Daughter of Three Suns
Chapter 13
"Bella, Bella. Wake up." I was in my bed, and Mother was gently shaking me.
"Wha …"
"The Anamnesis is beginning. We must go."
"But we were in an underground room with Alice and the seers. There was smoke and Grandmother Spirit spoke to me."
My mother hesitated uncertainly. "You must not speak of that room or what happened, even to me."
"How did I get here?"
"You walked. We climbed the stairs, and then went to bed."
"I don't remember, How could—"
"Shh. Do not speak of it. Now come. We'll be late."
We were the last to arrive at the top of our island. Mother Sun was already gone, and Grandmother could barely be seen on the horizon behind us. The sky was dark and filled with those small lights that Rosalie had told me were other suns. I wondered which one shone down on the world where my people were captive.
Emma and Elise grabbed my hands and begged me to play with them. I tried, but my mind was occupied with other thoughts, and they soon found other friends to play with. Mother and Rosalie were talking with the other women, and Alice was sitting with the seers. I wandered around the rock surface for a while until I found Jessica, Lauren, Angela, and Rachel, sitting together. Their voices fell silent as I approached.
I was shocked at how small, pale, and weak they looked. They must have been as surprised at my appearance because no one spoke as we stared at each other. They had once been my friends, the ones I studied with, wrestled with on the desert sands, and swam with in the underground pools. We had harvested food together, caught fish together, and sometimes, even spoke of our fears of the Metanora together. Now, not knowing what they had been told, I stood awkwardly, wondering if I was welcome to join them.
Finally, Angela scooted to one side, making room for me in their circle. "You've changed," she said when I sat down between her and Rachel.
I nodded. "I've been—"
"Mother says we can't go to our Metanora until you return," Jessica interrupted. I nodded again. "She said you will have to close the opening to the bad world where our women are held captive so that we will not be drawn there to find our basherter."
"Yes," was all I could think to say.
"Well," she huffed.
Rachel picked up my hand and studied the dark scar carefully before turning it palm up and running her finger over the rough calluses there. Then she traced my half-formed claws. "What did they do to you, Bella?" she whispered.
Tears sprung to my eyes at her concern, and I swallowed roughly before I could answer. "I'm not supposed to talk about it. I'm sorry."
"Okay." She nodded, squeezed my hand, and then reached for Lauren's on her other side. Lauren took Jessica's, who took Angela's, who then held my other hand. "Then I think," Rachel said, glancing around the circle, "that we should all ask Grandmother Spirit to help Bella rescue our women, bring back all the basherti she can find, and get that doorway closed forever."
There were nods all around, and then Lauren giggled. "Yeah because I'm so eager to spend hours of burning pain alone in the desert."
There was shocked silence for a moment, and then Angela snorted and Jessica snickered, soon we were all laughing together, and I felt welcomed in spite of my changes.
The rest of the Anamnesis continued just as the others before it. When the small girls tired of playing, we sat with our families and listened to the seers tell our histories while we ate our meal. This time, I listened closely to see if there was any mention of the events Grandmother Spirit had shown me. I heard some things that hinted at them but that was all.
Then, it was time to honor our foremothers and those who had left to seek the sands. I held Mother's hand when Marie and Esme's names were mentioned.
Several of the seers gathered the smaller children and led them to the edge of the cliffs where they were given flowers to toss into the updrafts. Mother led me away to where Rosalie and all the adult women were waiting. She crushed a handful of the herbs in her hands, inhaled them deeply, then held them out to me. I breathed them in and shuddered at the immediate rush of heat. Around me, the other women began doing the same thing. Three times we repeated the process. I felt as if my blood were on fire and my bones melting. I wanted, needed—longed for something I could not name. There was a hunger to be touched, held, and embraced. Around us, the seers were chanting our lineage, their words echoed in my head and matched the pounding of my heart.
The world swayed and tilted around me. Shadows shifted and swam in the rosy light. Suddenly, the basherti arrived. The air was filled with their cries and calls and the flutter of their wings. I searched for mine. My mind reached out, trying to find the one who would satisfy this deep longing inside. I felt as if I would never be complete until I found it.
I blinked to find Charles perched on my shoulder. Great golden eyes stared into mine and black wings wrapped around my face. It trilled into my ear, a song of love, pride, and tenderness.
Then it was gone, and I looked around to see all the women and their basherti wrapped in darkness and scattered across the plateau. Rosalie's words echoed in my head. The herbs start a change in us. It's a burning in the blood, a hunger, a longing deep within. For the women, it makes us want to become one with our basherter. To take them into ourselves.
"That is what is happening," I mumbled to myself. "They are becoming one with their basherter."
"Yes, and it is a sacred thing, private, and not for our eyes." Alice took my hand and began to lead me away. I stumbled after her, giggling when I tripped and fell.
"I think perhaps you have had too much of the herbs tonight," she said, trying to help me stand.
"Let me help," a deep voice said. Two strong hands pulled me to my feet. I swayed and tried to understand what I was seeing. A person stood there. Tall like a woman, yet not a woman. It was like the being in the vision from Grandmother Spirit. It had arms, legs, a head, and a body, but it was different.
"Who?" I leaned forward, trying to see more clearly. "Who are you? What are you?"
"I'm Emmett. I'm Rosalie's mate, and on my world, I am called a man."
"Man, man," I mumbled. "Because you came from woman." Someone laughed. "Rosalie, Rosalie. Where is my sister?"
"Here, Bella." Rosalie's face swam before me.
"Alice thinks I've had too much herbs." I smacked my dry lips. "I feel strange."
"I think that's probably true. You need to go home, little sister. Let Alice take you home now."
"Okay." I nodded and let Alice pull me away. "Oh, Rosalie." I stopped and turned back to where I thought she was but could not see her. "Emmett is very beautiful. You are very beautiful, Emmett." I spoke louder this time. "And Emma has your face."
I heard deep laughter again before following Alice down the stairs.
…..
I could never remember how Alice managed to get me down the stairs and into my room, but I woke up to warmth and light and my sister sleeping beside me. "Alice, Alice." I shook her. "Daughter Sun is here, and you need to go to the underground caves where you'll be safe."
"I'm staying here to honor your leaving," she told me as she sat up and stretched. "I'll be fine if I stay in the darkest part of the overhang."
We found Mother, and Rosalie, Emma, and Elise waiting in our gathering room. There was awkward silence as we all stood facing each other. Finally, I spoke. "You must say the words, Mother. It's time for me to go."
She nodded, then opened her arms to me. I stepped into them, and she hugged me to her. I could feel her trembling, but her voice was strong when she stepped away. "You have been called to your Metanora, my daughter. Go now and give yourself to Daughter Sun. Find your basherter. Return to us a woman, strong and with child so that you will ensure the continuation of our lineage. May Grandmother Spirit guide you."
I expected her to go to her room, but she surprised me by taking my hand and leading me from our home. My sisters and my nieces followed us. There was another surprise when we reached the overhang at the island entrance. Everyone was waiting there. My aunties, my cousins, every person I had ever known, had gathered here to honor my Metanora.
The seers were gathered in the darkest corner, softly chanting. Alice wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. "Come back to us, sister mine," she whispered before joining them. Then Rosalie led me to the very edge of the opening. After I removed my clothing, she handed me my staff and stepped out into the white light of Daughter Sun. I turned to look at my people one last time. Mother was holding Elise while Emma stood beside her. I found Alice almost hidden in the dark shadows. I let my gaze roam over the silent people one last time. I knew they were trusting me to bring their daughters and granddaughters home.
"May Grandmother Spirit guide you, Bella," my Auntie Charlotte said. I heard Jessica repeat her words. Soon, everyone had joined in wishing me good luck and a safe return. With their words ringing in my ears, and my eyes wet with tears, I turned and followed my sister into blazing desert.
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