The Chosen One
Chapter 1
Alia lay, staring up into the night, unable to sleep. She was so excited that as much as she tried to fall asleep her mind kept wandering. Tomorrow was the Festival of Talsia, the most special day of the year. The day celebrated the Goddess Talsia, Goddess of love and peace, and the gifts she had given to her people.
Tomorrow Alia would be able to take her place with the women of her village and sing and dance and welcome in the new season. Tomorrow also marked the day that she would learn what path she was to walk. The Goddess would speak and all would hear what was the destiny of all the young men and women that gathered before her for her blessing.
Alia turned over and sighed. Her anticipation was killing her. There were so many possibilities, so many things she wanted to do, but if the Goddess called you for a specific path than you followed it. She wondered what her path would be ... perhaps a healer, an artisan, a teacher ... there were so many possibilities.
Alia had always had a close relationship with her Goddess. Talsia had spoken to her in her thoughts daily since she was quite young. Alia thought it was quite normal, but others looked at her strangely when she mentioned it. She had soon learned to keep quiet and not tell others about their conversations. The voice of her Goddess did not silence though, she continued to speak to Alia and urge her forward through out her youth.
Finally, dawn came and Alia rolled out of her blankets. She hadn't slept at all, but it didn't matter, she wasn't tired. Quickly she gathered her clothes that she would wear for the festival, and left the village heading for the river.
Most of the young women would take baths in the river on special occasions. Alia was there almost every day. This was the time that she spent alone thinking. This was also the time that the voice of Talsia came and spoke with her.
As Alia reached the river, she stripped off her clothes and slowly walked in letting the cold-water lap at her ankles. She relished the feeling. It made her feel alive. Alia moved to the middle of the slow moving river and sunk down so that the water was up to her neck, letting her waste length jet-black hair fan out in the water around her.
Alia sighed and closed her eyes. This was her favorite time of the day. Everything was quiet and perfect in the early morning. The stillness and the calmness of the river flowed throughout her body and she felt like she could do just about anything.
Bright Morning Alia.
Bright Morning Talsia. Alia smiled as she heard the now familiar greetings of her Goddess in her mind.
You are here early this morning my child.
It is a special day. Alia answered with a bright smile on her face.
Yes it is, more special than any other that have passed before this day.
Oh?
Yes, Alia. I have been waiting for this day for more years than you could possibly think of. You know that you are special do you not?
Special Talsia? How do you mean?
I speak with no one else like I do with you. No other young member of your village comes out to commune with me every day. Have you not noticed that? Talsia answered Alia's question with another.
Well yes, I have. But I didn't think anything of it. Why is this day, this festival, more special than any of the others Talsia?
You will learn soon enough Alia. I would not spoil the day for you. It will be one of great joy. Alia ... you have my blessing child.
Alia's face was one mixed with excitement, wonder, and awe. "Thank you Talsia. Thank you." She answered aloud and the voice was gone.
Alia sat in the river with the water flowing past her as she thought of the conversation. Something was going to happen today, Alia was sure of it, but for the life of her she couldn't guess what it would be. Talsia had given her no hints.
Alia ducked her head under the water to let the coolness touch her face. When she raised it again she saw that she was no longer alone. But instead of the village girls she was expecting, she faced Nakai.
Nakai watched her with a smile on his face. He knew she spent a great deal of time at the river and he had hoped that he would be able to catch her here before the others arrived.
Alia looked at Nakai with a serious half smile on her face. "What are you doing here Nakai. You are never up this early."
"It is a special day."
"Yes it is. But that has never gotten you up this early before."
"I wanted to talk to you." The raven-haired man said as he moved in closer to Alia.
"Now? While I am taking a bath?"
"It's important Alia. And I wanted privacy."
Alia flashed Nakai a smile. "Well then what is it? What would get the sleepy head out of bed at dawn ... hours before you normally are."
"Alia ... " Nakai began. He looked into Alia's violet eyes and suddenly all the words he wished to say to her were gone. How in all of Talsia's creation did Alia have the power to make him speechless? All the things he had practiced to say to her had left him, and he stood there stammering. A slow blush creeped up his face and he turned away.
Alia looked at Nakai and smiled. "What is it Nakai? What is so important that you wished to speak to me about?" Alia moved around to face Nakai.
"I ... I ... Alia ... I ... " Nakai stammered and dug his foot into the ground. He took a deep breath and looked Alia in the eyes; "I love you Alia."
Alia's face brightened like sunshine. "Oh is that all?" She teased the rosy-faced young man that stood in front of her. His eyes grew stricken at her words and then she laughed. "Oh Nakai, was that really so difficult to say?" She asked as she moved into him and threw her arms around his neck. "I love you with all my heart." She whispered in his ear.
Nakai nuzzled along her neck. "I want to ask the Goddess for her blessing today ... if that is all right with you, of course."
Alia pulled back and looked deeply into Nakai's eyes. "I would like nothing more than to have you by my side as we walk the paths our Goddess chooses for us, my dearest."
Nakai enfolded Alia into his arms. "Then it is settled my love. Come let us get ready for the festival" Nakai kissed Alia firmly and then the two walked from the river arm in arm.
Chapter 2