59 Reunion …
Miriam ( Nanny )
My heart skipped a beat , my eyes flickered towards Mother Liora who was silent .
“ Although the council is notplete as the other Priestesses are on a mission outside the pack we , here are the seven cardinals needed in decision making and also with the authority of the High Priestess .
” Priestess Tania continued .
Mother Liora nodded and finally stepped forward .
Her expression was calm but her eyes were filled with something I couldn’t quite ce .
“ First of all , Miriam .
I am more disappointed in you than anyone in this hall .
Not only did you deceive me , I feel responsible for aiding your escapades but why should we punish you when the man who put you in this situation is allowed to roam free ? He knew who
the guts to defile you ? ”
you were and still , he had
“ That’s why I wanted her to give us his name , ” Priestess Tania sucked her teeth , “ Not only does he deserve a good beating but he needs to be stripped of his title and his position given to another .
”
My eyes misted with tears as I stared at the women in the hall .
None of them had judgments in their eyes .
Yes , they were disappointed and angry with me , but they didn’t think it was my fault entirely .
I couldn’t have felt more loved .
“ I’ve known you since you were a child , ” Mother Liora continued .
“ And I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are now .
And I cannot bear to see you punished so harshly .
So , we’ve all agreed … ” She paused and turned to the other women who nodded in unison .
“As punishment , You will carry the child to term and when you give birth to it, you will give it away.
I and the Priestesses would look for a couple deserving of the child and give it to them and you will never see it again .
You cannot feed the child or touch it .
In return ,
spared .
”
–
I nodded – that should be easy right ?
life will be
I had expected death and had evene to terms with it in some strange way .
But this , I didn’t .
know how to feel .
I was neither relieved , happy nor sad .
Mother Liora’s eyes softened as she came up to me and raised me .
“ I’m giving you a second chance , Miriam .
Do not waste it .
Also , all these women in this hall are staking their lives for you , Miriam … if this blows over , we’ll share your punishment .
So , a lot of lives are on the line on your behalf .
”
Present Day
I stood in front of the familiar stone altar .
I haven’t been back here in two decades , but everything looked the same .
It was as though time had slowed down within the walls of the temple , though .
I hadn’t changed so much .
59 Reunion ….
them right now were staring at me with shock and tion .
“ Miriam ? ” Priestess Zahra approached me .
“ Is it really you ? ”
I nodded slowly , trying to fight the nostalgia that tightened my chest suddenly .
“ Priestess Zahra .
It’s me .
Miriam .
”
“ By the Goddess , you’ve returned to us , ” Priestess Tania eximed reaching forward and sping my hand in hers .
Before long , I was surrounded by most of the Priestesses who I grew up with .
One by one , they gave me hugs , making me tear uncontrobly .
I hadn’t expected the warm reception .
“ You’ve returned atst ,” Preisestess Khaliah – Mother’s bosom friend announced .
“ We thought we’d lost you forever .
”
I nodded , my voice still filled with emotion .
“ I missed
you all .
”
As the women bombarded me with questions I was trying my best not to lic .
Although most of the answers I gave were far from the truth but that didn’t matter , I was no longer bound by the three oaths .
Suddenly , someone pushed through the crowd , her eyes mirroring tears as she came towards me .
It was my best friend , my roommate , my confidant – Terra .
“ Miriam ! ” Terra breathed , a tear rolling down her cheeks as she pulled me into a tight hug until I could no longer breathe .
When she pulled apart , her eyes ran the length of my body , checking
me out .
“ When some of the Novices informed me that they spotted someone with the Silver mark in the Temple , I had hoped it would be you … turns out it is .
.
” she sobbed .
“ I’ve missed you so much .
I’ve missed you all these years and you haven’t aged a day ! You must be in a better ce .
”
I considered my little office at the Caffee Nook that brought in enough ie to take care of me and L and the two – bedroom house I lived in .
It wasn’t luxury but then again , I wasfortable .
Also , it could be all the shine from when I was still at Blue Ridge .
Iughed softly in response .
The joy of seeing my friend after so many years .
“ I’ve aged more than you think .
How are yo
you ? ”
“ I’m better now that I see you .
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I became the Wisewoman just like you always said , ” Terraughed through her tears .
“ I always knew you’de back to us someday .
”