A Woman's World

by Lynne Hill-Clark

  A knock came at Baya’s door.

  Baya knew who it was. No one ever disturbed her and the last thing she wanted was a clingy little sister hanging around all the time. “What?” Baya said to the closed door.

  Tash’s blond head peered into the room. “Can I come in?”

  “I’m busy.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Practicing.”

  “Oh! Can I watch?”

  “No.”

  “Come on Baya. We’re family and this is our chance to spend time together. I mean, at least we have each other in this place.”

  Baya sighed. “No, Tash. We don’t. You need to make friends your own age.” She didn’t want Tash to find out about her and Vicaroy’s secrets. She also wasn’t about to let Tash see that she couldn’t transform a simple wooden figurine.

  Something had to be done to keep this nuisance away. So Baya took Tash by the shoulders, spun her around and marched her out the door. She pointed down the hall to the girls’ common room. “Go find someone else to talk to.”

  Baya disappeared back into her room — alone — the way she liked it.

  It didn’t take long for Tash to give up on Baya. After a month, they all but ignored each other. Tash made friends easily. In fact, she grew quite popular. The girls loved the strange color of her hair and eyes. Her flawless pale skin was envied by all. The other girls wanted to be just like Tash. Whatever food Tash liked, the other girls would claim it was their favorite.

  One day Baya noticed that all the younger girls at Tash’s breakfast table wore their hair in two long braids hanging down their backs. Baya’s jaw clenched as she realized that this was how Tash always wore her hair.

  “Would you all jump into a firepit if Tash did?” Baya asked as she walked by the table.

  “Probably,” one of the girls said.

  This was followed by numerous giggles.

  Baya rolled her eyes.

  Chapter 14

  It was shortly before Baya’s seventeenth birthday when Shema announced to the class, “This is my favorite lesson to teach. It is one of our best-kept secrets. There are full-grown women who have not mastered this skill.” Light sparkled in her dark eyes.

  This got Baya’s attention and half the other mistresses sat up straighter in their seats. Baya was only a year or so away from graduation and her schooling had become more intense — and interesting, as far as she was concerned.

  “Today I’m going to be teaching you about the ultimate form of transformation.” Shema took a step back against the black stone wall and disappeared right before their eyes.

  The class came alive with gasps and many looked around in confusion for any sign of Shema.

  “It is called the Transformation of Self,” Shema’s voice came from the front of the classroom, where she had been standing. “This skill allows you to blend into your surroundings so perfectly that you become invisible.”

  “I’ve heard rumors of women who could do this but I didn’t know it was true,” a mistress sitting behind Baya murmured.

  “Madam Unawi.” One of the student’s ventured. Her voice was shaky. “We can hear you but we can’t see you.”

  “Then I’m doing it correctly. Now gather around. If you look closely, you may be able to see the outline of my form, or part of my body.”

  Baya was one of the first to make her way to the front of the classroom. Yet, there remained nothing where Shema had been standing. She narrowed her eyes — still nothing. To try a different light, Baya moved away from the windows. A brief shimmer caught her attention and Baya thought she could make out the outline of Shema’s shapely curves. It wavered and as soon as Baya moved, Shema fully disappeared again.

  Fay, who was closest to where the Unawi was, issued a piercing scream.

  Shema materialized with her hand on Fay’s arm. “Sorry to startle you but you were about to step on my toe.”

  Baya chuckled. Fay obviously hadn’t seen the vague outline of the ruler.

  “Take your seats,” Shema said.

  Fay glared at Baya as they headed for their benches.

  “It is believed that this most difficult skill to master, was of great use to our ancestors.” Shema continued with the lecture. “They simply made themselves blend into their surroundings whenever wild beasts drew near. It was most likely how women survived in the wild before Ameris saved us all by leading us to the safety of this island.”

  Baya’s foot started its nervous tapping. She hadn’t mastered the Transformation of Matter yet, let alone the toughest of all skills — now she was expected to be able to transform herself?

  “Baya, please come to the front of the room.”

  Baya’s stomach lurched and she stifled a moan. No, she thought. Why me?

  The humiliation of still not being able to transform an ink quill into a bracelet after over a year of practice came flooding back. Aga had been utterly disappointed when most of the other girls could do it, yet Baya still struggled.

  Fay crossed her arms and gave Baya an amused look as she passed by on her way to the Unawi.

  Baya stood taller than the Unawi ... which made her want to lower her head and slouch so that Shema wouldn’t have to look up at her. Baya frowned at her own thin frame. She still had none of the womanly curves that Shema had.

  “This skill requires you to feel afraid.” Shema didn’t seem to mind that Baya towered over her.

  Baya tilted her head to the side and her brow creased in confusion.

  “Think of the last time you were afraid. I mean, truly in fear for your life.”

  That was easy, Baya thought. Only the night before she’d had one of her nightmares about being on a wide-open plain. Knee-high yellow grass swayed at her feet, it was all that could be seen for miles in any direction. A flash of bright colors in her peripheral vision was the only warning before pain shot through her shoulder and she was knocked to the ground. This sent a fresh wave of pain through her entire body. A mouth full of long sharp teeth loomed over her as she forced herself to wake.

  “Okay, I got it,” Baya said to Shema.

  “Now keep that memory in your mind and step against the wall. It is easier if you have a close background to blend into. Once you get better at it you won’t need to be against a wall. Your body will do it naturally, no matter where you stand.”

  Baya took a deep breath and placed her back against the cool stone wall.

  “Close your eyes. Focus on that memory of when you were most afraid.”

  Baya nodded with her eyes shut tight. What if she couldn’t do it? Baya’s heart began to pound in her ears.

  “You got this.”

  Could Shema read her mind? Baya shook her head to help regain her focus on feeling afraid.

  “With all of your feminine strength, imagine yourself disappearing so that you can get away from whatever it is that scares you most.”

  Again, this was easy enough. Baya wanted nothing more than to get away from the salivating mouth full of huge yellow teeth that were about to rip her throat open.

  Gasps came from the students.

  Baya opened her eyes.

  One of the students had gotten to her feet. “She did it.”

  Shema clapped. “Well done.”

  Other girls looked around the room as if they were looking for someone.

  Baya raised her hands to examine them. They were gone! Her body was too. She felt for her stomach and it was there, to the touch … but not the eye. Her heart raced even faster and her arms slowly came into view. She exhaled with relief at the sight of her body returning.

  “How did you do that so easily?” one of the girls asked.

  “Yes, indeed,” Shema said. “How did you do it on your first try? It takes most girls a year to master the Transformation of Self. I dare say, it took me at least six months.”

  Baya’s pounding heart slowed at the twinkle of pride in Shema’s eyes. “I just … imagined wanting to hide myself from a wild beast that was trying to
eat me.”

  “Wow,” one of the girls murmured.

  “Outstanding work. Baya, perhaps you can help to instruct the next student.”

  Baya nodded.

  The next girl was not able to make herself disappear, nor the next. In fact, only Fay was partially successful. She was able to make her arms and legs turn to a blackish tint, somewhat blending into the wall behind her.

  Baya couldn’t help but give Fay a smug look as she left the class.

  Chapter 15

  There was nothing special about this particular morning as Aga headed into work. She greeted Shema with the usual kiss to her cheek.

  “I have great news.” It looked like Shema was about to jump out of her own skin. “I received a calling from Ameris last night. It is time for Baya’s tests.”

  Aga’s face fell as she processed the information. “That can’t be. Baya will not be eighteen for seven more months. I still have lots of time … time to finish preparing her.”

  “I’m afraid not, Ameris’s message was clear. Baya is ready. She will begin the trials in one week.”

  Aga’s heart pounded against her ribcage. She placed a hand over her forehead as it began to throb, hoping this might ease the painful sensation. “That’s not enough time. I need more than that to work with her. She’s too young. We have never tested a mistress before her eighteenth birthday.”

  “I know!” Shema beamed. “This can only mean one thing. Ameris is ready to name the next Unawi and that must be Baya. She is powerful and wise, there is no mistress better suited to become ruler. She is ready to take my place.”

  Aga tried not to scowl at Shema for being so jubilant about this. “And you are still young enough to retire to a quiet mountain villa and finally raise daughters of your own.” For the first time in the many years she had served Shema, Aga questioned the Unawi’s motives. Was this Ameris’s will, or simply Shema’s desire to finally have children?

  “Yes, you know that is my dream.”

  Aga rubbed her forehead again.

  “Aga, Dear, don’t worry. Baya is as ready as any student to ever come through this school. She will do fine.”

  “Are you certain of this?”

  “Yes. Ameris would not have been so adamant that it is time for her to move forward if she was not ready.”

  “Ameris told you that Baya will survive?”

  “Of course.” Shema lied. She trusted the Great Mother and hoped that she would not call a mistress early to the trials unless she would make it through the grueling tests … alive. Yet Ameris’s motives could be difficult to understand. The Goddess often worked in mysterious ways. Shema’s vision had only made it clear that it was time for Baya’s trials. There had been no guarantee of Baya’s survival.

  “This can’t be. Baya has not even mastered the Transformation of Matter.”

  Shema frowned. “What?” This came out sharper than she had intended. “But she did better than any student ever has with the most difficult task — Transformation of Self.”

  “I know, but when she tries to Transform things that are not herself she still struggles. It can take too long or she transforms things into unintended matter. Like the quill becomes a knife instead of a bracelet.”

  Shema pursed her lips and tapped them with her index finger. “I was not aware of this. Her performance in my classes is unparalleled.” Shema bit her lip. “Perhaps I should work with her, she may respond better to my instruction.”

  Aga didn’t refrain from her glare this time. “She is my daughter and I will make sure she is ready. I have no time to waste.” Aga headed for the girls living quarters. “Would you be so kind as to have another priestess fill in for me at the morning protection rituals?” Aga didn’t wait for an answer.

  Fay had taken the final tests recently and passed with great skill. She was expected to get her calling from the Great Goddess any day. Fay also took every opportunity to fill Baya with fear over the upcoming tests.

  “I honestly thought they were trying to kill me,” Fay would muse. She was not allowed to discuss any of the details about the series of trials. Not that she would have anyway. Fay was not about to give Baya any insights that might help her to get through them.

  Aga rarely left Baya’s side. Baya had no free time to hike to her and Vicaroy’s secret cove. Aga pushed her to train every waking moment in preparation for the three tasks that awaited her. Baya had to beg to get one hour of free time. If she could convince her mother such a break would be beneficial, she would rush out of the palace and into the garden.

  Vicaroy was sure to stay nearby so he wouldn’t miss her in the evenings, on the off chance that she could get away.

  Baya didn’t mind this so much because it meant that her tedious schooling would be over soon and she would no longer be a mistress but a wi, a full-grown woman. And with this would come many more freedoms. She would have much more time to spend with Vicaroy. Baya could come and go as she pleased. She would not have to be inside the palace every night at curfew. This also meant that she could go home whenever she wanted. These were the thoughts that kept her going throughout this hellacious week.

  Vicaroy stayed busy as well. He was hard at work on the construction of a new invention, his greatest one yet. He couldn’t wait to show Baya.

  They were both looking forward to a wonderful future together. Soon, nothing would stand in their way ... or so they thought.

  Chapter 16

  The day before Baya’s trials were to start, Aga placed her hand on Baya’s shoulders and squeezed — a little too hard. “Your entire life has been about preparing for three critical tests. They are designed to assess your mastery over your powers.” Age’s eyes seem to pierce Baya. “You will be pushed to your limits. This is how you will prove that you are worthy of the Priesthood. Only mistresses who can survive the tests are deemed brave enough and wise enough to become rulers.”

  Somehow, Aga’s penetrating stare grew even more intense. “When you are … in the trials, remember that all the Priestesses and Unawis of the past have succeeded. No matter what you may think, the tasks are not impossible. You are not yet eighteen but I’m confident that you’re ready. In fact, Shema feels the same. You will make it through.”

  Baya’s brow furrowed. This sounded serious, as in life or death. Her mother was throwing around words like, “survive” and “make it through.” What was with the strong language? Of course, passing was important but Aga made it sound like Baya might die if she couldn’t get through them. Surely she was being melodramatic or perhaps overprotective.

  Fay’s words crept into her thoughts, “They tried to kill me.” A hollow dread formed in Baya’s stomach.

  Aga, like everyone else, wasn’t allowed to give Baya any details about what she was to face. The tests had been the same for centuries and no one ever spoke about them in more than general terms.

  Being one of the oldest girls, Baya’s room was now close to the common room. Aga woke her as the first sun rose. Even before Baya was awake enough to remember what day it was, she knew something was different, as her mother had never been to her room before.

  “Are you ready to take the first step to becoming a woman?” Aga’s tight-lipped expression showed her worry.

  Baya’s stomach lurched. “I don’t know. Maybe being a mistress isn’t so bad after all.”

  Aga gave a nervous chuckle.

  This did nothing to help put Baya at ease.

  Baya and Aga joined the other priestesses and the Unawi, who were waiting outside the girls living quarters. They would escort Baya to her first trial. She envied the other students who were still fast asleep.

  An entire entourage, just for her, Baya thought, as the gravity of the situation hit her.

  Their solemn expressions and complete silence caused Baya’s hands to tremble. She wondered why they were all wearing long black robes. They looked like they were going to a funeral. Had someone died and the test been postponed? Surely they would have told her if someone
had died. She swallowed hard.

  Baya felt some relief when she saw that they were leading her out of the palace — to the garden. The garden was the safest place on the planet. But before they exited the base of the palace. Shema moved to the far end of the room. With a wave of her hand three rows of the thick stones in the floor fell away. They formed perfect stairs leading downward. The stones that were once the floor now formed the top of a much longer staircase.

  Baya’s heart sank. This place had a dungeon? She studied the dark passage. The bottom could not be seen.

  Shema gestured for Baya to lead the way.

  Baya stifled a whimper. She had never been below ground before. An intense feeling of being trapped took over before her foot touched the first stair. She fought against the sense of doom that increased with every stair she descended. It was only Fay and her lies, creeping into Baya’s mind to scare her.

  Don’t listen to Fay and don’t be a coward, Baya scolded herself.

  The High Council followed behind Baya in single file. It soon grew too dark to see.

  “Is there a torch or something?” Baya asked.

  “It is your job to light the way.” Shema’s voice was serious.

  Of course, Baya thought, as she created a fire ball in the palm of her hand. Even with the light all she could see were stairs in front of her, still no bottom.

  They eventually led to a small room with a door on the far side and a metal hatch in the floor — nothing else. The walls were made of large tan stone blocks.

  The small room was crowded once all the women reached the floor. Baya was instructed to stand next to the hatch. She couldn’t take her eyes from the small round door. What could possibly be under this room?

  With a wave of Shema’s hand, the metal hatch opened upward.