queen were spared. No, they must lead the defense or the charge and invigorate their ailing people while ignoring their own needs. Instead of shielding their eyes with opulent wealth, they must share the ever-increasing burdens and fight with peasants, yet they must also retain the bearing that makes them fit to be nobility.
Jon had never asked for the double blessing and curse of king, and he remained in the straight-backed chair until a door slowly creaked open to reveal the Queen Thayet calling him to sleep. The years had barely drained vitality and youth from her still stunning beauty; for her alone, the king rose and left the office with her, hand in hand.
* * * *
The novice door-warden shielded her eyes and gazed off into the blinding midday sun as two riders approached from the west, one child-like, the other tall and graceful in her perfect balance. When they had reached the front gates, she hurried forward and said warily, "The doors of the Temple are open to all who shall reveal their name and purpose." Then the girl fell silent and waited for the larger of the two cloaked figures to explain. Even the Daughters could take no chances, and they knew well what fighting meant to their usually tranquil worlds.
"I bring Lady Alceta of Deimos Point to the First Daughter," replied the woman, her voice oddly reminiscent of hounds baying and trees creaking in the wind. Novice Kandella curtsied quickly before opening the gates without a word and leading them through the courtyard, leaving the horses to be tended by the younger girls. They were alone as they walked directly to the center of the Temple where the First-Daughter would be found. She ushered the visitors into the office, curtsied once more, and closed the door behind her. Once alone, Kandella breathed a relieved sigh, for it was not every day one met such powerful newcomers as she had sensed with her own Gift.
"First Daughter," the Mother Goddess nodded, "I have brought Lady Alceta of Deimos Point today. You know already her future, do you not?"
Straight-backed and proud, the Daughter looked up from her papers to meet their eyes for the briefest of moments before rising and extending a polite hand. "Yes…yes, this is the girl," she murmured softly and walked around Alice, noting the pale features, regal expression, and casually swept back dark hair. Her appraising glance swept up her lithe body before continuing, "She is delicate, and I am not sure if she will be able to withstand our standards."
To this Alice raised her chin and replied, "I am sure that I will, First Daughter." She was resolute in her uncharacteristic intense gaze of confident youth, and so the Daughter was forced to switch subjects abruptly.
"Very well then," she replied testily, "you will find your belongings have already been brought up to your room, 39, on the second floor. Now, you may take some time in there to settle affairs, and before dinner you shall be introduced to the other novices." Then she nodded curtly, as if to say that no more of her time would be wasted, not at least in one afternoon.
Together the novice and the Goddess left the office, and the Goddess gazed down benevolently on the little girl for one final moment. Then she turned and swept away, her outline growing fainter and fainter until she had nearly disappeared as no mortals dared to try. She turned back only once, and even then, so briefly that no one was sure that it was not a simple change in gait.
No one except for Kandella, who had been quietly standing with her ear to the door. "Goddess bless," she whispered with a mixture of awe and amazement. Kandella could have sworn she had seen the Goddess tilt her head to the side and give her a knowing smile.
