As the first of the two suns of Gallannius slipped below the horizon, Dhavia walked across the courtyard. She went and sat under the acqoia tree with it’s gnarled twisted branches. It was the reason why the Citadel had been built in the middle of the barren wasteland as it signalled a source of water. Slowly, over time, a large town had grown around the Citadel. But it was still an inhospitable place to live.
Dhavia pulled her cloak around her as the temperature started to fall. Closing her eyes, she reflected on her last day as an Initiate. She had studied at the Citadel since she was a child and now as a Minister, Dhavia would be expected to serve the Citadel and defend the faith.
“May I join you Dhavia?”
She opened her eyes and sat up.
“Of course Minister Tuaron”
He smiled as he sat down next to her and took her hand.
“I thought you would rather hear this from me personally. Tomorrow is your Ordination, but you will not be coming a Minister. Your natural telepathic abilities will be enhanced and with some further training, you will become a Warrior”
Dhavia turned to face the Minister.
“I don’t understand, no woman has ever become a Warrior and joined the military”
“Dhavia, you have always believed your parents gave you to the Citadel because they were unable to care for you themselves. That is not the case. Although I cannot reveal the true identity of your parents, I can tell you that they came from pure Ancestral lineage. Your birth was foretold in the Ancestral books long before we had to leave our home world”
Dhavia knew about the history of their home world, Taliagard. They were a very advanced civilisation. But as technology progressed two separate factions arose. One who still held true to the faith of the Ancestors and believed their word to be absolute. And the second one who wanted to break free of the rituals and fully embrace technology.
A bitter war ensued ending in almost total annihilation of the planet rendering it uninhabitable. The few of the faith who survived fled to Gallannius and founded the Citadel. Barely a handful of the opposing faction survived, but those who did went to Anovia. It was hard to believe that they could still be at war, but hatred runs deep.
“I’m sorry Minister, but I do not understand what is so special about my birth. Surely there must be some mistake, a male would be more suitable”
“Dhavia, your spirit has lived many life times, surely your faith tells you that. And previous hosts have been male as well as female. Now all that has come together, the power of the Ancients, the knowledge, the faith…”
“But the military will never accept a female Warrior however blessed her lineage is”
“They will have no choice Dhavia, the Citadel has decreed that you shall be a Warrior. Now I suggest you get some rest, tomorrow will be a very tiring day”
As the Minister stood up to leave, Dhavia took his hand.
“I shall be proud to serve the Citadel and uphold the faith”
The Minister placed his hand on Dhavia’s head.
“We have faith in you Dhavia”
As he walked away, Dhavia turned to watch the second sun disappear, then stood up and walked back to the Citadel.
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