SORCEROUS SIGNALS
Written by Lynn Rushlau / Artwork by Lee Kuruganti
Maiden



















Day One
6th of Blossoms
Do you understand this party ends in your death?

Handkerchief to her nose, Lady Eolline picked her way through the filthy cobblestones of Fish Market
Street. Basket-laden servants and bourgeois women wasted precious minutes of their busy day to raise
an eyebrow over the velvets and lace, which proclaimed her to be slumming.

She ignored them. The society in which she moved disapproved of her. How could the scorn of those
beneath her matter? A governess who married her charges' widowed father after half a year in his
employ inevitably received censure. In the six years since his death, she'd supported five children, his
plus one of theirs, by offering etiquette, deportment and singing lessons to the nouveau riche. Society
could frown all it wanted, but she must do something for funds—even something as ludicrous as this.

Eolline glanced at the foolscap in her hand and checked the signs. Though not the worst, Shandon
Fishmonger's was far from the nicest shop on the street. The windows lacked glass. Whatever paint
once covered its walls and shutters peeled away long ago to reveal weathered grey wood. She gritted her
teeth and reminded herself that for the money involved a bit of dirt and smell could be endured. With a
shudder, she stepped into the grungy shop and forced herself not to back right out as the stench of fish
overwhelmed her. All inside stopped to stare.

"Good afternoon. I'm to meet with Wennis—"

Without a word, a portly man in a slime-covered apron waved her through a green door and returned to
scraping the fish guts off the counter. Shivering with disgust, she ducked through the dirt-bedecked
door and entered a dark hall that ended in a staircase. Doorways stood a few steps before her to either
side.

"Hello?"
    
A girl in a too-short, threadbare dress skidded out of the room on the left. Her eyes lit up. "Lady Eolline?"
    
Eolline's heart sank. "Wennis?"
    
The girl smiled and crossed the hall to shake her hand. Her ponytail of pale brown, greasy hair bounced
with her footsteps. The joyous smile and light in her sea-blue eyes gave a hint that something might be
able to be done with this girl despite the surroundings and her current appearance. Days old grime filled
the creases and fingernails of the hand she held out to Eolline. Teeth clenched, Eolline offered a limp,
gloved hand in return.
    
"We can talk in here." Wennis beamed and led her into the kitchen. Eolline raised an eyebrow. Could this
house be too mean to offer a parlor? She'd never moved in such low society. Two hundred and fifty gold
pieces, Eolline reminded herself and entered the small, but tidy kitchen. "Let's see you walk across the
room."
    
Wennis bit her lip and skipped from one side of the room to the other.

"Turn around." Eolline gestured spinning her finger. Grinning, Wennis twirled. Perhaps under the grime,
she was no worse than some of the rich merchants' daughters Eolline taught.

Eolline tilted her head to the side. "Why do you want to do this? Why a death wish at fifteen?"

"It's not about dying." Wennis' smile drooped. She clenched her fists. "Look around you. I want more
than this. I want to be someone, to get to wear velvets and lace and go to parties and drink champagne.
Tour the kingdom. Meet knights and—and the king and queen! I want to be taken as someone others
would expect to see doing those things!"

Eolline pursed her lips. "You do understand the Maiden dies? It's a year of celebration then off to the
dragon."

"Would you want to live forever like this?" Wennis gestured at the room. "It's how you live that matters,
not for how long your life stretches. And I want to live. To actually enjoy living for an entire year. It's
worth it."

"And if you lose?"

"The chance of winning is worth the risk," Wennis proclaimed. "I want to be the Maiden.

Better her than one of mine, Eolline thought. "Okay. Let's get started."

~ * ~

Day Two
7th of Blossoms
Is there a Maiden under the grime?

I slept not a wink last night. Who could? Yesterday I visited Lady Eolline's amazingly beautiful villa—I
hoped the Maiden's residence was like it!—and today, I was on my way to the public baths in Lady
Eolline's neighborhood! I'd never visit the ones in the market area—they're the province of sailors,
soldiers, and whores. But the Avarritine Baths would be respectable.

The entire neighborhood was like a dream. All sorts of trees and flowers in pristine yards surrounded
enormous mansions. The air seemed cooler here on these immaculate streets, though I knew it was hot
all over Port Keost all through the month of Blossoms.

I wished I looked a little better. Girls about my own age in gorgeous muslins of peach and saffron
sashayed past. My dress drew looks of derision from even passing servants.  

The bells signaling the fourth hour rang as I crested Avarritine Hill. The Baths were supposed to be here,
but I spotted a big restaurant and a park on the left and a wine shop and a couple of clothing stores on
my right. Behind and beyond that looked to be nothing but houses until a stretch of parkland centered
around a huge, square building. I couldn't make out the name on the sign, but it wasn't the baths. I was
lost and would be late!

A sedately dressed maid drew abreast of me. With the looks I'd received, I was embarrassed to speak to
anyone, but the bells had rung out the hour and time continued to pass. "Excuse me."

"Yes?" Her eyebrows shot up and nose wrinkled.

"Are the Avarritine Baths near here?"

She gave me a look that said I clearly needed them and pointed to the right. "That way."

I thanked her, but she moved on without acknowledging me. I scowled after her. A few weeks from now,
she'd be buying trinkets with my picture on it and might name her first girl-child Wennis.

I scanned the shops as I rushed past. A high, ivy-covered wall bore a sign so tiny, I almost missed it. I
did a double take and pivoted. The gates to the Avarritine Baths opened with a chime to my touch.

Lady Eolline waited inside. She looked upset.

"I got lost. I'm sorry." I grimaced.

Her smile was polite, but not forgiving. "Come along. The attendants await you."

~ * ~

The baths were better than my dreams. Tremendous mosaics of sea tales broke up the beige marble tiles
that covered the walls and floors. The attendants wore cream, the same shade as the towels and all
accents. Gigantic ferns filled the corners. I floated through heaven until we reached the first room of the
baths where Lady Eolline and two attendants expected me to get naked in front of them.

"But there's no one in here." Lady Eolline got this look on her face that clearly said she thought I was
crazy. "You're here for a bath."

"I—I know." I wanted to say "turn your backs!" But realized she'd think I was too gauche to bother with
and tell the Temple of the Dragon to forget it, I hadn't a chance of being Chosen. My face burned bright
red by the time I was naked, but no one paid any attention. Once I reached the next room and sank in a
tank of rose-scented, hot water, hotter than any I'd ever bathed in, I no longer cared what I'd done to
get here. It felt like being surrounded by the best hug of my life.

Lady Eolline waited outside and the attendants ignored me except to hand over soap until they decided
to wash my hair. I felt so relaxed I didn't argue, and about died in the following massage the girl gave my
head while she washed my hair.

I grinned like a fool when I returned to Lady Eolline. I've never smelled so good and my dry hair sparkled
in the sunlight. The smile she gave me this time actually looked approving.

~ * ~

Day Four
9th of Blossoms
But would this be considered blood money?

Glad to see the back of Wennis, Eolline crossed to the sunroom where she took her lunch. She took her
seat, but stared at her late husband's portrait while the maid laid out her meal. He'd so loved life. What
would he say about her helping a perfectly healthy child commit suicide via dragon?

The maid set a pile of mail beside her plate. Eolline sighed. Tuition was due at all the kids' schools. Her bill
at the market was past due and she owed the milliner and the haberdashery. And poor Jallie needed new
shoes. His pinched terribly and the last pair Fedran outgrew had holes in the soles.

She needed the money the Temple of the Dragon would provide. Eolline gritted her teeth. Money the
Temple would give her for encouraging a young girl to choose death. She dropped her head into her
hands.

~ * ~

Day Six
11th of Blossoms
Homework? When there's dance on the docks?

Fish-filth covered my hands and I smelled the reek coming off my dress and arms. I yearned for the soap
on my nightstand upstairs. At least my glossy hair was braided, pinned to my head and protected by a
kerchief. I knew dad thought I was putting on airs, but I was determined to do whatever I could to look
like the privileged girl I wanted to be.

The shop had quieted down. "Can I go now?"

Dad grunted. I took that as a yes and fled. Twenty minutes later, my stinking dress soaked in the basin
and I smelled of roses and lilac. While I brushed my hair out, my gaze caught the unopened bag of
books Lady Eolline gave me. I hated reading. What did she think I would do? Sing songs and recite
poems for the dragon? Surely no one expected anything that asinine. The Maiden needed only be sweet
and ladylike. And a virgin, of course.

All the candidates would be girls like me. Regardless of what Lady Eolline claimed, the judges who'd
interview us wouldn't expect us to be well-educated.

I knew all the history I needed to know. When I was eight, Ceverly, the sixth child of tenant farmers from
Fells Rest, was the Maiden. Seven years before, the only daughter of blacksmith, Samalie, was the
Maiden. What else mattered in their stories? Feted throughout Homerisse, they lived like princesses for a
year and, when the year ended, they gave their lives for the kingdom's security.

Whatever else happened in Homerisse and all the fancy poems in the world didn't matter. Knowing them
wasn't going to make me change my mind or die with more grace.

Except if I didn't do what Lady Eolline requested, she could refuse to sponsor me before the Temple.
Sighing, I rose and lifted the bag of books.

My best friend Pennola entered my room without knocking and frowned at me. "You're not wearing that,
are you?"        

"Why not?" The dress was a threadbare hand-me-down like all my clothes, but was clean.

"To the dance?"

I'd forgotten tonight the Sailors Union of Port Keost hosted their annual hoedown. Everyone went.
Except Lady Eolline had lectured me on what could disqualify me from the Temple's selection process.
Village dances had been on the list. "I can't."

"Are you crazy?" Pennola gaped.

"The Maiden—"

"Everyone in the district knows you aim to be the Maiden. They want to see you. You have to come! It'll
be an insult to the neighborhood if you don't."

People only noticed me when I helped out in the shop and they needed to buy fish. The idea they
expected me filled me with awe. A dance would be more fun than reading a pile of old books…I wouldn't
have to dance. Attending wouldn't be a problem.  

~ * ~

The room broke into applause when I entered. All worries about what Lady Eolline might say fell right out
of my head. Once the applause stopped, half the neighborhood surrounded me. All the woman wanted
to give me advice and the younger girls had a million questions. The men mumbled things like "proud of
you" and "Port Keost is behind you."

Pennola disappeared, but that was okay. I had a hundred new friends who wanted to know all about
Lady Eolline and what I'd done so far. Thinking about her made me feel guilty, but in all honesty, I
couldn't see how chatting with my neighbors was wrong.

And I did just that for a couple of hours, until Fabry asked me to dance. I blushed and couldn't answer.
My head said no, this was why dances were forbidden. But the most dashing sailor in the entire Fish
Market was asking me to dance. All the unmarried women in the district—and more than one who was
married—sought him. I'd loved him since I was twelve. I couldn't not say yes.

Though he stepped on my toes twice before the first chorus ended, his smile made me melt. In his arms,
I felt like I waltzed on clouds and the entire world grew a bit brighter and more exciting. I fell against him
when the music stopped.

"Want to take a walk?"

My heart skipped a beat. I'd never wished—oh, yes, I had. I'd wished to marry him and have his children
so a walk was naught compared to my fantasies. Still I hesitated. I'd dedicated myself to be the Maiden.
The Maiden couldn't wander off in the dark with a man.

"Come on, it's miserable hot and crowded in here. We can't talk." His grin stopped my heart.

Talk? What could we have to say? That he loves me? My breath caught.

"Wennis?" My eldest brother stepped in front of me. He gave Fabry a look that sent him slinking away.
"Did you change your mind about being the Maiden?"

Maybe. I couldn't meet his gaze. "No."

He pointed the direction Fabry disappeared. "You spend time with the likes of him, you won't be a
maiden."

"We were only dancing!" I gaped in open-mouthed outrage.

"You should go home."

"Hey, Wennis! Take a spin on the floor with me!" Cousin Ceshlin grabbed my hand and dragged me
away. No danger of romance lurked here and the dance gave me a chance to think. For Fabry, I would
give up my chance to be the Maiden. We wouldn't be rich, but I'd be so happy with him, and I wouldn't
be facing death or dedication to a stupid temple. Life with Fabry would be fun and wonderful even if it
wasn't among the nobility.

~ * ~

Day Seven
12th of Blossoms
I didn't do anything!

I wasn't supposed to see Lady Eolline for another week so it was a big surprise when she charged into
the shop. Though I waited on a customer, she immediately started yelling at me. "What were you
thinking?"

Mistress Dannis was so interested in listening to what the grand lady had to say she didn't even notice
the bundle of trout I foisted upon her.

I knew what Lady Eolline must be mad about, but played dumb. "I've always helped out in the shop. I
won't let it affect—"

"A dance!" Lady Eolline stamped her foot. "And after I expressly forbid you. You've as good as
disqualified yourself."

"How?" My heart beat so fast I thought I'd faint. All morning, I'd hoped Fabry would stop by when his
work day ended. If he was interested he might, he must. If he loved me, he'd have to make his move
before it was too late and he lost me to the dragon. But I hadn't done anything with him yet. "I talked to
my neighbors and danced with my cousin."

Ceshlin stood on the other side of the store and looked ready to defend me if necessary. Lady Eolline's
disbelief made me blush. How could she know what I dreamed about Fabry?

"You danced many dances, not just with your cousin."

And then she looked straight at Ceshlin and he blushed. How could she know everything? "Were you
spying on me?"

"I shouldn't think that I needed to."

"You certainly do not!"

"I wish that were the case." Lady Eolline pursed her lips. "You need to decide if this is what you want to
do. If you're still looking to flirt with boys and date, then being the Maiden is not for you. You're striking
me as a silly girl who couldn't get the boy she wanted and is throwing herself off a cliff in a misguided
belief a romantic death will make him sorry."

"I am not!" My cheeks turned bright red. All the customers and my cousin stared at me. I lowered my
voice. She'd never raised hers. She'd never have to. Anything she said interested people enough they'd
lean in to listen. "I explained why I want to be Maiden. What I want."

"You don't know what you want."

I gaped at her.

"What have you read of the books I gave you?"

The change of topic caught me off guard and the truth showed on my face before I could think of an
answer.

Lady Eolline shook her head "I suspected as much. I have students who are interested in becoming
ladies. Don't take too long, but if you do indeed wish to become the Maiden, you let me know."

Damn her, damn her, damn her! Maybe I don't want to be the stupid Maiden! Who needs all this grief?

~ * ~

Day Nine
14th of Blossoms
Utterly Star-struck
    
Two days passed with no word from Wennis. Eolline vacillated between fury and relief. As much as she
needed to pay the bills, doing so with the compensation for Wennis' life left her cold. And with the girl's
heart not firm in her choice, guilt gave Eolline a stomachache. Not that Eolline had time to worry about it.
She had four lessons scheduled today.

In the distance the front bell rang. Eolline hoped it wasn't a creditor and picked up the next piece of mail,
an invitation to Lady Agnule's tea. Her eyebrows shot up. Agnule hadn't invited her to anything since her
husband died. Sponsoring a candidate must be considered titillating enough to overlook Eolline's pariah
status. Her housekeeper hurried into the room.
    
"If it's Anelline, she's half an hour early and must wait." Eolline took a sip of tea.
    
"No, ma'am." The housekeeper's lip curled. "It's that applicant. Wennis."
    
Eolline raised her eyebrows. "Indeed? Well, send her in."
    
Wennis' hair shone, her dress, though little too large and faded, looked clean as well, and she smelled of
roses. Quite an improvement over the fishmonger's assistant Eolline last saw. Wennis twisted her hands
as she came to a halt beside the table.
    
"Wennis. I appreciate you coming by to speak with me in person." Eolline indicated the girl could take a
seat.
    
Wennis' brow knitted. She remained standing. "I thought an apology best made in person."
    
Eolline set her cup down slowly. Her heart thudded. Did she still have a chance at the money? Having
Wennis yank her around like this might drive her crazy.
    
Wennis bit her lip. "I'm sorry I went to the dance. I didn't understand how going could affect anything.
None of this felt real yet. But I read that book on the Lives of the Maidens you gave me. I—I understand
better what this all means now. I promise I won't disobey you again."
    
Eolline cocked her head to the side. "Again? Do you mean you wish to continue?"
    
"Oh, yes, Lady Eolline. If you will continue to coach me?" Wennis clasped her hands together under her
chin.
    
Eolline gestured to a chair again. This time Wennis sat.

"Wennis, men never before paid attention to you the way they did at the Sailors Dance, did they?"
    
Wennis' brow knit. "No."
    
Eolline paused to take a bite of toast. She had to make sure. "And you enjoyed that. You'd enjoy more
of it. You don't have to be the Maiden. You can have that."
    
"I don't want that." Resolution straightened Wennis' spine. "I read their lives, you see. The Maidens, they
were girls like me, common girls. But now all of Homerisse knows their names because they sacrificed all
this stuff you're talking about for the greater good of our kingdom. If they hadn't, the dragon would
have killed everyone. Now they'll be remembered forever."
    
Eolline wanted to weep at the light in Wennis' eyes. The book inspired the girl to greater notions of
romance. Eolline sighed. She knew her responsibility. She must prepare the girl by making sure she has
chosen this fate and would be okay as a dragon priestess if she isn't the one killed. Eolline could only
hope seeing the truth would force its way past the stars blinding the girl.

~ * ~

Day Thirteen
18th of Blossoms
Reality is really scary

You'd think the jostling of the carriage would be enough, but I kept pinching myself to believe I was
actually in Novemtri, capital city of Homerisse! I felt happy for the first time since Fabry blew me off. My
resolve to be the Maiden strengthened. Richly dressed crowds filled the cobblestone streets and darted
into immense shops. The coach stopped outside a building so tall that I couldn't see the roof from the
carriage window. It must have stood seven stories high and claimed what would have been a block in
Port Keost.

The entrance was carved like the gaping maw of a dragon and stylized dragons encircled burning torches
to either side of the door. Eternal fires. I'd read about them in the book about the Maidens.

We'd come to the Temple of the Dragon.

I don't know what I expected. I guess something more like the shrine to the Sea God near the piers, an
altar, the icon, offerings and little more. But the Temple of the Dragon was more like a museum, filled
with rooms and rooms of artifacts from the lives of the Maidens. Each room dedicated to one girl whom
the dragon devoured to save our kingdom. The greatest artists of history carved, painted, and sculpted
the lives of the Maidens—where they came from, how they spent their glorious year and how they died.

I asked, so Lady Eolline let us begin with the only Maiden I was old enough to remember. A mural
covered the walls of Ceverly's room. It started with a young girl helping out on a farm, followed by
dancing in an old-fashioned dress I'd kill to wear, but ended with her lying like a discarded rag doll
beneath the jaws of a dragon that looked big enough to swallow her whole. Butterflies woke in my
stomach.

Chastine screamed, tied to a post, and a sculptor depicted Samalie being swallowed feet first. Her arms
stretch into the air and her face twisted in agony. Misi's artist was truly sick. After the horror-filled
depictions of her being chased, caught and devoured by the dragon, the final panel displayed a couple of
leftover body parts beside a smug, smiling dragon.

Falladi died in a more romantic time. The artist portrayed her lying in a dead faint across the dragon's
teeth. Room after room depicted the same giant creature and different dead girls.

We took tea in a central courtyard at noon. I couldn't eat. An entire glade of butterflies now resided in
my stomach. I sat on my hands so no one would spot how they trembled.

Ignoring me, Lady Eolline ate. It's not as if she could reassure me if she tried. What could she say?

It'll only hurt for a minute and once the dragon crushes your body, it'll all be over?

Don't worry, if you're not chosen, you spend the rest of your life in here dusting these awful pictures?

I couldn't do it. Nor could I admit it to Lady Eolline. I might vomit if I opened my mouth.

~ * ~

Eolline saw in Wennis' ashen face the girl finally understood what she'd volunteered to do. Though
pleased by Wennis' reaction, Eolline feared her chance at the money might be utterly lost. Law required
all candidates to face the Temple before their final commitments. Some must see all this and go through
with it, but she doubted Wennis would be one of them.

Part of her felt relief. She didn't want to escort a fifteen-year-old to her death. The girl had a brain. She
could use her desires for a better life to work for one, not give up and choose to die.

Her more rational side cursed for the funds she so desperately needed. How would her children make
anything of themselves if they couldn't afford the university?        

Wennis picked up her tea. Eolline closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer. Eolline waited until Wennis
swallowed the dregs of her tea. "Ready to see the rest?"

Wennis bit her lip. "How many more of their rooms do we have to see?"

"None, if you feel you've seen enough of the Maidens' lives."

Wennis swallowed and refused to meet her eyes. "Are there other things to see here?"

Eolline nodded and gestured to a door on the far side of the garden. "This is a Temple. We have only
seen the archives and the courtyard."

Wennis nodded. "I would like to go on. I—I think I've learned what I can from their lives."

Nodding, Eolline rang a small hand bell to summon the attendant for the remains of their picnic. She led
Wennis on a stroll across the park.

They stepped through the doorway into a cavernous room. Eolline saw her own awe magnified on
Wennis' face. A domed ceiling of iron and glass covered a room that seemed the size of their hometown.
A mural of a forest and mountains masked the walls surrounding a green marble floor. The room itself
was empty except for the life-sized statue of a dragon that floated in the air.

"You may walk around if you wish," Eolline said. She knew from past experience that sometimes the
dragon seemed to move when people walked around it. Eolline hated the sensation and felt no need to
experience it again, but if Wennis planned to sacrifice herself to the dragon, she should see all of it.

Wennis, however, remained frozen. Her mouth hung open and the green cast returned to her skin. "Is—
is it real?"

Eolline raised an eyebrow. "The statue is reportedly sculpted to scale."

Wennis stared for a long time at the gold dragon with ivory teeth as long as her arms and hundreds of
emeralds filling each eye. Eolline couldn't read her thoughts.

"I'm sure you'd like to be alone to think." Eolline ignored Wennis' look of panic and slipped back into the
garden. Wennis followed after barely a minute passed.

"Done already?"

Wennis nodded and refused to meet her gaze. She communicated with nods and shakes alone as they
left the Temple, and remained distant and uncommunicative throughout the evening and the carriage ride
home. Eolline allowed her to stare out the window until they neared the inn where they'd spend their final
night on the road.

"Wennis? Would you like to talk about it?"

"I don't—I—" The girl gulped. "It's awfully big."

"The dragon?" Eolline waited for Wennis' nod. "It is normal to be scared, you know."

Wennis shrugged.

Eolline couldn't be less than truthful. "You can still change your mind."

Wennis shrugged again.

~ *~

Day Twenty-three
28th of Blossoms
Can I really throw this dream away?

Lady Eolline expected me about ten minutes ago. I've missed two lessons with her, three if I don't get
out of bed. She sent an inquiry yesterday, all polite and not mad, but I hadn't replied. I didn't know what
to say. My brain was numb. When I closed my eyes I saw nothing but dancing girls, body parts and a
dragon bigger than the entire fish market jeering at me.

Mom already yelled at me twice to get out of bed. She would send dad if I didn't rise soon and get on
with the chores. I couldn't make myself care. I don't know what to do. I don't want to face that—that
thing! It wasn't supposed to be that big. I mean I expected a dragon to be big, but that statue was
impossibly huge. For days now, I'd tried to convince myself that it wasn't to scale. That the Temple
wanted to scare people—it worked!

But Lady Eolline said it was that humongous and why would Homerisse pay tribute to the monster if it
wasn't truly that impressive.

And they expected the Maiden to walk up to it and let it eat her! Unless she fainted and then I guessed
they just dumped her at its feet. I'd never fainted in my life, though I wanted to while staring at that
statue. If I fainted, maybe being chewed up wouldn't hurt as bad, but I suspected I'd still notice. I
wanted to vomit at the thought.

And yet, if I quit, I'd miss out on all the other stuff, the glitter and parties. I hated my cheap hand-me-
downs and smelly fish-filled world. Why couldn't I be one of the people who went to parties in dresses of
velvet and lace and danced with princes? It wasn't fair!

Other people got that for their entire lives! And as much as I wanted that part, I was no longer so sure
being the Maiden was worth it. I winced, hating to admit that even to myself. Most people agreed
because one of those books Lady Eolline gave me said no more than the required dozen girls from each
of Homerisse's regions ever showed up as candidates.

You'd have thought more poor girls like me would have wanted that year of luxury.

I wasn't a ravishing beauty. My only chance at that kind of life was to become the Maiden. I'd gotten the
measliest taste of that life at Lady Eolline's house and on the trip. I didn't want to have to spend the
rest of my life as practically a slave.

Someone pounded at the door. I jumped out of bed before dad threw it open. "Your mother needs your
help."

"I'm sorry. I—"

"If you're not over at that fancy lady's house doing her instruction, you will work in this house." He
cracked his knuckles.

I gestured at the stack of books. "I do need—"

Dad growled. "You're lollygagging. Whatever work you were supposed to do, you've ignored. Get
downstairs and help your mother before I take my belt to you."

"Yes, dad."

He held the door open and I had no choice but to lead the way downstairs. Mom was doing laundry and
immediately roped me into hanging clothes. Once I emptied that basket, she shoved me in front of the
boiling clothes until the time came to hang more.

My eldest sister Trucee arrived with her youngest. I stole a moment to kiss my nephew before mom
thrust a mop into my hands with orders to scrub the entire first floor of the house. Dinner needed
prepping once I finished that. Little Mottie was screaming his head off and my sister in tears so mom
handed her squalling grandson to me and took Trucee to our tiny garden to rest.

By the time I got dinner ready, I had a pounding headache, hated my entire family and wanted to cry
myself. The main course was fish stew, as usual, and all of it tasted bland and boring after what I ate on
the trip to Novemtri. I watched my sister and mom fussing over Mottie most of dinner.

This was why I applied to the Temple in the first place. I couldn't be like them. I didn't want to slave away
all day, every day. I didn't want whiny, snot-dripping children. I wanted my food on china plates with
silverware and filled with exotic spices and sweets for dessert.

Even if I'm not chosen, Temple life must be more refined, cleaner and peaceful than this.

And it was this or that. My head throbbed. I hated this. I couldn't choose this life.

I took a deep breath. "I have to go to Lady Eolline's now."

No one challenged my announcement. I took dad's nod as permission to go upstairs and clean up. The
books on the table taunted me. Was I sure?

Mottie's piercing screams drifted through my floorboards and I knew I was sure. No going back.
Whatever happened, death or life in seclusion, it had to top this. If I must, I would get down on my
knees and beg Lady Eolline's forgiveness, but I have to be the Maiden.
Lynn Rushlau lives in Addison, Texas with the two cats required for all writers' abodes.
Her short fiction has appeared in Reflection's Edge, NewMyths.com and The Lorelei
Signal. She can be found on twitter at twitter.com/lrushlau.