�Another in this land, too, has passed the Trial of Sibylla. A younger child possessing even a greater warrior spirit. One day he will lead us all to salvation. That man�s name is Ewald�
Cahira was a startling contrast to her fair sister. She had long raven hair that she always had pulled back from her face. She had big dark brown eyes that drew attention directly to them and held on forever. She had sharp cheekbones that were not common to the Many God people. She had gotten into many fights with remarks about her parentage due to the cursed cheekbones. Her lips were naturally dark and large. She had a delicate nose and chin.
Ailis had a soft face. That of a child. That of the people of the Many Gods. It was heart shape in nature. Unlike her sister�s dark complexion she had a peach and cream complexion with rosy cheeks and a button nose. She had little pink lips that puckered like a strawberry heart.
The door to the small cabin flew open and a swirl of chilled night air flooded the main room. Cahira expected to see her parents but instead found her friend Rhian. She smiled and embarrassed pulled herself away from her sister�s embrace. Ailis, no longer supported, hit the ground with a thud and lay drooling on her side.
�I thought you were at the Festival,� said Cahira excited.
�I was! Oh, Cahira. He is there!� said Rhian.
�Ewald! The Regent�s brother?� screeched Cahira excited.
Rhian shushed her pointing to the window. Cahira�s face flooded with color. Rhian grabbed Cahira by her arms. �He is there. Everyone expects him to speak soon. You have to come. Your parents won�t even know you are gone,� she said excitedly.
Cahira smile quickly faded. To hear Ewald speak would be a dream. A true rebel, with true power, and true beliefs. Her eyes fell upon her sister still lying drooling on the ground. Rhian�s eyes followed her knowingly. �I cannot leave Ailis,� she said sadly. In a moment she hated Ailis and soon felt doubled over with guilt. It wasn�t Ailis� fault. It was the soldiers of the One God. She clenched her fist. �If only I could go! I would pledge my life to the Cause,� said Cahira.
�So dramatic, but you never act on it. Quick before we both miss his speech!� said Rhian annoyed. She pulled on Cahira�s arm. �She will be fine alone for an hour.�
�You don�t understand,� said Cahira, as she pulled away. �She won�t be fine alone for an hour. She�s not fine alone for a moment.�
Rhian looked at her with her deep soulful eyes. �I think you are afraid. You speak as if you believe but you don�t,� she said angrily. �You wouldn�t die for the Cause.�
Cahira gave her an annoyed push. �I live by my word. My word was first to Ailis. I cannot break it. I will die for the Cause but I will not abandon Ailis,� said Cahira stubbornly.
�So take her with you! She needs a walk anyways!� snapped Rhian.
Cahira thought on this a moment. Ailis could use some fresh air. Exercise would be good for her. She used to love festivals; perhaps, she would slip back into normalcy for a while when brought to it. �Let�s go. I hope I didn�t miss anything,� said Cahira.
�Wennie is drunk and is hilarious. She fell into the pig farmer�s lap and began to kiss him so passionately!� giggled Rhian.
Cahira pulled Ailis to her feet. She laughed as the pictured formed in her mind. �She must have drank so much to be able to stand the smell!!� whispered Cahira.
�And when Badir pulled her off of the pig farmer, she fell right in love with him, too. Poor Badir was so embarrassed by his cousin�s sudden display of amorous affection that he didn�t notice the pig farmer get up behind him to strike him over the head with his empty bottle!� cried Rhian, laughing so hard tears sprung to her eyes.
�Oh no! Is Badir hurt?� asked Cahira worried.
Rhian laughed harder. �He is far too drunk to notice, I assure you. In the morning, he will need some tender love, I am sure. Which his cousin will surely give him freely!� she said laughing.
�Rhian!� squealed Cahira. �You�re drunk!�
�Only a slightly bit,� said Rhian, shaking her right hand in Cahira�s general direction.
The two girls pulling Ailis made surprisingly good time through the small deserted village and into the tangle of the brush beneath the towering ancient forest. The brush scratched against Cahira�s long slender legs for she had taken to wearing the leather of the Guardians since she began her Training. Wearing of the leather had become a dangerous fashion for it was often a focal point of the One God�s soldiers� annoyance. Traditionally the garments of those who defended the Many Gods, it consisted of a pleated short leather skirt that allowed free movement of the legs in any direction and a leather top that often had chain mail over the heart. However, most importantly the style and decoration of the leather was to represent the one who wore it. All must be unique to the wearer and handmade either by the wearer or one who loved the wearer with their whole soul.