1. Chapter 1 #3
Our world was new, only born from the will of the Mother less than a century ago.
The Mother Blessed were the ones granted the knowledge to guide the people of Yllsora in the ways that would keep this world prosperous and thriving for a millennia to come.
Our connection with the earth was because of the roots that came from Rida.
Without us, the common men would have succumbed to Yllsora’s defenses, causing the population of man to end before it could even begin.
Without us, the common men would have no way to navigate Yllsora, as every day was a new discovery.
Without us, the mainland men would not survive.
We were to work together, to build Yllsora as man and Mother Blessed.
If only it were that easy.
Not long after my powers manifested did I learn that even in the beginnings of a world, men still have their pride. For in being able to speak to the earth came intuition and power for the Mother Blessed. And no man takes kindly to being less powerful than a woman.
But then the Black Shroud brought the common men an opportunity, as our connection to Yllsora had dampened following it, and with the lessening of our connection with the earth came the loss of our influence over the politics of Yllsora.
It happened slowly and without much notice, as all Mother Blessed were too focused on navigating our new reality, on repairing our connection with Yllsora so that all those who dwelled on the earth had a chance of survival to see what was really happening.
The men feigned that they were helping the Mother Blessed by allowing us to focus on healing the planet while they ruled each other.
How foolish we were.
Before we knew it, a king had been crowned on the mainland, and slowly, the people had begun to follow his word over ours.
Now, it seemed that the mainland men had finally decided to act, the effects of the Shroud on the Mother Blessed making it all too easy for them.
Roswell looked down before he spoke again, hesitating before speaking.
"We also deliver the unfortunate news that Selene has fallen to their sword." His voice was rough as he said the words, as if speaking them aloud further solidified that she would not be coming back.
The room was stunned into silence, the heaviness of the news blanketing the room.
Roswell cleared his throat before he continued.
“So, we have come to warn you, as they are headed to Wellea, and there is nothing Selene would want more than your safety, and the protection of all Mother Blessed. Because even after all these years, you are still like family to us, and we cannot see our home fall.”
There was only a beat of silence before my father responded.
“And what do you suggest we do?” my father said.
“You are telling me there is a barrage of men coming from the mainland, and Sorrel is a small village with not many resources. We are far enough north that I doubt they will even travel this far. Sorrel’s remote location has always been our greatest defense. ”
Roswell's expression flickered. "You underestimate the enormity of their enthusiasm. They will stop at nothing to scour this island of all Mother Blessed. And while they might not come for Sorrel, they will most definitely head towards Rida."
Roswell's eyes flicked to me as the words left his mouth.
There was nothing more sacred on Yllsora than Rida, as her roots spread beneath the surface, connecting all the lands, from Wellea in the far west of the world to the most eastern reaches of the mainland.
It is the one thing we all have in common, all thanks to the Mother.
It was the epicenter of all Mother Blessed's power, and without it, we would be nothing more than normal women.
"But we come with the promise of a solution. One that we hope will make up for all the years we have left you all to your own defenses."
Roswell turned towards me then, beckoning me over to him.
I walked over, all too aware of all the eyes on us, one pair in particular still burning through me.
"For years before we left our homeland of Sorrel, you dined with my family, cared for our crops, befriended my son. You're like a daughter to me, and I know I speak for my entire family when I say we've missed you."
While he spoke, Malik approached where I stood with his father, the heat radiating off him and sinking into my skin.
"You have always been a part of the future and legacy of our house," Roswell continued.
"And in such turbulent times like this, we must work together to protect these sacred lands and the Mother Blessed who tend to them.
There is nothing we need more than unity.
To bring our armies together as one and defeat the mainland men for good. "
Dread spread through me at his words, as there was only one thing that could come next. One thing that had haunted me for the last ten years, a reality I had prepared for my entire life, only for it to be ripped away within a night.
I chanced a glance at Malik, and found him closer now, an earnest look of wanting on his face that left me breathless.
He took my hand in his, and I wanted to stop him, to have a moment to tell him everything that had happened in the last ten years, but I did not have the chance before Malik spoke.
"Marry me, Allyra," he asked, "and together, our families can stop the king before he eradicates all Mother Blessed."