Lady Priestess, Silver Moon

The earliest I remember is when I was ten summers. My mentor Ichiane scolded me for staring out the window instead of concentrating on my lessons in succession. I was an Apprentice-Priestess; Lady Priestess-in-training. I would succeed my Lady Priestess-Consort Mame and Lord-Priest Pada when I turned eighteen and chose a Mate.

I was bored, so I looked outside, saw my brothers Copper and Zinc playing in the courtyard and sighed, secretly wishing to join them on such a sunny day. Instead, I was stuck indoors, learning and practicing my Rites of Succession, along with control over all aspects of my Illunian magic.

I sighed, twirling one of my many tiny braids with my fingers.

"Be still, Silver." Ichaine scolded gently. "Priestesses do not fidget."

"I am only ten, Mame." I groaned, sitting up and scratching an itch on my side. "Besides, I itch. I cannot help scratching where it itches, now can I?"

Ichiane shook her head. "Nay, my Lady," she closed her eyes and sighed. "Perhaps if you did not roughhouse with your bad'ras you would have naught to scratch."

I harrumphed, folding my arms and pouting.

"Ladies do not pout." Ichaine pointed out.

I cared not what ladies did or did not do.

I harrumphed again, sticking my tongue out at her.

She ignored my defiant fit, asking calmly. "May we continue with your lessons, my Lady?"

I frowned. "I guess, but why do I have to learn such dribble anyway?"

"It is not dribble." Ichiane told me gently, clearing her throat. "You know why you must learn your lessons, Lady Silver."

"Aye," I rolled my eyes, reciting in a bored tone. "I am Heir to the Illunian Throne, named after the Moon Goddess. Therefore, I must learn to be a Priestess of the Moon and represent her in all things. I am her eyes, ears, and voice as my actions one day will bring peace amongst the Dragon Nations."

"While it is true you represent the Goddess and Her teachings, you will not take your place upon the Throne until you are ready and find a suitable Mate." Ichiane reminded me.

I shrugged. "I was close." I looked out the window at the bright sun and sighed. My bad'ras were still playing outside. This time, at the Practice Fields behind the Shrine, reviewing sword-work with wooden blades. By the looks of things, Zinc was beating Copper, which was unusual because Copper was usually fierce with the blade. I wanted to join them.

Ichiane slammed the thick volume closed, startling me. She nodded with a smile. "Go, Silver. We will pick up where you left off in the morning."

I was ecstatic. I shot up like a cannon and hugged my mentor, squealing. "Thank you, thank you, Mame!"

Mame meant mother in Allunian, our rival city. Now that the Illunae and Allunae are as one, the word also meant nursemaid, guide and mentor.

I managed to run into Pada as I closed the door behind me.

"Watch yourself, Dan'aa," He caught my shoulders, smiling. "What is the rush?"

"I want to play with Copper and Zinc."

His stare at me with suspicion. "What of your lessons with Ichaine?"

I shrugged. "I grew bored, so she said we would return to it tomorrow."

Pada nodded. "Go. Stay out of the wood, okay?"

I hugged him. "We will; promise!"

I rushed down the halls to the Shrine, crossing to the Practice Fields. After grabbing my practice blade and shoulder sheath from the armory, I sheathed it at my back and headed to my bad'ras.

Copper and Zinc looked at each other, then at me.

"What?"

"Come to gloat again, Sed'ra?" Copper asked with a frown.

"No bad'ra, I need the practice." I smiled, unsheathing it and gripping the hilt. I teased Copper with the statement. "May I have this dance?"

Copper gulped and I kept my smile.

I turned to Zinc. "Observe."

"Hai!" He nodded, saluting as he drew his practice sword and marked two lines on the ground.

"You know the rules." He started. "First to go outside those lines behind you loses. Understand?"

"Hai!" Copper and I cried in unison, feet immediately in fighting stances.

Zinc placed his arm in between us. "Ready?"

We looked at each other. "Hai!"

"Hak'tia!" Zinc cried, raising his arm and stepping out of the circle.

At first, Copper was fierce, just like Pada. After a few minutes, the dance was boring, for Copper used all the same moves. It was as if he was on automatic, all feeling of the dance lost. Usually he loved working with the sword, for he had Pada's fighting spirit. Now, his heart just was not in it.

"Bad'ra?" I asked, blocking his attack and looking into the colored eyes that gave him his name. There was no fire in them; they were void of all emotion.

"Hal'to!" I called, sheathing mine. "Copper?"

He shook his head out of its daze and blinked. "Sorry, Sed'ra." His voice was soft, and his own eyes could not meet mine.

I shared a look with Zinc before asking, "Are you okay?"

He shrugged. "I think so."

I watched as he dragged his sword on the ground, sitting on the bench. "You were taught to respect your blade."

"Treat it as if it were your lover; kindness, loyalty and respect." He rattled with a growl. "I don't need the lecture, thank you."

I took a breath before finding my words. "I was not lecturing you." I told him gently. "I merely remind you of the first lesson Sword-Smith Aryan taught us."

"I know, I know; respect the sword and it will respect you."

I smiled. "Feel up to a real sparring session?"

"Na'to. Thanks, anyway." He shrugged, returning the wooden practice sword to its rack in the Weapons' Shed. Hands in his pockets, he walked away.

I looked to my younger bad'ra. "You know something. Explain."

"Hai," Zinc mumbling and taking a breath. "That I do."

"Well? Tell me!" I rushed. "If something was making him sick, I could very well heal him."

"Not even you could heal this kind of ailment." He told me. "It's about Princess Eugenia of Valona."

A princess problem? That was it?

"What about her?" I was curious. "Is she hideous?"

Zinc laughed. "Na'to, nothing like that."

"Well?"

He took my hand, dragging me behind him when he raced out of the Shrine Temple. I could barely keep up and found myself lifting off the ground and uncontrollably flying behind him.

"Z! Hold up!" I tried yelling, but he did not hear me. He was in his own little world. "Please bad'ra, I beg of you, slow down!"

Zinc stopped for only a moment so I could take a breath. Before I could speak, he ran ahead of me.

I followed him to the Throne Room. We stopped just outside the tall doors.

Zinc placed a finger to his lips.

Yeah, yeah. I sent telepathically, rolling my eyes. I know the drill.

The doors were open a crack, just enough for us to listen and watch the scene inside.

Pada was at his throne, Mame in hers, and Copper was knelt in front of them, head down as if in shame.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"Nay, Lord Pada." Copper shook his head.

"Rise and stand at attention." Mame ordered gently. She stood and gestured to the right.

All three of us followed where her hand was gesturing.

A tall woman with long blonde hair tied up with a small coronet was wearing a gown of deepest emerald, hands clasped at her waist. She sauntered up to the Thrones and curtseyed, eyes lowered in respect.

I met Zinc's eyes. This woman is bad'ra's problem?

He nodded. Now do you see why you cannot heal him?

Aye, but what does she have to do with anything?

Zinc smiled. We will find out in time, I promise.

Even when we were young, Zinc spoke in riddles.

∞∞∞

The next few years, I grew into my calling; both older and wiser. I was still the Goddess' Voice, Eyes and Ears for the Illunian Realm. I found the Goddess and I had a lot in common, besides our name: Silver Moon.

It was soon after that meeting I found out why the princess of Valona was here. Copper and Eugenia were part of a prearranged marriage. It would assure continued peace between Allunae of the East and Illunae of the West.

I was duty-bound to show Ginny around Illuminata's Castle grounds and the adjoining market. She asked a lot of questions, mostly about Copper. The more time we spent together, the closer we became. Before too long, we were close friends in a playful conspiracy against Copper. He would not admit it, but he loved her, and I knew she loved him. It was not only a perfect match, but a mating as well.

∞∞∞

The year I turned seventeen summers; it was my turn to choose a mate. Pada made me hold numerous audiences with endless would-be suitors every day for two weeks straight. It was disrespectful for the Priestess-Heir to speak out during audiences that have to do with her future, so I stayed silent until they were over.

I was bored of it all. Every prince who sought my hand was the same. Nervous younglings at the very sight of our Thrones. They came to us with knees shaking and voices squeaking, stumbling over promises of future peace and prosperity. I believed none of it.

I used my Goddess-given Gift of Empathy on them all. Beneath the surface, the only thing they wanted was a kingdom to rule. They only saw me to bear their child. Once that child was born, I would be discarded like fish bones after an evening meal. I was smart and kept this information to myself. I did not even share it with Pada, Mame, or my bad'ras.

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