Grounded On Juniper Island

Jane Sagul

Jane fell onto her bottom, wincing as a rock drove into her tailbone. As she held up her hand to shield her eyes from the blinding light, memories rushed into her head.

It seemed that she had more people that loved her than she thought.

Jane was gathered around the camp fire with her Mother and two sisters. The salty tang of fish roasting on the fire, floated to their noses, awakening the hunger in their stomach. A dark moon was in the sky; its light hidden for a new one to appear over the coming night. Humidity was in the air, pooling sweat upon her brow and trickling down her back like raindrops tracing the length of a tree. The beach on which she sat upon, roughed her bottom with each squirm. Being relaxed had become too much of effort for her.

It was too soon for her to eat such a meal. Two months has passed without her father.

The man meant the world to her. He promised her, she could watch her receive her gift from Grewir. Sadly, that was just a dream she could only picture in her head.

Nort Sagul was a fisherman who had drowned at sea after the Almighty Storm ravaged Juniper Island and the surrounding water. Four of the five fisherman who died that day included Nort. The surviving fisherman remembered the last words Nort said to him.

"Tell my family I love them," he said as his head bobbed up and down between the bending waves. "Tell the girls I'll be watching. Always. And tell Jane her Gift will be with her soon." And with that, he gave up the fight and let the sea swallow him. He felt like it was Grewir's will. There was no fighting fate if there was a reason to it.

It was no comfort to Jane, she ate little and sleep even less. Yuna, the matriarch of the family and her younger sisters Dayna and Delphine, could see the change in her. Their unique amethyst shine that flashed from their eyes had drawn, duller at the sight of her. The pale skin of the Saguls, unusual though not uncommon for Urthkais, was turning into a lifeless grey on Jane's body. If their light was beginning to dim, the family itself was on the verge of crumbling.

The confidence that shone from Jane, now seemed to be buried deep down inside; she was trapped in a void she couldn't climb out from. Nonetheless, her mother persisted.

"Jane, my dear you must eat your dinner. Your father would want you to." She spoke softly, placing her hand on Jane's leg with the faintest touch.

Jane turned away, letting out an exhausted sigh. Tears pooled on her cheeks and began to drip onto the sand.

"Please my dear. I need you to be strong for us. At least do it for him."

"Stop using him!" She swung around flaring her nostrils at her. The muscles in her forehead burned, shaking with tension. "He's gone. Mother, he isn't coming back. Living my life how it was won't make Grewir bring him back."

Her two younger sisters began to weep. Their palms moved in circles across their faces, rubbing their tears away before they had a chance to dry.

Yuna twisted her face, crying as if the tears were stinging her skin. "I just want you to be happy. It's killing me!"

"I don't know if I can be." She was defeated. Her grief had won. 

Amongst their discussion a shrouded figure appeared, walking from the forest. It caught their attention. The women straigtened themselves up the best they could. The tears were wiped away, but the reddening off their cheeks couldn't hide from the flickering camp fire. They needed to look proper before the servant of Grewir.

The servant approached, throwing back his hood onto his shoulders. He smiled quaintly; an attempt to quell the uneasy situation. It matched the innocent face that sat on his shoulders.

"Erasmus, what brings you here?" asked Yuna, bowing to the servant.

"Her time has come," he said, pointing to Jane delivering his words like they were prophecy.

"For what servant? Surely she isn't ready for her rebirth?" Yuna knew a receiver of the Gift would need to have the strength to endure the process. The death of her husband had weighed heavily upon her daughter. From her perspective, Jane needed to overcome her grief before even undertaking such an honour.

"Mother, I am," said Jane, raising her voice in defiance. It made her mother's body jolt. Her sisters hugged and whispered a "yes" to one another.

Jane had never felt more determined than about anything in her life. If  the servant believed she was ready to receive it, she would take that opportunity by the horns. Her Father would want her to.

"And she knows you are too," said Erasmus, drawing a smile to the corner of his mouth. "Your wish has travelled to me and her along the howls of the night."

"If you believe she calls her, then this truly is a great night." Yuna could feel the embarrassment creeping in. She dared not to look at her daughter. Instead, she stared into the night sky, giving it praise.

"Alas, it is," said Erasmus. The glint in his eyes matched the stars that shone above them. "You know where to be tomorrow?" he asked Jane.

Jane nodded. The curling of her lips, couldn't hide her obvious excitement.

Erasmus didn't say a word. He ventured back to forest, pleased he had found another worthy recipient.

Her sisters rushed to her, each pleading to kiss her on the cheeks. Jane skipped around the campfire with her trademark buoyancy back in her step. Yuna placed her hand on her back. She stared at her nervously, unsure what to say. The purple gems on her face had become brighter and fuller; the way they were before her father had passed.

"I am sorry I doubted you. Your father was always right about you," said Yuna sniffling. There was an obvious regret in her voice. It was dull and didn't chime with the joy of the occasion.

"There's no need to feel this way mother. Just be pleased of what we've been told."

Yuna squeezed her eyes shut, blocking another river that was wanting to burst, and grabbed her daughter tightly. Dayna and Delphine, locked their arms beside them. Pressing their faces against their backs.

It was nice to feel whole again. Memories of Nort were revived. The good times of when he was around made them laugh and be thankful of the time they had with him.

The next night Jane was no longer a spectator. The colours, the chant and warmth of the torchlight made it all seem natural. She knew the ceremony off by heart and now it was her turn to play a different part. The light surrounded her and then blanketed her in a comforting dark.

A period of years appeared to her like seconds.

She awoke, finding herself in a ditch sitting just above her hairline. Her body instantly became disturbed by sweat. She moved her feet and it was met with the crack of a small branch.

"I think my name is Jane," she whispered to herself. 

Hey everyone I hope you enjoyed learning about Jane and making it this far. She's a rather interesting character and it's been nice to able to flesh out her backstory.

What do you think of Jane's relationship with her family? Was she unfair to her mother?

Please leave comments, vote and share the story. If there are any mistakes, please let me know.