Chapter 7 - Belos
The Great Mother led the way back through the hidden entrance through a short a tunnel leading to a wooden hatch. A short and direct path to the birthing room. Why was it hidden at all? Why the need for this hatch? V wondered about all the strange things the Great Mother seemed to be involved in. She was a wise old crone for sure, but was there something more that she was up to?
The Great Mother ushered her through the hatch first before following behind. She closed it behind her, the thick wooden hatch had a small iron flange and rod system which she pulled and set in place. The latch tongue pressing into a catch that could only be released from this side. A locking system. She had only seen that in the storerooms to prevent filching and yet there was one here? V tried to put it out of mind as the Great Mother slowly made her way back to the den through the connecting tunnel.
“You are full of surprises tonight,” she began once they were back in the large chamber. She slowly plodded over to the charcoal basket and put a few handfuls of charcoal into the brazier, “Now, without further interruptions. How long have you had this dream of yours?”
“Ever since the nursery, but it was not often. As the ceremony got closer, it became more frequent. Now, it is almost every time I sleep.” V sat down before the brazier, looking up at the bowl containing the divine flame.
“Why did you stick your hand into the fire?” she asked.
“I do not know.” V admitted, “It was so beautiful, but I did not know what I was doing.”
Having finished adding the charcoal, the Great Mother turned to V with a grim frown, “To lose yourself so quickly to the flame. Perhaps you are favored by him. I do not suppose you were ever taught about Belos, having your name and status taken from you.”
“Just what is Belos?”
“A divine spirit that has guided us and kept us safe throughout countless generations. Belos cannot not take a physical form but can reach out to us through the flames to inspire, to guide, to protect. Belos is more than just a simple god because he can bring us together even in death. For all that Belos has given us in life, Gobbos will return in death. The ashen remains are returned to the sacred mud and will nurture the future. In this way, life and death burn like the fire within our bellies.”
“I thought it was just hunger.” V pulled up her tunic and rubbed her stomach.
“Have you felt the other fire?”
“You mean…” V motioned with her hand lower.
“Not that,” The Great Mother stooped over and pointed to V’s navel, “Here from mother to child, the core of your being which thinks and acts all on its own. The place from which all fires originate from. The fire within your gut.”
“I felt strange and ran… the feeling was like a flame in a way.”
“Yes. When you are afraid, the fire flickers. When you are angry, the heat and rage spreads from your center throughout you. When you are sad, the flame weakens and you find yourself numb or stifled. The fire within you is the proof you are alive. If it goes out, you die.”
“Is that really true?”
“You have seen death in the warrens. Neither illness or injury, but a sadness so deep that their flames extinguish and with it their very lives. What is the difference between their bodies? Are they not still whole; sometimes still with full bellies.”
Was that the reason? It was just the way it was. Wasn’t it? V could not prove her wrong, but knew that no physical flame burned within her, but it still was a form of fire that had kept her strong and drove her forward in certain moments.
“When I looked at the flames, I was grabbed by the light.”
The Great Mother gently took V’s right hand and removed the bandage, the burn itself was severe with the flesh glistening and stiffened with a mixture of soot and ash that formed a seal over the worse parts of the burn, “This wound could kill you.”
“I could die from this?” V felt a twinge of pain as her hand was turned over and her fingertips inspected, “I don’t want to die.”
“Then put the bandage back on and do not get it wet. Belos compelled you forward at the same time the birth happened; it could not have been a coincidence. You were marked and chosen by Belos. Your clothing, your knowledge of Mahn’s language. In taking the child in your hand, you blessed it with the sacred ash. You acted as a priestess without any training and spoke a language none of us knew even before you saw her.”
“Twice?” V asked.
“Yes.” The Great Mother let go of her hand, “When I asked you the reason for why you suffered from those dreams. Every word was that of Mahn’s language. For someone who has never left the warren. It is simply not possible, but here we are.”
“The voice said that I am supposed to suffer in the darkness, then... Belos is the light?” She looked to the Great Mother, “Can I really be a priestess of Belos?”
“Not until you retake your name; and I know how you can do that.” The Great Mother was brimming with a smile, “You will sell them back and Chief Mudowoon will have no choice, but to recognize you as a Valo and then you will be able to undertake the training with Agog.”
“Agog…” his name soured on her tongue.
“Now,” The Great Mother paused to pick her words carefully, “Have Leaf show you to the river and down to the shore where their warren is. Listen to them. Try to understand them. If you are Belos-blessed, then perhaps Chief Mudohoon’s plan could actually work.”
“Leaf…”
“Yes. I want her to help you. Tell her and I am sure she will oblige.” The Great Mother smiled knowingly as she placed her index finger on V’s forehead, “For your trial, you will be known only as Raeya in the outside world.”
“A name longer than hers?” V questioned.
“You have a unique skill: You can understand Mahn. It is only appropriate that you have a longer name than your guide.” The Great Mother’s smile suggested something more, “Now, go get her and set out. Mahn are creatures of the day. May the blessing of Belos protect you. Ah but first, let me give you a fresh wrapping for your hand.”
It did not take long to replace the bandage made from the Great Mother’s own cloak with another strip. It seemed that her entire cloak might as well have been cut and layered for such purposes with the way these long strips of blackened cloth were so easily plucked free.
Afterwards, V cautiously headed up through the tunnels she could not escape the strange sensation in her gut. Was her flame getting stronger or was it getting weaker? It felt similar to Leaf’s deception, being guided to such ends and yet the Great Mother had given her a way out - to escape the ceremony and perhaps become something more than just a qued.
Left to herself, the Great Mother tended to the flame and began to chant, the flames rising with her chanting. The bandage was offered up to the flame and a surge of green and blue light surged as the flame licked and devoured the bandage. The Great Mother drew close to the brazier and said, “Belos protect this child and tell me of her boons and blights.”
She drew close to the flame and listened to the crackling and saw a flicker of flames appeared like Vinaraeya before her. The coals themselves surged with fire, veins glowing with words appearing for only moments. She read it as quickly as she could, but time itself flowed differently in the trance. All the while she continued to chant the words of power to the divine flame.
Name: Vinaraeya
Age: 129 Years
Species: Gobbi - Mikarya Ancestry
Skills: Comprehension of Mahn’s {Wawayas} Language - Latent Proficiency {Curse}
{Blessed of Belos}
{Cursed by the Usurper - Chief Mudohoon}
{Cursed by the Light of Lynaria - Maelyn}
{Cursed by Goddess Rynathialia}
The flames died and only the hot coals remained by the end of the divination. The sounds of the songbirds sung in the morning. The warren should have largely fallen asleep, and V must have left hours ago. For the Great Mother, she had risked her very life to finish the ritual. Half a night spent divining the flames was a strenuous task even for one half her age. Drenched in sweat and hoarsely breathing, her entire body ached from the rigors of staring into the flame whilst chanting. Belos had blessed her with knowledge, but she had not expected this.
Agog returned not long after and approached the Great Mother who no longer had the strength to stand. Picking her up in his arms he slowly sauntered over to the far end where her sleeping nook was. As he slid her into the bed, she whispered softly, “It is not yet over, my son.”
“Rest.” Agog smiled and stepped back, “She will survive tonight because of you alone. That will give us twenty more nights until the next Dark Moon. And that will be more than enough time.”