Alpha's Divine Commandments

Chapter 1

A drop trickles down the left side of my cheek, breaking from my skin's surface and staining the collar of my nightgown. Another and another fell from the wide set of clouds rolling in, drenching the skies to welcome the new season.

The winter months came and left quicker than expected. Spring taming the chills and melting the snowflakes day by day. A mother bear hurried her cubs back into the safety of the caves hidden within the rocky walls. The patient creatures awaking from the long hibernation.

My fingertips gripping my mug, bringing it up to my mouth and allowing the warm liquids to flow freely. The peppermint tea leaf floating to meet my top lip, as I follow the last cub creeping back into the caves with my gaze. Leaning backward till my shoulder blades hit the wooden posts outlining the house's front garden.

The south has always brought the much-needed rains. The weeks upon weeks of an ongoing pour drifting down the mountains. The waters flooding the canals and river beds once a year where the nations met in the middle. The four mountain packs work in harmony to provide for all.

Heading East, the long grass of the savanna, the animals birth their young in the middle of spring before beginning the long migration. The last few endangered species have flourished back from the edge of extinction.

To the west, thick forests spread as far as the native hawk's eye can see. The largest oak still stands protected from before the wars. Those few selected healers gifted by the mother herself have kept the oak from any harm for the past 400 years.

Finally, passing through the frozen wasteland to the North, the highest peaks untouchable. As the conditions worsen during the winters. Those unable to face the weather head inwards across the icy layered lakes to serve the Royal bloodline.

The dangers outside the hidden valley still pose a great threat. As stated by the 5th law, it condemns one son from each family to serve in the royal ranking army. From the age of eleven, till he is graced with the gift, he will train as our king once did upon the frozen peaks.

Traditions remain the same for every family, no matter which you are born into; as such, we will send my youngest brother this coming fall. Yet the opportunity to serve in the royal army grants these men purpose compared to the tedious responsibilities given to the daughter.

From the age of eight, they saw my personality as unpredictable. Add the conflict of the fact my father's opinion 'You'll never find your purpose if you flatter yourself with the lilies'. His words were a constant reminder that I'd never find happiness if I maintained my stubborn conscience. Unlike my mother, I can't help myself. It's the compulsion I feel to discover those cracks that the elders covered up. We weren't permitted to know about what happened to the lands untouched beyond the peaks. It's been a mystery for as long as the story of the toxic destruction has been a topic in class.

The world we hide from might have changed as we have evolved over the generations. I struggle to believe the old Wisemen's tales that say we need the royal defense system. I'd trade my gender away to just climb to the furthest Northern peak and gaze out to what might lie beyond. That sexist side-effect. Only those without breasts may climb past the first mountain.

Tilting my head back, pounding the crown of my head against the post, it's just so unfair. Finishing the last sip of tea, I lift off the post, shifting my direction back towards the house. With a slow pondering pace, I return to what has been my home, the past 20 years. Correction, almost 20 years. I age up in the coming fortnight, on the full moon. My entire existence has been leading up to the next ceremony. I cannot count how many times my mother has pinned my waist into a gown, as she gushed over what an honor it is to be considered.