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The Initiate"Mother, last night I dreamed of a great bird," Catriona said, one morning at breakfast. Her mother, Jeneen, looked at her small dark-eyed daughter as she set the bowl of porridge on the table. "Really. What kind of bird?" "A huge black bird, as big as all the sky..." Catriona trailed off as her distracted mother put a spoon in the porridge. "Eat up, my sweet. You need your strength. Today will be a busy day." "But ma..." Catriona whined, before dutifully taking the spoon. "No buts, daughter. Eat now, talk later. There will be plenty of time for talking and telling of dreams when the Sister comes." It was high summer on the moors, and in the summer the clans were busy with the herds and the farms. This particular day, Catriona's family would be host to a Völva, a dedicated priestess of Yrsa. It was an honor to host such a woman, but it also created a tumult in the household. "Keep the young ones occupied while I finish cleaning the cottage," Jeneen told her. "Yes ma." Cat finished eating and wandered outside, where her three sisters and one brother were playing in the yard. As the oldest, she was expected to help where needed. And that seemed to be all the time these days. Little Dylan was the youngest and her Da couldn't wait to train him to take care of the sheep. She sighed. Even though she was excited that the Sister was staying with them, it meant that she had to give up her pallet so the Sister could have it. She'd be sleeping with her three younger sisters, Polly, Molly, and Caitie. High noon and a dust cloud obscured the end of the lane. Someone was coming. "Ma! I think she's coming up the lane!" Cat yelled to her mother. An old woman alighted from a donkey cart. She mumbled something about never needing money before these times, and handed the Wagoner some copper coins. He looked annoyed and hurried away. "Sister! It's so good to have you stay with us," Jeneen said, as the old Sister of Yrsa walked up to the assembled family. "Welcome to our humble home." "Ah, Jeneen, I didn't think I'd see you again." The old woman embraced Jeneen. "Children, this is Sister Elinor." All the children nodded respectfully, except for Catriona, who stared openly at the newcomer. "Got a live one there, Jeneen. What's your name, child?" Elinor turned her sharp gaze on the girl. "Catriona, ma'am." Elinor took Catriona's hand. "Nice and strong, used to hard work. Tell me, child, and I'll know if you lie, do you obey your mother and father, helping them when they need it?" Elinor's eyes seemed to bore a hole right through Cat, but she didn't shy away. She gripped the old woman's hand tightly. "Yes, most times, sister," Cat answered. "Most times?" Elinor smiled at the comment. "Cat is very helpful around the house. Come in for a cup of tea, sister. I'm sure you're tired from your long journey." Jeneen motioned toward the inviting interior of the cottage. "Yes, it was a long journey. The people were not created to ride in a donkey cart all the way from the mother house." The two women went indoors, leaving the children in the yard. Cat could not help but stare at Elinor. She was raggedly. THIS was a sister of Yrsa? Did they all look like her? Were they all OLD? Elinor's old dress had been patched many times, and it was dusty, probably from the long trip. The color had faded to grey, matching the woman's hair. Her long braid hung down past her waist. Her skin was wrinkled beyond time. Cat had never seen anyone quite as old as Elinor must be. But, Cat thought to herself, if she had lived a long time, then she must know what the dream could mean. Later in the afternoon, the men came in from the fields and pastures. A huge dinner celebration was held in the main square of town. Many stories were told. Elinor spoke last. "Many of you have heard of the stories of Yrsa. I won't repeat them now. But there is one among you who has a new story." The people in the crowd looked at each other expectantly. This was the Choosing. The sister had found someone to take back to the mother house for training. It was an honor to be chosen. The sun was sinking below the horizon as Elinor motioned to a young girl in the crowd. Jeneen blanched. It was Cat. Catriona McClane had been Chosen by Yrsa. "Come forward, Catriona. Tell us of the dream of the raven." Catriona walked forward to the storytellers' circle. The fire sparked suddenly---perhaps it was only a trick of the wood. Perhaps it was Yrsa showing her favor. "She IS chosen!" The words passed swiftly around the gathering. Catriona started to ask Elinor how she could know of the dream, but Elinor interrupted. "Tell it, child, to the people." "In my dream," Cat began, waveringly, twisting her apron in her hands. "I saw a huge black raven. I saw it attacking a snake, a land serpent who had been killing our people. The raven killed the snake." "Is that all?" Elinor asked. "The people in my dream rejoiced at the snake's defeat, but they were soon overrun again with smaller snakes, and people had to fight them, killing them, and many of our people died. There was much wailing in the shadows." "And?" Elinor prompted. "The raven spoke out of the shadows. The shadows were the wings of the raven. It said, 'Beware, my people. The snake will sting, the snake will burn, but the People will remain." As Catriona finished her story, the nervous crowd was silent. "Catriona has dreamed of a possible future. The future is uncertain. Anything is possible. However, I would not discount the dream of this young girl." The crowd began to disperse then. No one felt like celebrating. The family went ahead of Elinor and Catriona. Elinor had said they'd walk back to the cottage. They spoke of many things as they walked. Elinor spoke of hardships the sisters faced. She spoke of trials and tests that the sisters underwent. She spoke of powerful dreams and outcomes. She spoke of the future. "You, Catriona, were sent to me in a dream. I saw you all grown up, a powerful Sister in your own right, leading the people to battle." Cat stopped dead in her tracks. "Me? But I'm only a 14-year-old girl! How can that be? I know nothing of the art of war! That's men's work." "Who teaches the men what they need to know? Yrsa herself. Why would she not deign to teach a woman?" They began walking again. The door of the cottage looked small to Cat as they walked through the gate. She tossed and turned all night, Elinor's words ringing in her ears. "You will lead the people to battle." The next day dawned bright and early, and the Wagoner with his donkey stood waiting at the gate. Goodbyes were said quickly, as it was the way of the People. "Jeneen, I'm sorry to be taking your lovely daughter away, but it was foreseen." "Yes, I remember, Elinor." Jeneen sighed as Catriona climbed into the wagon. "But as a parting gift to your daughter, Jeneen, I have this." Elinor reached into her bag, drawing out a beautiful cloak of greenish feathers. "This is a cloak of Yrsa. It is rumored that only the most powerful sisters can wear them; otherwise it will fall apart and turn to dust. It is mine, but I'm handing it on to you, Catriona. Wear it well." Jeneen wiped tears from her cheek. She knew that Catriona would be treated well by the sisters. The Cloak was a huge honor. "Oh Elinor! We shall say many prayers of thanks to Yrsa for this honor." "She will hear your prayers." Elinor smiled at the woman. Cat gingerly took the cloak of feathers. It was lightweight and fragile. "What're you waiting for, goose!? Try it on!" Elinor said. Cat fastened the clasp around her neck. The cloak didn't fall apart, nor turn to dust. She wore it all the way out of town, even until her village was a speck in the distance. This was a day the people would not forget. Catriona never forgot the day she was Chosen to be Yrsa's initiate. Some say that Elinor was Yrsa herself. ...but that is a story for another day. |
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