Moonrise
The
Hodara of Healing in Bethsada
Mabe sat on one of
the stone benches in the Grotto. The
Eldest had called her here and she didn’t know why. She didn’t think she had done anything to
deserve a judging, but why else would the god and goddess want her
presence? Soon, the moon would rise and
she would dip her hands in the chill waters of
the crater lake. Midra and Midran would
speak. The only time she had heard their
voices had been the night she’d finished her training and had been accepted as
a Healwoman. She rubbed her hands along
her arms.
The Eldest touched
her shoulder. “The time is near. There are things I must tell you.”
“Are you sure ’tis
me they want?”
“You are part of
their plans for the future.” The old
woman smiled. “In the days of yore, the
Three of Midra--Seer, Warrior, Healer--united with their mates. Together they defeated those who embraced the
dark faces of Midra and Midran. For a
time, the priestesses and priests who served the god and goddess walked in the
light and brought miracles to the land.
But as time rolled on its circular path, what was once came again. The dark face of Midra enthralled the
priestesses. They turned from the
light. Then the power of the goddess
faltered. Midran drew his priests into
the shadows. Still, what was will come
again.”
Mabe nodded. She’d read the old tales kept in the
archives. She had found them
fascinating, but were they true? They
told of the days when the face of the goddess had darkened. ’Twas then the Healwomen had walked away from
the temples to found their own place. In
the years that followed, the temples had ruled and men had little power in
ruling any of the four divisions of the land now known as nomes. Gradually, the priests of Midran had gained
strength, first in the light. Then they
had embraced the dark face of the god.
She glanced at the
dome over the cavern. Rays of moonlight
shone through the four crescent shaped holes, one for each nome. Keltoi, Sippal, Nilos and Incal. Bands of color--red, yellow, blue and
white--spread across the water. The
arrival of the colors never failed to startle and amaze Mabe. What caused them to appear? She turned to the Eldest. “What do the legends have to do with me?”
“One will come from
Keltoi. She is a daughter of this
nome. Her lineage rises from the Seer,
the Warrior, the Healer and their spouses.
She will have four talents and will be the gleaner who finds the Four
and Four. One pair for each nome. They will bring light from darkness. You will seek and find her. Bring her to Bethsada so she can enter the
hodara and learn.”
Mabe nodded and
accepted the task. She felt both humbled
and excited to be chosen. “When do I
leave?”
The Eldest
rose. “The god and goddess will tell you
when.” She placed her hands on Mabe’s
head. “Seek their blessing. Their commands are for you alone.”
Once the shuffling
footsteps of the old woman no longer echoed, Mabe closed her eyes. Her thoughts turned inward. She had hoped to remain in Bethsada and join
the other women who taught in the hodara.
Though her talents in Earth and Fire were moderate, her years of travel
had brought her knowledge of the customs and ways of the people in each
nome. This knowledge was valuable to the
Healwomen who staffed the many hodaras.
She rose and walked
to the rock shelf surrounding the crater lake.
She knelt and dipped her hands in the icy water. “Midra, Midran, I have come. What would you have me do?”
As the voices of the
god and goddess sounded in her head, awe filled her being. The desires to laugh and cry co-mingled. She remained silent and listened.
*Go. Seek the one who will find the Four and
Four. Beware all who serve the dark
faces. They will try to keep you from
completing your task.*
“How will I know the
one I seek?”
*She will find you,
for she prays for refuge from the ones who slink in the shadows.*
“And the enemies?”
*One you know, for
you have faced and defeated her in the past.
Of the other, if he knew the girl was his daughter, he would be filled
with joy. While he is not of the dark,
he might seek to sequester her so her growth would be stunted.*
*Of her enemies,
there are two she must face. One would
see her dead. The other will crave her
as a possession. Rise. Gather your supplies. Choose a companion for your journey. On the morrow, leave for Keltoi.*
Mabe sank back on
her heels. She dried her hands on her
skirt. She rose and left the
Grotto. There was much to do before
morning. As she strode through the
tunnel, she considered who to ask to accompany her. Glena was her choice.
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