Andoria Part 1

There was not much that Sia was allowed to tell me. Though she was my mother she was still a slave. She told me that our Andoria was a wonderous and beautiful place. The vast hills were always covered in greenery. The hills housed clear springs for swimming in the summer and hot springs for bathing in the winter. The land was fertile and giving to the Andorian people and they were equally as giving in return. Andorians only took what they needed and always gave what was lacking. The jungles teemed with vibrant animal life and our village prospered due to the blessings of the goddesses. My grandmother, Aisha, was the most powerful of all goddesses ever born. Aisha gave her life to her people and the goddesses of the past lent her their wisdom. Aisha's gift was the gift of sight. Aisha could see the past, present and future when events directly impacted our people.

Aisha saw the attack on our village coming two days prior and her insight is what saved hundreds from death.

(Sia's perspective)

Mother called me into our abode and looked into my eyes while hers filled with tears. The beautifully beaded walls that normally comforted me were now closing and and ringing out an unnatural sound. I watched the beads dance and waited on their message to ring through me. Though my gifts were just beginning to come to me I could still read the signs and accept the messages that past goddesses sent to me. Mother said that it was unusual for a 13 year old goddess to handle communication but it came to me naturally. As the dark rings began to cloud my vision and the magic seeped through my heart the sound of the beads began to calm and my spirit started its descent. Mother called out to me in her glorious voice "My lovely Sia."

The clouds faded from my eyes and my my spirit returned to its cage. I furrowed my brow. Mother knew that I was receiving and she purposely broke the connection. I looked over to the beads. Their call had stopped. They no longer wished to share their wisdom. I fingered the beaded necklace around my neck and waited for mother to speak. Her heart-shaped face looked worn. Though she shined beautifully this morning she now looked exhausted beyond recognition. Troubling times were ahead.

"My child, the roads will be rough but the goddesses will be with you."

Mother pulled me into an embrace and hugged me tightly. I inhaled her cinnamon spiced scent and leaned back for an explanation. Aisha placed her smooth mahogany hands on my forehead and revealed the destruction ahead. The beads on the wall began a violent dance, the bright fabric hanging from the ceiling began to wrap around us and I fell into the agony of the vision.