The Shield Bearer

Chapter 5

Rene woke just before dawn, more out of habit, than necessity. Today was a day of rest for her and the other graduates. But four years of rushing to get ready and get breakfast, before she reported for training at the seventh hour, marked by the temple bell tower, kept her from going back to sleep.

She rose from her little bed and neatly tucked the blankets around the sides and corners. She put on her civilian clothing, soft leather pants, with knee high leather boots, her shield belt, a soft green leather vest and a simple cream colored tunic. The green of her vest was the only personalized touch she had been permitted. This was the basic uniform of a shield bearer, when off duty. Her shield, latched onto her belt, ready to be drawn at any time. While weapons were not permitted, within the city, except for military purposes, shields were acceptable.

Rene stepped up to the full length mirror, one of the luxuries that were present in all acolyte rooms. When she asked one of the acolytes why, he explained that it was very important for all members of the temple to present a positive image to the community. All acolytes were to use their mirrors to assist in this.

The face looking back at her, looked so different from the face that looked back on that first morning. Four years ago, she had thought she was all grown up, a woman playing in a man's world. He long flowing red locks had been cut so short, nobody would have known she was a girl. She still hadn't blossomed into womanhood, which made her almost indistinguishable among her fellow, male classmates.

But now, she was a young woman. She stood nearly six feet tall with a lean and muscular build. She had become comfortable with the soft curves at her hips and chest, which accentuated her narrow waist. She had been so angry as those curves revealed themselves, separating her from her fellow classmates, who grew more and more awkward around her, as her body matured.

She had never wanted to be a man, it wasn't like that. She just wanted to be seen as an equal person, not as some strangely foreign creature that men got all strange around. The face that looked back at her, was beautiful, that's what everyone told her.

Her red hair was just barely shoulder length and had a bit of natural curl, creating soft waves, when it was loose, like now. Her eyes were large, golden brown and comfortably spaced around a button nose. Her mouth was pert and feminine. Her cheeks were rosy and full of life, but her jaw was angled more like that of an elf. There had been an occasional whisper about how she moved and looked like an elf, especially with her slightly longer than normal ears.

As she looked at herself, she thought about her mother and sister, with whom she shared no features. Both were short and petite, with golden blond hair. Their eyes were brilliantly green and they were much more curvy than Rene was. They had soft round faces with full smiling lips. Her sister, Melissa had been pursued actively by many suitors, since she had gained the station of Priestess of Astra. Rene had always considered Melissa to be much more beautiful than her.

One time, Rene had asked her mother, why it was, that she looked so different from Melissa and her. "You took after your father's side of the family, honey." But there was a deep sadness in her eyes, when she said this. Her mother would say no more, telling Rene to stop asking such silly questions.

Rene's father was a bear of a man, standing around six and a half feet tall. He had flaming red hair and bright green eyes. His cheeks were peppered with freckles and he had a big smiling mouth. She had never met his mother or father, as they had died long before Rene was born. So, she didn't have the opportunity to compare herself to them.

It was strange to be having these thoughts now, of all times. She had thought, that she had put them away for good. But as she reached up and ran her fingers along her creamy smooth complexion, free of freckles, strange thoughts and feelings tickled her conscious mind, once again. A secret part of her, had wondered for years, if her parents, were really her parents. She couldn't explain exactly where it came from. But now it was back, and louder than ever before.