Thread: Retribution of Aerona [ Bear & Broom ]

It was in the fields of her family's humble farm that Alana had been taught what she needed to know about life and in the fields that she had toiled away in her form of servitude towards the gods. She had sacrificed her years that should have gone towards playing with other children her age and instead given them to the soil so that they would give life to the crops. Her family was small, but they worked hard to establish themselves in the otherwise rather quiet area. They were a good family, though sheltered from the war. Her parents had gotten news of the first attacks when her father had gone to the nearest village to take his tribute to the temples, one to the temple of the Goddess Aerona of the light, and another to the God Itzal of the dark. Her parents were dutiful in their sacrifices and had been even more dutiful in their prayers, but the same could not be said for the child. She had been raised in a time when their crops didn't flourish despite her parent's constant prayers and her parent's contributions towards the various gods. She'd watched her father slave beneath the sun to make the dirt produce quite literally anything that could be put onto their table and they come to another year of starving through the winters. It was a cruel world to live in, even more so when word got out that the main temple dedicated to the Goddess Aerona had been under attack, a simple message that was striking out towards her and all of her followers - look now at what your false god does. The attack had started whispers through every minor temple and training ground, where the women that followed the faith had each taken up their own conclusions - there was only one proper response that remained as the dust settled from such a heinous act. Retribution. Necessity made them reach out to any girl that had been flowered but not bedded, and her parents had been eager to oblige. Her mother's face was creased with worry as she settled the white cloak they'd spent the last of their money on, smoothing the materials down over Alana's shoulders softly. Aerona will guide you, my child. She assured, offering a tight smile as she watched her daughter turn away from them. Her heart was pounding in her chest, not because she was excited but because she was afraid of what her family would go through without her. Her parent's couldn't maintain the fields without her, and the work would fall solely on her father's shoulders. He was a strong man, but he was no god. Alana hesitated at the outside of the temple still, lingering in the presence of those that she knew and loved instead of turning towards the presence of those she would be forced to know and pretend to love. The woman that had received her had a kind enough face, an older woman whose hair had turned white with her age, but her body hadn't given up to time. She stood erect and was lean in her figure, her body every bit as youthful as Alana's own, a proof to her dedicated life to training for the Retribution aspect of Aerona's teachings. Come, She beckoned, her voice betraying her age, as that was one thing that couldn't be hardened from years of training, her heart still so soft enough that she didn't frighten away the younger girls, We have much to discuss. Alana was reluctant, but she tore herself away from her family, finally stepping away from them and into the temple. It was lit from the inside from a source that she couldn't identify, everything seeming to glitter or sparkle in some way as the light reflected from tiny crystals embedded in the walls. She caught sight of her reflection in a large piece of polished glass, her eyes large and frightened like a doe, though everything else in her hardened. Her body told the tale of her history, her muscles lean over her frame and skin kissed by the sun, hair every bit as yellow as the golden rays and eyes a pale blue. She looked as if she could hold her own in a fight physically, though her eyes still betrayed that she was still so very young to it all. In the privacy of the Mistress' chamber, she was seated on a sturdy wood chair, her hands crossing in her lap to give her fingers something to fiddle with. You come from a family of farmers. It wasn't a question, so Alana didn't answer. Your family will be compensated well through donations made here, if you are chosen by Aerona. You have flowered, I can see. The woman could tell a woman that had seen her first bleed and though Alana wasn't as heavy in the chest as some women were, her breasts were by no means just budding on her chest, Have you let a man lay with you? The woman didn't mince her words, and her eyes were penetrating enough that it felt like she already knew. Alana shifted in her chair, visibly uncomfortable, No, Mistress. I have not. It was the truth, but she couldn't look the woman in the eyes. The woman held a silence between them before she moved on, clearing her throat, Have you killed before? This question, too, was straightforward, though Alana's innocence showed in her answer, Yes, we trap rabbits and deer often to have fresh meat for dinner. My father has trained me with a bow and I am quite well at it, as well as-- The mistress silenced her with a hand, letting out a soft sigh. No, dear girl. A man. Have you killed a man before? The realization was slow to dawn on her, but when it did her face fell, flushed with embarrassment that she didn't understand the first time. Alana didn't fiddle with her fingers, as this subject had become too serious to distract herself properly, I... I have not. She said after a moment, looking down at the floor as the woman assessed her quietly. Take heart, child. You can be taught. She assured, standing up and motioning for Alana to follow her. The girl was slow to follow, but did despite all of her body wanting her to run away from all of this, as it was wrong to even entertain this idea. The Mistress lead her away towards a courtyard, where the women of the faith practiced their arts of attack and murder, some already paired with white-robed apprentices. Aurelia! The woman called out to another woman that was among the women hard at work, a woman in deep contrast to Alana's own self. The Mistress lead her through the crowd, a hand on her back to steer her through the people despite her hesitation and reservations against it all, Aurelia is strong of faith and stronger at... What she does best. I think it's time you mentor, as desperate times breed desperate measures. The Mistress offered a reassuring smile to Alana before turning her gaze to Aurelia, This is Alana. She is new to the faith. It is at your discretion for how you prepare her. She has knowledge, she says, of bows and traps. That may come of use to you. May Aerona guide you on the best path. And with that, she was left alone with a woman every bit as lovely as she was deadly.