I hope you guys get the old blog back @stories-by-rie here my pretty late entry.
The day of the selection. For years Talaina had worked towards this, toiling and training until she could take no more and beyond. Only the best of the best would be chosen for the ranks of warrior wives. Everywhere she looked, rods and ears twitched nervously as they all lined up. It was almost like roll call in the morning. Somewhere in the crowd would be Rishamela, who was also hoping to be selected, as were all the other three hundred women standing here, but only ten of them would be chosen. The instructor of the warrior wives walked slowly down the rows with narrowed eyes. As she did so, she kept stroking her whiskers. Talaina knew she stood out with her red fur, the fur that only lowly Kama'Bashat had. The instructor arrived at her row and stopped in amazement. Tipping her head back a little, she looked at Talaina longer. “What is your name, girl?” “Talaina.” “What clan?” “I don’t have a clan.” The astonished huff irritated Talaina. “Step forward, Talaina of Nobody.” “Zishi?”, Talaina addressed the instructor in confusion. At least she hadn’t forgotten to use the proper form of address. The instructor smirked and her whiskers twitched. “Let’s see if your training is enough. Now forward with you.” Talaina lowered her head and placed her guiding hand under her neck in salute. A moment later, she walked forward to where the palace guards were waiting for the chosen girls. She winced a little in surprise as someone stood next to her. A sideways glance revealed a priestess, clearly a Plitira with her furless body and pointed ears. “Can I help you, Adinishi?” The priestess smirked and looked up at Talaina. “I’m here to help you, child. You know this won’t be easy?” “I know.” “You also know that of the ten who will be chosen now, only four will make it?” “One of them will be me.” Where Talaina got that confidence, she couldn’t say, she just knew. The priestess nodded with her mouth pinched shut. “Being a warrior wife is not the fairy tale ending that everyone is told.” “Even if it were the dark sea in this life, it’s better than going back.” “I understand.” The priestess stood in front of her and took her hands. “Be careful Talaina of Nobody, you are only entering a world that just for fun, will use you and spit you out like a Tuhak spits out his bone. Be on your guard and act with care.” “Thanks…I think.” “If you need help send for Shiana.” Another chosen one stood by Talaina and the moment was over. She didn’t notice the other women either, so in thought, wondering what the priestess meant, until Rishamela joyfully jumped on her like a little kitten. “We both did it!” “Now comes the hard part, you know that?”, Talaina reminded her friend with a laugh. The odd warning forgotten in the joy of at least having a friendly face around.
