Daughters of the Night

Chapter 9

The days that followed the beast's attack were brutally tense. We discovered our peaceful world outside the village was not impenetrable. There was an increasing vulnerability with the addition of a child and no way of knowing what creatures might be lurking around our sanctuary, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

We were gathered by the river to bathe. The sun reflected off the rushing waters and luminous rays danced underneath. My boots and worn leathers rested by my side. I sat by the water in my damp tunic that gathered at my knees. My skin was raw from washing it moments before. 

It was time to finally voice my thoughts about returning to the village. Many of the women missed family they left behind, especially the mothers of children.

"It's been three months since we left the village. I want to know what you all think about a small group of us going back to retrieve your family members." 

Alasia spoke first. "I thought the original plan was to free all the women and children."

There was a sharp collective intake of breath. This was the first time they were hearing about this original plan. I stared Alasia down, and she smiled innocently.

I tried to diffuse the growing tension. "That was just an idea. And we wouldn't be freeing the women – we would be building a new society where woman were innately free." This seemed to increase the anxiety, but I continued anyway. "This means overturning the Elders and forming new leadership. We would need to grow an army and in order to do that, we'd sneak over smaller groups from the village here for training. I thought we'd start with trusted family members first."

Lana's nose scrunched up in disapproval. "Absolutely not. What would be the point? If we are bringing women here, why go back once we have everyone close to us safe? Let's start our own village here. Women only."

Some women nodded in agreement while others looked uneasy.

"I know many of the men have not treated you the way you deserve to be treated, but I'm having trouble justifying erasing them entirely from our future." My words were unsure.

Lana scoffed. "You are having trouble. Oh my dear, Rhea. You were never close to any of the monsters that tormented us and our loved ones relentlessly." 

Many agreed, and I couldn't deny the fact that she was right. I only had Juriah that tormented me in his own special kind of way, and I loved him despite the coldness he showed me as a child. But Lana had no right to speak to me so condescendingly. 

I was about to tell her so when Maia spoke up. I didn't to cut her off since her words were often few and far between in larger groups. "There are many villages besides ours, which is at the heart of Kerberos. They use our village as a model. What message would it send if they found out we ran away into the mountains to hide? We are called the rebellious women. Let us prove to the Elders and the other villages just how rebellious we can be. It might influence women of other villages to do the same. I agree with Rhea. I think we should confront the Elders and take their power away once we build an army."

Rebecca placed her hand on my shoulder in comfort. I didn't realize she was seated behind me. She spoke calmly and with authority. "They are right. We need to go back and face the problem at the source." She removed her hand and pointed it at Lana. "You say we do not need the men. I disagree. It will take an entire village to raise the future generation. Let us give the men a chance to prove themselves when we go back. Without the pressure and nonsense from the Elders, there should be little resistance to change."

We sat in silence and listened to the spring breeze and rushing water. Baby Juriah splashed in a still pool filled with tadpoles and tiny fish. He was the future, I thought. All of the children were.