The Promised Of Elaria

The Mother's Decision

As morning came so did the troubles of the night before Lyra knelt before the Mother in the grand hall, the stone floor cold beneath her knees. The other women who had accompanied her on the night watch stood silently behind her, their heads bowed in respect. The Mother, seated on a high, ornate chair, watched them with her piercing eyes, her presence commanding and serene.

“Speak, Lyra,” the Mother said softly, her voice carrying authority and calm. “What did you observe?”

Lyra glanced back at her companions, then returned her gaze to the Mother. “The Promised One… he wandered the camp last night. Restless. He spoke to himself, questioning his place here. He is… troubled.”

The Mother’s eyes narrowed, though her expression remained unreadable. “Troubled? How so?”

Lyra hesitated, unsure of how to phrase it. “He seems unsure of his role. He spoke of not being able to fulfill the expectations placed upon him. It appears he is overwhelmed by the duty of fathering our children.”

The Mother leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest. “Did he seem displeased?”

“No, Mother,” Lyra replied quickly. “He did not seem angry or upset, just… uncertain.”

The Mother’s gaze softened, but her tone remained firm. “He is not a man of our realm, and he does not yet understand his importance. He will learn, in time.”

Lyra bowed her head in agreement, though a small doubt flickered in her mind. Would he learn? Or would this uncertainty only grow? She kept her concerns to herself.

After a moment of silence, the Mother stood, her long robes trailing behind her as she walked slowly around the hall. “It is time,” she announced, “for him to be shown what he is here for. We have been patient, but our future depends on his willingness to embrace his role. Each of you, in turn, will attempt to seduce him.”

The women exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes. Seduction was not something they took lightly, especially not with the Promised One. But the Mother’s word was law.

“He must understand that we offer ourselves willingly,” the Mother continued, her voice growing more determined. “We will not force him, but he must know the significance of our union.”

Lyra and the others bowed their heads in acknowledgment. The Mother’s plan was clear Ethan needed to feel desired, to know he was not simply here to father children, but that he was valued as a man. However, as the women stood and prepared to leave, a quiet unease settled over the group.

One by one, they would go to him. One by one, they would attempt to please him. But something told Lyra that this wouldn’t be as simple as the Mother believed.

Ethan sat in the tent, gazing. The sleepless night had left him exhausted, but his mind was still racing. He had expected strange things in this world, but what he couldn’t wrap his head around was the way these women treated him as though he were the answer to all their problems.

The flap of his tent suddenly shifted, and a woman stepped inside. Her name was Selene, if he remembered correctly. Her long hair cascaded down her back, and her robes clung tightly to her body. There was something different in her eyes tonight a spark that hadn’t been there before.

“Ethan,” she said softly, moving toward him. “May I… speak with you?”

Ethan frowned slightly but nodded. “Of course.”

Selene hesitated for only a moment before sitting beside him. The space between them was small, almost nonexistent. Her hand reached out, lightly brushing his arm. “You know, you’re special to us. We’ve waited so long for someone like you.”

Ethan shifted uncomfortably, not used to the directness of her touch. “I...uh....I’m still trying to understand all of this.”

She smiled softly, her fingers trailing down his arm. “You don’t have to understand everything right now. Just know that we are here for you.”

There was a tension in the air, something unspoken but obvious. Selene leaned in closer, her lips inches from his ear. “Let me show you how much we value you.”

Ethan felt his heart race, but not in excitement. There was something off about this something he couldn’t place. He hesitated, pulling back slightly. “I...I don’t think this is the right time.”

Selene’s smile faltered, surprise flashing across her face. She straightened, her hand dropping from his arm. “I see,” she said quietly, though confusion lingered in her voice. “Perhaps I’ve misread the moment. I’ll leave you to rest.”

Without another word, she stood and left the tent, leaving Ethan sitting there, bewildered.

Selene hurried to the Mother’s quarters, her steps quick and unsure. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had gone wrong. The Mother looked up as she entered, her expression expectant.

“Well?”

“He refused me,” Selene admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “He said it wasn’t the right time.”

The Mother’s eyes narrowed. “Refused? Interesting.”

Selene bowed her head, stepping aside as Lyra entered the room next. One by one, the women came to the Mother, each with the same report Ethan had hesitated, turned them away, claiming the timing wasn’t right. Confusion spread among them. Was he displeased with them? Did they fail?

The Mother, however, remained calm. If anything, her interest had only deepened.

“I see,” she murmured, her fingers tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps he is not yet ready. Or perhaps…” A small, knowing smile curved her lips. “He needs someone with a bit more knowledge of the situation.”

Her meaning was clear. The women exchanged glances, understanding that the Mother had made her decision.

It was time for her to try.