A TALE OF CAGES AND VINES (COMPLETE)

PART 1 - THE LIFE

The Life

Dev lifted her basket and began the long trip back to her family home. The slight breeze blew through her tunic, helping to cool her damp skin. Licking her lips, she walked home with a spring in her step. The branches from the trees above her rustles and Dev smiled. The trees and nature were truly a blessing. Once she broke through the tree line, she waved as a group of girls older than her passed her with baskets on their heads.

They waved back and they did it with so much grace, she wondered if she would ever be as graceful as them or as her mother.

Grinning, she continued to take the first few steps into the village. She nodded at the Chief's son, Coal, as she entered the cluster of tents that belonged to the village leaders. Coal replied with a smile but he flinched when his older brother, Jona, said something before he shook his head.

Dev was happy that she didn't have to deal with her older siblings whispering teases at her since they usually left her alone most of the time.

When she arrived at her family's tent, she noticed that her fader's horse was gone as was her older brothers' horses. The only person there was her Mouchim. She was humming while weaving the little mat that looked half way done. Thankfully, the sun wasn't too hot today so there was no need for them to be inside their tent.

"Devina? Did you bring them?" Yonda asked as she looked up and smiled at her daughter.

"Yes, mouchim, I even got a few extra others," Dev reported as she put down the basket in front of the tent before kneeling beside her mouchim. The basket was filled with different herbs that were wither red, green or yellow. Long roots. Jagged leaves. Smooth petals. Yonda smiled as as she scanned the basket contents. She then looked up and scanned the area for her oldest daughter that had accompanied her when they left.

"Where is your sister?" Yonda asked as a frown took over when noticed the missing presence of her eldest daughter.

Dev shrugged her tiny shoulders and adjusted the strap of her dress. Leaning down, she put her ear against her mouchim's swollen belly in an effort to avoid eye contact and to listen for her little brother or sister.

Yonda sighed in disappointment. Her oldest daughter had left her little sister. Yet her youngest would not admit it. Out of her four children, Devina was the submissive one, never saying anything when she was left out. Nevertheless, she patted her daughter's charcoal colored hair and risked a glance at the basket," I'm sure your fader will appreciate your effort."

"Thank you," Dev mumbled.

She stroked her daughter's hair as she coaxed her to talk, "Are you excited about tonight?"

Dev fell silent before whispering, "Will it hurt? When I receive my Opola's?"

Yonda smiled.

Opala, the mark that the God Inka gives to each of his beloved Zelowalli when they take their Opala vows to live a life of peace was a source of great pride and fear for most of the young ones in the tribes. It made sense that her daughter was a little frightened of the marks.

Putting her mat aside, she titled her daughter's face up and smiled, "Only for a moment, child, then I promise, you won't feel anything else."

"What if they last longer? I don't like pain," Dev blurted out.

Yonda shook her head, "Inka won't let that happen to one of his children."

Dev's brown eyes widened slightly, "Inka cares that much?"

"Of course. Inka, our God of Nature valued goodness and kindness above all. He also valued happiness over pain," Yonda explained and she smiled as she watched her daughter's fears melt away," He will do good for you as long you uphold your vows."