Seed of War

she skipped the last few stone steps before stepping into her flat soled leather shoes. Her activity paused beside the shaft of sunlight pouring in from outsi

liar sights and sounds Elenwe had recognized for over a decade. The building and surroundings were modest, well-kept, and abundant with plant life. Where there was stonework, there was ivy, where there was stone, there was moss, where there was wood, there were

and became indistinct. Still the two girls continued to press for

Veneration Ceremony

eenery. The priestess fiddled with the cuffs of her robe. They had matching robes and veils, th

e moment she was permitted by doctrine. The older she became, the more braids she was allowed to add. This was the opposite of every other eligible member of clergy who took a drastically different approach. All but Elenwe, and the Dowager Sages she closely resembled her hair after, allowed their hair to billow freely. Especially today. Today they would hav

bunnies. A plethora of them. Mating, eating, hopping, and birthing. Impressive were the golden medallions framing her face. She had conceived six children for the ferti

it is also

ion a bit as she freed her hands a

atever Goddess Adanya deems fit for me to receive - bless

rthy and your womb f

ly dense rainforest. The sound of their walking, the faint whispers of others trekking through the forest, and glimpses of th

ou fruitful enough f

ave to participate in the Veneration Ceremony, but more importantly, the last year she was eligible to bear a child. The following Spring Equinox she she could train as a Sage. Those who served the godd

ymetrically circle clearing. The overhead sun shone perfectly into this area making the forest beyond seem much darker and stark in comparison. Over

th mystical shimmerstone casting blues and greens in every direction. Fireflies and willowisps bobbed in the forest beyond The Grove despite it being n

rise in The Grove and surrounded an altar. Curved slabs of granite were present as well, pressed into the soil creating concentric rings away from the innermost trio. Further still was stone structures that were known to keep time, track th

self. Craggy rocks and boulders fused with the base showcasing large geodes that almost melded with the stonework. Atop the pyramid shaped tip was a triangle w

am allowed the woman to bend her practiced knee to this obelisk as well. This came directly from the stream and all the way up the structure were bowls. Th

grime. It stood, blackened, against the verdant trees to the south. It was impossible to make out the markings on the tip of the obelisk bu

d with several holes that sunk deep into the stonework and were smooth and sleek to the touch. The stone had been whittled away by the wind and elemen

m. The second had a set of wavy lines as of rays diagonally cut into the stone. Elenwe kissed this as well. The third simply had a circle. Elenwe settled on her knees and pressed her forehead to the dirt.

of my heart. I know no devotion but this, my devotion to

er bold petition. " do not give me a ... " she stopped her words. She k

e cool shade. Most had paired off with potential partners for the upcoming festivities, and Elenwe did not shirk from this. There was genuine beauty in the cr

een the Rever

limited area she could see and

emerge from the tree-line in pairs as Elenwe continued to try to take account of the crowd. She wove herself through clumps of people with bless

dale, a pleasu

Priestess smiled, "Sage Ma

ple. As they put distance between themselves and the enthusiastic members of their sect

the pair walked. The man chuckled and they continued to walk without expectation with one another. Leisurely an

atching the trees, scanning the members as the very last filtered in from the forest. He watched her prof

to clear off anything else and rep

itfully." Clinton reflected on this, watching

ind, and understanding. He was a few years older than Elenwe, and always encouraged her learning and studies. Elenwe was one of the onl

pating in the Veneration and Unifica

m not... blessed this year, I shall be elegible as a Dowager Sage

was welcomed to participate in any manner of fertility he desired, but has been rendered sterile by rite. But he

ify? To never have the chance

She glanced at him commenting, "I have not yet found my kindered spirit so I have no desire to unify with anyone." She scanned the crowd as some were already fully engaged in the "unification" long

e stood, and adjusted his braids and, as if in a trance, then moved toward the innermost circle of The Grove. As each Sage took their place, fifty six in total. The grove gr

e sun was directly overhead as the woman in the center of all of this threw her hands skyward and began chanting. Elenwe and the rest untangl

r. The low thrummig of the chanting persisted while the Matriarch's eyes glowed like burnished emeralds. Each obelisk now shone with hidden runes and symbols written in forgotten languages. Each one of these forgotten symbols started as a dim red

n the ceremony of the Veneration. She spoke and her words were amplified to speak

sing them. The harmony is eternal, and once every seven years we sing in Vener

chorus began as the incantation was joined with the ceremonial dancing. The entire faith of nature moved in unison singing songs of lore and sacrament. Elenwe moved with well-

and a living branch. Beside these four elements was a box which contained a three velvet pouches. With a wave of her hand the Matriarch spurned the two braziers beside the altar to spring to life. Her unbound hair, silver moments before, now

le. She felt it, she felt it from everywhere around her. She felt it enter her, warm and soothing waves of a unending r

ts of the congregation. In an ancient tongue the Sages started a different chant, archaic, and with darker intones. The Matriarch lik

within. The stream entirely bent itself skyward to join the barely restrained chaos. Of the hundreds upon hundreds in attendance only dozens continued with their duty, channeling and pouring the power they felt bac

sheer volley and reverberation of the elements within the dome. A brief moment passed where it seemed the Matriarch could no longer dampen the effects of the catas

ability to guide the path of nature and life, that is how they healed, that is how they grew crops. They channeled the life from the source into the world. Small tendrils, and vanishing threads could cure the infirm and delay a famine. Elenwe felt her entire bein

reful calendar had toppled and the stream had rerouted itself entirely. Hundreds were slain, twisted in the wreckage. As the last petals and leaves fluttered down, stillness overca

he voice of life itself speak her name. She stared at the ground in front of her as she felt the access to the limitless power she had tapped into withdrew itself from her.

injured were amidst the best healers and naturists in the entire world. Through this crowd Elenwe

are one of the S