The weather barely fluctuated from warm to steaming hot in Una Sitka. Although, Baya had been told, the mountains in the North could become miserably cold.
Pathins had roughly four seasons. The longest was the Time of Daylight. This was when at least one of the planet’s suns shone in the sky at all times. The Time of Daylight would give way to a brief season when there would be a couple hours of darkness each night. Next came the Time of Darkness. This was when both suns would set, casting the planet into a darkness that lasted as long as the day. The nights would quickly grow shorter as they headed back into the Time of Daylight, when they would not see darkness again for many months.
Both suns were high in the sky by the time Aga and Baya made their way to Unawi Shema’s palace, which could be seen from Aga’s home, but being up close was an entirely different experience. The black stone structure had a wide base that held the diamond-shaped palace high into the sky. The palace looked as if two massive pyramids had been placed together at their bases, balanced on the point of the bottom one.
Baya examined the walls angling upward above her. She fought the urge to run out of the shadows of the building before the stones overhead came crashing down. “How come the walls don’t fall?”
“There is no need to worry, my dear,” Aga said. “This is the best-built structure in all the land. It has stood for many centuries.”
The fact that it was really old didn’t help to put Baya at ease. Now she was certain the structure would collapse at any moment. “It’s just that the base doesn’t look like it could support such large stones. It’s like a tiny neck trying to hold up an oversized head.”
Aga chuckled. “Take a look at the Unawi’s grounds.” Aga opened a large wooden gate in the tall stone wall that surrounded the palace grounds, thus revealing an oasis of colors and life.
Flowers and plants burst into a sea of every imaginable shade. Baya’s lips parted as she took in the scene laid out before her. “This puts Rus’s garden to shame.”
Water flowed from many small streams around the base of the palace. It cascaded down steps and sprayed out of stone fountains creating soothing sounds.
Baya exhaled and her shoulders relaxed.
Flowers of every color grew from the earth and hung off bushes. Numerous ponds held yellow leafy plants. Above all else, blue and purple flowers with petals that spiked outward in every direction caught Baya’s eye. They were the most unusual flowers she had ever seen, she had no idea what they were called. She wanted to pick one but refrained. Surely it was a punishable offense to pluck one of Unawi Shema’s flowers.
They passed two gardeners who were bent over, hard at work. Aga kept her head held high, ignoring them entirely. But Baya’s attention was drawn to the younger one, a boy, whose black skin glistened where the hot sunlight touched it. His golden-brown eyes briefly met hers.
Baya smiled.
He quickly put his head down and expertly plucked a weed — roots and all.
She continued to watch him. He was about her age, or maybe a bit older. High cheekbones and a strong jaw made him rather nice to look at. His eyes weren’t round like hers, they were dramatically almond-shaped. She hadn’t seen anyone who looked like him before. The feeling that came over her was something she didn’t recognize. All she understood was that she wanted to talk to him.
Baya had stopped walking altogether.
“Keep up, Baya,” Aga snapped. “We can’t be late.”
Baya reluctantly pulled her eyes away from the boy and ran toward the palace entrance. Her gown caught around her foot causing her to stumble forward. She wasn’t used to such a long dress. She managed to right herself before hitting the ground.
The boy had jumped to his feet as if to help her.
Baya turned away from him to hide her embarrassment. What a stupid, clumsy mess, she thought.
Aga waited at the entrance. The tall wooden doors were covered with carved pictures from Ameris’s time on this planet. They depicted her casting away wild beasts as she sat high upon her throne.
Baya couldn’t resist the urge to look back one last time at the strange and handsome boy. To her surprise, their eyes met briefly before he turned away again.
“Don’t waste a second of your time on a garden boy.” Aga frowned down at her daughter.
“Wh … what do you mean?” Baya’s cheeks turned a shade of purple as the blue blood rushed to her face.
“You will choose your theo from one of the sons of the priestesses, as I did.” Aga gave a crooked smile. “Unless you become Unawi. Then you could have the garden boy as one of the many theos who would serve you.”
Baya shuddered. “You mean the untheos?”
Aga nodded. She made this sound like a good thing. As if having many men was the prize you won for becoming the ruler. Something about that was … not right … disgusting even.
“I just …” Baya’s nervousness made it difficult to speak — after all she was about to meet the ruler of the entire world. “I mean … he looks nice. … Like we could be friends.”
“Friends.” Aga chuckled but there was no humor in it. “You still have much to learn in these upcoming years — that is why we’re here. Come.”
A man pushed the heavy doors open for them and Baya followed her mother into the building. “Besides, you will have plenty of girls to befriend. The daughters of the high priestesses will make worthy companions.”
Baya frowned. She doubted this. There would be entirely too much competition between her and her new peers.
The first thing Baya saw was a wide set of black stone stairs leading out of the neck and up into the large head of the palace above. The stairs were dimly illuminated by torchlight.
“Now remember, no matter who or when the next Unawi is chosen, these girls will be your companions for life. One will become ruler someday and many others will become priestesses who will offer counsel to the Unawi. So …”
“Make a good first impression,” Baya recited. Even though she had no idea how to accomplish this. It felt as if she were the tiny base that was holding up the palace they now walked through. The pressure was unbearable.
Chapter 3
The black stone walls made for a dreary atmosphere, as Aga and Baya passed through the dark hallways of the palace. Aga came to a stop before two tall wooden doors — also carved with exquisite detail depicting the Goddess’s ancient adventures.
This had to be it, Baya thought. The ruler was on the other side of this entryway.
“Okay. Chin up.” Aga pushed Baya’s chin higher. “Shoulders back.” She pressed on Baya’s shoulders until she was standing exactly the way Aga wanted. “Deep breath.” Aga inhaled sharply and Baya did the same.
Baya’s stomach fluttered and she hoped her breakfast would stay down.
A theo swung the doors open. Aga marched confidently into the Great Hall. Baya tried to emulate her but wasn’t sure if she was successful. She largely felt ridiculous taking long strides with her nose in the air.
A vaulted ceiling rose high above them. Baya blinked as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight that flowed in through the high windows. Her lips parted in awe, as she realized that they were actually skylights. They had to be in the uppermost part of the palace.
Many thick pillars lined either side of a wide walkway. The columns consisted of a smooth white stone. Baya thought her mother’s home was large but most of it could fit inside this one room.
In the center stood a large fountain. Four stone women, over twice the size of real women, stood in a circle in the middle of the structure. They held their arms permanently outstretched to the sky, in prayer to the Goddess. A thick spray of water shot up between the stone women, rising high above their hands. Eventually the water cascaded down, soaking the statues.
At the far end of the Great Hall, Shema lounged on an overstuffed divan, which sat atop a handful of stairs. The bright white fabric of the divan seemed to glow in the sunlight.
Shema watched with mild intere
st as her guests approached. At least fifteen untheos surrounded her. They seemed half-dressed to Baya. Only their midsection was covered in a white cloth wrap. Baya thought that there was entirely too much brown skin showing. The sight of all the lean male chests made her blush.
The men appeared to be taking turns fanning Shema. They stood or lay around on the stairs. No doubt they were waiting to fulfill any order the Unawi might have. Shema slowly stood. The men fidgeted and moved with her, trying to anticipate what she might want.
Shema, too, was barely clothed. Her tiny top left her large breasts half exposed. Her skirt showed off her long tan legs. Thin golden strands of light see-through fabric flowed behind her as she moved forward. Some of her theos openly gawked at her large hips as they swayed more than necessary when she walked.
Baya looked down at her own body. She was a skeleton — all skin and bones — in comparison to Shema. Baya bit her lip. Even her mother’s beauty faded when compared to the Unawi.
A large beady-eyed creature crawled up Shema’s leg. It disappeared as it crossed Shema’s back securing itself around one side of her waist while it rested its upper body on her opposite shoulder.
Baya had been so enthralled with the ruler that she hadn’t noticed the creature at first. The thing could have passed for a third arm. Its long body was brown and segmented, with numerous thin legs that moved like a wave as it positioned itself to get a better look at the newcomer. It appeared to gaze intently at Baya with four solid black eyes.
Shema gave Aga a genuine smile and Aga returned the gesture. A spine tingling sensation passed through Baya when Aga embraced Shema. The creepy creature didn’t appear to bother Aga in the least. The hug ended with Aga kissing Shema’s cheek.
“It is wonderful to see you, as always, Madam Unawi,” Aga said.
But like the large insect, Shema’s eyes scarcely left Baya. “It’s about time you brought your eldest daughter to meet me.”
Baya was not sure which one was more intimidating, the giant insect or the ruler of the world. It took everything Baya had to keep her head held high under the inquisitive stares. Yet Baya somehow managed to stop herself from lowering her chin to her chest.
Shema moved in close, presenting her cheek to Baya.
Oh no, Baya thought.
Everyone was expected to kiss Shema’s cheek. This was how people showed the ruler her due respect.
Baya hesitated. In order to kiss Shema, she would have to get incredibly close to that thing on her shoulder — almost kissing it as well.
She hoped it didn’t bite. Why hadn’t her mother warned her about Shema’s … pet … or whatever it was?
Do it quick. Don’t be a sissy, Baya scolded herself.
Closing her eyes tight, she gave Shema an awkward peck on the cheek. She thought she heard the creature make some sort of noise, as if it were trying to tell her something. Baya studied the four beady eyes, then shook her head. She must’ve imagined hearing the sound.
“Baya turns eleven today,” Aga was saying. “She is to start her official training for the priesthood.”
“Excellent,” Shema said. “She is quite tall for her age. I’m sure she will become a lovely woman.” She gave Baya a tight-lipped smile. “Welcome to your new home, Mistress. Your mother is the most skilled and powerful of my priestesses so I’m sure you will do well with your training.”
Baya swallowed hard. She was certain that her stone base was cracking under the immense pressure. “I will do my very best, Madam Unawi,” she managed to squeak.
“Of course you will.” With the slight wave of Shema’s hand one of her theos stepped forward. “Show the young mistress to her new living quarters.”
Baya looked at her mother with wide eyes. Was that it?
She didn’t want to leave her mother — the only familiar thing in this odd place.
“Don’t worry.” Aga seemed to read Baya’s mind. “I will be around. After all, I work here, remember? We have to join the priestesses for our morning rituals but I’ll be instructing some of your sessions with the other girls.”
“When?” Baya tried to keep the panic out of her voice but the last thing she wanted was to be alone in this strange place.
“Soon.”
“Soon, as in an hour, or tomorrow or one week?”
“Go along, now.” Shema gestured for Baya to follow the man.
Aga gave her a reassuring smile. “Go with the theo. I will not be far.”
Baya choked back the knot in her throat. She couldn’t be so weak as to cry in front of the Unawi. Slowly, she turned to the large doors. The servant held them open, as he patiently waited for her to follow. She ventured one last glance at her mother before she disappeared around the corner.
The theo led Baya through many dark halls, barely lit with torches, and down several sets of stairways. She was completely disoriented when they finally came to a stop. He opened yet another door for her. Baya entered only to find a room full of girls. The room was modest compared to the Great Hall — low ceilings, no windows, obsidian stone walls. Every girl stopped what she had been doing to stare at Baya.
She issued a nervous smile.
No one smiled back.
The clang of the door slamming shut behind Baya, echoed in her ears. The theo had made his quick retreat.
Baya felt a bead of sweat form on her brow as she scanned the faces of the twelve or so girls in the room. It appeared to be a common room, as the center was arranged with many divans. Girls sat about casually. They had most likely been talking freely amongst themselves before Baya entered.
They all had various tones of brown skin and long brown hair. Most of them wore frowns, while some even glared at Baya. What Baya thought was pity could be seen on some of their faces.
This was going to be even worse than she’d imagined.
Chapter 4
Baya stood frozen in the entryway to the girls’ chambers. If she were to move, she was sure her feet would carry her swiftly out of the room. An intense longing for home hit her in the gut.
Rus … she thought. All she wanted was for Rus to comfort her, the way only he could. If only she were still small enough to curl up on his lap. He used to wrap his strong arms around her and whisper, “Everything’s going to be fine, Little One.”
“So, you must be the daughter of the great Aga?” One of the older girls stepped forward to stand directly in front of Baya. She made the word Aga sound like an insult. The girl was only slightly taller than Baya but much more shapely. Her black hair hung loosely around her shoulders.
Baya thought about answering with a no, in the hopes of being accepted by these girls. Yet, the truth would come out eventually. Instead, she nodded and offered her hand in greeting. “I’m Baya.”
Her hand was left untouched.
The black-haired girl crossed her arms in front of her chest. “And you think you can come in here and show everyone up, don’t you?”
“No.” Yet Baya knew that was what she was expected to do — to be the best, most powerful girl here, as her mother had been. “I’m just a regular girl — nothing special.”
“That’s right. You’re nothing special while you’re in these living quarters. You see, this is our world.”
Baya was sure the girl meant her world.
“Understand?” the black-haired girl said.
“It’s perfectly clear,” Baya whispered. She wanted to explain that she didn’t want to be here, that she didn’t want to become Unawi. Someone else could have the job as far as she was concerned. Yet, there was a part of her that didn’t want to disappoint her mother and she couldn’t let Tash become more powerful than her.
Baya’s eyes widened as it occurred to her: What if she wasn’t the best and Tash was? Her sister would become the next Unawi. Then Baya would become one of her advisors, only a priestess on her council — beneath her. She couldn’t let that happen!
But Baya had a bigger problem at the moment.
The girl moved closer. Sh
e towered over Baya. “I can’t hear you.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That you’re in charge.”
Baya could feel the tense silence in the room around her, as if every girl held her breath, not daring to move until the confrontation was over — until dominance was established.
The black-haired girl reached for Baya.
Baya flinched even though she had never been hit before. In fact, she had never heard of someone actually hitting another. It must have been a natural reaction to jump at an approaching hand.
The girl’s hand didn’t hit Baya, instead it plucked one of the red flowers from Baya’s hair.
“What’s this? Some foolish attempt to impress Shema — this common old flower. I’m sure you saw, Shema has much prettier ones in her garden.” She held the flower in the palm of her hand and stared at it. The flower lifted into the air. A ball of fire grew from her other hand. The fire shot toward the flower, sending it up in a burst of flames and a puff of smoke.
Murmurs of awe came from the girls in the room.
Baya refused to respond, she didn’t even blink. She kept her head held high and her shoulders back.
“She’s got it, Lua,” a smaller girl spoke up. “She knows what’s up around here, so if you’re done with the new girl, I’ll show her to her room.”
Lua glared at the younger girl, who pushed Baya through the common room and toward a long hallway on the far side.
“Thank you,” Baya said, as they walked down a long narrow hall with average-sized doors lining either side.
The girl said nothing.
“Well, Lua is really something, isn’t she?” Baya hoped to recruit an ally.
The girl stopped walking and looked at Baya. She appeared to be about Baya’s age yet shorter. She had large brown eyes and long brown hair. “Lua won’t let anyone be your friend. So, you might as well give up. No one here will cross her.”
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