14. Lenna
14
Lenna
L enna looked through the window of the waholt at the houses they were passing at a vertiginous speed. She couldn’t help but acknowledge the advancements that made the floating vehicle incredibly comfortable for its passengers. Even at such speed, she could not even feel a tremor or a noise. The only way to be mindful of the distance they were traveling was by looking outside.
Her chest felt small as she observed the buildings where people lived in the suburbs of the North Petal, each second farther from the North House grounds and its closest city: Borealia. As they approached the Organ Core, the circle-shaped territory in the middle of Thyria that held the Organ House in in the middle of the capital, Corentre, the scarcity of trees or nature because of lack of space between the cramped half-broken buildings made Lenna feel breathless. That people lived like this when her father's gardens and any of the Elite's rich-ass manors could accommodate hundreds of citizens... It just wasn't right. Maybe when it would be Lenna's turn to rule, she could change something.
“I can't stand it.” Ayla sighed from the opposite side of the wagon, shutting down her curtain with a sharp movement. “Can anyone please remind me why people choose to live in these abhorrent, disgusting places again?” she asked in a bored tone, while examining her manicured nails.
From the comfortable sofas around the delicate table in the center of the wagon, their father cleared his throat. A warning to Lenna to keep her mouth shut. They had heard her thoughts many times in the past.
Lenna snorted. “They live like this because their Ruler allows it,” she said, looking at her father with a hateful smile. “This father of ours, I mean. The one sitting on a couch that costs more than a dozen of those barracks.”
Father interlaced his hands on his lap and looked at Lenna straight in the eyes. Him not saying anything for a few seconds made her brace herself for a storm. “We're not having this conversation today.”
“Surprise, surprise,” Lenna said ironically, serving herself a glass of scented water from the drinks cabinet. “Is this when you give us the talk about playing happy family while we're in the Organ House? Because you can spare us the lecture.”
Again, her father took a few seconds to say anything. As if it was taking a lot of effort or patience to stay calm. Lenna could feel her mother's stare, her lips curled downward and her frowned brows. Ayla was still standing tall next to the window with the curtains shut, expectant and eager to see how father was most likely going to tell Lenna off. Even with her expression, she looked stunning.
The pearl dresses the sisters wore for their Fifth Ceremony were truly astonishing. Thousands if not millions of small transparent beaded pearls covered their bodies from the neck collar to the high heeled transparent shoes. The long sleeves ended in a diamond ring around their middle finger. When Lenna had first seen it, she had thought it would be both uncomfortable and extremely revealing. They were revealing because the minuscule pearls adjusted to every single curve of their bodies, but it wasn’t exactly see-through thanks to the reflection on each round pearl. And somehow, her dress was extremely comfortable. It felt like a second skin.
Her father cleared his throat again and Lenna was about to ask him if he wanted a fucking mint when he finally spoke. “It would be convenient to be seen as a cohesive family.” Here was the talk, then. “Today is a day that will change your lives and those of everyone who lives in Thyria. The focus will be on you two.”
Ayla lifted her chin a bit more, if it was even possible. As if the fact that everyone would look at her was a welcomed challenge. Lenna was more excited about what would come after the Ceremony and becoming familiar with her magic and how to use it than the Ceremony itself. She had never been to a Fifth Ceremony before and no one had answered her questions during the past few weeks about what actually happened in there, so it was difficult to know whether it was just a lot of noise for nothing or not.
The waholt decreased its speed and finally stopped, right in the poorest suburbs at the edge of the North Petal, in front of the bridge that crossed the Jofryo River to the Organ Core. Tents made of branches and homemade bricks stood against each other, and skinny, barefooted children had paused their ball game to look at the majestic vehicle in front of them. Waholts were only used by the Elite or the Rulers around Thyria, and even though some families liked to use them frequently, especially amongst the Elite, they were unusual enough to make a bunch of kids stare at them. Technically, they were staring at the technological pomposity of the metallic floating vehicle, not at the people inside, since the windows were one-way only.
The driver's voice resounded through the speaker, so they could all hear what he was communicating to the security staff at the borders of the Organ Core. "Waholt N462 requesting permission to enter the Organ Core at 10:47 ante meridiem on Sunday fifth of May. Five passengers on board, all alive and in good condition." Lenna cringed at the need to specify their living condition. The driver continued, "Passenger Jasper Brachyan, birth panom, Ruler of the North House of Thyria. Passenger Veronica Brachyan, acquired panom, wife of the North House Ruler. Passenger Lenna Brachyan, human and panom-to-be, first daughter of the North House Ruler and heir of the North House. Passenger Ayla Brachyan, human and panom-to-be, second daughter of the North House Ruler. Passenger Anton Gerdan, human, driver of the waholt, speaking."
The silence that followed was tense. Lenna knew what the tight lips of her sister meant. How much Ayla hated to have been born second, by mere minutes, and therefore the second everything. Second daughter, second in line, second on the list. Maybe one day she’d grow out of it, but for now it stung her sister like a bunch of thorns thrown at her face.
Lenna was not happy with what she had just heard because her mother, her sister and herself had been defined in relation to her father. Wife of, daughters of. As if they were no one by themselves. As if they were not worth a title, were it not because they were the relatives of the male figure of the North Ruler. As if they somehow belonged to him. She would have wanted to see how the South House members would have been described, as the Ruler was a woman. Would her life partner then be defined as “husband of the Ruler of the South House”?
The intercom broadcasted a female voice granting permission.
They started crossing the border, and got a glimpse of the kids waving goodbye to the waholt while jumping up and down laughing, ready to resume their ball game on the street. A sudden warm feeling like going underwater but not getting wet was the sign that indicated they were officially in the Organ Core.
Ayla opened the curtain next to her with excitement in her face, like a child the first time that sees a rainbow in the sky.
Ayla exhaled deeply, savoring their surroundings with pleasure. “This is much better”, she said with a grin. The waholt drove across the Organ city, Corentre, slowly, probably because of speed restrictions, but it left them contemplating everything around them as if they were having a touristic visit.
Elegant buildings lined carefully along the clean, long streets that lead to the Organ House in the very center. Most were white, their entrances showing wide wooden or metal doors decorated with beautifully carved details of flora from Thyria.
The gardens and fountains in front of some buildings were impressive. It would take a handful of gardeners on a regular basis to keep them so beautiful. So alive. Floral trees in full bloom bordered the sides of the streets, and the gentle wind seemed to play along, occasionally sending red, orange and pink petals to the air. Like a warm-colored rain under a sunny sky. Lenna couldn’t help but wonder if this beautiful weather was the fruit of some panom influence. Regardless, it was probably one of the most beautiful views she had ever seen.
The citizens, most well-accustomed Elite members and very well dressed, walked smoothly, with no rush. As if life could wait for them.
“I want to live here,” said Ayla with a sigh, leaning her hand on the window as if trying to absorb as much as possible.
“Well, you are going to live here for a while,” their mother muttered, also looking through the window.
“What?!” A hopeful Ayla and an incredulous Lenna looked at their mother.
Father cleared his throat. Again. “We are not saying anything, Veronica.” His voice was firm.
“What the fuck do you mean, you are not saying anything ?” Lenna spat. “Ayla is going to be living here, and you are not saying anything?”
“We are not saying—” her father started.
“You too, Lenna,” her mother cut.
Lenna didn’t know whether to laugh or shout at them. Was this some sort of pre-Fifth novice joke? It couldn’t be true. “Very fucking funny,” she said.
“Don’t talk to your mother like that,” father told her.
“Or what? At least she is not keeping important information regarding our own damned lives from us. Who do you think you are?” Lenna knew she had gone too far, and she didn't care. The rage in her veins wanted to explode.
Her father stood up and paced towards her, the fingers of his hands meeting at the tips. “I am your father, and I am your Ruler. I rule over the citizens of the North, and as far as I am aware, you are a citizen of the North. Thus, I rule over your life.” His voice was cold and calculated. “It would be good if you could stop acting like an annoying teenager for once, respect your parents, and while you're at it, shut your foul mouth at least on the day of your Fifth Ceremony, for Cardinals' sake.” He had stopped two steps away from her.
Lenna's jaw clenched as she tried to get her shit together to avoid saying something stupid to the person in front of her. The person who she was supposed to respect .
What had he ever done to earn the respect? Other than wait on his ass for his father to die and then expect everyone in the North to obey him? Because he had been the son of a Ruler. The successor of the House. Was this what would happen to her when he died? When she became the North House Ruler? Because she sure as fuck didn't want this.
Ayla pointed to something in front of the waholt. “Is that the Organ House?” her voice was way smoother than usual. A drop of relief filled Lenna when her father stopped staring at her and walked towards the window Ayla was looking through.
Even from their distance, the House's splendor was jaw-dropping. The walls of the multiple towers had tons of precious stones incrusted and the bright sun above them made the Organ House look alive. The House somehow reminded Lenna of the dresses she and Ayla were wearing. It was like a castle made of jewels, with a soft line reflecting the colors of the rainbow across it. Above the small towers and turrets, a massive glass dome crowned the Cardinals Temple.
The ante chamber assigned to the North House that lead to the crystal dome of the Cardinals Temple had been decorated to feel like home. Lenna thought it was a shame that the Fifth Ceremony was about to start and she couldn't try any of the northern treats that carefully filled the tables. Exactly as their chefs would have prepared them. She wasn't sure her stomach would be up to keeping anything in. Not when she felt the nerves were so solid she could grab them.
Considering neither her sister, mother or father had gone anywhere near the food or various jugs of beverages, and the incessant pacing around the room Ayla was doing, Lenna knew she was not the only one that didn't know what to do with herself.
“All panoms, please be welcomed to the Fifth Ceremony,” a friendly, neutral voice said across the air.
The translucid glass door leading to the dome opened wide, an invitation to enter the brightly illuminated chamber beneath. Her father, as the House Ruler, led the way, not even looking behind once. Her mother shortly followed, after giving a kind shoulder squeeze to Lenna and Ayla. Lenna appreciated the silent gesture. The door closed in front of the twins. They were not panoms. Not yet.
“This is it,” said Ayla, shaking her hands as if she was trying to get rid of the tension in her body. The knot in Lenna's throat didn't let her say anything.
Maybe it was the birth connection that united twin souls what made them stand side by side in front of the double glass door. Maybe it was that silent bond that made them hold their hands together in the most important moment of their lives. They were waiting for whatever was about to happen and they were not alone. They had never been alone.
“Lenna Brachyan and Ayla Brachyan of the North House,” the same voice started as the crystal door in front of them opened, “welcome to your Fifth Ceremony.”
The sisters walked inside the massive chamber illuminated by sunlight casting through the thin white clouds and the dome at the top. Right underneath the dome, the floor was covered in dozens of interlaced translucid lines, some of them forming a circle of the same size as the dome above. The panoms of the Houses of Thyria stood around the outer part of the circle. She didn’t stop to pay attention to their faces. The lines on the floor filled with some blueish liquid in front of Lenna and Ayla, inviting them to follow its trail to the center of the temple.
As soon as Lenna and Ayla arrived at the middle, the panoms readjusted their positions, so the circle they formed had no gaps around them. Unsure of what to do next, they faced each other.
Their vibrant red hairs were beautifully arranged and loose on top of the multi-pearl dresses that embraced their bodies. Lenna wondered if her own golden eyes would look as bright as Ayla's green eyes.
Post meridiem came, and the clouds vanished with it, leaving the sun casting all its full powerful light in a straight vertical line across the dome, right to where they were standing. Lenna held her breath as she felt the light penetrate every single pearl against her skin. Like a warm, friendly hug. She saw Ayla looking down at her in surprise, as if she was feeling the same warmth across her body. It was not only something on their inside, though. As every single bead covering them was illuminated by the sunshine, they seemed to absorb the rays of light and the pearls started emanating from it.
Their father was the first to move. He, as the North House Ruler, lifted his hands in front of him, with both palms facing his daughters in the middle of the circle. He was also the first to talk. “May the light enfold your strength,” he said. Lenna felt a powerful vibration flowing from his hands to their bodies, as if he was transferring a bit of him into them. She didn’t take her eyes from Ayla’s.
On the opposite side of the circle, Gabrielle Heliba placed her hands in front of her. “May the darkness accept your weakness,” the South House Ruler’s soft voice was heard across the chamber. Lenna felt another shot of power through her. The beads of her dress irradiated even more, as if they were also absorbing the powerful waves.
Ciaran’s father, Cobrian Castel from the West House, spoke next. “May the world cherish your minds,” the Ruler said, his hands sending invisible vibrations to the twins.
The East House Ruler put her hands up in position. “May the Cardinals guide your souls,” Freya Baccate said. Lenna felt her whole body trembling with the power that she was receiving from each Ruler. Strong, high doses of power that arrived to her from the North, South, West and East Rulers representing their Houses.
The Organ Mandor, Rhei Coralt, lifted his hands in front of him, both palms facing the sisters in front of all the panoms. Time seemed to slow down as he said, “May the Fifth unleash your magic.” His voice was firm, full of all the authoritative power only a true ruler of a nation would have.
Lenna felt her own skin radiating with warm golden light. The same color her golden sparks had always been. The same color Theon said the ink of her messages on his skin had been. The same color her amber eyes sometimes were. She was glowing with sunshine.
And she saw Ayla in front of her, shining with silver light. She was like the stars on a dark night. She was a silver lullaby. She was glowing moonlight.
The five Rulers moved their hands in unison, all their palms now facing the dome above them. The sun above the dome. Their voices merged as they spoke at the same time.
“May the light enfold your strengths. May the darkness accept your weaknesses. May the world cherish your minds. May the Cardinals guide your souls.”
The Rulers looked up at once as a beautiful red bird flew across the crystal of the dome towards the sisters. Not any bird. It was a cardinal. If Lenna hadn’t been so focused on what was happening, she might have had a heart attack.
“May the Fifth unleash your magic,” they all said as the cardinal reached the sisters and flew in quick, tight circles around them, lifting them in the air as it did so.
Lenna knew it had happened. She could feel the fresh surge of power going through her veins, through her heart, through her soul. It felt like a giant fireball, as if the other panoms had been merging their powers together, blending them into one to release Ayla’s and hers. Welcoming them into the world with the help of a cardinal.
She could see it in Ayla’s eyes too. She felt the mark permanently inked between her breasts. The four-petal panom and Thyrian mark.
Lenna and Ayla were not two human beings anymore. They were golden and silver light. They were panoms.