The Circle Of Ten

Culminations

    Mira had spent the morning at one of the many Ecosystem Reeducation centers for humanities children. She was accompanied by several temple servants and was traveling along one of many well-trod roads that linked the outer villages with the temple complex.  She regularly visited the centers in order to demonstrate to the people and the educator priestesses that the instruction provided by the schools is of great importance to the Sisters.  These children represented the future of humanity and needed to be ready to shepherd their people and the planet into an ecologically prosperous future. 

The unexpected arrival of the Miorpeans underscored the significance of the tutelage as only a properly trained and environmentally oriented human population would be tolerated by the ecologically sensitive aliens. Mira harbored no misconceptions that the Miorpeans were as advanced and superior to the current human population as she was to the dirt beneath her feet. She hoped that Fayala's meeting with the aliens would serve to convince them that there is a plan in place to correct the past grievousness perpetuated by humanity on the planet and that compassion for their descendants should be in order. 

Mira was so lost in thought that she nearly walked into a Spirit Priestess and her escorts that had stood aside to allow her pass with heads bowed respectfully.

"I beg your forgiveness for having disturbed your travels Sister," said the Spirit Priestess. 

"You did not and greetings Spirit Priestess Idiyanale," replied Mira.  The two women faced each other and lowered their hoods, their full blue robes moved slightly in the light breeze. Their escorts stood back a respectful distance from the pair and waited anxiously as their superior's exchanged the customary pleasantries.

"I trust you found everything in good order at the education center?" Queried Idiyanale.

"Yes, I am impressed with the rapid pace and completeness of the adjustment process," replied Mira.

"Well," stated Idiyanale, "with the arrival of the Miorpeans we assumed there might be a new sense of ... resolve, in the educative process of the human children."

"You know about the arrival of the aliens?" Asked Mira.  

Idiyanale chastised herself, of course she should not know about the arrival of the Miorpeans, divulging what she knew as a member of the Circle was a foolish error.  The greatest strength of the Circle of Ten was in keeping their expanded psychic ability hidden from the Sisters.

Mira sensed that the priestess had become noticeably tense, even Idiyanale's escorts suddenly appeared to be more anxious as they too detected the unease in their mistress. 

"There was a report that some humans had been taken," Idiyanale blurted out. "It was said that a giant blue skin alien had taken them, from past descriptions we assumed that it was a Miorpean."

"Humans were taken?" Mira calmly replied, "why were the Sisters not informed of this immediately, and what do you mean by ... we?"

"I, I ...," The Spirit Priestess was visibly shaken, she had been careless and revealed far too much.  Suddenly she felt the heavy presence of the Circle.

Idiyanale took a deep breath to steady herself, "if I may excuse myself Sister, I am feeling ... unwell."

"Of course," replied Mira, "however, I do expect a full report on the missing humans by the end of the day." 

Without another word the Spirit Priestess turned and rushed off down the road, her servants hurrying after her. When she was out of Mira's sight Idiyanale collapsed onto the dirt road barely able to support herself on her hands and knees.  A psychic message slammed into her subconscious, "that was foolish of you!"