In Nilos, Healwomen have become only midwives. Their hodara lies in ruins on the bank of the Nilos River in the city of Memphos. Only a few women come for training and remain in the city. Others serve in the highlands and on the desert. The Eldest, she who rules the midwives, sets upon a scheme fo bring the Three to life and to rule the nome.
What will happen when the Eldest sets her plan into action? Will there be just three women or will they find their opposites becoming the fabled Three and Three? Who will rule the changes to come?
Though the heated air hung heavy, he must approach the midwives’ house. He strolled along the road the ancestors had created. The dark surface never changed and showed no signs of decay. By the time he saw the wall surrounding the house sweat covered his face and slid over his body beneath his robe. He saw the ruins of the hodara. Heaps of rubble destroyed eons ago lined the road toward the river. Tales his grandfather had related about the day of destruction of the hodara arose. One of the women had poisoned a Voice and triggered the wrath of the priests. Those women had lost their position as Healwomen in caring for the ills of all. Now they were only permitted to care for women who were about to give birth or one wanting a child.
He paused for a moment beneath a
A woman with graying hair stepped through the beaded curtain. “Whatever you’re accusing us of, we’re innocent.”
“Are you in charge?” He’d forgotten what they called their leader.
“No.”
“I would speak to her.”
“I’ll take you to the Eldest.” She held the curtain so he could enter and stepped in front of him. They strode down a long hall with murals of women and children painted on the walls. They passed several curtained doorways. She paused at one and rattled the beads. “Eldest, a priest to see you.”
“Enter,” a woman called.
The Voice parted the curtain and stepped into the room. A tall woman with fair hair streaked with dark strands rose. She didn’t smile and he saw caution in her deep brown eyes.
“I’m honored. What does the Voice of Midran want?”
He bowed his head. “Help. The First Woman of my inner court is unable to conceive. I fear she will harm herself.”
She moved past him and lifted a large leather pouch from a hook. “I must see her.”
“I’ll take you to her.” He walked to the door and held the curtain for her. They strode down the hall and to the outer courtyard. As they started toward his residence, he felt sure seeing the midwives had been the right choice,
They passed the small temple and walked the lane to the massive stone structure of his house. He led her along a corridor where silk weavings covered the walls. At the door of his inner court, he parted the curtain so she could enter. “I’ll await your return.”
She entered, “When I’ve finished I will give you a full report.”
While he waited he paced the long hall, stopping a time or two to speak to his apprentices. Finally she emerged. “How did you find her?”
“In good health and eager to have your child.”
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Very imaginative. This makes me curious and eager to read more.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover! Great excerpt!
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Dee
Very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteYour story backgrounds are always so intricate that I imagine you spend a lot of time on world building before you ever begin to outline a plot.
ReplyDeleteWhat an intriguing story line! Very imaginative!
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