Introduction

    The story is part of the Terris Mundi series. Terris Mundi is what they call their "Earth", with their own cultures and languages-though, you may see similarities between our two worlds. But this universe, Terris Mundi has two moons, sun rises in the west and sets in the east, and their rules and laws are different as well as how their world progresses. Also, just about 90% to 95% of this world's animals, plants, fruits and vegitables are hybrids. Though, it's not 100%, so you will find familiar animals-but these animals are not so common in the Terris Mundi world.

    In this story, "Anima's dancers", it will be in first-person like all other stories of the "Terris Mundi" series. In the Terris Mundi series, it will be written with the intention of portraying how they and the people of the culture and land speak. In the story, "Anima's Dancers", it will be just as so-but the Gemmians, people from the land of Gemma, actually refer to themselves in third-person, but it will be will be written as though Chrysolitus, the protagonist, is speaking in first-person when she is not. The Gemmians also tend to phrase things a certain way when they speak.

    The Gemmians live in a desert, sandy land with the Sapphirus river that leads into the Sanguis Sea. The land is named after what the people desired the most and found in their land-gems and jewels. Their God, Anima, plays a major role in their lives and live to sastify their God-which you will learn about in this story. The Terris Mundi world is a world full of cultures-such as the rich and beautiful culture of the Gemmians.

 

First Book of Relations: No Longer Free

 

2: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

            Our glorious god, Anima, was created by cosmic energy that appeared in the blackness of the world.  He gathered a form and the first thing he did was to create this Plain—his first home.  For a hundred years, he had walked this land alone without complaint, but Anima grew lonely.  He had created animals like the bird and fish and the cama and sevral cat.  But he was still lonely.

            Tearing apart each of his four arms, re-growing them, and removing them over and over again a little more than 100 times!  100 limbs laid on the ground as Anima took some energy and scattered it across the limbs.  Soon, the limbs grew into beings called women, but they were lifeless and ugly.  So then, Anima took one of his two hearts, splitting it up 100 times and placing it inside the chest of each woman.  They then became beautiful and full of life!

            All the women were beautiful and they all looked alike, but not green like our god.  The only difference between them was their personality.  But there was only woman who Anima took to be his favorite, prized, chief wife.  For this woman he had taken in had a bright personality like the sun, tranquil as the two moons, and as relaxing as calm river water flowing.  She, who Anima called ‘Amethistus’ after the gemstone, Amethyst, which she had found in the dirt and sand, had always entertained him with songs and dances.  How he loved her.

            Anima had always given Amethistus the best of the clothing and jewels.  He would always spend most of his time with her, neglecting his other wives.  By the time Amethistus conceived 50 children from Amethistus, the women couldn’t take the jealousy any longer.  They decided to wear the same clothes as Amethistus and learn to sing and dance as she, acting as she.  Anima couldn’t tell anyone apart.  He began to love them all equally and conceived many children with each wife.

            Amethistus missed how Anima favored her the most, so she changed her clothes and ate a lot until she was just a bit pudgy.  Anima began favoring Amethistus once more, being able to tell her apart from the others by the difference.  The other wives began to become neglected once more and changed their clothes and gained the same amount of weight as Amethistus.  Once again, Anima couldn’t tell them apart.  Amethistus had cut the fat from her body and burned it in a fire.  Such a bold act not the other wives could do.  Some decided to starve themselves a while to lose weight while some gave up and found beauty in the little weight that they had on their body. 

            Anima saw the scars on Amethistus body and told her apart from the others—scars that the other wives couldn’t bear to place on their body.  Anima was tired of their silly little game.  He created Heaven where he and his favorite wife can live together in peace.  Anima had also taken away the other wives’ immortality and the children’s immortality conceived by those wives as punishment.  He left his children conceived by his favorite wife behind on this Plain to rule the land and watch over the other members of the family.  The other members of the family had to obey and serve the children of the favorite wife.  They had to entertain them with dances, songs, and other luxuries.  Some wives didn’t want to obey the children of the sister-wife they envied so much, so they took their children and travelled to many parts of the Plain to live in while the others stayed behind and obeyed.

 

            In our land, Gemma, that is the story we are told growing up.  The story that explains how the world began and how the Plain became populated.  The story explains why the Basileus and his royal family were left in charge.  But, it also gives many more reasons on how our dances and songs formed.

            Our songs and dances were from Amethistus which the other wives had learned and passed on to their children as well.  Everyone can sing, but only the women are allowed to dance because it was Amethistus and the other wives who danced for Anima’s entertainment.

            Only a few of us are chosen every four spring seasons to be performers for the noble classes and for the royal family.  They must be virgins so you won’t be impure and not taint the sacred dances of Amethistus, for we are unholy mortals, left behind to be punished.  Only when we die we can go to the Sky.  We must be unmarried, so we will have fewer temptations.  You must be a good dancer, for Anima only wants the best to be entertained by him and his favorite children.  You must leave behind your old life to start a new one for you can’t have any distractions or impurities from your old life.

            Many people of the land say that you would be a fool to wish to be a dancer.  Dancers of Anima are nothing but servants with viewer freedom than peasants, despite living a “better” life than the villagers.  But I, like the few, wish to become one of Anima’s dancers.

3: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

            In our beautiful land, Gemma, Anima had begun our mid-spring season.  Children always run across the dirt roads and play in the sand.  They played with wooden hoops that you spin around your hips or do other tricks with it, playing with tops, and watching a beetle fly while its leg is tied to string.  Music filled the air while people at the markets shouted out what they would like for trading—an item for an item.  Some sold vibrant, beautiful clothing while other sold eggs and wheat-rice.

            I wrapped the thin, nectar-granet fruit colored upper garment cloth around my breasts and shoulders, folding the last length of cloth inside the wrap on my side under my.  I then grabbed the flowing, thin, material that had the same color as my top, wrapping it around my hips, tying it and tucking the tie inside my skirt.  My skirt flowed down to about mid-shin length, maybe a bit longer.  I combed my hair and pulled it back, grabbing twine for tying my hair up into a horse’s tail.

            “Chrysolitus, are you ready yet?” I heard my younger brother, Jaspis, called for me.  He is three years younger than me and he is very dear to me.  “A woman takes 100 years to get herself ready!”

            “Chrysolitus is done!” I called back.

            I quickly ran out of our one roomed hut where I found my brother, holding his drum under his arm.  Like any other farming Gemmian man, his skin was a bit more darken from doing land-labor.  He wore his blue harem pants that went to his knees.

            “Let’s carry on!” he smiled as he began to walk with me following him.

            “Are my two children going off to do silly dances?!” Father came over from behind the house, sounding a bit vexed.

            “It’s not silly, Father!”  I protested.

            “Who’s going to help with the farming and animal care?  Nobody will buy ill camas and ruined grain!”  Father began to make excuses, “Who’s going to clean dirty cloth and keep the house clean?”

            “I have already fed the animals and tended the crops.” Jaspis smiled.  “This morning before you had awoke.”

            “And I had cleaned up any messes around the house and washed the dirty cloths this morning.” I nodded my head.

            Father began to think of more excuses, but he couldn’t.  There wasn’t much to do around our home.  “Oh, Chrysolitus!  You are fifteen!  You should have been married long ago!  Yet, you go and do things that drive men away!  All for what—to be Anima’s dancer?  You can dance here in the streets like you usually do—and be married!”

            “No man would like a woman who spends most of her time dancing, Father.” I spoke, “You know that!”

            “Then stop dancing!”

            “But I want to dance!”

            “Father, she’s really good!” Jaspis aided me.

            “And you’re turning your brother against himself!” Father continued to scold, “He should be marrying soon!  But I’m afraid that no woman will marry him because he runs of with you and other dancing women to join in music playing instead of working!”

            “Father, please…!” We groaned.

            “Your mother would be very ashamed to see the path her children are heading down!”  Father then waved us off as he went inside our hut.

            Brother and I quickly ran through the crowds of people inwards towards the market and trade areas.  We searched around, following the sound of music until we found the group that was playing their instruments.   My brother sat down beside them and prepared his drum.  Before he started playing, he stuck his hand into the wrap around his hips and pulled out a string of bells.

            “Look!  I got these for you!” Jaspis smiled as he held out the bells.

            “Really?” I accepted the bells and admire them.  It was only a one-row string of bells, where professional dancers would have at least three or four bells strings, but having a string of bells still meant a lot to me.  “How did you get these bells?”

            “Lots of trading,” Jaspis smiled.  “Try the bells out!”

            I tied the string of bells around my hips and began to do a couple of dances.  The bells sounded beautiful and each one rang with every movement—just like how they were supposed to.  I knelt down besides Jaspis and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

            “They’re perfect!” I announced.

            “Now, help earn us some coins!” Jaspis smiled as he whispered.

            Most musicians and dancers in the village would have a tin plate out in front of them for people to throw in coins if their performances were good.  It’s a way of life for them.  My brother and I always join in with the musicians to help out—and get little earnings ourselves.  There’re not many musicians here or many dancers in the village.  Everyone knows how to sing or play music, so there’s nothing special about playing an instrument or singing songs or dancing since everyone knows how to since we were young.  We can have family members of friends play music during weddings or special ceremonies.

            But it’s the musicians that get pitied because they wish to play music as a way of life.  Most of the time, musicians are hungry because they don’t always make enough earnings—but they’re always happy.  Every musician and dancer knows each other and help each other out in some way.  My little brother wishes to be a musician and help musicians out—despite our father not approving.

            Jaspis began to play the drums with the other musicians and I began to dance.  I grew up learning how to dance from dancers and having dancers teach me their dances.  In my eyes and the musicians’ eyes, I’ve grown better over the years.  I know I should continue practicing if I wish to become better.

            A few people would walk by and toss in a coin or two before moving on; little than a few were kind enough to lay a whole loaf of bread or half a loaf and some desert fruits.  When the sun began to set in the east, we decided to take a break and count our earnings.

            “My sister and I are well enough off on our won—you take most of the coins.” Jaspis told the musicians.

            “You always give most of the earnings; we should do something different for a change!” Alba, the leader of the musical group, said.  “You should have more earnings that what we’ve been giving you.”

            “No thanks, Alba.” I shook my head, “We have enough as it is.  You and your group are going to need it the most than my family.  Keep it.”

            Alba didn’t argue any more, splitting up the coins evenly among the group and pocketing his share.  Alba then began splitting up the break among all of us and we began to eat.  Lapis, another musician in the group, began to speak.

            “In the morning, the Music and Dance Counsels will be coming down to the village to look for musicians and dancers.” Lapis informed.  “The time has come for new dancers and musicians.”

            I looked to my brother with excitement, “Should I see if I will become a Dancer of Anima?”

            “Yes!” Jaspis nodded excitedly, “Oh!  But you mustn’t tell Father!  He would be furious if he knew what you were going to do!”

            I turned to the musicians, “Should I see if I can become Anima’s Dancer?”

            “You move your hips well and your feet keep rhythm well!” Alba complimented, “You will make it fine enough!”

            “You are young and beautiful—that will be extra earnings for them!” another musician noted with a smile and nod.

            “You are unmarried and a virgin who knows how to dance well—that means you are qualified to be a Dancer of Anima.”

            I turned to Jaspis with a grin on my face, “Wake up early in the morning with me so we can prepare!”

4: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

            I had awoken up before Anima began carrying the golden sun disk into the sky.  I quickly sat up and began to shake my brother for him to wake.

            “Jaspis!  Wake!  It’s just sometime before morning sunrise!” I whispered as I continued to shake, “We must prepare!”  I yanked the bedding cloth from under him, “Wake!”

            Jaspis rolled over before he quickly sat up, “I-I’m awake!  I’m awake!”

            “Sh!  Father still remains asleep!” I hushed.

            “Right!” Jaspis whispered.

            “The Dance and Music Counsels will be here soon—a little bit after Anima places the disk in the sky!”  I told him, “Let’s grab our clothes and rush to the river to wash!”

            We grabbed our clothes and two sheets before we rushed to the Sapphirus River.  We laid our clothes aside on the greens and under the palms that grew alongside the river for refreshing water.  Then we got into the clear, blue water ourselves.

            “The air is cold still and the water is chilling!” Jaspis complained as he quickly sank neck below water, “Must we bath so early—I don’t think we even need bathing!  We will catch colds!”

            “I said you didn’t have to join me, Jaspis.” I washed myself, “I’m the one that needs to be washed for the Counsels.”

            “But you know there are crocagators in these rivers!” Jaspis pointed out, “I don’t want you to be taken away by them as they did with mother!”

            “Jaspis!” I turned to him, “The water is clear enough for me to see anything that swims below water and there’s too much fish in the water for a crocagator to turn to people to eat!  You know there was a strangely low number of fish that year that a crocagator took Mother!”

            “I know…” he gave a sigh.  “But I still worry!”

            “Now, let us dry!”

            We took the sheets and began drying ourselves, then we dressed.  We returned to the hut and Jaspis began helping me comb my hair, helping tie it up in a neat braid instead of my usual horse’s tail style.  When the sun rose over the horizon, I began making breakfast and Jaspis began to tend the cama, sheep-goat, and the grains.

            Father had woken up and began to reach for his clothes, “You’re up bright and early as usual.”

            “I woke up earlier than usual though.  I had a dream that prevented me from sleep.” I told him.  I wasn’t exactly lying—I dreamed that I became one of Anima’s dancers and the excitement had woken me up.

            “Would you like to speak of the dream?” he asked as he finished dressing and went to sit beside me.

            “I’m fine—it wasn’t exactly terrifying.” I told him as I handed a plate of eggs and nectargranet, “Just a silly dream.”

            “If you say so.”  He began to pick up the eggs with his fingers and placing in his mouth, “So where is Jaspis?  Doing early work then?”

            “Last time I saw, yes.” I answered as I began to eat my own meal, “He said he will eat his breakfast when he is done.”

            “Well…I should go and takeover now—I should be checking the cowox that had its leg broken.  I’ll send Jaspis in here to eat.” Father quickly shoved the eggs into his mouth, taking the fruit in his hand and began walking out the door.

            It was too long until Jaspis came in.  He sat down and took the plate that I handed to him.  We both ate quickly at as we could before placing the plates aside and rushed out of the house.  The Counsel had arrived in a boat that floated down the river to our village.

            Five important looking men and women came off the boat with a three scribes and two guards came off the boat with them.  They were of great wealth, living among the nobles and the royal family, for they wore white, transparent linen skirts, shendyts, and dresses.  The five men and women even wore jewelry with large gems and plates of gold.

            A crowd began to form as villagers grew curious of these wealthy people and who will be leaving their village to live in what they would like to call, “False-Luxury.”  I held onto my brother’s hand tightly, both of us grinning to our ears.

            “We are the Music and Dance Counsel.  We are looking for those who play instruments, sing well, and dancers.  Form a line going from left to right.” A man ordered.

            I quickly turned to my brother, “I can’t wait!”

            “I wish I was two years older—then I could try out for being a musician!” Jaspis stated before giving a sigh, “But I have to wait another four years…”

            “Until then, promise me so that you shall continue practicing and improve—that way when you are sixteen, you shall try out for being a high class musician and be accepted!”

            “If I’m not married by then.” Jaspis pointed out, “…Sister, will I ever see you again?”

            “Of course!” I hugged him, “After serving a certain number of seasons, you have the option of continuing to dance or retire and return to your home or live among the wealthy.  I shall return home when my time comes!”

            “You promise?”

            “Of course!” I let go and quickly fixed myself, “How do I look?”

            “You’re fine—go!  Go!” Jaspis quickly pushed me into my place in line.

            There were about sixteen women and ten musicians, standing in a line from left to right.  I began to play with my skirt a little out of nervousness.  I looked over at my brother who was smiling with encouragement and I looked back at the Counsel leaders.

            “We shall only pick five women to be dancers from this village and five musicians.  Instrument players, follow the men while those who wishes to dance stay here.” One of the Counsels members spoke. 

            The wealthy men with a few scribes and one of the guards went in one direction, being followed by the men and four women.  Now there were only twelve women left behind, hoping to become dancers.  We waited for the next instructions.

            The women began to walk down the line and began to observe each one of us, having a scribe follow behind them, ready to write what was needed.  I looked down the line, noticing four women with some weight on them—how my heart leaped!  They will surely go for the four women with the weight since it is always easy to get a woman who’s already overweight than to waste food making a woman gain fat!  Women with weight and know how to dance with the weight are always hard to find—they will surely go with those women!  If they’re only selecting five…I surely have a lower chance of getting accepted to be one of Anima’s dancers!

            “You—too overweight, not like how some of Anima’s wives were.” One of the Counsel women told one of the overweight ones in the line.  The woman left the row, having a look of shame.

            Now, there were only three women with weight and two possible spots for me.  I continued to hold my breath and mess with my skirt.  After they went on with the girls before and discussed, they continued onward to me.

            “She’s young…” One of the women began to speak, having wrinkles along her eyes, “How old are you?”

            “Fifteen.” I answered, holding my breath still.

            “Stop playing with your skirt!” the other ordered, “Relax yourself!”

            I quickly dropped my skirt and placed my hands to the side, “Yes, Lady Counsel.”

            “An obedient one…” one spoke, “But she could be too ignorant—naïve are the young…too inexperience possibly.”

            “True, true—but youth doesn’t mean one is inexperienced.” An elder counsel woman spoke, “You would be surprised.  Besides—always start young.  Find any mistakes during the youth, the easier to correct them.”

            “What about her hips…?  Are they wide enough?” the woman asked, “I’m not sure if her hips are wide enough or her breasts and waist are making them look wider.”

            “They’re wide enough—and the waist is small enough to help create the illusion and her breasts aren’t too large unlike some women’s her age.  Just the right figure for one who is thin.” A woman answered as she nodded.  “Let’s continue onto the others.”

            When they moved on, I quickly gave a sigh of relief.  I’m glad that Anima had given me the figure with wide enough hips.  I looked over and saw two other women leaving—three women gone, that leaves nine.  I was surprised I still was in line—I continued to pray to Anima in my mind.  Now it was time for us to try out dancing.

            “The three women with the weight—you are accepted.” The Counsel Woman spoke.

            They haven’t even tried to dance yet!  What if they were horrible dancers?   Right…they give an excuse such as, “We can fix that.”  I remember that happening four years ago when they had come here and I was not yet of age.  Now…only one spot left among the six of us.

            “Who else…?” The women continued to look up and down the row.

            “Excuse me, but I thought we were supposed to dance now…?” The young woman next to me asked.

            “Yes.” The elder woman spoke, “But don’t question us.”

            “Everyone else but you,” she pointed to me, “and you, leave.”

            Two people left—me and the young woman next to me.  We stared at each other in surprise and then back at the counsel women, confused.  Did they just pick us based upon our looks?

            “…You don’t know how we dance!” I announced.  “Why us?”

            “If you weren’t good dancers, you wouldn’t be here, now would you?  Besides, this saves us time and if you are not good dancers, we shall teach you.” The Counsel Lady spoke.  “Besides, judging by the bells around your hips and her ankles, you both really do wish to become dancers.”

            We observed out bells, not thinking that they would help us much.  Would I have not gotten the spot if Jaspis hadn’t given me these bells?  This was much quicker than four years ago…!  I feel both glad because Anima had chosen me…but also rather disappointed because it wasn’t as I excepted.  I would have rather the Counsel of Dance and Music chose me because of my dancing abilities and not based upon my looks.  I wonder if times are changing a bit…

            “Answer me all of this…you are virgins, right?” Lady Counsel asked.  “Of course…you need to have five people sign the scroll of acceptance as proof you are pure—one or two of the people must be your parents if they still live, if not, any other family member..

            The scribes had handed each one of us chosen dancers a scroll, “Come here tomorrow morning and bring this scroll with you as proof you have been accepted and or your innocence.”

            “Yes.” I accepted the scroll, grinning with pride.

            I quickly ran and gave a hug to my brother, “I’ve made it, Jaspis!”

            Jaspis patted my shoulder then he gently pushed me away from him a little, wearing a wide eyes, “…Chrysolitus…we have a problem.”

            “What is it?” I asked.

            “Father…he’s need to going to write the family crest on that scroll…!” Jaspis pointed out.

            I widen my eyes with Jaspis, “…Father won’t approve…would he?”

5: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

            Jaspis and I walked through the sand back to our house after we already have had four villagers sign the scroll.  The crisp, blue sky was turning into an orange color and the moons were coming out.  We returned to see our father adding green, palm-fan leaves onto our house, making the weak spots stronger and more protected.  I clutched the rough-papered scroll as tight as I could, afraid of what Father might think.

            “The old goat got loose a bit and began eating our house,” Father informed us as he saw us coming up, smiling a bit.  “I think it’s becoming a nuisance—I think it is time the goat be killed and served for our supper tomorrow!”

            My brother and I looked at each other.  I wonder if my face was growing pale as his was.  We had our heads low as we slowly approached.  What will Father say to us? What will he do to us?  Why am I thinking “us”?  It will be me that will receive trouble, not Jaspis—how my knees shook!

            Father finished up his work, turning to us with a look of suspicion, “Why do you have the look of fear?  What trouble did you cause this time?”

            “Something you wouldn’t approve, Father…” Jaspis spoke fist.

            His eyes widen, “You didn’t go and become thieves, have you?”

            “Nonsense, Father!”  I could hear my voice crack a bit, “I….tried out to become a Dancer of Anima…”

            “What?!”  His eyes grew angry and his tone became harsh.  He raised his hand to smack me.

            I clutched my eyes as tight as I could and waited.  Father rarely hits me—only when I’m being too stubborn or disobedient, but the last time was when I was a child.  The fellow villagers would tell him that he spoils his children too much.  I peeked open my eyes, to see his hand back at his side.  So he’s not that upset with me.

            “You disobeyed me!” Father shouted, “You went to see if you would become Anima’s Dancer—and behind my back!  My hand makes wishes to contact your face—but I will resist!  A humiliation!  I should hit you—but I won’t!  You humiliated me, Chrysolitus!  You went to see the Counsels and—”

            “She made it, Father!” Jaspis spoke up.

            “What…?” Father looked both surprised and confused.  I quickly stuck out the hand that carried the Scroll of Acceptance to him.  He took it from my hand and quickly began to read it.

          “All we need is for you, Father, to sign it…” Jaspis explained.  “Then she shall be able to leave for tomorrow.”

            “I shall not sign!” Father protested, “My daughter shall not live in false luxury!”

            “But, Father—!” I tried to put a word in.

            “My daughter will not leave!” Father shouted.

            “You don’t sign—you will be lying to Anima!” Jaspis stated, “A sin!”

            “Jaspis!” Father turned to him.  I was afraid Father was going to punish my brother for the deeds I have done.

            “It says five people must sign as a proof of her purity!” Jaspis began to explain, “Father, if you refuse to write, you will be stating that she is impure—a lie!”

            Father’s forehead wrinkled as he opened his mouth to shout, but the words were silent.  After a moment, he spoke again.  “Sleep!  It’s late—sleep!  Speak about this when Anima places the Golden Disk in the sky!”

            We did as we were told.  We undressed and went to our beds.  My sleep had trouble staying.  I kept having many thoughts of Father being disappointed in me and making my dream to be a dance remain nothing but a dream.   I was so close to making my dream become a reality—but it was put to a halt.  I shed tears a little before I fell deep into sleep.

            I didn’t want to bother waking up as early as I usually would.  When Anima began carrying the sun into the sky, I woke.  I suppose I wasn’t used to sleeping in much.  I felt something in my hand.  I sat up and held it in front of me—the Scroll of Acceptance.  I was curious why it was in my hand—Father had it last after all.

            I opened the scroll and looked over it.  To my surprise—Father!  He signed it!  I quickly rolled it back up and began to wake Jaspis next to me, “Brother!  Awake!  Awake, I say!”

            He remained asleep.  It wasn’t until, as usual, I had to yank the blanket bedding beneath him, causing him to harshly fall off and roll over saying, “I wake!”

            “Brother, look!” I unrolled the scroll and held it before his eyes, “Father has signed!”

            “Really?” Jaspis rubbed his eyes before he took a look, “He has!  Father has approved!”

            “Quick!  Let’s dress to thank Father!” I said as I quickly grabbed my dressing cloths.

            My brother and I had quickly dressed and ran out of our home to find Father who was hoeing the land in the back of the house.  I quickly ran to him and placed my arms around him in thanks.  Father placed the hoe down and looked at me.

            “I do not approve, Chrysolitus.” Father began, “But you are a woman now, that is why I signed it.  As I have said, you are a woman now—you must behave as so and not so childlike as you have been.”

            “Yes, Father!” I gave a nod of my head.

            “It is false luxury—being Anima’s Dancer…be careful.” Father told.

            “Yes, Father!”  I was so happy.

            “The Counsel of Dance and music will be coming soon.” Father told me, handing me a nectargranet from the lively bush that was growing on our land.  “You must head over to the river now.”

            I gave Father and Jaspis one last hug of goodbye.   With the nectargranet in my hand, I quickly ran to the Sapphirus River.  I saw the five Councilmen and women getting on the golden and jeweled boat with the chosen dancers and musicians.  I quickly ran up to the boat where one of the Counsel men stopped me.

            “Scroll of Acceptance?” he held out his hand.

            I placed the scroll in his hand, “All writing in agreement of my purity.”

          “I will see about that.” He spoke in a deep voice.  He opened the scroll and read it, “…You may come along.”

            I smiled as I quickly boarded the boat.  The sun disk was high in the sky and the water glimmered like crystals.  I saw the Counsel went to sit in the front part of the boat, secluding them-selves from us.  I smiled and looked at the chosen musicians and other dancers.  They talked amongst them-selves with joy.  I sat and listened with their chatter.  I came to realize that unlike the others, I didn’t know the other chosen people.  They all appeared to have already known each other.  I sat with my knees up to my chess, holding them close.

            I still smiled.  Not knowing anyone on this boat didn’t discourage me.  I was sure to make a friend or two who were chosen like me.  And if I dislike the people on this boat—then I shall make friends with dancers and musicians who have already been chosen long before us!  I continued to feel joy and excitement in my heart.

            The Sapphirus River’s current was calm that day.  I waited in the same spot, eating the nectargranet Father had given me.  With the excitement and joy, I also already started to miss my brother and father.  But it was only four years—time flies fast like birds on a busy day!  It wouldn’t be long until I would be able to return home!  I would be able to see my brother and father again!

            The Anima began to carry the Golden Disk towards the east where fell below ground.  Soon, we began to approach our final destination.  I could see the houses began to grow larger and lovelier—some had mud-stone on the inside of their huts for a strong structure!  I notice the clothing people wore became more vibrant.  But I soon saw our true destination…how I could believe my eyes!  The Royal Palace!

            The boat came to a stop and I stared in awe.  The Palace was better than I had imagined!  The stone was completely smooth and the pictures of the story of how the world came to be—the story I’ve heard growing up, and how it showed the Royal’s family birth right to the throne.   I observed the dome roofs with pointed needles and the large statue of Anima on the top.  Oh how large the Palace was…!  Larger than I had imagined!

            We got off the boat and gathered in a two, golden, gem decorated coaches that awaited us.  Once we gathered inside, the white horses began to pull the coach and bring us to our destination.  After we were arrived to the doors of the Palace, we gathered together outside the doors and weighted with excitement.

            “You shall be taken to the Rinse room where you shall be cleansed for the dirt and cleared of all sins.  Then you shall be taken to the room where dancers and musicians stay.  You will begin your day tomorrow with lessons for wise dancers and musicians.  But until then, make sure you get your rest.”  A Counsel Man explained.

            We all nodded in understanding before the red doors with gold designs and gems opened.  How beautiful the room was!  The walls were decorated with bright colors, gems, gold, and stories!  The floor was of golden and silver tile with gems imbedded in them!  The Counsel of Music and Dance lead us inside where slave women and men stood before us.  The Counsel of Music and Dance walked away, leaving us with them.

            The slaves lead us to the Rinse room where we undressed.  The walls and flooring were covered with red tiles for cleansing.  With a tug of the red cord, water began to pour from the walls.  We washed ourselves with the help of slaves.  They had even gotten a razor blade to remove all the impure body hair, leaving our brows and scalp hair only.  They grabbed cleansing oil and rubbed it all over us before they grabbed the scented oils and placed that on us, putting it in our scalp hair, too.  The scent was the smell of the desert Lily-Rose.

            When we were done bathing and cleansing, new clothes was presented to us.  White, thin linen—only those who live in the Palace deserve such cloth!  It was transparent, too!  Transparent cloth represented the purity of the person, having no need to hide a non-existent impure body.  I was presented with an ankle length skirt and a shawl cloth.  I tied the skirt around my hips.  I placed the shawl cloth over my shoulders, long side parallel to my shoulders; I grabbed the ends parallel to each other, tying them into knots at my elbows.  I then grabbed my bells with me as we followed the slaves to our room.

            I was worried that we might have to sleep on the floor—since the jewels in the tile began to ache my feet as I continued to walk.  But I had to worry no more when we’ve reached the Dancer’s room where two guards stood beside the entry that was covered by white linen cloth decorated with gold bordering.  The other Dancers had been asleep, but I saw five empty bedding blankets for the four other women and me.

            “Sleep until morning when morning’s meal will be served to you in this room when the morning sun rises above the ground.”  The slave woman told us before leaving.

            We carefully walked around the women, careful not to wake them.  I had some difficulties with my bells, but I did my best.  I lay down on the bedding blankets—how thick and soft they were!  It was as if there were no jewels or tile under our heads!  There was even an even a thick pillow for my head!

            I closed my eyes and kept the bells Jaspis had given me close to my heart, waiting for morning’s sun to rise with excitement.

            

6: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

            We had awaked early.  What an amazing morning meal we had!  We had nectargranets, soft, fluffy nut-bread with honey, nectar, milk, water, olives, berries, dates, magaria fruits served to us for our morning meal.  Would Jaspis be envious if he knew how I was eating!  When I return, I wouldn’t mind bragging!

            We dressed and placed our hair in braids with Lily-Roses in our hair and our eyes were decorated with color.  We were given real golden bells!  We had four rows of bells around our hips, three around our ankles and wrists, and two around the tie in our hair close to our heads.  I didn’t allow me to use the bells my brother had given me—not know my brother gotten me them—so I simply placed it hiding under my blankets.  I know that if they found out my brother given them to me, they would take them away.

            I noticed some of the Dancers had no jewelry while others had many.  Why was this so?  Was some more favorable than others?  Or was there a way to earn such jewelry?  Or was it simply a prize of sorts?  I did not know.

            “New dancers that came yesterday, stand up in front.” The leader of the dancers called us over, a woman no older than sixty—what an old woman!  Her wrinkles truly defined her age.

            The five of us stood up in front.  Excited as we were, we couldn’t help but feel nervous…or, well, maybe it was I just feeling so.  It wasn’t helping that I was hearing whispers and giggles from the more experienced dancers from behind.

            “You shall follow and do as the more experience dancers say.” The woman spoke.  “I shall be only called Matercula.  I am the most experienced dancer—as you can tell by my title.”

            We, the new dancers, gave a nod of acknowledgement.

            “We will start our day to test and teach the new women’s abilities.” The woman, Matercula, said as she clapped her hands.  “The more experienced Dancers, come and help with teaching the new ones.”

            With that, she had left the room.  The more experienced dancers began to pair up with others.  I stood there, confused of what to do until one of the dancers approached me.  Her hair braided into many small braids which were braided into a single, large braid.  She wore nothing but a long, thin, linen skirt and bells that were given to us and had about five Lily-Roses in her hair.  She was very beautiful—she was a desired Dancer for she wore the perfect desired weight on her.  She looked twenty to thirty.  From her shoulders to her fingertips were beautiful, elegant blue tattoos—the ink was not too heavy, but they were very light.

            “My name is Succinum.  I shall help you with your dances.” She smiled a sweet smiled, but her eyes showed a different attitude.  “Let’s check your flexibility!”

            “Flexibility?”  I echoed in confusion.

            “Yes!  Get on your knees and try to bring your face as close as you can to the ground—backwards!”

            I slowly went to on my knees and began leaning backwards—I couldn’t even get my hands to touch the ground behind me.  I reached and reached, stretching my arms and fingers as far back as I could.  I felt my neck and back begin to ache, then I quickly fell over to my side.  Succinum began laughing.

            “You have no such flexibility at all!  How terrible!” she continued to laugh.

            I grew angry and began to try again.  I stretched as far as I could until I couldn’t handle the pain, then I feel over to my side.  I tried again and again, but she did not help—she only laughed.  I quickly stood up and I had my eyebrows trying to touch each other.

            “I’m trying!” I declared.  “I never known there was such a move that was needed!”

            “This is why I believe we shouldn’t pick Dancers from common people…!” Succinum sighed as she crossed her arms.

            I looked around and I noticed other people were doing the same—practicing flexibility.  I knew there were many dancers…but how many were new?  Weren’t there only five?  I became curious.  “Aren’t I and the four others the only new ones?”

            “Do you believe that your village is the only one that we find people to become Anima’s Dancers?” she raised a brow.

            “Of course not!” I lied.  I had thought so.  I guess I should have considered the rest of the country.  But could I be blamed?  I had received no such education on any subject except the farm life and law.  How would I know such things with little to no education I have.  Besides…the Leader of the Dancers asked if the new dancers would stand in front—and only five of us stood…did others come before us five from my village?  I did not know.   I quickly began to practice bending backwards on my knees.

            “Practice—you’re so terrible at this!” Succinum commented, “Would you not be a good Dancer if you knew such moves?  Terrible!  Terrible!  You have no flexibility!”

            “Leave her be, Succinum!” a woman came over.  Her hair was not thick and her braid reached down to her knees with several Lily-Roses in her hair.  Her lips were beautiful thick and her lashes long, and she wore a thin linen dress.  She was rather thin—very thin, and she looked to be about twenty.  “You weren’t too well with flexibility either when you first started!”

            “Well…must I show you once more?” Succinum smiled as she began posing and holding her arms and hands out in front of her in an elegant fashion, “Does my tattoos mean nothing?”

            “Stop boasting!” the woman began shaking her finger at her. “You are the perfect representation of his very prideful wife, Anancites!  You are definitely not a representation his favorite wife for sure!”

            “Well, why don’t you take over this disappointment then?” Succinum quickly turned on her heels before leaving into the crowd of dancers and began to mingle.

            “Don’t mind her words—she behaves as if she’s Prize Jewel of Anima.” She smiled to me as she moved her eyes up then to the side before looking at me once more.  “My name is Iolite.”

            “A rare, strange name,” I pointed out.  She nodded.  “I am called by Chrysolitus.”

            “You are very young—that is good.  Your bones can still learn flexibility as soon as possible!” Iolite stated with a smile.  “Flexibility is always hard at first—all is needed is practice.  But don’t worry; you’ll have enough time before you’ll perform.”

            “When will that be?” I asked.

            “Five days.” Iolite answered.  “You should learn a couple dances by then.”

            “Five days?!  Isn’t that impossible?!”

            “I thought so, too, but you learn it’s not too hard.”

            “…What were those tattoos on Succinum’s arm?”

            “Sacred Dancers of Anima’s tattoos—they show how skilled and favorable you are in the Dancers.  It also means that if you have a tattoo, you are as almost as high authority as a Matercula.  There are only three dancers with such tattoos.”

            “Do you have any?” I asked.

            She shook her head.

            “Oh…well, I wonder—why do some have much jewelry while others not so much?” I asked.

            “It’s how well you dance.  At the end of every performing or week, month—depending on how they feel—the royal family rewards those who they find desirable and very talented in their eyes and it’s what also helps you receive such tattoos.  As you can see, Succinum has much jewelry and she has two tattoos.” Iolite answered.

            “Do you think I would get jewelry for my dances?” I asked with enthusiasm.

            “You might if you practice to become really good!” She giggled softly, “Let’s practice, shall we?”

            And so we did.

7: Chapter 6

Chapter 6

            I’ve practice a lot within the first week of my arrival.  My first performance, I had discovered on the fifth day which I was not truly my first performance—I, and the other new dancers, would sit down and simply sing songs and play instruments with the musicians.  We observed instead of perform any dances.  I was frustrated with this, for I really did wish to dance.  Iolite had told me that our first seven performances we were called to are just going to be for observing before we could actually preform.  She said that it’s because we learn though watching also, not just by doing it alone.  I was still bitter about not performing soon enough, but I cannot deny that I have learned much from watching.

            Every performance that takes place during the morning’s first rise, when the golden disk is in the center of the sky, when the sun is falling below the earth, and when the night disk is rising, and just before the last performance of the night, there is always a cleansing ceremony.  A group four of priests, having all body hair, face hair (including the brows), and head are all shaved off—as required by a priest of Anima, would  enter the room burning holy scents of lily-rose and ring golden bells decorated with jewel dust.  They would say four prayers and three chants.  I also noticed the Dancers all danced in perfect sync with each other—something I’m worried about as a challenge in the future.  Whether the pace was really fast or really slow, they danced as one.  Depending on the dances, they wore certain makeup and clothing and hairstyle.  I also learned that after each dance, the princes, princesses, queens, and even the King would call up certain Dancers and bestow a beautiful gem or gold jewelry on them.  Sometimes those who don’t receive a prize would show their bitter feelings.

            But I also learned things about a Dancer’s life besides the performances.  Dancers practice a lot—a lot!  We also have to a cleansing-bath once a week.  We always have to remove any unholy body hair that begins to grow once a week and be bathed in the scented oils along with receive cleaner dressings.  But we also have a lot of fun!  We are much pampered.  There are many dancers, so only the selected dancers get to perform on certain days because the Royal family or nobles would always need entertainment.  We switch between groups so we all don’t work all day, each of us having a break on certain days and certain times of the days.  We also go out to the garden to enjoy ourselves, go by the oasis that sits right in the palace’s grounds and even go in the bath house!  We play games and be entertained ourselves by magicians (entertainment magicians, not holy magicians of course).  Since the flooring throughout the palace was made of gold and jewels and gems, my feet would always be in pain and it would be difficult to dance in—meaning my feet would have to toughen up soon.  But there’s also servants who stood by to carefully massage the Dancer’s feet!   I’ve been having trouble seeing how the village calls this, “False Luxury”!

            I was assigned my first performance during my second week on arrival.  It was during the time where the golden disk was high in the sky, so we had to listen to prayers and chants first.  Everyone remained silent until every priest had left the room.  The musicians began playing and we Dancers quickly took our places.  We, the dancers, wore our bells (some of the jewelry they earned); thin, white linen tied just around our hips and our hair was braided.  Our eyes were outlined in black, eyebrows slightly extended in black makeup-ink, and our upper eyelids were colored green (instead of our usual blue for the Sapphire river, the green is for Anima).

            I feared I was going to ruin the dance with my amateur skill.  My feet were still sore and I feared about my flexibility—on top of those two factors, the drums’ pace in the song we were about to perform was rather fast.  But no matter what, I kept on a charming face as I was supposed to.  The music began playing and we began to dance.

            The drums started off slow than quickly sped up.  We danced in the formation of a ring as we twirled as we move.  We spun and moved to our spots depending on which part of the song we were on.  I smiled with pride as I was able to move at such a quick speed while still moving my hips and hands according to drums.  Harps, flutes, lyres, and sistrums all sang with the drums.  We jump, walked on our (aching) toes, and did some flexible moves that were required for the dance.  The bells around our ankles, wrists, hips, and in our hair jingled.

            We finished said dance.  I was filled with pride as I did well more than I thought I would do!  We did two more dances—a slow pace dance and a, as they say, “Just Right” pace dance—which weren’t complicated as the first dance we did, so it was easy for me to dance along to.  When we finished all of our dances, the audience began calling fourth Dancers to give them prizes.  They would point to the dancers and call them over and bestow them a jewelry with gems and jewels—and sometimes gold!

            “You, young girl.” One of the princes called me over—called me over!

            I quickly ran up to him with eagerness and went on my knees before him.  In his hands he held a turquoise necklace in which he placed around my neck.  Once around my neck, I quickly ran back to the other dancers, glee showing on my face.  I could hear the chuckles and teasing comments about how overly happy I was and how I must be a “fresh dancer off the street”, but I didn’t care—I got jewelry on my first performance!

            Later, when the day was still warm, some of us dancers and musicians had gone to the bathing house for some fun and relaxation.  The room is very large and how they had the bath was very strange, but very interesting.  It was a large, circular dip into the ground, slowly getting deeper and deeper until you reach the deepest part of it—the center.  The flooring all throughout the room and in the pool was tiled with gold, but no gems or jewels in embedded in them—I wonder why.  But there were servants that would stand by to serve fruits and have a drying blanket ready if you wish to dry off.  There also few musicians that played gentle music on the harp and flute.  Some sang for the fun of it while others relax or swam.  I also noticed some guards also stood by to protect—I didn’t see what can go wrong with joyful time in the bath house.

            Iolite and I removed our bells and our cloths and gave it to a servant woman to fold and placed aside.  We untied our hair and went to sit on the slope of the pull, sitting on our knees, the water went hip high.  I didn’t remove my necklace, too excited and full of pride in receiving it.

            “I don’t want anyone to take it!” I told Iolite.

            “It doesn’t happen too often that a new Dancer receives jewelry on her first performance.” Iolite said.  “I would be proud, too, if I were in your place!”

            “They probably pitied her or something!” Succinum came and stood behind us with arms crossed, “She is not a good dancer!  A girl of the streets who knows no skill in dancing but what is being taught to her now—but she only takes in so little!”

            “You’re jealous because it took you at least the average season to get your first jewelries!” Iolite smirked as she spoke.

            “I was a late bloomer!  But look where I am now!” Succinum began showing off her tattoos once more, “I’m one of the greatest dances here!  My skills are recognizable!  Early starters may do well at first, but end terribly toward their later years!”

            “Shoo!  Shoo!  You’re big mouth is simply ruining the fun!” Iolite began waving her hands at her, “Not one cares about the skills you boast!   Shoo!  Go tell someone who cares!”

            Succinum quickly left in a humph, irritated by Iolite’s words.  Once she left, Iolite and I began giggling.

            “Don’t mind her—jealousy has struck her well.”

            “It doesn’t matter, I’m still happy for myself!” I smiled.

            I continued to look around, “Iolite…why must we be surrounded by many guards?  Everywhere we are, guards are always there!  Can’t we be alone by ourselves?”

            Iolite looked down at the water, cupping her hands and pouring it on herself as she appeared to hesitate with answering, “Well…we’re valuable and being alone can put ourselves in danger.”

            “How?”

            “Well…” Iolite had a look of thought, trying her best way to explain.  “I don’t want you to worry about silly things!”

            “How bad can things be?” I asked.

            “Well…” Iolite sighed, “There’s some who have…strong desires is one reason.  If taken advantage of or by choice—you know the rules, don’t you?”

            I nodded.  The loss of Dancer’s purity is punishable by death to both partners whether it was by taken advantage of or not.

            “And…sometimes, dancers try to falsely accuse each other.” Iolite slowly added on, “Making to look as if crimes were committed by a dancer when she did not do such things.”

            “I only thought that happened between the royal families.” I spoke, “Jealousy, greed, corruption consumes and they kill each other off to get what they want.”

            “It happens in with Dancers, too, but not as much as the royal families.” Iolite explained.

            “Anything else?” I asked.

            “Eh, just the simple trying not to escape before your term.” Iolite shrugged.  “Besides those, that’s the only thing I can think of.”

            I thought for a moment to myself.  I don’t think there was much to worry about.  Setting each other up doesn’t happen as often as what the royal families’ do, so that’s good.  I doubt many would like to run away before their term—such position in the palace is such luxuries!  The guards are around to protect us from anyone who wants to take advantage of us, so that’s also good.  We Dancers are protected, so what is there to worry about?  I could think of none.

8: Chapter 7

Chapter 7

            The season of spring had come to an end as Anima made the air more dry and hot.  A strange star appears in the sky in both morning and in the night, believed to be the heavens in which Anima and his family live.  The star only appears around the time of summer, for it is the season of which their first born daughter, Regis Puella Pyropo, was born.  It was she and her brother, Regis Carbunculus, who were left behind on this world when Anima and Amethistus went into the heavens.  They created their kingdom and ruled the other members of the family here in this world.  But Amethistus began missing her children and wished for them to return to her or for herself to go to this world.  But Anima did not allow her to step foot on the land out of fear that the others will be jealous of her and try to destroy her, and they must wait until the time of their life here in this world to end.  Amethistus wept.  So, in the summer, they brought Heaven near this world to watch over Regis Puella Pyropo and Regis Carbuniculus along with the other children.  If Amethistus didn’t see her children for a long time, she wept.  So Anima continued bringing Heaven near this world every summer to keep her happy.

            That’s why despite such dry heat, it is a festive season.  The food gets even more delicious and even better prepared during the time of summer.  It is also a time of fun, where just about everyone gathers to the pools and the gardens to play together or talk—regardless of our statuses.  Everyone even set up games and we have fun or we get to eat together in the same room.  But the Dancers are still under strict rules despite this.  Matercula gets a little more strict and worried whenever we are around men.  She always tells us to scream and slap them if they try to do any disapproving, that we should remind them we only belong to Anima.  But we still talk to the men—and I believe we’re a little too happy about it.  Can you blame us?  It’s not very often that we get to see or talk to men.  Sometimes we bat our eyes to the men, too—just for the fun of it.  Matercula, along with the other members of the Council of Dancers, always keep a watchful eye on us when we do, but I think she understands that it’s all just for fun and maybe it’s not all too bad as long as we don’t do anything too serious—if she didn’t, then she wouldn’t allow us to do anything of the sort at all.

            It was a hot day, and I decided to only wear my linen skirt.  I braded my hair and placed it up and around into a bun so it wouldn’t lie on my neck.  I didn’t want to wear my jewelry, but I did out of fear of them being stolen.  I had been receiving a lot of jewelry from my dances, which is uncommon for dancers like me since I am still new.  Iolite says she is proud of me, and it is believed that Succinum, along with a few other dancers, had become jealous of me.  I am proud of the jewelry I have earned, but sometimes the jewels bother me in hot days like this.

            The Dancers ate a refreshing meal of cool fruits and cool, blessed water from the Sapphirus River.  Once we finished, we were free to do as we please.  The family didn’t call for entertainment, so Iolite and I were in the garden.  The garden is a beautiful place, the Sapphirus River flowers through it and many palms and desert lily-roses grew along with fruitful trees and bushes and other flowers, and there were some animals such as birds, sevral-cats, baby camas, grazing nilgai, and three monkeys.  Quite a few were in the garden—dancers, musicians, guardsmen, and even members of the royal family.

            After Iolite had finished placing lily-roses in my hair, I began doing the same to her.  Succinum always followed wherever we went so she could make talk about what we do, but in the garden, she was going around batting her eyes to the princes and nobles and the guards that were also in the garden.  We would talk about how such a vain woman she was—if we weren’t doing the same during that moment.  We were batting our eyes to the group of musicians nearby.

            “Search no longer for Achaten, he is here!” one called to us.

            “Pyrite is here!  Search no further!” said another.

            Men who say their name in this fashion are trying to woo the woman they’re calling to, and if the woman is interested, she’ll say her name in the same way after repeating what the man had said before.  Iolite and I simply giggled, tempted to respond—but there’s nothing wrong with a little play, is there?

            “Who is it that is calling?” Iolite called out to the small group.  Iolite, like many other favorable dancers, have been getting the attention among many men.

            “Pyrite is calling!”

            “Achaten is the one searching!”

            “Corallius calls!  Corallius calls!”

            I decided to play the game.  I never played before since father was always strict and it would make Jaspis red; but wanted to join the fun, “Is anyone calling?  Who is it that searches?”

            “Achaten calls!”

            “Porphyrius is searching!  Porphyrius is calling!”

            “Corallius searches!  Corallius calls to!”

            I began to admire Porphyrius.  He was a tall man, having a nice, defined jawline, nicely built.  His mud color skin was smooth and his dark hair had an unclean cut.  He was no guard nor was he a prince, a Regis, but I took interest in him.  But I was afraid that, he being a man a couple years older than me, he might not return my calls, seeing me as nothing but a child.  But if that was true, he wouldn’t call out to me after I had said my question, is that not true?

            “Is Porphyrius searching for Chrysolitus?” I called out.  Iolite eyes widen in surprised, placing her hands over her smiling, gapped mouth.

            The other men looked at Porphyrius, laughing as they grabbed onto his shoulders, giving him a shake.  He looked at me surprised, but smiling.  “Yes!  Porphyrius is searching for Chrysolitus!”

            “Chrysolitus is here!  Search no longer!”

            Iolite and I began giggling to each other.  I felt my cheeks turning hot, but not from the sun.  But to our surprise, he began walking over to pursue me further.  I felt my heart skip a beat and I had become nervous, for I will say once more—playing this game was still very new to me.  I quickly grabbed hold of Iolite, getting up and running away.  We stopped when we made our way closer to the river that flowed through the garden.  Iolite and I laughed at the childish act we had made.  We stood in the river to cool ourselves.

            “Someone wishes to pursue you!” Iolite giggled.

            “Poor man!  Oh, I shouldn’t have run!” I said.

            “What a bold man trying to woo not only one as young as you, but a dancer!” she said with a nod.  “It was fine to run!”

            “You ran away from the game in which you started?” Succinum came from behind, crossing her arms.  “A child act!  Not one of a woman!  Such thing means Chrysolitus is not fit for this game!”

            “Oh, shoo, Succinum!” Iolite sighed, “She is new, can she be blamed?”

            “If she is inexperienced, then she shouldn’t play!  So, yes!”

            “If that was true, nobody would be playing the game because we must start somewhere.”  Iolite pointed out, “Besides, she is more fit than you who push the limits, making the game dangerous.”

            Succinum opened her mouth to speak, but closed it and stomped off.  Iolite and I grinned with joy about her closed mouth.  Soon, Porphyrius came along with his friends so they can pursue Iolite and me.  Instead of running away once more, we all played in the water together.  Later they had grabbed their instruments and played while Iolite and I danced to the music.  I learned that like dancers, musicians had to be separated, men and women musicians couldn’t be together unless they’re in the same performance, so they don’t really get to be around women often either.

            Achaten, Porphyrius, Iolite, and I would enjoy each other’s company for weeks in the summer whenever we weren’t performing and we received free time.  Sometimes Succinum would say that we’re being dangerous with our play and sometimes the Council members would give us warning looks, but we still paid no mind.  We still had fun playing our game as long as we could, for once summer is over; we can no longer see each other again until the next summer.

            The time where the red star of the heaven appears in the sky is such a wonderful event in the palace!  But during that summer, I came to realize that the fun of the palace is nothing but a painted mask.  I had soon learned within that festive summer revealed dangers of the palace, a harsh lesson I had learned.  The summer, I learned, is also a time of fear in the palace.

9: Chapter 8

Chapter 8

            I had a dream.  I dreamed of the land of which my father worked on and my brother helped.  I dreamed how fine they were doing.  It was happy with that dream.  But the dream changed.  I had dreamed then of the palace, Anima, and the people of the palace.  It was a strange dream, a terrifying dream.  The Sapphirus River, the pools, the water to drink and bath in had all turned into a bloody red.  In the river, I could see a large crocogator swallowing up a sacred crane-ibis, a baby cama, a chimputan, and when a fawkon went into try to peck out its eyes—it was swallowed up by the crocogator.  Each animal screamed the scream my mother had screamed when she was crying for help when the crocogator had taken her away.  Up in a palm tree by the river, langur-rhesus monkeys laughed at the gruesome sight.  The more the corcogator ate, the larger it became.  When there were no more animals on the ground for it to eat, it started to make its way towards me.

            I saw a serval cat, telling me to follow him and so I did.  The sevral and I ran as fast as we could into the palace, running up and down halls.  The more we ran down the halls I could see the sevral cat growing into a leopon.  In the center of the hall, I saw a person that looked both man and woman standing there.  The person had long, dark hair reaching to their hips.  They wore a red, ruby woman’s top with gold embroidering with sapphires and emeralds and wore white-linen harem pants of a man also with gold embroidering.  He wore a crown, the size of two human heads, of gold and jewels and rare gems with a cobra ornament near the forehead, and his hands and neck were decorated with jewelry.  His body was green as the grass by the river, he had three, Sapphirus blue eyes—the extra one being in the middle of the forehead, and he had four arms.  To his right stood a male liger, to the left was a female tigon.  I knew it was no other person than our sacred God, our created and King—Anima.

            I heard a blood curdling scream of a woman and man, making me jump in fright.  Anima held out his hands to me, instead of holding symbols of all four seasons, they held something else.  In the first-left hand, he held the bells in which my brother had bestowed upon me.  The first-right hand was beautiful gems, gold, and other jewels…all dressed in someone’s blood.  In the second left hand Anima held a beautiful linen dress with jewels incrusted in it and gold trimming.  In his second right hand he held a white heart slowly bleeding as it beat—meaning a soul losing purity.

            “You may use only one chose one of these items or all—but how you use them and which one you choose will affect your fate.  Choose wisely.” Anima spoke to me.

            “I do not understand!  What do they mean?  How does each one affect me?” I asked him.

            Anima did not respond.  Anima turned his hands over and allowed the items to fall down at my feet.  Anima extended his arms out to me as to accept me in an embrace.  But whenever I would step forward, Anim would take a step back.  I tried to walk to him, but he walked away, still having his arms out to me.  I tried to run to him, but Anima moved further and further away.

            Before I had taken notice, everything was swallowed into the night and its darkness.  I could not see a thing.  I heard the sound of people’s feet running up and down, near and far—all eventually sound as though they were coming near me, surrounding me.  I heard shouting and screaming, people laughing and crying.  Sitting before my eyes was the leopon and the serval, curled up together as they looked at me in the eyes.

            “Dunce child knows nothing.  Can her feet not walk?  Can her feet not run?” asked the serval.

            “The child is a dunce.  Can she not speak?  Does she not hear?” asked the leopon.  “Can she not think?”

            “The child is wise!” laughed a langur-rhesus coming to join the cats.  “Her feet know nothing but dances!  Her ears know nothing but tunes and bells!  Her lips are silent, so desirable!  Thinking not on her own!  A wise child indeed!”

            The screaming, the running, the crying, the shouting, the laughing had all grown louder.  Yet, I could not see the people.  Were they not around me?  They should be telling by the loudness and closeness of their voices and steps.

            “Does she not understand?” asked the leopon.

            “She does not understand.” responded the serval.

            “Does she not see the foretokens?” asked the leopon.  “Does she not see phantoms?”

            “She does not understand.” replied the serval.

            “Why does she not run?” asked the laughing monkey.

            “She does not understand.” answered the serval.

            I felt familiar hands placed upon my shoulders as a woman from behind whispered into my ear, “Run, my child, before the crocogator swallows your heart!”

            I did not dare turn around.  My mouth couldn’t speak, my heart simply raced in its place, I kept my eyes un-blinked, looking only forward and not back.  The voices and feet went silent as I heard a cry from behind from the piqued crocogator. 

10: Chapter 9

Chapter 9

            I had awoken in shakes, waking up even before the morning sun had risen.  I reached my underneath my pillow where the bells from Jaspis slept.  I clutched onto the bells and kept my eyes open, watching Anima carried the golden disk up into the morning’s west.  It wasn’t only until a few other dancers began to awake, I pretended to finally awake as well.  We ate our usual meal before I and a few others went on our way to the Rinse room where I washed myself, hoping to wash away the feeling I had received from the frightening dream.  I began to wonder if I should pay a visit to the priest and tell him of my dream—but maybe it means nothing.  I hope that the dream has no meaning…but, I know that’s a lie in which was made to comfort myself.  A dream always has meaning…but maybe it’s not that important as it seems.

            Once done washing, I placed on my linen cloths and my jewelry before I went into the Great Room where the royal family requested entertainment.  The team of dancers I’m placed in was called upon and the musicians played their instruments as we danced.  My feet had grown used to the hard ground of gems and gold and my toes hand grown stronger so when I stand on them they don’t hurt as much as they used to when I had first started out.  When we had finished, Dancers, including I, received jewelry as rewards.  Most of us, including I, Succinum, and Iolite stayed in the Great Room.  Succinum stayed to bat her eyes with the Princes while Iolite and I stayed to play the game with the musicians who stayed in the room—like Achaten and Porphyrius. 

            “Basileus Garnetus!” a messenger man quickly came running into the room, making his way to the king.  “I bring news!”

            “What may this news be?” the Basileus asked.  The king was a very strong man for fifty and very stern.  He wore the most prized jewels and a crown upon his head.  He always wears a solemn face unless there’s music and dancing to bring joy to his heart.

            “I bring you a scroll of the news, your greatness!” the messenger kneeled down before the Basileus and offered the scroll with his head bowed.

            Basileus Garnetus accepted the scroll and opened it.  He frowned, “So…the Atroxians had declared war upon our beautiful country…so be it!”

            “Husband, whatever so for?” one of his many wives asked.

            “No such reasons I suppose.  But it is for our jewels and resources they want.” He answered, “Atrox has no beautiful gems or gold in the land.  It’s our resources they want!”

            “Father, where is Atrox?” one of his young daughters asked.

            “It is a place of no sun on the other side of the world.  Anima is displeased with those Atroxians, so he makes it cold and does not allow the Golden Disk be brought many times over the land.”

            “Father, I have seen the map—how will we fight the Atroxians?  The Sanguis Sea is far too dangerous for war and our boats cannot survive that long of a journey to Atrox!” one of the elder sons asked.

            “Servants!  Bring a map and some scrolls of the Atroxian subjects!” Basileus ordered.  Servants were quick on their feet, leaving the room and returning with a handful of scrolls and a map.  Basileus Garnetus opened the large map and placed it upon the floor in front of him for all to see, “My family!  My relatives and friends!  Look upon this map and you shall see a land such so large and cold in the north on the other side of the world—Atrox.”

            My friends and I moved closer so we could take a look at the map.  Atrox was colored white—and oh how big it was compared to Gemma!  One might say you can fit two Gemmas into Atrox!

            “Now, look below.” Baliseus requested, “You shall see a small, insignificant country called Fons.  This unfortunate country shall be our battle grounds.  I shall send one of the best Scribes and servants to go and observe the country so we are better prepared.”

            “Nonetheless, we must cross the Sanguis Sea!” the son commented.  “And look!  Fons is not straight across—but more western!  That’s time consuming!”

            “And that is why we must learn to make our boats stronger.” Basileus then opened up another scroll and laid it over the map—and opened up another one, and another one.

            The scrolls were pictures of strange beings.  Their skin was the color of linen-white and their hair was the color of Anima’s black abyss.  Their eyes were the color of rotten flesh brown and they wore thick, long rags.  They were hideous beings with large noses and feet, tongues like snakes.  It showed that they lived in strange houses of mud and twigs and they eat meat raw.  How hideous these creatures were!

            “These are the images of Atroxians.” Basileus Garnetus informed.  “We mustn’t let these creatures defeat us and steal what Anima had given to us!”

            We all cheered.

            “These ugly creatures will be under our Holy God’s feet and his wife, Amethistus, shall bring blessings to our soldiers so that we shall win!”

            We cheered once more.

            “Start preparing wonderful boats and send the observers!  Prepare our great army and send a letter to those hideous Atroxians!”

11: Chapter 10

Chapter 10

            The palace had become more excited at the thought of war.  Many of the guards and princes would gather in a large room so they and the Basileus could speak of war planning.  But since there have been fewer guards, the Council of Dance and Music have been keeping a careful watch on Dancers to make sure we don’t make the Game dangerous—the game is still in play despite the war since it is the summer of mix and mingle.  But even so, we’re not only interested in the game, but we’ve soon began to grow interested in the planning of war and what might happen.  Only lucky Dancers and Musicians would be called upon as entertainment during the strange meetings.  Even though they’re called upon either before or after the meeting is held, they still speak of war planning, so we still know what goes on.  Iolite and I would try to be one of the lucky dancers who hear such news in which to leak unlike Succinum who is only interested in the game.

            We have learned that they have begun to make many boats stronger to handle the dangerous Sanguis Sea.  It is said that the sea is dangerous for Anima always battles his evil son, Ossum, who wishes to destroy the world—the sea is stained red with the blood of his evil son and Anima—Anima always becomes superior than his evil son in the battles, but Ossum is stubborn as an old cama to surrender!  It is the reason why the sea constantly thrashes every seasons with no pause of calm.  If they wish to make Fons their battle ground, they must build ships strong enough to survive the Sanguis Sea.

            And the observers returned with many information and many large jars of water.  The observers had also brought things such as strange, red clay and strange clay jewelry and strange animals and strange woods and plants and other strange items, carrying them down the hall and bringing them into large rooms.  I did not hear well, but I heard that the water was strange, and everyone was worrying about the water as well as the color of the clay.  Achaten was one of the lucky musicians to hear some of the talk about the strange water and clay, though he did not hear much, it was just enough.

            “They say that many of the servants and guards had become ill from drinking the water.” He had said, “Their having the priestmen try to find water, since the priestmen worry for the water is strangely red!  It is said that all the rivers in this strange land of Fons is red!”

            It was one night when the Priests of Anima had called the dancers, guards, the Royal Family, and musicians in the Great Room.  Those who could not fit stood outside the door and in the halls to listen to their words.  I was close to the Great Room’s door, separated from my friends.  The priests spoke loud enough for all of us to hear—even those farther back than I.  I could not see well, but I saw well enough.  The priests had all body hair removed—even the head hair and brows, since they are supposed to be closer to Anima than anyone.  The brows they had on their forehead been painted on.  They wore the thinnest linen that has been ever made as a sign of their purity for Anima, wearing golden ropes as ties.  They wore no jewels, for they must be humble.

            On the ground laid large slabs of solid strange, red clay and there were many vases filled with the strange water.  The Head of Priests lifted up his head to the sky and began to chant prayers, and we the crowd followed along.  As we continued to pray to Anima, in giant bowls on the ground the servants began to pour the strange water.  It was red.  Red water I had not seen before.  They had laid strange woods on the ground as well and they laid some strange birds wrapped up tightly in linen, incompletely mummified, as well as other strange animals.

            When done praying, a golden staff—free from jewels—was given to the Head of Priest.  After blessing it, another staff of the one before was given to him, and he blessed it.  This occurred three more times before the Head of Priests handed these staffs to the other priestmen.  The Head of Priest began to sink his hands into the strange water and began to pray, head tilted up and eyes closed as he began mumbling in strange tongues.  He must have gotten a vision, for his body was quivering and twisting and he would give strange yelps as he continued to speak strangely.

            The Head of Priest screamed as he yanked his hands of out the water as he stumbled to his feet, “This is not just water—but this is the blood of Anima and Ossum missed within this water!  Anima’s sacred blood with the tainted blood of Ossum!  Tanited!  Tainted water Head Priestman says!”

            Blood?!  How can this be so?!  How can water be tainted with our Holy God’s blood and the blood from Abyss’s Father?!  It was soon to be further explained as Basileus Garnetus voiced my questions.

            “How can this be?!  Are not all rivers of Fons red with blood!?  Where can such rivers get this blood of our Holy God and the Evil One?!”

            A guardsman quickly ran to the king with a map in his hands as offered it to him.  The king opened up the map and observed as he spoke once more, “…The Sanguis Sea!  All the rivers of Fons are connected to the battle grounds of Anima and Ossum!”

            “The people of Fons have Red hair and are painted a color far lighter than ours, but they have been given color unlike the ugly Atroxians.” One of the observers who traveled spoke.  “They can drink this water whereas our men grow sick and die from drinking the water.  All their animals, trees, plants, and their clay drink from this water.”

            “Heathenish demons!” the Basileus threw the map down at his feet, “Are they tainted themselves?!”

            “The Fonsians hair is the color of red, our High Greatness…”

            “So they drink the blood of our Anima…and the cursed blood of Evil…” Basileus Garnetus said with displeasure.

            “Father, what will we do if our men cannot drink water or eat the food?” one of the Regis asked, “Is it not an abomination?”

            “…We must send food and water with the men.  They mustn’t drink or eat animals or the water or the plants of that land!” the Basileus declared.

            “That’s going to be difficult…” one of the guards commented.

            “Nonesense!”  Basileus boomed, “With Anima on our side, we will succeed!”

            “Wouldn’t it be better for the Atroxians to come to us?” one of the sons asked with exasperation, “I would like to see those barbarians cross the sea!”

            “No!  Anima will watch over us and guide us!” Basileus declared, “Especially with the good dead we will do with our time in Fons!”

            We grew curious with the plan the Basileus had in mind.

            “We shall teach them their shame!” Basileus Garnetus declared.  “They shall put ash in their hair and if they continue to wish to drink the water, may they not do it in front of us if they wish to live!  We shall show those heathens their wrong doings they had done to Anima!”

            We all looked at each other with a nod.  How dare they drink the blood of Anima!  If it was just Ossum’s blood, we wouldn’t care for his blood brings nothing but bad luck!  They’d simply be fools!  But since Anima’s blood has been mixed into the water—how dare them!  Do they not realize what they’re doing?!  If not, our Basileus Garnetus and his men shall show them their wrong ways!  If they do know what they’re doing…I rather not think!

            “Priestmen!  Use those staffs to destroy what lies before you!  Destroy the animals!  Destroy the wood!  Destroy the clay!  Destroy anything that has drunk the blood of our God!” the Head of Priests ordered.  “But don’t let a drop of the watery blood touch the land of Gemma!  Keep them concealed in the jars and placed blessed gems and beads!  Take them away and place them in something sacred where its evil cannot be escape from the purity of Anima!”

            The priestmen did as they were told.  Those with the staffs swung them high above their heads and brought them down upon the dead animals, the clay jewelry and the wood and the clay slabs, beating them repeatedly with such great force.  With all their efforts, they began destroying such evil things that had lain before them—the evil things that laid before our eyes.

            I could say that I have yet seen a river of blood in this world and in my dreams…but that would not be true.

12: Chapter 11

Chapter 11

            The palace was filled with talk of war, that’s was all we had ever heard when gossiping.  We talk of the blood-hair Fonsians who drink from bloody rivers, we talk of how the ships were being built and we talk of how the farmers of the land had to work extra hard to provide food for the men who will go and fight.  I worry for my brother and father, hoping they will have enough food to eat during the time of war.  I heard most of the crops that will be provided to the men were wheat-rice, which is one of the Gemmians staple diets, but that’s just about all the main food they’ll have.  They’ll be given little fruits on their way, not too much since fruit rots unlike wheat-rice—same about meat, the meat must be dried and salted.  But wheat-rice is one of the farmers’ main crops, so the farmers will be working very hard this time—it’ll especially be difficult due to the summer season.  Priestmen and Priestwomen are giving offerings to Anima every day to keep our soldiers in good health and keep our land prosperous during this difficult time.

            The guards that are left to protect us Dancers have been few—and even the few have grown quite distracted.  I would have thought that the Dancers would be very excited and pleased about this, but that is wrong.  They’re a bit troubled instead of excited and pleased.  They have told me stories that there have been women who had been taken advantage of and were put to death even though it may not have been her fault.  Both Dancer and supposed partner will be put to death if ever caught—or accused.  I suppose that’s why the Council had been even more worried when the few guards they have seem distracted.  I would have never thought that summer was a very dangerous season.

            Even so, we still continued on with the game as we still talked of war.  Iolite and I were down in the bathing house to swim in the pool.  Everyone who was down in the bathing house were playing games and relaxing.  There weren’t many guards around, but there were just enough people around to make sure we all watch each other—even some of the Council members were there, watching over us.  After done playing wrestling game with a few other dancers where one partner sits upon another’s shoulders, Iolite and I sat out of the water.

            “Iolite, look!” I patted my stomach a little, “My belly is finally growing—though…it’s still small, but I’m ever so slowly gaining weight!”

            “That is good!  I’m jealous!” Iolite smiled, “After all the seasons I have been a dancer here, I have yet gained any weight at all!  I suppose I was a decedent of one of Anima’s unfavorable wives who had starved themselves.”

            “Maybe you’re not eating enough?” I suggested.

            “Now, make sure you don’t eat too much or else you’ll be like cattle!  Not at all like a beautiful, plump woman!  I have seen many dancers go overboard and looked hideously ugly because they over ate past the desired plumpness!”

            “I won’t, I won’t!”

           “Hmph!  That is all the weight you’ll ever receive from our food!” Succinum declared as she crossed her arms, walking up to us.  “With the food you were given and you had yet gain weight until now—why, that must be all you’ll get!”

            “Why must you come and talk to us if you do not like us?” Iolite asked, “Is it that you truly are fond of us?”

            “Of course not!”

            “Oh!  So you must be jealous of our dancer, Chrysolitus!” Iolite began smirking.

            “In dreams that will never occur!” Succinum quickly stuck her nose up in the air.

            “Oh!  But she earned as much jewelry as you—but in such a shorter time than you!” Iolite crossed her arms and raised her head, smiling.

            It was true.  If one goes by looks, it would appear that Succinum and I share the same amount of jewelry—earrings, necklaces, bracelets, different types of nose diamonds, brow jewelry all appear to be the same amount.  I had not realized how well at dancing I was until Iolite had pointed out with the jewelry.

            “Hmph!  So?  She does not have the tattoos of an honored and most prized dancer!  Must I remind you?” Succinum began posing, showing off her blue, tattooed arms.

            “Who knows?  She may receive such wonderful imprints on her skin some day!” Iolite declared.

            “Such things will never happen!” Succinum quickly stomped away.

            “Do you really think such things will happen?” I asked.

            “Of course!  A Councilman may come to you ask offer such honor!  It may cost some jewelry or so, but it would be worth it!  But, you must practice a lot if you wish for such honor.”

            “Then if it so, I shall practice more than before!” I began to think of something else.  “How long have you and Succinum known one another?”

            “For such a long time.” Iolite answered.  “We arrived as dancers just about the same time.  I think she was your age and I a four season term younger.  We never got along!  She always thought herself better and no one better than her!  So don’t mind her jealous words!”

            We continued to play in the water until just before we were called to be used as entertainment.  I have noticed that I have grown in my dancing abilities than how I first started out.  I could stand on the very tips of my toes, my legs have grown stronger and I’ve grown more flexible—I am now able to do more tricks than before.  I am now able to move my hips to the pace of any fast drum while gently moving my arms carefully to the placid sistrums and harps.  I have also learned how to sing smoothly along with the musicians as I dance.  Now that I’ve see, I truly have gotten better—but I am not as good as the experienced dancers.  I must continue practicing if I wash to be bestowed the honorable tattoos.

During the time my group and I danced for the Royalty’s entertainment, we’ve learned that when the warriors go to Fons, they shall order them to cover their blood-red hair with a covering or soot, if not they shall be punished by death.  It is strange how these people are so proud of their blood-red hair!  Do they not understand the shame of their hair being died in the color of blood?  They shall understand their sin towards Anima when we Gemmians show the error of their ways!

            When Anima carried the golden disk to the east to set it down below the horizon and the bright dots of lights appeared in the sky, we all ate our evening meal.  Once finished and cleaned up, we all went to lie in our beds.  As usual—like most dancers—we sleep with our jewels on so that nobody would steal our earnings.  I tucked my hand under my head rest and held onto my bell my brother had given me as I slept.  I had only dreamed of black, so I suppose I was not in a deep sleep.  I had awoken not too long after I had thought I had fallen asleep, for the other dancers were still asleep and the moons were still out.

            I couldn’t go back to sleep, and I didn’t know why but I decided to leave the room.  I had never left the Dancer’s room at night and I wasn’t even sure if it was allowed.  But despite this, I walked out of the room.  It was strange how there was no guard standing beside the door as usual.  We usually have two, but the guard by our door was cut down to one and now not even that one was standing on guard.  I continued my walk and soon I began to hear a woman’s and a man’s voice whispering to each other.  I decided to follow the sounds of the voices, wondering who could be up this late.  Everyone—even servants—should be asleep unless given a specific order not to.  Sleep is one of the many blessings Anima had given us, so who would abuse such a gift?  Well…I suppose I shouldn’t point out the wrongs if I abuse the gift myself, since I had trouble sleeping for a strange reason.  Could it be that they were having trouble sleeping, too?  But their voices sounded not of that reason.

            I walked down a short hall and peered around the corner and found Succinum and the guard that stands by the door—fooling around with each other!  It may have been dark but I could perfectly see well since the window allowed just enough moonlight to enter!  They were pressing their lips together and holding each other dangerously close!  I did not hear what they were saying, but it was best that I did not know!  I felt my cheeks burning red and quickly turned away.  What was I to do?  I quickly clasped my hands over my mouth as I ran in the dark to make my way back to the Dancer’s room.  What was Succinum thinking?!  Throwing everything she worked hard for—throwing her life away!  Does she not know what she had done is punishable by death?!  A crime against Anima!

            I had been running blindly in the dark that I had run into someone—a woman.  When she yelped I quickly slapped my hand across her mouth to keep her quiet.  Once I realized she was quite, I removed my hand and tried to see through the dark.

            “Who is this—it is too dark!”

            “Iolite, is that your voice?  I can recognize your voice.”

            “Chrysolitus?  Why are you up so late?”

            “Shh!  Keep your voice low—and I should be asking you the same thing!”

            “Iolite need to use the waste-room.  And you?”

            I did not want to tell her what I had seen.  I did not know what I wanted to do just yet.  “I just came back from the waste-room.”

            “Why were you running?”

            “Chr-Chrysolitus is…terrified of the dark.”

            “Is that so?”

            “And I really don’t know if I should be out here, but I couldn’t hold it any longer.”

            “If you needed to go as bad, I’m sure you won’t be punished for it.  I’m doing the same thing as you’ve done.”

            “I shall return to sleep.”

            “Yes.  Oh, Chrysolitus, where is our guard?”

            “I don’t  know.” I lied.

            “Well, I should hurry then—and make sure no strange people enter the room.  It is dangerous without a guard.  We shall inform Matercula about this in the morn.”

            “Yes.  Now, off to bed I must go!”

            I quickly ran into the room, trying to be as quiet as I could and make sure I do not step on anyone woman in the room as I made my way to the bed.  I lay, terrified as I clutched my bell under my pillow.   What was I to do?  Succinum had committed a crime against Anima!  Those who committed such crime must be punished by death, to help beg forgiveness to Anima—to receive forgiveness for our sister’s crime and so he may not smite us with hate!  But with opening my mouth, it is I who ends Succinum’s life.  I do not like her; she is a jealous woman full of arrogance…but not enough to end her life!  But if I keep my mouth closed, then I would be betraying Anima.  I must make a decision.

        Forgive me, Anima, I’m nothing but a weak mortal.

        Anima carried the morning desk to the west and everyone had awaked.  We ate our morning’s meal and danced to entertain noblemen and their families and the Royal Family.  Once it came to resting time for the dancers, Matercula called for an announcement.  We formed a circle around her after removing our sleeping beds, wondering what could be news.  Was it about the war?

        “There’s been a dancer here that had ruined themselves and became a disgrace to Anima!”

        Oh no…

        Matercula yanked Succinum from the crowd—a very strong old woman she was—and threw her to the ground in the center.  “Is it true that you’ve fooled around with a man who was not your God?”

        “No!  I would do no such thing!” Succinum lied.

        “If we were to take you to the Priestmen to have you checked, would they agree with you?  Because I will if you wish for it.”

        She gave no answer.

        “So it is true.”  Matercula looked over to the entry of the room, “Bring him in.”

        Guardsmen entered as they held down the one that was with Succinum.

        “Is this the man?” Matercula asked with a booming voice.

        Succinum looked at him and began to cry, giving a nod.

        “Take him away.”  And the guards did so.

        One of the dancers handed Matercula a long, golden staff.  The staff was covered in the most gorgeous jewels—but these jewels were cut strangely, cut to have a long, sharp, deadly point.  These jewels and gems that were cut strangely were place everywhere on the staff except a spot for gripping.  How beautiful and frightening the staff was as it glimmered in the light.  I knew that Dancers were put to death for what Succinum did…but was this the way?!  A public execution by this staff?!

        “You must pay for your sins, Succinum.  Everyone!   Watch and hope you may not repeat the same mistakes!”

        Matercula raised the staff above her head and began to bring it down on Succinum over, and over, and over again.  Succinum released blood curdling screams as blood spilled from her body.  But Matercula did not stop.  She kept a strong, focus eye on the prosecuted victim.  She did not waver and kept her beating fierce and steady.  Soon, two other Council of Dance and Music entered, carrying the same staffs as Matercula and began to give her aid to torturing Succinum.  Every time they would bring the staffs down, she would scream.   Succinum screamed, cried, she would even tried to shield herself one of her beaters would use the staff with extra force.  Blood covered the golden staffs and its gems and jewels.  Blood covered the golden floor and the gems that were embedded in the floor.  Blood flew when the staffs would leave her body to return to the air.

        I saw some of the women in the audience holding each other at the horrific sight, some simply kept a steady stare as they would flinch when the staff was brought down, and others clasped their hands over the mouths or bite their nails with wide eyes.  I noticed a few would simply give cold stares and appear as though this was not a horrific scene.

        It felt like forever before Succinum stopped moving, but even when her movement stopped, they continued to use the staffs.  A puddle of Succinum’s blood grew and leaked, those who the blood approached stepped back, including me.  The three superiors did not stop until her body was unrecognizable because it was completely covered in red liquid and so were their staffs. I stared at Succinum’s empty body until I began to feel sick and dizzy.  I quickly ran to the corner of the room and vomited, oh how sickening the entire thing was.

        When I turned around, I saw Matercula removing every single bit of jewelry from the soulless figure with the help of the other Council members.  I did not understand why, but Iolite began to step forward, not carrying of her small, strong feet touched the blood or not.  She held her hands and arms open to them.

        “Your reward.”

        They placed every bit of bloody jewelry that once belong to Succinum into her hands and hung them on her arms.  I did not understand at all.  How could this be?  Why?  Was it Iolite who told?  She must have heard the noise the two were making when she was on her way to the waste-room!  She must have seen and told—and unlike me, had the courage to tell Matercula.  But how could Iolite end a life?  She always appeared so gentle!

        I couldn’t help but stare at Iolite with wide eyes.  In her hands was beautiful gems, gold, and other jewels…all dressed in someone's blood.  Iolite looked intensely and deeply into my eyes as she grabbed one of the blood covered necklaces and placed it around her own neck.

13: Chapter 12

Chapter 12

            The bodies of the guard and Succinum were thrown into the Sapphirus River for the crocogators to snack on.  It’s a sign of shame when your body is thrown into the river for crocogators—such a sign of disgrace.  I could not help but feel sorry for the two poor souls.  Any family and relative will now have not a place to honor their spirits since their bodies were permanently disposed of.  I hope Anima will show mercy and not send them to the Abyss.

            I have heard that summer is a dangerous season for dancers…and I understand why now.  It is not only because of temptations—but because of tattlers, also.  Dancers are rewarded with the jewels of those who betrayed Anima—whether the dance had actually committed the crime or not.  The Dancers who have tattled will be rewarded with the gems that are covered in the blood of its previous owner—as a sign that even though they did a good deed, their action had caused a life to end short.  But most don’t even care.

            Iolite is one of those dancers, I had figured out.  Iolite had tattled many times before during her time as a dancer.  She is sly, befriending Dancers to find secrets that she could tell about.  But if this is so, then why hasn’t anyone warned about her?  I had discover that this was so because nobody dared trusted each other and some were doing the same—so why judge those who you mirror?

            Trust.  Trust is a foreign word—no, it’s a nonexistent word inside this palace.  Nobody trusts one another.  It is not in the language of the palace.  My heart longed for home—a place where innocence thrived and loved held its ground.  But I cannot leave until my four spring season term has ended, and then I am able to have the choice to leave.

            I did not eat in the morning.  When I was not dancing, I sat under a palm tree that grew close by the river, hugging my knees close as I looked out at everyone who smiled and laughed as though the world they live in was perfect.  Dancers who played with each other in the sand I learned were only enemies with tattooed faces.

            “Hello, Chrysolitus!”  Iolite came and sat down beside me as she placed desert Rose-Lilies in her hair.  She spoke as though nothing happened, “Do you know how unfortunate it is for me?  I couldn’t get into the Rinse-Room!  It was completely taken up and so is the pool!  I wonder how long until the river is full of people who wish to cool off!”

            I did not look at her.  I stared at my beautiful gold anklets that were embedded with wonderful gems that mockingly reflected my face.  The gems and jewels that I once loved were now my enemy.

            Iolite sighed and she crossed her arms, “Is Chrysolitus upset at Iolite for what happened to Succinum?”

            “You killed the poor woman…” I murmured.

          “She betrayed Anima!” Iolite exclaimed, “If you or I did the same, then she would be happy to tattle as well!”

            “You did it for the gems…”  I turned further away from her.

            “What makes you think so?”

            “I’ve heard the others speak!  You speak and tattle as often as you can!” I answered.  “I have heard you had accused the innocent many times before as well!”

            “And you are angry because…?”

            I turned to look back at her, surprised, “You purposely end life!”

            “You know nothing of a proper Dancer!” Iolite narrowed her eyes, “You take care of yourself—do what you can to be the best!  Do so…even if it means removing competition!”

            “How could you?!”

            “Ha!  You act as though I’m the only woman who does this!” Iolite laughed as she shook her head, “I am not alone!  Other women, guardsmen, musicians, singers, even the own royal family does this!  It is nothing new!  Something that has been going on for so long!  Dancers, though, are the most who does this for jewels since the Royal Family has gems and jewels at a whim!  Do you not remember?  We are representations of Anima’s wives!  And do you not remember the tale?  They did whatever they can to become Anima’s favorite!  What do you suppose we are doing here in the palace?  It is no different!”

            “I can’t believe what my ears are receiving!”  I felt as though water was boiling into a steam inside of my body.

            “Oh?  Like you know any better than I?  Your feet know only dances and your ears of beautiful tunes!  Even more so—you had always kept your lips silent and did as you were told!” Iolite stood up as she began to walk away, “Ha!  You are truly wise!”

            Up in the tree above me, I heard a langur-rhesus monkey laughing.  Frighten, I quickly moved away from the tree.  The water inside of me boiled over.  I quickly stood, took off one of my beautiful rings with a large ruby on it and threw it as hard as I can at the monkey.  The monkey continued to laugh, so I took another one off and threw it.  When it wouldn’t stop laughing, I took off another, and another, and I went for an anklet and threw it.

            “What are you doing, Chrysolitus?”  Achaten walked over asking.

            “I just wanted to make this monkey stop laughing.” I answered.

            “Nobody can make a langur-rhesus monkey stop laughing.” He walked over to pick up my jewelry.

            As he held his hands out to me, I quickly said, “You have them.  I don’t want them anymore.”

            He shrugged and placed the beautiful jewelry within the folds of the sash that tied around his hips.  “Is there something wrong, Chrysolitus?”

            I simply shook my head and began walking away.  Musicians, too, have similar situations like dancers.  But it is not that I did not trust him, but I worried about Iolite seeing me speaking to him.  I now feared the one who I thought was my closest friend.

            I’ve learned more news of war.  Both armies have low numbers as both Atrox and Gemma are trying to send soldiers over distant lands while occupying the country of Fons and having control of the people all at once—not to mention the supplies that are needed.  Atroxians are in northern Fons while our soldiers are taking hold of southern Fons.  Rumor has it that Atrox are using Fonsians slaves they had brought from their country, forcing them to aid in battle.  Such a silly thing to do!  Do they have no honor?  Why use slaves to fight in a battle and not your own men?  Do they not have enough men willing to fight for their own country?  At least the Gemmians are proud people and will fight for the beautiful land in which Anima has given us!  We shall show the Atroxians true pride!

            Also, Basileus Garnetus had sent a marriage proposal to the Fonsian Princess in return of protecting her land from the horrid Atroxians.  The proposal was nothing more to get hold of the Fonsian land, taking over and becoming ruler.  He planned to execute her after the night of marriage, gaining complete control.  With this, Gemma would have territory in the other side of the world and we would be able to reach the Atroxians much easier.  But not only for reasons of war—but to purify the unholy land by ridding of the evil, red haired Fonsians and colonize the land with beautiful Gemmians instead.  Our Holy Mission the Priestman had said.  But for now, we had ordered the Fonsians to hide their hair in shame and stay inside their homes as much as possible as their villages were occupied by our glorious Gemmian soldiers.

            The making of stronger war-boats is going well according to our Basileus.  They will survive the dangerous Sanguis Sea much easier than our previous boats and they can carry many more men than before!  The lower people have been working extra hard to provide food for our soldiers.  They must hand over most of their wheat-rice to the officials, and if there are those who can’t provide enough, it means that they will starve.  Some of their cattle and goats were given up for the soldiers—one live cattle and one freshly dead for cattle meat; one live goat and one freshly dead goat for goat meat.  I prayed that my father and brother would survive harsh troubles.

            How I prayed all our troubles would come to an end.

            The Golden Disk that Anima carried went below the horizon.  The Dancers went into their room and under their blankets and rested their heads to sleep.  I reached my hand under my pillow to reach for the bells my brother had bestowed upon me as usual…but they were no longer there!  My heart leaped as my hand shifted beneath my head-rest in search for the bells.  Did I lose them?!  Were they taken?!  I did not know.  I didn’t go searching for them that night out of fear of being caught or raise suspicions.  I planned that the morning sun will help me search for my beloved bells.

14: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

            The morning had come and we Dancers ate our morning meal.  Even when we cleaned the room by fixing the blankets and our headrests, I could not find my precious bells which my brother had given me.  I went through my mind where they could have been.  I know that they should have been under my headrest; I never take them out from under it.  Could someone have taken them?  Mistaking them for waste?  What if they were stolen?  I could not concentrate well on anything besides the bells Jaspis had given me.  I feared what could have become of them.

            It was still early in the morning when we finished our meal and placed the blankets for our sleeping spots aside.  Some maid-slaves came in and swept the floor very quickly and left without words, with properly bowed heads as they should be—any slave should have no head higher than those who are superior to them nor should they make eye contact unless instructed.  It was strange; we were yet called into our teams for dance schedules for the entertainment.  Was there no request for entertaining for the morning?  We did not know until Matercula entered the room with a man-slave who held a long item wrapped in cloth.

            I heard a ring—a ringing that could only sound so sweet to my ears.  I recognized the dull shine of bells only on a single string.  How my stomach twisted.

            “Chrysolitus?” Matercula called to me as she held the bells in her hand, shaking them a little.

            “Yes, Matercula?  Ch-Chrysolitus is here.” I tried to answer without fear.

            “What are these?” the old woman’s wrinkles deepened as her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed.

            “Bells.” I answered the truth.

            “Where did Chrysolitus get them?” Matercula asked.

            “What do—?”

            “Such Dancer dears not to be dumb!  Iolite found these hideous bells under your pillow!  Where did you receive these?”

            I glanced over at Iolite, whose eyes were cold and hard as the corner of her lips gave only a slight twitch of a smile, only for a moment before my eyes returned to Matercula. “Um…”

            “Will you lie before Anima?”

            “No!’

            “Then speak the truth that Anima only knows!”

            My stomach twisted even more, “I had them…since before my time of Dancing…”

            “From who?  Who?”

            I swallowed hair down my throat, “F-From little brother Jaspis.”

            “I see.” Matercula dropped the bells to the ground.  “Then this must be fixed.”

            She held out her hand to the man-slave.  He unwrapped the cloth and revealed a golden staff that had studs of jewels in them, though they did not stick out very much.  Once received, Matercula raised the staff above her head before bringing it down with sheer force upon the fragile bells.  How they shattered like my heart.  She repeated until every single bell was destroyed.  Tears rolled down my eyes and my lip quivered.

            “Chrysolitus, lay down on the stomach before me.” Matercula ordered.

            “Wh-What?”

            “A Dancer should not be dumb—do as you were told!”

            I quickly did as I was told.  To my horror, I saw Matercula raise the staff above her head.  How she was going to beat me to death, I was sure of it!  I quickly placed my hands over my head, curling a bit as she began beating me; I cried in pain with every mark the staff had made.  The pain, how it hurt!  I was hoping for my body to shatter just as the bells did so it could just be over with.  I did not want her to beat me even after I became a corpse as it was done with Succinum.   How terrified I was!  Ten, fifteen, why was I even counting?  Twenty five, thirty—she stopped.  For an old woman, she retained such strength that could not be seen.  I lay there, motionless on the gold and gem floor—but I was alive and sore.

            She reached out her old, shriveled hand and her long, bony fingers grabbed onto my necklace and then they grabbed onto a few of my many bracelets.  They were taken from me and given to Iolite.  I did not care.  I curled up as continued my tears.  Everyone surrounded me, staring silently.  Were they giving me pity?  Were they mocking me?  I did not look into their face, but I could still feel the stares.

            “Now, I hope you learned your lesson.  If you have any other items from your old life, I suggest you rid of them immediately.” Matercula said.  “Everyone else, divide into your groups and I will direct you to where you will be entertaining at.  Chrysolitus, I don’t think you’ll be able to dance today.”

            Everyone left while I remained on the floor.  I did not just feel pain anymore, but I felt fear.  Father was right all along—false luxury indeed!  How could I live such a life when one who I thought was my friend does what she can to hurt me?  What if others try to make it look as though I broke a rule when I did not?  Would I be beaten once more or would I be put to death? 

            I tried to tell myself I was over reacting—I was not used to beatings since Father spoiled me…I did not truly fear the beatings or the death, but Iolite herself.  What a terrible person she truly is!  Even so…I still miss my family, were they worth giving up for such an opportunity as this?  I tried reaching out my hand and laid my fingertips onto the scattered pieces of the bells that were once beautiful.  I wish to pull the pieces further to me, but I was too sore to do so.  So I left my fingers on the bells.

            Anima continued to bring the disk further into the east into the late afternoon.  Still in my spot, Iolite entered the room with tearful eyes.  She grabbed by my hair and lifted me up to my knees.  I yelped.

            “What have you done?!” she almost screamed.

            “Iolite, what did I do?!” I asked, trying to break free no matter how badly it hurt.

            “Achaten is dead!” Iolite screamed, “It’s your fault!”

            “I do not understand!  Let go!”  I yanked my hair free and fell to the ground.

            “Achaten was accused of thieving of beautiful gems and jewels!” Iolite began to explain.

            “What?  Why?!” I asked, trying not to curl up.

            “He was found with ruby rings and anklets that were not given to him during performances!  Rings too small for a man’s finger and an anklet for a woman!”  Iolite shouted at me, “Where do you think he got those jewelry from?!”

            I grew confused and I thought for a moment.  Why was I to blame?  But then I recalled yesterday—oh, Anima, why did you not spare the poor man?!  From when I was throwing jewelry to that langur-rhesus monkey to stop laughing—and he kept the jewels that I threw because I told him to do so!  That misunderstanding caused Achaten’s end!  I did not know that my face had given away my thoughts.

            “I knew it!  It was you who ended Achaten’s life!  It is your fault!”  Iolite quickly came on top of me and began yanking on my hair once more, “You killed him!  You killed him!”

            “I did not!  I did not!” I tried to up her hands away, but she just pulled tighter.  I blame my soreness for not being able to easily defeat that skinny woman!

            “I will do worse to you!”

            “Do you think that this is my fault?  If one opens their eyes, it can be seen that it’s your fault!” I did not know what I was saying, but I just allowed my mouth to speak for me, “Anima is allow bad happen to you since you do bad to others!”

            “Oh?  I just follow the rules!  You shouldn’t have had those bells in the first place!”

            “It is not the bells!”

            “Succinum broke a rule as well!”

            “Not that!”

            “What is it?!”

            “I-I heard that you’ve told lies to earn jewels!  This is what you deserve!”

            I should have let my mouth closed.  She began yanking harder and began to shake me.  How weak I was.

            “This is the thanks I get for taking good care of you?!”

            “What a fine job you’re doing right now with caring for me!” I began to push her away, but she kept holding on.

            “You’re an ungrateful child!”

            “What life would you have with Achaten if he were alive!  You are a dancer!  What will you do—become a Succinum?”

            “How dare you!”

            She began hitting me.  I stopped thinking.  I reached out my hands and grabbed onto her hair and began yanking as if I was pulling on rope so I would not fall into a river of crocogators.  I no longer felt the pain from the earlier beating or the hitting, nor did I realize what I was doing anymore.  We were fighting roughly.  I eventually broke free, and when she tried to grab onto me, I turned on of my rings that I had left so that the gem would be with the palm and I slapped her across the face as hard as I can.  It only made a small scratch, but Iolite looked very taken back. 

            She placed her hand to her cheek, “You will learn not to touch me once more!  You will regret this day!  I will do bad to you!”

            She stood up and ran out the door.  I laid down back onto the floor, curled into a ball and cried, biting my lip so I would not call out to my father or mother who was nowhere near.