I am uncertain if you can hear my thoughts or perceive what I see. I hope you can, little one. I hope our connection runs deeper than just blood.
Eve ran her hand over her stomach, caressing it while smiling softly. A glowing warmth consumed her heart, as she continued mentally talking to her unborn baby boy of eight months. I have so much to show and share with you. This place is our village, and the stuff we are walking in is called sand.
Our village's name is Tan'lanaisha. Do you know the name means "brave callers?" Are you aware that the majority of this village worships a god? His name is Dai'lan'riku. He is our god of creation and destruction.
Look ahead, little one, through my eyes. That is the village square. The area surrounding it is teemed with markets, while the center boasts a public stage. The stage is for our priests and our village elders.
Glance around through me. Those who are gathering are our neighbors and family. It must be an important day. The priest and priestess are on the stage. The old priestess is called Miolan. The younger male head priest is Coal.
Look at the traditional priest clothing, my little boy. It is something to marvel at. His white robe is intertwined with gold. His golden plated helm, ordained with red rubies, is stunning.
Do you feel my hand running across you? Does it feel nice? I know you cannot answer. Eve let loose a sigh. It seems like I have to listen now, little one. She immediately moved her hand away from her stomach.
Miolan stepped forward. Eve admired the long black fitted dress that the elder priestess wore.
Miolan spoke with an old crisp voice that carried an odd hint of melancholy. "Please understand, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you this. It is time to send a sacrifice. Please step forward to receive this honor." She opened her arms wide toward the crowd.
Both of Eve's hands immediately went to her round protruding stomach while her eyes darted around the crowd. Is no one willing? She closed her eyes, trying to smother a budding turmoil.
Eve thought about the multitude of things she had seen in the crowd. She saw anger, hatred, pain, and most of all, fear. She knew then that no one was willing to be sacrificed, despite the consequences.
Eve breathed in and out, slowly collecting her thoughts. She slid her hands around her baby bump. "Forgive me, my little boy," she muttered, while glancing around one last time. Somewhere deep inside of her mind, she had hoped someone would step forward. Eve soon realized that thought came from her own selfish desire to survive.
Eve stepped forward, gulping. A slow, deep hesitation worked its way through her mind. "I will do it!" she screamed, half in determination and half in terror. Her heart pounded loudly, and she was cautioned by a small voice in her mind. This isn't her, it is an irrational fear, a fear not belonging to a follower of Dai'lan'riku.
Her thoughts slowly justified her actions. Not doing this means no future for my child. "I will be your sacrifice."
Miolan's eyes held a sparkle. The elder priestess grinned. "Are you sure?"
Eve shuddered. Was she sure? Did she want to be sacrificed? The movement inside of her stirred her emotions. She smiled, glancing down. The warmth from earlier had returned.
If I die, little one, you still have the right to live, Eve thought. Her hands encircled her bump. If I live, you have a mother, but no future. I cannot allow that. She squeezed her eyes shut and once again slowly opened them. Those thoughts were all she needed to be sure.
Small chattering voices full of doubt swirled in her mind, telling her to let someone else do it.
"Yes, I am sure." Eve sounded strong to the ears, but on the inside, every emotion slammed into her spiritually. "I want my little boy to have a future," she whispered.
Eve inhaled a shaky breath, as an enormous pressure weighed down on her. The things she would miss and never have—her baby's laugh, first word, and his token steps. The memories most mothers carry would not exist. She would never see him walk, laugh, or play.
The head priest, Coal, motioned in Eve's direction, as two priests brought two horses before the stage.
Eve's hands never left her stomach.
"Then it is time for your journey." After Miolan had finished speaking, Coal walked off the stage and mounted one of the horses.
A dark wave of nausea swept through Eve. It settled in her stomach and affected her head. She had to, no one else was brave enough. Fear of what lay ahead tried to settle in, but she summoned up what little courage existed.
Eve gripped the reins of the second horse. The two priests who brought the horses forward helped her up.
Once Eve mounted the horse, her mind slowly wandered. She wanted to be the one to raise him and see his growth. "Thank you," said Eve with a solemn voice.
The two priests nodded, withdrawing from the premise of Eve's space.
Little one, can you listen to me? Do you want to know the meaning of an under priest? An under priest is someone who cares for the dead. Those two priests who brought the horses are under priests. I am absolutely frightened. I have never been outside this village. I hope the head priest brings you back here. I will ensure that he does.
Her hands stung from the way she clenched the reins.
Eve cast the crowd one last look. Overwhelmed with a momentary sense of shame, she flushed. Thoughts of their judgments echoed in her mind. All she wanted was a bright future for her child, one where her child would not have to sacrifice himself.
Coal gently pulled on the reins of his horse. Turning to the east, he journeyed forward a few trots.
Eve took a few moments longer to indulge in the scenery around her, soaking in the final memory of her village.
As she finally pulled on the reins, a male villager started to reach for her. "Foolishness!" The villager screamed at Eve, as he grabbed at her leg. He continued, "You do not have to do this! You do not have to follow him!" The villager tried to pull her down from her horse.
Eve kicked him hard. "How can you possibly understand how I feel! How can you possibly understand?" Eve screamed.
That villager retreated into the crowd after she scolded him.
Coal called back to her, "Hurry up!"
Eve heard a sudden cry. She spotted her niece, who broke into loud, uncontrollable wails.
The little girl screamed, "Mommy, why is Eve leaving?!" Her sister placed both of her hands on her daughter's shoulders.
A hush fell over the crowd as Eve's sister spoke. "Eve has to go; she has to die for us." She sounded calm, but those around her sister could tell she was falling apart.
"Why, Mommy, when there are much worse people out there? Those people deserve to die, not Eve!"
Eve's sister pulled her daughter into a hug. "Listen closely, Trisista. It is not about who is right, or who is wrong. It is about how much you are willing to give."
Coal turned around, approached Eve, and asked, "Are you certain about this?"
"Yes," said Eve. She closed her eyes. One of her hands found her midsection. She gently rubbed circles. "You and the others lack awareness of my immense willingness to give." She faded into her thoughts. Am I acting correctly, little one? Before we go, there's one more thing I need to handle.
"Coal," Eve called out to him.
Coal glanced at her in acknowledgment.
"I want you to bring my child back here for my sister to raise," said Eve.
"Consider it done, if that's your desire." After he spoke, he had his horse trot ahead, leaving the village.
Eve, upon also leaving the village, discovered a desolate land of sand dunes. She wondered if there was more to see, and where did the travelers come from with their wares?
After they traveled a while on horseback, Eve's eyes danced around the bland scenery. Her eyes noticed Coal had stopped. She trotted closer only to see his face buried in an old map.
Eve glanced over. "Is everything alright," she asked him quietly.
Coal let lose an irritated sigh. "No, I cannot seem to find it."
Eve stayed silent, looking around.
"It should be around here." Coal kept checking the map and the area around him.
"What are you looking for? "Eve tried not to sound skeptical.
"I am looking for the campsite for tonight." He huffed, annoyed. "I cannot properly read it."
Eve spotted a low cliff formation with a tent under it, or what looked like a tent. "Is that it?"
Coal glanced at the map again before he replied to her. "No, but we can stop for tonight."
Eve sighed, thinking that a break would be wonderful. Suddenly, drowsiness overcame her. She wandered closely behind Coal until he dismounted.
After Coal dismounted, he walked over to the flank of Eve's horse. He gently helped her down. He took both reins, leading the horses to the camping area.
Eve stumbled when her feet made contact with the ground. Her eyes dart over to the camping area. A displeased look appeared on her face. There seemed to be only one tent.