Book of the Forgotten: the Bearded Queen

Chapter 6

The thing about Viv was that she wasn't a human girl anymore. She had been once, but that was eons ago. Now, she helped young girls, like Ava, and like Deedee once upon a time, discover the good and the bold and the forgotten women of history. She helped them understand that their ability to wear jeans, become doctors, and vote for who they pleased had been fought for piece by piece by the women who came before them. It was important that the women of future generations never truly forgot the women found within Viv's pages.

So, as they stood in the courtyard surrounded by the crowds, Viv told Ava how once upon a time, she had been a regular girl, about Ava's age, who dreamed of going to school like her brothers did.

"My world was dominated by the Romans, who took over after the Pharaoh, Cleopatra VII, was defeated and took her own life. The Romans were cruel to the Egyptian people. They took away our religion; banned us from conducting our daily business; and deemed our language illegal. They stripped us of who we were and tried to make second rate Romans out of us."

Ava swallowed harshly. Knowing magic was real was an unbelievable feeling; an experience she couldn't quite process, but Ava had learned about oppression in school. It was one thing to learn about it in her textbook and quite another to stand next to a girl – a girl her own age, who had suffered through it. "What happened? I mean, how did you go from being a normal girl to...to this?"

Viv flinched, her eyes squeezing shut, her breath becoming ragged. The magic's colours swirled along her skin, seemingly caressing her and attempting to calm her. Finally, Viv took a deep breath, and opened her eyes. She smiled sadly, and murmured, "One day, I decided I had had enough, and I made a mistake that cost my village everything. The Romans killed me for my small rebellion, and when I awoke again, I was in the Inbetween, being handed my Fate. I am to remain in the Inbetween for all eternity, until another young woman, like you, needs me."

Ava had so many questions, but one burned brighter than the rest. "What..." She didn't want to ask; she didn't want to bring up any memories that would cause Viv pain, but she had to know. "What did you do? That got you killed; I mean."

Viv shook her head, "Now is not the time for such a story. I merely want you to know why you are here. Not why I am here. You are here because you need me."

"Need you for what exactly?"

"You need me to teach you about your ancestors; about the women who fought tooth and nail for you to live your life how you do."

"What do you mean, how I do? My life isn't exactly special, you know," Ava said, rolling her eyes.

Viv barked out a short laugh. "And that statement is exactly why we are both here. You do not understand the sacrifices that were made so you could live your not-so-special life. Women have bled for you without ever knowing of your existence; girls have died so that you may make your own choices; women have worked tirelessly their entire lives so you can live in comfort and luxury. Soon, I will help you understand. For now, it is starting!"