Where Dawn Breaks Night

Chapter One: Mightier Than the Sword

"Your full name is required for registration, miss." The elderly clerk laid down her pen and leveled her gaze with mine. "We take this process seriously, you know."

I swallowed, wishing desperately that I had worn a darker dress to the first round of the Trials. Saints, I didn't even know if I would be participating, and I'd likely already sweat through the fabric. Utterly humiliating. "I don't have a family name," I managed. "Just Aquilla. Surely I can't be the only contestant without a line worth naming?" 

The clerk cocked an eyebrow, although I could see sympathy in her face. "Aquilla. No, I must say you are not the first girl who has encountered this problem. However, I must ask you to find a family line that will vouch for you. Allow you to bear their name in the Trials. If you can persuade such a line to give you their name, then  I can register you." 

A family line give me their name? I had a better chance of getting Diune Herself to sponsor me. There wasn't a line in all of the Spiral City that would be willing to stake their reputation on an unknown quantity like me. It would be a foolish risk for anyone to take. 

I tried again. "But, ma'am, if you could just - " The clerk cut me off with a gentle but firm gesture of her hand, and I became suddenly aware of the long line of girls behind me. Girls that likely had first AND family names. 

"It's non-negotiable, dear. The rules for entry are set by the Priestesshood itself. Come back - before noon, mind you - with a family name to vouch for you, and you're in. Otherwise -"She shrugged. "The first round of Trials begin at three. You're more than welcome to watch." Another flick of the wrist, and I could tell the conversation was over.

I stumbled out of line, my cheeks hot with shame. From the glances of the girls that had been directly behind me, I could tell that our talk had not been subtle. Their expressions ranged from pity to contempt. Ordinarily, this would have sparked a rage in my heart, but now I couldn't think of anything but a potential solution to my problem. Who - who could I possibly ask? 

I moved to the side of the courtyard, into the shade. Though the Spiral City was enormous, here, at the very top of the mountain upon which it was built, the high walls seemed claustrophobic and the sun seemed unbearably hot. My thoughts were spinning in wild circles. This - the Trials - was my only chance to make something of myself. A name, a legacy, anything. I knew that I was meant for more than just poverty and an early death. I could be great if I was given the chance. I had it all planned out. Despite having no important family, despite having no money and no connections, every girl in Eire, without exception, was given the chance to register for the Trials. A chance to compete against thousands for a position as a Holy Acolyte. A chance - Saints be willing - to ascend to the rank of Priestess for one of the three Divine Femininities. A chance, even, to commune with Alba, Diune, and Estelle, and make this world a better place. This chance was my birthright, and I had such high hopes for it - and now it was to be taken from me for want of a name? 

"Absolutely fucking not," I said aloud, and the nearest girls glanced at me sideways before whispering amongst themselves. I could only imagine what I looked like - surely having sweat completely through my dress in this heat, and now I was talking to myself like a madwoman. It didn't matter. All I needed was a name, just a last name, and then they had to let me in the Trials, no matter how insane I looked. I pushed myself off the wall I had been leaning against and began to wend my way through the crowd. The thing was, I knew that if I could just make it through the doors, I'd be golden. I was destined to become something special. I could feel it in my bones. They say that all women are created with divinity woven in our flesh - our ability to create life, our connection to the three Divine Femininities - but I knew that was more than just an adage. I knew- I knew - I knew - 

"Can you not?" 

The voice was loud, abrupt, and came from above. I stopped in my tracks and realized that I had walked straight into the path of a tall woman. No, not just a woman - a Valkyrie. As my eyes traveled up her form, right up to the scowling face, I recognized the markings that distinguished her from a mere human. The high boots, the golden belt, the long braids intertwined with chain - and most notably, the lithe muscles that were evident even through her layers of clothing. A proud insignia of solid gold secured a bold sash to her waist. Twin swords were strapped to the Valkyrie's back, each nearly my height, and I must have swallowed audibly as I took a step back.

"Apologies," I stammered, lapsing into the formal speech used to address nobility. For Valkyries were certainly nobility, despite their rough demeanor and appearance. They were indisputably super-human, bowing only to the High Priestesses and the Femininities themselves. There were even legends that they descended from Alba Herself. 

A Valkyrie would have no trouble entering the Trials. No trouble at all. 

I shook the thought away. "Apologies," I said again, ducking my head deferentially. "I did not mean to bump you. Are you hurt?" 

The Valkyrie looked bemused. "I don't know if you could hurt me if you tried," she observed, but not cruelly. "Although you are quicker than you look."

I tilted my head. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, come now." She held out an impossibly slender hand. "What have you taken? A knife? My watch? Perhaps my rations for the trip? Return it, and I won't report you to the City patrol." 

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The Valkyrie sighed, and began to rummage through her pockets. "Ah." She held up a brass key ring. "I'm afraid you've found yourself unlucky. It happens that the key you've taken from me unlocks nothing more than the door to my scullery. Perhaps you should better research the next pocket you pick, eh?" 

My cheeks flooded with color as I fingered the key within my pocket. 

The Valkyrie continued. "However, I will be needing that key back, and as it holds some importance to me and none at all to you, I see no reason why I should get the patrol involved. Be a smart girl and hand it over, will you?" 

I dropped my head and slid the key into her outstretched palm, unwilling to make eye contact. And as the Valkyrie passed me, she patted the top of my head. Condescendingly. "Better luck next time." And then she was gone. 

When I finally raised my head, I could barely keep a straight face. I knew it was only a matter of time before the Valkyrie realized her mistake and came after me with a vengeance, but it was still a struggle to keep the grin from creeping over my lips. So funny, how people always assumed that I only had the capability for one crime. It was the oldest trick in my book, to allow myself to be caught in the act once, only to steal away with a far greater haul, entirely unsuspected. I patted the gold Valkyrie's insignia that I had tucked securely into my belt, and struck off in the opposite direction. 

It was time to buy a name.