The Chosen

Chapter 1

My hand tightens on Mother's as we approach the temple. Mother's hand tightens on mine. I look up to find her smiling at me reassuringly before looking ahead again. I continue to let her lead me along through the crowd also moving toward the temple. I recognize many faces from town.

They were all coming for the ceremony, to see Miyabi's Chosen receive her blessing. They didn't know it yet, but they were here for me. 

The priestess had come to our home yesterday night to give us the news. I hadn't expected to be chosen. I had been hoping for this, my whole family had been, but we hadn't expected it. I had expected the honor to go to someone from a family of power and influence, someone older than me, someone who was already an acolyte in the temples. Yet I had been chosen. Lady Miyabi had chosen me.

Just as the priestess had instructed, Mother doesn't head for the stairs leading to the main entrance of the temple. Instead, she guides us toward the side, away from the crowd. I'm sure we get a couple of curious glances, but no one questions us. 

We walk along the side of the temple all the way around to the back. There, just as the priestess had said, she waits by the iron door. I had seen priests and priestesses coming and going from the iron doors, but only those who served the gods were allowed to pass through the iron doors. I think it had something to do with the doors having been blessed by the gods or some kind of purification right. I really wasn't sure.

Mother stops us before the priestess who bows her head to my mother. "Vivera, thank you for bringing your son." The priestess's eyes land on me as she smiles warmly. "Are you ready Drahzan?" She asks holding out a hand.

Mother's hand tightens on mine. "I thought I'd be allowed to go with him."

The priestess looks to Mother again. "My apologies, Vivera, but only those who are pledged in service may pass through the iron doors or see the Temple Shadows. For Drahzan, there is an exception, as he is Chosen, but. . ." her voice trails off.

"I. . . I understand."

The priestess reaches out a hand. "Fear not. Your son will return to you. He is not to live in the temples. That is not Lady Miyabi's will, but we must prepare him for the ceremony."

Mother nods. "Of course." She releases my hand, dropping to her knees. I turn to look at her and she catches my face in her hands. "We are so very proud of you. Go now. Your father and I will be waiting for you."

I nod, turning to face the priestess. She holds out a hand for me. This time, I take it. As she turns, the door opens. Someone must be watching from the inside. Yet, when we pass inside, it shuts behind us and I see no one. The priestess doesn't seem to notice, calmly leading me along. 

The hall we walk down is made of stone with no carvings or inscriptions, but my eyes scan along every inch they can, eating up every detail. These weren't just temple halls; they were the halls of the Temple Shadows. No one knew what the Temple Shadows looks like, the secret passages and back rooms, homes to the priests, priestesses, and acolytes: where they lived and studied. And today, I got to see them, to walk through them.

The hall comes to an end at a spiral staircase. The priestess leads me up and up, past one, two, landings, finally stepping off at the third and final one. Here there is a bustle of life and activity. I'd never seen so many priests and priestesses scurrying about in ceremonial robes. None glance our way though, focused on what they're doing or where they're going. 

The priestess shoos me into a room, telling me to change into the ceremonial robe provided. I expect it to itch or not fit right, but it's a perfect fit and the softest thing I've ever worn. Once I step from the room the priestess takes my hand again continuing to lead me along.