The Day of Silence, part 1

The Day of Silence

Part 1: The Third Sister

After what seemed like ages, the Day of Silence finally came.

We had spent four years in the Wind Enclave learning to blow kide and the elaborate dance-like sign language iksas use to communicate (since the holy kimya prohibits them from speaking, unless they are somewhere private.)

Of course, no cuna knows where they are going to serve until they are silenced, but the five of us had some idea of where we wanted to go.

As for me, I wanted to serve Ordana, and see some of the many ruins buried in its shifting sands. Some of them, our mentor said, were even used to blow kide.

So there we were in our simple pale green robes that all new iksas wore. Once she had arrived and blown her first kide, the iksa would receive a robe matching the color of the iksa rune on her hand and on her kimya

"No matter where we end up, we'll always think of each other, okay?" I heard my eldest sister Ariane assure Laurelin over the din of sixty girls getting in their last conversations.

"I know, but I'll miss you..." Laurelin sighed. "But I hope I get to go to Saretas and see all the brave warriors and mages."

Just then, our mentor entered the room, quieting the chatter. "Well, girls...it comes down to this." she began, ever aware of the archpriestess asking for the Goddess' blessing on us from outside. "By opening your mouths, you accept the silent life of an iksa, and all the responsibilities wearing the kimya entails."

Cheers from outside got her attention. "It's time...may your new lives of silence be pleasing to the Goddess."

There was a little chaos as we hurried to get in line, but once we were all lined up, we opened our mouths into a slightly rounded O shape and followed our mentor onto the raised stage that overlooked the gigantic courtyard, to the thunderous cheers of the spectators watching. In addition to the twelve high priestesses and their retinues, there were families, friends, and denizens from the royal city and elsewhere, all there to welcome us.

Once we had all arrived onstage, the archpriestess accepted the large box holding the sixty kimyas, and made her way over to the left end of the stage, where the first girl of our class stood. "Susanna Agaren, your voice will now be silenced, and become the wind of the Goddess."

With that, she very gently placed a green kimya in the girl's waiting mouth, to applause. The girl nodded twice--a multi-purpose sign that mean affirmation or thanks, and took our mentor's hand as she was escorted to the priestess she would serve.

"Lady Ilyana Bentram, of Eras." a herald announced as a brown haired woman in a beautiful green, gold, and white robe welcomed the new iksa She was the oldest high priestess present, and there were a few wisps of gray hiding in her otherwise brown hair that testified to her age.

The archpriestess, meanwhile, had moved on to the next girl. "Trena Ostrand, your voice will now be silenced, and become the wind of the Goddess."

"Lady Rowena Kelith, of Haizea." the herald announced as a black haired woman in an elaborate purple robe stood up to welcome her first iksa for the year. But what struck me was Rowena's piercing blue eyes--you could almost see the lightning on her home island flashing in them! Yet she welcomed her first iksa with a gentle smile, which reassured me a bit.

"Vaniza Kaen, your voice will now be silenced, and become the wind of the Goddess." the archpriestess announced before placing a royal blue kimya in the next girl's mouth.

"Lady Nara Talcalane, of Vetir." the herald announced as our home priestess, her familiar black hair neatly tied back in a pony's tail, stepped forward to welcome her first iksa. We had heard countless sermons of hers, and everyone agreed she was a fine speaker and storyteller, often incorporating folktales into her speeches, gathered from her travels across the islands.

Rowena welcomed her second iksa, and the archpriestess' blessing started running into a blur. But I paid attention when the herald announced a high priestess for the first time. "Lady Julissa Venmir, of Laka."

I wanted to smile as Julissa took her first iksa in her arms--her majestic red hair seemed to embody all of Laka--a warm fire in a fireplace on a cold night.

Melody, my second sister, tensed up when she heard the herald announce "Lady Yissa Carradas, of Atlarene."--that was where she most wanted to go, never mind she would not get to sing very much once there. Oohs and ahhs from the crowd went up as they admired Yissa's majestic dull red and silver robe--which was a stark contrast to her pale blonde hair.

"Lady Serin Aldamoor, of Frysta." At this, a near white haired woman in a snowflake print lavender robe stood up to welcome her first iksa.. Her warm embrace she gave that girl would probably melt the snow on her home island.

It was only when I heard the archpriestess' shoes approaching me did I realize I was next in line.

"Regen Talamor, your voice will now be silenced, and become the wind of the Goddess." she announced as she picked up the kimya meant for me.

I widened my mouth a little to accommodate the kimya but once it was secure in my mouth, I nodded twice in thanks, then followed my mentor to the northwest end of the courtyard, where an auburn haired woman in an orange robe with an exotic square pattern was waiting.

"Lady Kiana Terten, of Ordana." the herald announced as the woman bent down to embrace me.

"Welcome, Regen." she smiled--her voice was gentle, yet had an air of power and authority in it.

I remembered the sign for "How old are you?"--point to the person you are addressing, then quickly hold three fingers one after another.

Kiana understood my sign right away. "I just completed my thirty-first year." I nodded twice to show I understood, then turned back towards the stage, to see where my sisters would be going...