Born with Sunrise

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Siri looked forlornly at her mother knowing that nothing she did would change her mind over this decision. It had been a long time in the coming and she really should have put her mind to rest over the matter by now. But how could we when she had he bone deep knowledge that what was about to happen was wrong, even I her dreams were not convincing her of the same thing. Only the dreams showed his face, nay not the man she was about to marry, but one she thought she knew from a distant land in a distant time. She could not shake the knowing of a face she had never seen before. But no matter her argument her mother was long past listening now. This was the best thing for her apparently and so she must go through with it no matter what. For she did not want to disgrace her family.

Her father had bragged about this match for the past year, wanting all in their clan to know of the importance he now held as the father of the future bride. Though why the heir had chosen her of all the women he had flocking to him, she had no idea, but her father had been in talks for weeks when the heir had come of age. It seemed that the only one against this marriage was her. Sture had made it clear the moment he came of age that he would chose his own bride and the rest he would let his father decide. Whilst she was under the age of marriage for her clan, she could still be considered if the clan leader would postpone the wedding, for his son, it seemed he was willing. Again the only one unwilling was she. There was nothing overly wrong with the lad, but that was just it, even though he was two years her elder, he seemed he had a lot of growing up to do. Not physically as he was one of the best warriors within the clan even as such a new warrior. But his maturity left something to be desired. She could only hope that time would change him into someone she could actually have a conversation with. Sighing deeply as she sat upon the small three legged stool, waiting patiently for her mother to finish weaving the bright blue blossoms of the prius tree within her hair, she listened to the soft hum of music her mother created, taking her back to memories of youth that she could barely remember.

A squeeze on her shoulder brought a bright, fake smile to her face. "Come, Siri, you should be so happy at this time. I know you will be a little nervous for what is to come afterwards, but that is only natural after all. This day you become someone you were always meant to be." She could not withhold the small snort of derision at her mother's words, but was instantly regretful, her mother had done everything for her in her life, and she was always there. Her disrespect grated painfully, "I am sorry mama, I do not mean to be so rude, it is just I do not feel this is the path the gods meant for me." With a wide forgiving smile, her mother rounded her and took her face within her hands. "Ah, my child, you are growing up too quickly and too solemn. This is your chance to fly," Siri shook her head, marriage was not a chance to fly but a cage in which she would wither, especially when it was to Sture, as much as the male was coveted by the clan, she just could not imagine a life time of being bound to him. Knowing that at some point he would forsake his vows as most of the males in her clan did. Her father, as much as she loved him, was the same, even as her mother ignored it, Siri could see the pain his transgressions with other women caused her. Yet it was just accepted as the way men must act. "You chance to be something you were born for. Your beauty sets you apart from all the other girls of this clan. You are a worthy prize for our heir and he will honour you so. Just as you deserve."

Siri shook off her mother's hands embarrassed. She always claimed that Siri was a beauty, but all Siri could see when she gazed upon herself within the ripples of the watching pond was something so different to what the clan called beautiful she often wondered how she had ended up with the features she did. Her colouring was paler than the others of her clan, mousy brown hair, pale skin and crystalline blue eyes, which contrasted so much with her mother and father's dark hair and tanned complexion. When she had questioned them before upon it, her mother told of a distant ancestor who had come from foreign lands and blessed their line with her beauty, which her mother always forlornly mentioned had missed her spot in the family. Their broader features a jar to her finely boned structure, but what her mother said made sense. Why else would she be so very different from those around her. Not that it made her feel any better about the situation at all. In fact it could be said she felt all the more wrong for this marriage because of how very different she looked.