Lifelight: Calypso Returns

9.

The entry way was dark and cold but past that the witch's home was wonderful. Light green grass made a carpet on the floor. A painting of a volcanic eruption in the sea covered her entire wall. The ceiling was high and the living room massive. Chairs so big they could not have fit through the entrance were arranged in a half moon in front of the fireplace.

The firelight cast a yellow glow on everything. From beyond the living room came the sound of footsteps and a long shadow took shape as it drew nearer. The tall woman laughed when she saw them and it surrounded Hera like the firelight.

"Surkha."Hera said.

The name came from a place deep inside her. It was spoken before she knew it.

"You remember, good. Call me Diira. I will call you Hera, yes?"

"Sure."Hera said.

They were guided to seats and Hera ignored the look Kairu was giving her.After she had served Jasmine tea, Diira offered them a bath and food. There was no protests she did not look like she would take them anyway. Hera was out first with new clothes, a cotton shirt and khaki shorts from Diira.

"Thank you." She said.

"You are welcome, sit with me." Diira said.

"Miss, how come I called you that name?"

Diira looked at her for a moment and then stood and walked to a basket by the fireplace. She took an wood-framed photograph out and sat back.

"This is my great great great grandmother." Diira said.

"She looks just like you." Hera said.

"Yes,and her name was Surkha." Diira said.

"Can you explain it to me?"

"Only the part that she played in it and perhaps a bit about my people. But the complete revelation, that is for Iso."

"You say her name like she sweeps your floors." Kairu said.

"She used to or are you so smitten you cannot remember?" Diira said.

Whoever they were talking about was part of some inside joke, edged with a bit of malice. Hera chose to let the tension dissipate a bit and ate in silence. In the corner of her eye, something in the painting moved and she kept trying to catch it but failed.

"There is a veil on it, the more you concentrate on it, the less you see." Kairu said.

Diira looked smug at Kairu's words and he seemed bothered by the admiration he had allowed into them. Over chocolate and something cake Hera told Diira about Ardan. She showed interest instead of suspicion and Hera decided she liked her. It was after Yuli and Kairu went to sleep that she made her confession.

"I hear a voice. I used to hear it as a child but after my aunt died I didn't hear it anymore. After the guys found me, I started hearing it again." Hera said.

"Does this voice scare you?" Diira said.

"No,not really. It's almost reassuring but I've felt its anger and pain, I guess I'm afraid for it." Hera said.

"You want to know." Diira said.

"Yes,I do."

"In my family-my clan, only women receive an affinity. Ours has always been fire. Our home, our ancestral home is Azmythica, the seat of the fallen kingdom. It was a volcano, perfect for us. We lived in service to the queen and our Goddess. When the war came we fought. And when our queen was betrayed, Surkha was part of the sacrifice at the temple. That sacrifice is the reason why you are here."