Each one of the priestesses of Aredin where well aware of what they gave up when they swore their loyalty to the Godess of Deeath. They said farewell to family, friends and even memories to comit their soul to prevail the balance between life and death. Already at the young age of ten, this was a choice that each girl had to make for only someone so young could make the decision with her heart and not her mind. These girls spend the rest of their lives in the temple, cut off from the rest of the world by a high marble wall. Endless of legends could be told of what happened beyond those walls but few were true.
Three things were however well known to each man and woman living in Hosomin about the priestesses. They had direct connection with death, they held no ability to love and once each fith year each pristess above fifteen strode out of their temple, clothed in the finest clothes possible to cellebrate Aredin's festival with the people. During one whole day each man and woman dance and laughed completely uncaring of who was enimy and friend to drive away evil spirits and thank Aredin for not playing and lethal pranks on them. It was a weak unlike any other for the priestesses as their souls were set free for the day and allowed their hearst to beat freally.
Kamira knew this and perhaps that was the reason to why she was so painfully nervous as she let her read cloak fall to the ground so that she stood dressed in only a white gown with her light hair flowing over her back. It was only her second visit outside the temple but her heart still beat faster by the bleak memory of the boy that she'd met now five years ago. It had been such a strange time, filled with forbidden kisses and hands embracing each other. But soon it had passed and Kamira had to return to her temple without a word to her beloved. Now she would finally reunite with him. She was just about to change into her rich silk gowns but when she decided that there was something she needed to do first.
Her leathercovered feet took her to the ancient library where shelves stretched their way far above her head and a smell of old parchment and ink filled her nostrils. By one of the large windows sat a young girl with short brown hair and dressed similar to herself. "Cara." said Kamira tenderly as she found her, for she was clearly upset. "I wanted to say farewell before I take my leave." she said but recieved no answer. Kamira sighed and sat herself down opposite to Cara in the window. The young girl had been her ward since the day she arrived here. She had taught Cara to read och write and welcomed her into her loving arms whenever she could. "What are you reading?" she asked carefully, just to get the girl to say something. Cara didn't say anything som Kamira picked up the book and read the page she was on. It was an old book about rituals that could bring you closer to Arendin and possibly even earn a gift from her. You shouldn't read such books Cara. Not even the eldest can be entirely sure to manage these rituals. One mistake would have killed you." she lectured and tried his best to ignore the glares Cara was shooting her way. "Kamira?" a voice called out from the door. It was Soin, on of her closest friends. "I'm coming!" she called back. Cara kept starring straight ahead out of the window with a miserable look. With a heavy sigh Kamira stood up to embrace the young girl. "Dear, sweet, darling Cara, I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. Just... take care of yourself until I come back and I'll teach you an easier ritual that you can try out to get spiritual connection with Arendin for a short while. Since Cara yet again didn't answer, Kamira had no other choice but to let her go and leave her there, but she made sure that the book was placed high enough for Cara not to reach it.
Soin and Ulmiritci was waiting for her at the door, both clothed in exquisite dresses och silk and velvet that could make princess green of envy. "Is she still upset over not being able to come?" asked Ulmiritci and stroke some blonde hair out of her face. Kamira shook her head while they started walking to her chambers which she shared with her two best friends. She bit her lip. "Maybe I should stay behind instead, just so she doesn't get lonely." Soin rolled her eyes. "You have to stop dotting on her like that Kamira. Soon enough we'll be old enough to leave for missions, in the name of Aredin and then you'll have no choice but to leave her. This is good practice for her. " Kamira nodded and tried smiling convincingly. "You are of course correct Soin. Let's just try and enjoy this day."
It was an uplifting noise that met them as they stepped into the sunlight from the secret entrance to the temple. The streets were filled with people of all ages and social classes who were laughing, shouting and dancing. Last time the comotion had frightened Kamira but now it filled her with happines and with a giggle she ran off with her friends, zigzacking between the houses. "I don't think there's ever been so much people here for the festival." Said Soin breathlessly. "Almost a bit too much people." Ulmiritci poined out had never liked too much people, well aware of what people were capable of. Kamira nodded in agreement. "Let's head down to the market." she suggested and both nodded in agreement. The market was more suited for families so one could put faith in that there would be less crowded there.
Like they suspected, the atsmopsphere was much calmer there. "It's a good thing that the priestesses can't have any personal belongings, because otherwise I'd have bought everything I could find at this place." said Soin giggling as they walked past a stand filled to the brim with various books. She picked up one of the books but wrinkled her forehead upon noticing that it was a language she was unfamiliar with. "I might not have had much joy of this one, but the rest I would buy. Suddenly a pale hand took the book from Soin. "This is the Godu langauge." said the man, who was no holding the book, with a smile. "It's only spoken by a few men and women in the Endless Mountains." he announced. Soin raised a sceptic eyebrow. "And I suppose you are one of these humans?" she said in an unimpressed tone. Everyone who knew Soin, knew better than trying to outsmart her widespread knowledge in language and history. But alas, this man did not know her. "That is absolutely correct, little miss. They taught me it during my travels in the north." By now both Kamira and Ulmiritci could see that Soin was disliking this man very mouch. "Oh is that so?" she asked in an overly sweet voice. "And what exactly is a young noble man doing in a faraway mountain village located at one of the loniest places in the world." she gave the young man a sharp look, strong enough to kill. "Sounds very unlikely." Kamira let out a short laugh and embraced her angered friend. "Hush now my dear friend and don't be too harsh on the poor man. He's only human after all. As she spoke she finally looked up at the man and at last got a good look of the man's face. He was a handsome, tall man with dark curly hair and captivating eyes. He smiled warmly at her. "Thank you miss, my name is Jasper. Would it be rude to ask for yours?" Kamira laughed delightfully and extended a pale hand. "Not at all, you may call me Katarina." she lied. The name which she had once been given by the temple may have been the one she concidered hers, but it was not one to be uttered amongst mortals. Jasper accepted the hand and pressed his lips gently against it. "I must say, it's an honor to meet you." he said and bowed deeply to her. "Tell me, are you new here? I don't think I've seen you here before. Would it be alright to show you around?" he asked. Kamira was just about to politely decline and explain that she was here with her friends when these two laughed. "Go, dear Katarina, we'll catch up with you later." Jasper smiled at her and offered his arm. "May I?" With the knowledge that her friends were okay with it, she accepted the hand. "Yes you may, good sir.
The steps took them all over the city and it felt, to Kamira, as though, the city was shimering in a new light. Jasper showed her everything and all the time, she'd gasp at something new that had caught her interest. She wasn't sure how, but she was sure this was the same excited feeling that she had had five years earlier. She was happy. She was in love. With Jasper, she could talk about anything. About Cara, and her friends, and her earlier crush who was now but a faiding memory at the back of her mind.
"Was it Elias, the millers' son." Jasper asked curiously and Kamira nodded. "I'm afraid he moved away from here nearly five years ago to start a new life by the coast." Jasper told her. "From what I've heard, he's married and has a daughter named Katarina." Kamira smiled gently. "I'm glad to know that he's happy." she said and suddenly Jasper had pulled her close to his chest. "Besides," he whispered and pressed his lips to the top of Kamira's head. "You've got me now." Kamira wanted to protest and tell him that things were going to quickly but then she remembered that she only had today, so she allowed herself to be left embraced by his arms. "I know we've only known each other for a short time." said Jasper and bit his lower lip in an attempt to find the words. When the words failed to reach him he simply dipped down and pressed his lips against Kamira's. Kamira gasped but didn't push him away. "i want to be with you." he said quietly after they'd broken the kiss. Kamira rested her hand on his chest. "Let us live in the moment." she begged. "And thing of tomorrow, some other day." Jasper nodded and embraced her again. "And day at the time."
