In the time of Oharu
The Second Volume November 1936 to November 1937
Chapter 3
by Mr. David R. Dorrycott
Spontoon Island created by Mr. Ken Fletcher. Used with permission.
Songmark and other characters (See Appendix A for complete character listing)
created by Mr. Simon Barber, used with permission.
January 19th, 1937
On South Island Spontoon's High Priestess, known to her present companion as her sister, or more commonly in private simply Saimmi had long ago settled down next to the curled up body of her older companion. In the nights dark silence she easily heard each whimper, each sniffle of ragged emotional loss. By now the mouse had cried herself out. By now her emotions had bottomed out. It was time the feline know for her sister to rise again, though slowly lest she be harmed by too soon an awakening. If she did rise and was not badly damaged, then she had passed yet another test. Her last the feline knew. Sadly, for the mouse her tests were coming quickly and hard, where’s almost all other Priestess’s tests came years apart, and hardly ever as roughly as the mouses. Unfortunately Oharu had built her defenses upon a false love, and as a fortress built upon sand it held. Until the waves came. Then as the fortress, all that was Oharu had fallen into the waters.
Touching the mouse's face while speaking a specific chant, one that would begin the process of leading her back to this world Saimmi waited for Oharu to waken. As she waited the feline went over in her mind what she would say. What she would be forced to order her Shield to do. It had been the event on Moto's Revenge that had finally proven too much for her Japanese born priestess to support. Oharu had reached the limit of her strength. Gone beyond. Most accidently yes, still that last step. So simple an action had finally shown Spontoon’s High Priestess exactly what the mouse’s limits were. Her strength, so great that it had surprised even Saimmi had finally been surpassed. It had been that look the doe Molly had given her that proved too much. Those words.
That Oharu had a limit to the weight that her soul could support was as true for her as it was for all who breathed. That her limit was so much more than any in living memory upon Spontoon had not been expected. It was only during the trip with the mouse to the Hoele'toemi longhouse, once Saimmi's home that the High Priestess finally placed that last puzzle piece in place. So many clues had fallen from the mouse's actions, from her words. Clues so foreign that in some cases it had been difficult finding them. Certainly those that had been found had been just as difficult to piece together. Time had not been on Saimmi’s side in Oharu’s case. Yet somehow one critical clue had slipped by the High Priestess, and Huakava who was her predecessor. Now she faced a rather difficult decision. Oharu had much too quickly become too important to Spontoon's religious future to loose. Yet now Saimmi was certain that her favored Priestess would, if not reined in sharply, continue to carry loads that were not healthy for her spiritual life. That was the one clue Saimmi and Huakava had missed. Oharu lived only to serve. It was not simply a vocation with this priestess.
It was her life.
Leaning back against a paw carved support beam of the Guest Hut Saimmi studied her Priestess. Her chosen sister. For one who's whole life was but to serve, of course she would not know when to stop. Would not suspect when she had reached the limit of her abilities. "I should not have sent her to Krupmark until her weight was less" Spontoon's High Priestess announced in a soft voice. But there had been no time. No other choice. Though it was the truth that Oharu had been at fault for taking upon herself too much weight, even though she herself could never have realized what she was doing. Saimmi was not too proud to admit that her's was as much the responsibility. If not more. For in truth she was responsible for all of Spontoon's Priestess's well being. All not quite one hundred of them. Though in truth barely fifty-one were full time priestess such as Oharu, such as Dia-Kura. Such as herself before she accepted the weight Huakava had offered her. Still it was the High Priestess’s responsibility for their health, their training, even time to themself. These were her most important responsibilities. Those fifty-one. With this one though she had failed.
Looking past the slowly waking mouse's body Saimmi went through the events that had brought her Priestess so low. It had been almost three weeks since the shattered evil that was Shiba Granite had fallen. Not quite three weeks since that night upon Moto's Revenge, when a Hunter had been brought down by those she hunted. On that night had come great joy to many, on that night also had come the collapse of one whom only Saimmi knew was the more powerful of them both. Spontoon must have Oharu, or one like her in order to survive the coming darkness. As there was no time to beg another, to teach another Spontoon must have this mouse. As with the blossoming warrior priestess’s Saimmi herself instructed, Oharu had become an important key. She had become, made herself a part of the puzzle. A part of the new ritual. As with all such keys it was now much too late to begun searching for another. The Gods had chosen this Cipangu born woman. Her Gods had agreed. She had walked through horrors from which few could hope to remain sane. Yet as with all who breathed, it was the mouse's heart which had proven her final downfall.
Everyone at Moto's Revenge had watched that breaking begin. When the Songmark Doe Molly Procyk had explained in no uncertain terms her feelings about the mouse, her lifestyle and her love. Then had drawn her blade and warned Oharu that if she ever approached her again she'd kill her. That had been the beginning of the end. That shattered look upon the mouses face, though it had appeared for but moments. Oharu had known that there was never any chance between them. Yet, ones mind may know one thing, ones heart would never believe that. Until such an event.
"Great Mother" Oharu whispered, her dark eyes opening to reflect the firelight. "This is not Great Stone Glen." She tried to rise, only to be pushed back down by the larger feline. "I have duties..."
"Shush" Saimmi ordered, pressing three fingers against those soft lips. "You are to rest."
"But..."
"Rest. Listen." Softly, so as to not waken any about her Spontoon's High Priestess explained. "You have fallen one last time. This fall happens to us all at one time or another, priestess, priest or not. This time it was your heart that failed you. You are now cleansed of all that was before Spontoon. All darkness that entered your soul in your weakness after arriving. Your knowledge, your rituals you retain. All else has been burned from your soul, as it had to be. Oharu, your spirit is stronger than any I have ever met. You are a great value to our country but you must remember that you are mortal. All mortals have limits. You have reached, exceeded your own. Thus I instruct you to your rest."
"My rest Great Mother?" Oharu again struggled to rise, only to again be pressed back down.
"Your rest. Oharu. I do not know how life is for a Priestess in Chipangu. Here. As I told you here we are all aware that each year one must take time for themself. To rest, to recoup. To recenter themself. If nothing more than to again touch the society, the people we serve. You have spent more than a year in intense instruction no living priestess in memory has ever endured. You have endured missions and work most who have spent half their lives in study could not preform. Through it all it was your heart that held you strong. Your love. Now that is gone. Your blossom is crushed. Without such hope you could not carry on, though you did try. Oharu, I take great pride that you freely serve me. For I will use you most badly in the future. Thus you must rest now, to return to that strong woman I must send into the most harshest of battles. To possibly waste herself defending my warriors."
"I serve you Great Mother" Oharu admitted. "No other. Ever." This time she did not attempt to rise.
"And Molly?"
"I still love her" the mouse admitted. "Without a Gods help I can never not love her. Yet all hope has passed. I will watch her future unfold from afar. I will never again approach her. I can no longer hold within my heart any hope to touch her heart."
Saimmi frowned, this complete withdrawal was to be expected. Yet if it went too far it was unwelcome. Becoming unhealthy in the long run. "No further gifts?"
Oharu did manage a smile at that question. "I will not approach her Great Mother. That does not mean that I will no longer send her gifts. That I will no longer do what I may to protect her. I do still love her, no matter her burning desire to end my days."
These words brought relief to Saimmi, for they told her that though Oharu had been hurt badly, she was still Oharu. That she was still the woman whom Saimmi had chosen to be her sister. "Sleep then. I must attend to other things. At sunrise I will be here, you will be here and rested. Then we will discuss your new duty limitations."
"Yes Great Mother. How will I retreat from this world for the time you require?"
Easing Oharu's head to a waiting pillow first Saimmi rose to her feet. "You will remain upon South Island until I decide otherwise. You will become a drunken beach bum, a field worker, a beach comber. A chaser of skirts. You will do nothing involving religion, not even the least answer to a question unless I allow it. This is acceptable?
Oharu smiled, remembering her words from long ago. "I hear your words Great Mother. Though I disagree, I will obey without complaint."
Saimmi waited until she was certain that her emotionally battered Priestess was again asleep before walking into the darkness. There two figures waited. One bowed, vanishing quickly into the darkness. The other stood, staring at that fire lit form no sleeping. "You have come to take her life?" Saimmi asked.
"Ah came cause Helen damn near kicked me outta tha dorm" the doe Molly Procyk admitted. "She said I had to know tha truth about that one. So tell me. What is tha truth."
"You wish your soft bed again?"
"I want may friends back" Molly admitted. “Amelia, Helen. Tha won't talk tah me. Even Maria's turned her back on me. Why?"
"Come child. Walk with me where that one would never dare try. Walk with me upon the beach, with the waves stumbling over our feet. I will tell you the truth. The real truth." She walked away from the firelight, down a well worn path to an empty beach. Randomly turning right she walked along the waveline, enjoying that feeling of warm salt water splashing about her feet as the tide slowly rose. Beside her stood Molly, her sharper hooves cutting deeper into the sand as the doe kept in step with her. As they walked Saimmi spoke. Spoke of the things Oharu had done for the doe, had begged never to be told to the doe. Spoke of what the mouse was to Spontoon. How now that she had passed her hardest test what she would one day become, should she survive those dark challenges that Saimmi must throw her into. Spoke of what she had stood against on the way to China. How she had saved two lives there. How she had brought back the English spy and a shattered Songmark girl known as Henrika Polychronopoulos. All the things she had done. All the things she had hidden from the one heart she so desired to touch.
"So if she lives, she's gonna be more powerful than you" Molly asked eventually.
"My child. She already is. As much as a Third year is above a First year. Only Kama is the stronger and she is yet a child. Unready to take her place. Were Oharu to go mad none could save her. While were I to go mad, or you she will bring us back to reality. It is not simply knowledge, training or even her gift. It is her soul, her heart that is so greater than all. On Krupmark her battle shattered a wall within her. I have seen this shattered wall, and what was once hidden behind it though she cannot. For such sight of her own soul is impossible for her. Nor could her soul allow her to kill, for any reason. But beware my hoofed companion. Your body is able to withstand more damage than you can believe and still live. Her gift is great because she serves. That is what she is, nothing more. For in your case, I may have long ago taken you. Had I needed you as much as she needs you."
Molly stopped, looking at the feline beside her. "Then why ain't she top dog, or mouse."
"Because being stronger than I she is very aware that she must be restrained. Lest she change things to her own desires. Doing such would, she knows, destroy exactly that which she most desires to protect. Pledging, giving herself to my control without limit insures she serves, not leads. To her life is to serve. To lead would be to one like her a hell of her own making. She would soon go mad. Just as you would go mad in a nunnery. Live your life in happiness that she has chosen always to serve. For had she not, you would have returned from Krupmark unable to live without her."
Molly laughed. "Yah can't make anyone love yah" she argued.
"That is true. You cannot make one love another. I believe that only the Gods could make one heart open for another against their nature. This they will not do to you, for in her foolish desperate love she has demanded they not do so. Lust though. That is another matter."
Molly threw a paw out, as if pushing something away. "Nah, smoke an mirrors. Ahn no one talk tah God. Not really."
"You believe so?"
"Ah know so. Prove me wrong and I'll believe. Till then its nothing but hocus pocos.."
Turning inland Saimmi lead her companion to several large, rounded stones. "As you wish my prideful little doe. Sit. Be comfortable. If it is proof you require, it is proof you shall have. Only this Molly. Be happy this is myself, not Oharu. For I have no interest in you or any woman. She would keep you, were she as petty as you. Small of soul as you. She would keep you and all your life you would want her. Even so, as she is if the matter came to it, she would keep you if it were the only way to save your life. And hate herself every moment for the keeping."
Smiling in her own certainty that this was all mumbo-jumbo Molly settled down with her back against one tall stone. "Do yer worst Priestess. I've been trained against hypnoses."
Saimmi though remained silent. Setting herself upon one stone she slipped into that world where Greater Changes might be made. A place she knew that Oharu was comfortable within, yet refused to visit without great cause and then only once. Soon she was viewing the soul of Molly Procyk. 'My sister knows this, and still loves her' the feline asked herself as she studied that soul. There, where the change must be made she found exactly what she had expected. It had surprised Saimmi that Oharu could not see her own soul, until the ex-Miko had explained that this was the way of her path. A limitation she had accepted long ago. There in that place a well known male had been. No gentle change here, it was a rough built damaging change. To do what she needed it must be cleansed for a time. There though she found already the unmistakable touch of Oharu. 'So, my sister did touch her. Was tempted. Yet she withdrew. I am proud.' Carefully she took apart that rough construct, setting it aside to replace later. For Oharu begged that Molly be allowed her own future, that none interfere. Into that emptiness she slipped her own image into that waiting place. Then strengthened it in a way that buck could never manage.
Opening her eyes she watched as Molly fought with her new feelings. “My words are false?” she asked softly, knowing the truth.
“I. How... I...” Molly stood, started to move forward a step before forcing herself to sit again. “Take it away. Please.”
“If I do not?”
Tears filled the doe’s eyes. “I never believed. What are you. What... This is madness.”
“Yet in truth you do not love me. Yet you now desire me beyond all others. This is truth?”
Molly swallowed, finally bringing her new emotions under some control. “Truth. Ada. The same?”
“Ada’s woman. In a different, more subtle way yes. Her heart was opened to an ancient life. One that, in a future life she would return too. It was not meant for this life, thus for her it is a problem. Those responsible have been most severely punished. Ada is truthfully in love with her woman. She understands in both mind and heart that eventually a way will be found to release from this. Knowing her fate still she wishes her love to be free. Even though that freedom will probably mean that they will never touch again. Oharu spent many months attempting to release that woman from her curse. It was an exhausting, stressful project. Yet Kama, in her childish view of reality simply banished all but the one thread with but a thought. Yes Molly. Oharu is stronger than I as a third year is above a first. Yet upon Main Island is Kama, who’s strength is the greater as to make Oharu seem a child. There are always balances my child. Hasn’t that diary told you that?”
Stunned Molly simply gaped at the woman across from her.
“Of course I am aware of what that diary contains. Of your new name. You were away from your dorm a week. Did you not suspect that it would be read?”
“Personal” Molly managed to gasp.
“Not when one of my daughters is involved. You threatened to kill her. That, to threaten any Priestess with death is in itself on Spontoon a near instant death sentence. That is why your Lars has never made a move against her. That, and in truth he is so very aware that she would crush him with less effort than you closing your gaping mouth. If not her, any Priestess. Why do you think that you still live. That you are still able to take a water taxi. That Songmark has not thrown you to your own countries salivating wolves. Because Oharu begged this. In her pain she still protects you, and you are not worth her love. SIT!”
Molly had stood, yet at that last word she felt herself yanked painfully back to the ground. Saimmi’s gentle voice had suddenly become powerful. Frightenly powerful.
“You Euro, are in the presence of the High Priestess of Spontoon. She who’s word is life, death, prosperity or destruction of any within these islands and those who bow to her. You Euro. You have stolen the heart, the very soul of one of my daughters. Of my chosen sister. As you have no use for them and I do, I demand that you return them now!”
“Ah can’t” Molly admitted. “Ah don’t know how.”
“Yet you knew how to capture them. Do not sit there and ask me to believe that you are still unaware of what you have done. Or have you thought it something childish, like a first love? Or a first beer.”
“I... I never really believed. I just thought she wanted me. Like Granite did.”
“For her own pleasure? This I am certain would be never. Because she loved you. Wanted to be at your side. Needed to stand between you and that which she has seen soon comes to eat you? Yes.” Reaching within Molly’s soul Saimmi retrieved that image of herself, leaving behind the wicker-work of Lars again. “You now know the full truth. Of Oharu. Of us. Of these Islands. Of what that one heartsick mouse has done for you. For us. Now you must make your own path. Go back to Songmark. Finish your course. You will stay away from my sister forever unless I permit you into her presence. You doe. You criminal. You have hurt her worse than those who took her maidenhood from her. Who took her voice. Who took her beauty. Who took even her motherhood. Yet all she ever wanted from you was a smile. Nothing more. But know this little Euro. You no longer amuse Spontoon. You no longer amuse me.”
Turning Saimmi vanished into the jungle, leaving Molly to stare in shock at the darkness.
“You are satisfied little Kali” a male voice asked from behind her.
Spinning around Molly found herself facing an old male fur of indeterminate species. “Wild Priest” she stated, at the least being certain of that.
“True. Are you satisfied little Kali” he repeated, not moving from his one legged stance.
“Kali is destruction. I like to destroy. So?”
“Kali, my little fur. No, she is not Destruction. That is Kala. There are two within your school who will clarify that. Kali transforms. Are you satisfied?”
Molly stepped forward, studying the ancient one before her. “Why should you care. I’m just a filthy little Euro.”
“Who has captured, and horribly injured the heart of one of our children. Are you satisfied.”
“Satisfied? Of what.” The doe sat again with her back again to the same stone as before. “Satisfied? I’ve torqued off the High Priestess, made my best friends angry at me. Apparently hurt the man I love and killed the woman I most hated. Only to discover that she was in love with me. Then hurt a woman who meant me no harm simply because she professed love for me. In short I’ve made a true blue mess of my life here. Satisfied? No sir. I am not satisfied. And don’t you dare say go kill the mouse. I don’t murder. I’m certain she wouldn’t raise a paw to stop me. That’s cold blooded murder and I don’t murder.”
“Yet you have killed.”
Molly shrugged. “Fair fight. They had as much a chance of killing me as I did them. It wasn’t murder.”
“Agreed. Little Euro. Allow me to explain something.”
Molly gave a pouting smile. “Wish someone would. All I ever wanted was to live my life.”
“As do we all. Oharu offered you everything you ever desired in a companion. Correct?”
“Maybe. I guess. Except that she’s female.”
“Truth. As that Euro discovered with Ada. As Malou discovered, and accepted from Nikki. For you this apparently cannot be. I do not know why, or if that is the real truth. Saimmi will never tell me what she saw in your soul and I may never look upon it. Thus is part of our treaty. Oharu knew this. In her mind. Her heart though could not believe it. Thus do even the mightiest fall. Should you need her she will respond to your call. If the High Priestess allows. Before? She would have given up all to be at your side. This much you have lost forever.”
“Big deal. So what if I lost something. She’s a woman. I don’t like women. Besides I have Lars. Who else could I need?”
“Do you? Have Lars. Or does he have you. Do you hate women? Or fear them. Look into your heart young child. Look deeply, then call to the mountain your answer regarding him. I will hear.”
Molly struggled to her feet. “You talk a lot for a Wild priest” she suddenly realized.
“My time is very close. I have already chosen my replacement. Saimmi, Oharu. They are important to the future on this nation. So are Amelia, Helen, Saffina and Kama. As will be others. Once, perhaps even yourself. No longer for you though, that greatness though you touch all their lives. You are a key I cannot allow to turn in the wrong direction. Yet all I may use are words. Thus I am free with them.”
“Cannot?” Molly laughed, glancing back at the dark jungle behind her. “Why not just force me to lust after Oharu. Back there I was ready tah jump the High Priestess. Jump ‘er and love every second of it. Why not Oharu? It’d clean up a lot of your problems.”
“You would not love her Molly Procyk. She would know. She would release you herself. Oharu Wei is a very powerful Priestess little one. More powerful than even myself it seems. Soon she will be even the greater, not for her need but for Spontoons need. For she draws upon not one foundation, not one land but two. Such was common when we first arrived, now she is the only one to do this. Perhaps the three Songmark children will join her. This is their choice, but they can never equal her for they haven’t quite the dedication. Another truth is this. We are not permitted to change any female. Not permitted to order any female.”
“Why?”
Shifting his weight to the other leg the wild priest chuckled, the sound surprising Molly. “Why? Why not tell you. Listen little Euro. I will explain why our children no longer listen to us. It is with great cause. You see, when we first came to this land that fragment young Oharu put her soul in danger to recover, who nearly lost her soul too when she stood between you and that bullet. It was not a fragment then. We were twenty priests, almost three hundred full Priestess. As do Euro religions we ruled our children. We, we the Priests ordered our children to cleanse this land for us. Thus they did, at the cost of all but thirteen of their lives. Think little Euro. Twenty males sent almost three hundred females to near eternal suffering. Simply because we ruled. Rightfully those thirteen cast us out. Even today there are only fifty-one full Priestess’s, nearly fifty part time priestess’s. Since then we have lived on the edges, watching, nudging, but knowing that were a thousand thousand generations to pass we would still have that blood upon our paws. Thus we care deeply for our children, though only each High Priestess is fully aware of our actions.”
Molly thought over those words, putting pieces together in her mind. “Cranium Island, Krupmark. Their fragments are gone. They return to what they were?”
“Krupmark yes, in time. Cranium Island? No. Cranium Island has defiled itself, drawn the fragments energy into itself. Thus those Priestess’s are still lost to us. Saffina returned the souls of a third of those we lost. All those who were entrapped upon Krupmark. Until Cranium Islands darkness is defeated another third remain lost. Yes, Krupmark will cool. In a generation. Two at most. Though its cooling will be violent. You will much enjoy its cooling.”
“Oharu. Cranium Island?”
“Perhaps. With the three from Songmark. Together they will become a great force, given enough time. Perhaps she will face Cranium Island. Cleanse it. Return our children. You should not go there with her, for her torn heart is still yours. She would fail, trying to protect you. Though I think you will enjoy watching as her bones are torn from her living body. And those of all your friends. That darkness I can sense within you, for you would feel it a fair fight. So perhaps you should go there. After all, inflicting pain upon her seems to be your greatest pleasure.”
Molly stood, then stepped forward in anger, bringing one hoof off the sand to swing into the figure before her. Instead of an impact her leg swung through the figure, causing her to spin around. Staggering back into a standing position she saw the Priest now had a frown upon his face. “In truth, it is good that you have denied yourself Oharu’s love. You are not a good enough woman for her.”
Stepping forward again Molly reached out, stunned to watch as her paws flowed through the Priest’s form. “Yer a ghost” she gasped, stepping backwards.
“There are no such things as ghosts. Not on these Islands. I am simply waiting to say goodbye to Saimmi, and tell her who my replacement is. True, my body is dead, yet I have not quite moved to my rest. Still I am no ghost little child.”
Staggering backwards the Chicago born and raised native bounced off the stone she’d leaned against, pressed back again to feel its solidness. “Father in heaven...”
“Oh please. I am no more danger to you than the mist. Return to Songmark. Look into your heart. Then when you are absolutely certain about your Lars call to the mountain. Your words will come to me, and to be honest little child I am very much interested in your answer. No matter how long it may take you.”
With those last words he vanished from Molly’s sight. It was much later that Saimmi returned to stand next to the still staring doe.
“There is something of interest in the waters” she asked, her voice again soft.
“He wasn’t there. But he was” the doe answered.
“Yes. You are correct. I will walk you to a water taxi. You will find a way to return to me my daughter, or join her for life. That is your only choice. Come.”
Struggling to her feet Molly looked around. “Dad said this was all fakery” she admitted.
“He was right. Were he to come here. All he would find is fakery. It is our way, to protect ourselves from those who would enslave us. You though. You have been touched. By myself, by Amelia, Helen, Saffina, Oharu, those things on Cranium Island and that which you destroyed on Krupmark island. For you did destroy those monsters. Not simply dispel them. They will never exist again in this universe.”
Brushing off the sand Molly started following the feline. “Oharu. She stepped between me an death for real. You didn’t lie.”
“My mortal family was there. On Krupmark you were there. Did I lie?”
“No. No. But no one ever tried tah take ah bullet for me before.”
Saimmi stopped, turning to face the doe. “You will not place my daughter in such danger again. She faced death for you many times because she loves you. Not because she wanted your body. There is a difference Euro. When you learn that difference, perhaps you will no longer be Euro. “
“He told me. Why these islands are run by Priestess’s, not a Priest.”
Saimmi’s expression changed to one of surprise. “No Euro knows this” she admitted. “Oharu only learned after her return from Krupmark. Your friends do not yet know. I wonder why he spoke with you so much. Perhaps he saw something in you. Or perhaps he simply wished to talk. Do not return to this part of South Island for a month. Do not approach my sister Oharu for any reason. Not without my permission.”
“Yah wouldn’t give it anyway.”
Saimmi cocked her head slightly. “Ask. Without asking one can never learn. If you have found your heart, perhaps the answer would be yes. Correct?”
“Yeah. So mah instructors say. What happens tah tha mouse anyway? Hospital?”
Saimmi started walking again. “She will be a drunken beach bum for one month. Perhaps two, or three. A year or more even. However long before I decide that she is recovered. Perhaps forever. If she recovers from your wound she will return to Great Stone Glen. That is on Main Island, thus you may wish to avoid that place as well. She will not step foot on Eastern Island again until you have left. Since the only three places she goes to on Casino Island are places you would not, I think you are safe from her there. If she does not recover, she will spend the rest of her life wandering South Island. Forever denied to leave. Forever denied to serve. It will quickly kill her.”
Molly remained quiet until they reached the waiting taxi. “It has ah brass tiki on it. Always wondered why some do, some don’t” she admitted.
“Each full Priestess is assigned a water taxi. It is a great contest among these taxi pilots who gains that little tiki. This one is mine, a wolf belongs to Oharu. There are fifty-two water taxis with a brass tiki. Should your three friends become full Priestess’s then there will be fifty five. Before you ask, there are no water taxis assigned to wild priests. They do not require nor desire such transportation.”
Molly stopped next to the waiting taxi and its white furred ram pilot. “Why are yah tellin me all this?”
“You asked for the truth. You have not asked that the truth cease being told you. Molly Procyk. Some part of Oharu’s heart will always be yours. I much dislike this, yet now I know that nothing I may do, that she may do will remove you from her heart. There is this truth also, as mad as you are there is a darkness within you that does not belong. That only you may remove. All I will instruct you in is this one thing. Do not further harm her. You would not like your dreams. Now go. Tell my students we have talked. You may tell them all that occurred here, or nothing. That is your choice.”
“One last question” the doe begged after stepping on the boat.
Saimmi laughed. “Do not worry, your trip home will be safe. Though it will cost you the shell and a third you paid the come here.”
“No. Not tha” Molly admitted. “What if some day I change mah mind. About Oharu.”
“Then a great number of coins will change paws. Molly Procyk, if you wish to speak again with Oharu come to Main Island. Ask any priestess other than Oharu. She will guide you to me. If I feel your reason is enough, I will allow. But little Euro. That you will come to me to profess your love for my daughter? No, I do not believe that this will ever happen. I myself have several coins against that event. I might be dissapointed to lose those coins. Now, goodbye.”
Before Molly could speak again the High Priestess had vanished.
“Estern Isle?” a gruff voice asked from behind her.
Pulling a shell coin and some change from her school uniform pocket Molly turned to place them in the waiting bowl. “Eastern Island please” she agreed. “Seems I’ve angered a lot of people.”
“Mahbe. Mahbe noh” the ram answered as he backed his boat from its slip. “Still aliv. Mus noh ah made tha big ah enemy oh her. Last tah do so with ah High Priestess went mahd inna hour. Still is.”
Settling down in a seat Molly watched as lights swung across the bow. ‘I learned some things’ she admitted to herself. ‘An I learned some things.’ She let the sea breeze ruffle her fur, unconsciously opening her blouse to the coolness. As the taxi moved against the wind Molly remembered Captain Granite’s words in that diary. A letter written to her that had never had any expectation of arriving in her paws and had taken the death of she who wrote it to manage that action.
Dear sweet Molly. Yes I forced you that first time, then fell in love with you before the sunrise. Why did I take you? Your beauty of course. My men wished to break you as they do all women who fall into their paws. Loving you I could not allow this. Thus it was I who broke that lock, allowing you that fantastic swim. It was I who ordered the port turn than ended us upon a sandbank, insuring your escape. Molly. Would that we had met in other times. Would we have met before that night my father forced himself upon my body. I would have taken your name, or given you mine. Yet it could not be. Time placed us too many years apart.
So it is that all I may do is apologize, little as that will mean to you. In the back of this diary are copies of the papers I gave you to sign. That you signed because you wanted to, not because you were in any way forced. They are not the marriage contract I lead you to believe they were. I could not do that to you. Not to my beloved Molly. They are papers that make you my daughter. They are posted in San Fran. In Boston. Thus, you may use your name or mine. It is all my father left to me after that night. So as I ruined your life he ruined mine. Sad, that I am so like my father.
Find someone my Molly. Find love. Find what you need. For if you read this you have gained your greatest revenge. I am now most dead.
Elizabeth Diane Rose Cabot
It had been signed in Granites real name. A name that had shocked the gun moll. For one so high to have fallen so low. Yet the name was hers to use, should she choose. By now Boston would know, though they would not like what they knew. It was true Molly had to admit, after the first time she hadn’t been forced. But that was only because when she was with the Captain, she wasn’t with the crew. That was why. Wasn’t it. She knew it was. Then to freely place herself in the arms of another woman, just because that woman happened to love her? Never. Molly was certain of that. Never. Even though the name Molly Wei did have more of a fun sound to it than Molly Cabot.
January 22nd, 1937
The bulldog known as Major Thomas Hawkins laid down the records before him. He had just returned from Guam to the English Consulate and was somewhat unhappy about the reports he had discovered there. Certain women were vanishing. Pretty women, women in both the American and British forces, most with access to sensitive documents. Some had suddenly turned up, with absolutely no idea where they had been for days, even weeks or what had happened during that time. It stank. Stank of a certain drug that had surfaced upon Spontoon, then vanished. Supposable with its creators death at the paws of some of Spontoon’s best. He would have to arrange a meeting, one he was not happy to arrange. For the more they met, the more chances of discovery existed.
Even the report by Millicent Holmes had hardly raised his spirits. To have foolishly made a bet with a known dangerous woman was one thing. To win another. But to bring her onto English grounds for a night, then escort her off in the morning was another. Though the otter having left wrapped only in a towel had been a rather nice topping he decided. At least they were certain that the German had taken no secrets with her, other than Millicent’s rather broad appetites. Still he would have to have a stern talking to that girl. A very stern talking too. The German was simply too dangerous to become complacent with.
Major Hawkins wasn’t Millicent’s only problem today. Serious discussions had been going on about her at Madam Maxine’s since she had sent the German home in nothing but a towel. A certain file had been carefully examined, and now the woman behind Madam Maxines knew what had happened. A simple mistake. Tatiana had requested that her Millicent be ‘given a little more self confidence.’ When the clerk responsible had pulled an instruction sheet from the correct folder, somehow a more expansive set of instructions had been selected. Finally, after days of searching the truth had come out. While filing instructions, a single sheet meant for Spontoon’s more important ‘tourist agents’ had stuck to one meant for ‘tourists.’ It was a complete accident. No one could be brought to blame as the papers were not numbered or in any way coded. That the elder woman decided, would change. Today. Yet what was done was done. To cease Millicent’s training now would be a disaster. Reversing it would be even a greater disaster. A letter of apology would go to a certain bulldog and a certain Russian. Immediately and paw carried.
Millicent sat outside Mr. Dassher’s office, knowing by the scents around her that a certain bulldog was also within. She shivered, as much in fear as excitement. She had been summoned, with a capital S. What though could she have done to anger those two yet again? Whatever it was, Sergeant Proud standing at attention across from her was certain proof that she had yet again overstepped some line.
“Sergeant Proud” she said in a normal conversational tone, aware that he would not respond to her words. But he would hear them, and that was important to her. “Sergeant. I in all honesty do not understand why I am here. What I may have done wrong. That I have is obvious, you would not be so professional were it not important. Whatever it is please understand that I bear you, nor anyone within these walls any ill will. I am doing my very best. I am trying. I listen to you. I practice.” She fought back tears. “I do exactly what I am told to do. I no longer snoop. I no longer think I am better than anyone else.” She paused, fighting back her sobs that wanted to escape. “I am proud to be trained by you, by these men, by my Tattie. Even by Madam Maxine’s. But somehow I have failed you all.” She looked at that door, biting her lower lip. “I have failed my country, my crown. I have failed my Tatiana. Somehow. I do not know as yet the how, still I will soon.” She turned her tear stained eyes towards the Scottish Terrier. “I have tried to wake up. Honestly, I have tried.” Finished, she sat in silence, bringing her emotions under control as best she could.
Much later that door opened and Mr. Dassher looked out. “Millicent” he said in an emotionless voice. “Please?”
With one last look to the statue that was Sergeant Proud she stood, following the hound into his office. Once within she stood in the same place she had the last time she had visited. Silent, her paws to her side.
“You are aware that enemy agents are not permitted within these walls” Major Hawkins asked softly.
With a horrified gasp of understanding Millicent knew exactly what she had done wrong. Still she gathered herself together. “No excuses sir” she answered.
“Good. Find a chair and sit. We will be having a discussion. One that involves you my dear, but not your position in these walls.” He sat, waiting until Dassher and Millicent had both followed suit. The feline Hawkins noted had placed her paws into her lap, completely in view. Very good he thought, though he would say nothing about that to her.
“You have been attending training at Madam Maxine’s. Social training paid for by your wife to be” Hawkins stated. It was not a question. “Training that had your parents had the money you would already have. This is good, we have already accepted this. Welcomed it.” He lifted a delicate sheet of paper from the desk, a kind Millicent had never seen before. “From the dear Lady herself. Are you aware that certain training is given there. Beyond social, beyond that even given a Huntress?”
“No sir” Millicent admitted. “I was shown the door where Huntress’s go for their extra social training, but told I was not permitted there. I have never made any attempt to enter.”
Hawkins actually smiled. “Very good. Though I can tell you that it would have done you little good. Huntress’s do not get their um, physical training, at Madam Maxine’s. They are taught other things, things a proper Lady should not be aware of. Still there is other training and your Tatiana requested a certain kind.” He smiled again. “She asked that your self confidence be improved. It is a little thing. In all truth you needed it.” He dropped the paper on his desk. “Unfortunately, as in all bureaucracies a mistake was made. A wrong form selected.” He actually laughed. “Oh dear sweet Millicent, your self confidence has been strengthened. In such a way that you now find any women who presses you a challenge.”
“Sir?” Millicent stood, looking down at her superior. “Women, a challenge?” She could see that Mr. Dassher was fighting to keep a straight face, then by now Millicent had learned just how easy the hound did laugh. When it was not a life or death situation. “I am not to be thrown to the dogs?”
“No” Hawkins answered. “They are all female. I fear that they would have no chance against you anymore.”
That did it. Dasher turned to face the wall and simply lost all control.
“Gods be Dassher” Hawkin’s snapped. “How is a man to dress down an employee when you are constantly laughing. Get hold of yourself man.”
Ignoring the laughing security officer Millicent approached Hawkins desk. “Sir. Exactly what does ‘challenge’ mean?”
“Look it up in the dictionary” the bulldog answered as he stood, pounding the now coughing Dassher on his back. “You may kill this poor man as yet.”
“Sir. Please.”
Turning away from the greyhound, who was now regaining control of himself Hawkins picked up that paper again, offering it to Millicent. “Jarvinia Schwarzkopf has been pressing herself upon you. Lightly yes, but you have noticed this. Correct?”
“As is in all my reports sir.”
“Millicent, have you carefully read all your reports? In honesty? You have become to see this woman as a challenge. She is trying to play you. In return you have, unconsciously, decided to turn the tables. Quite well as it seems.”
Taking the paper Millicent read Madam Maxine’s apology, and what must be done. “I am to complete this... this training? Sir, when am I being trained? I remember nothing of any such training.”
“We don’t know” the bulldog admitted. “I was warned, I should have heeded that warning. Please return to your chair. How does Jarvinia Schwarzkopf treat you now?’
“She no longer offers wagers sir.” Millicent sat again, returning to her previous pose. “I am not in trouble sir?”
“Verbal slap on the wrist for bringing the German in. Not important. Not knowing that.” He indicated the letter Millicent still held. “She says that you must complete your conditioning, or you will be a danger to yourself. How they do this I do not know. So you will keep your eyes and ears open. You will report everything. It is my belief that it is a form of what we in the club call brain washing. That is obvious. But how? Normally that takes harsh measures, yet by your reports everything is open and above board.” He shrugged, admitting defeat in this matter. “Report is that gangster Molly was trained in a day to be a perfect maid for her Lady Allworthy. That takes years, and then only when the subject is fully willing. This is important. If you can safely manage it. Well, a feather in your cap it certainly will be. But Millicent, your not trained like Tatiana. Don’t expect to win at this game, just give it the good old school try.”
“Yes sir” the feline agreed. “There is more?”
“Yes. Quite a bit. Proud claims that you are progressing. He states that he is quite certain that should you ever have to use that blade you carry, that you will not cut your own throat first. That’s good news, we’ve become rather fond of you and your pet Russian.” He suddenly leaned forward. “What do you know of rockets?”
“Rock Its?” Millicent blinked in confusion. “It is not something I have ever heard of sir.”
“Rockets, one word. Dassher has a briefing for you after I leave. You, Millicent. Are suddenly going to be bitten by the space bug. Hard. Very hard.”
Millicent held back an expression of fear. “Will it be very painful sir” she asked.
The bulldog snickered, Dassher covered his eyes again. “Hurt. No, Tatiana is bitten by the flying bug right?”
Light blossomed in the felines head. “It is a slang term. Sir. Ladies never use slang. My Tatiana has a great love of flying aircraft sir. She has not been bitten by some base bug sir.”
“Maxine’s is having a very good effect upon her sir” Dassher commented.
“Maybe too good” Hawkins agreed. “Taking all the fun out of her they are. Well” he nodded to the younger feline. “What she should have had. Parents in the Diplomatic field should have the funds to educate all their daughters, not just the first three. Millicent, you are not to bring that otter onto these grounds again unless she is surrendering. You understand?”
“Yes sir. I am to assume that this includes all from countries other than England?”
“Other than your Tatiana, for the nonce yes. Unless I personally tell you differently. Now tell me your true opinion of this Chinese girl.”
At Madam Maxine’s two women were discussing the next students arrival. “You have the correct wire loaded for Mrs. Benevedo’s next visit?”
“Yes Madam Maxine” the poodle answered. “It will take but two more exposures to train her pet with the standard social graces.” She paused, a paw on a hidden speaker. “Madam Maxine. The English girl. There will be repercussions?”
“Not from myself. It was a mistake too many paws had in the creating. Mine own as well. Changes are being made that will insure it will never occur again. We lost a great many shells that training normally brings us” She looked around the room, one normally used to instruct an appreciation for classical music. In cases such as Clay and Millicent, other sounds were played as an undertone. “Such is the way of the Gods. Now be ready with the correct wire when she comes this evening. For her there are still three more sessions.”
Silently the poodle watched as Madam Maxine glided out of the room. She would be very careful not to make a mistake. At least not until someone else had first. No, spending an entire tourist season giving free facials to fat bloated tourists was bad enough the once. If she ever had to do it again, she would go insane. She just knew that she would. Absolutely Cranium Island insane.
Madam Maxine returned to her office, certain that what had occurred was a fault of the style of record keeping they employed. Had she even dreamed that it had been other, next tourist season there would have been some very interesting booths open for tourists to attend. The entire season.
Later that evening Millicent again entered Madam Maxine’s. As was normal she released her jacket to a waiting woman. It would be returned to her unchanged when she left. She had also noticed a certain scent as she entered. Once one had met the mare Nikki Benevedo one never forgot her earthy scent. This time though the scent was fading, which meant that Nikki was no longer in the building. Walking to the rooms only other occupant Millicent gave the young skunk a smile, ignoring her sharp, somewhat disagreeable scent. It was a test the feline now knew, a test to see if she (or whomever came in) could keep from showing dislike in their face, voice or body language. For the skunks scent had been enhanced by forcing her not to cleanse herself. It had taken Millicent over nine visits to manage that little trick.
“Good evening Carla” Millicent said in greeting. “I have, I believe, a seven pm appointment with Sue Li today. Would you be so kind and check that I am correct, and that she is ready for me?”
“But of course Miss Holmes” the skunk agreed, turning the page of a book on the small desk before her. “You are quite correct Miss Holmes. Seven pm with Miss Tan. If you will please wait a moment?” When Millicent nodded her agreement Carla vanished through a door that Millicent had never entered. When she returned a minute later it was with a slight frown on her face. “Miss Tan is running a bit late tonight Miss Holmes” she explained. “Her last appointment went a bit over. Two minutes, she assures me only two minutes.” She turned that book around, offering Millicent a rather expensive fountain pen to use.
Millicent stepped forward, accepting that pen. “Certainly Carla” she agreed as she signed her name next to the entry of her appointment. “Why, we all run late now and then. It certainly will not harm me to wait a few minutes.” Returning the pen she turned and walked over to a painting that she liked. It was an English painting of the Scottish Highlands. It reminded her a bit of home.
Exactly two minutes later a white furred Chinese fox stepped into the room from a different door. “Miss Holmes” the vixen asked. “I apologize for lateness. If you are ready?”
Turning to face the woman who had been training her all these weeks Millicent smiled. She truly liked the vixen as a friend. Only as a friend. “But of course, and please. Do not worry about such a small delay.” Following the vixen Millicent found herself in a well known hallway, eventually stopping as Sue Li opened a door, stepping aside to allow Millicent to enter first. “Ah, it is music again” she stated. Millicent never knew exactly what she would be learning each time she visited, and music was proving the most difficult. Though she well knew her favorite composer List, she was having to memorize each composers works that was considered socially important. Walking into the room she saw the normal furnishings. A very comfortable chair, a record player and a smaller chair for Sue Li to sit in. A table with several albums on it, along with a pitcher of water and one glass beside a teapot with the standard style of teacup normal to English society. Every wall was covered in thick, sound absorbing curtain. Even the door was hidden by a curtain that Sue Li pulled across it after closing it. Those curtains did double duty, blocking the sound from bothering other rooms while helping clarify it for Millicent’s ears. Looking around the feline saw nothing that might be called brainwashing equipment. At least nothing that Mr. Dassher had shown her in photographs was present.
“We will start with Mr. Edmond Dede tonight Miss Holmes” Sue Li explained. “Please to sit, I will bring tea yes?”
“Thank you Sue Li” Millicent agreed. She sat her purse on the floor next to the comfortable overstuffed chair, then settled down to prepare for three hours of music that she may, or may not like. Each composer was so very different. Sue Li brought her the tea, hot and fresh as Millicent preferred. “Thank you Sue Li” she said, sipping carefully of her tea. It was just as it should be, tea. No strange taste, or aftertaste.
“Edmund Dede was born in the city of New Orleans in 1827, he died in 1903 in Paris Miss Holmes. A pure blackfur his compositions are considered part of the Romantic era. We will first listen to Grande valse a l'Americaine.” Placing a record on the turntable the Chinese vixen carefully placed the players brand new needle into the lead groove. In seconds music filled the room. Not too soft, but not loud enough to cause the vixen to raise her voice.
After five minutes Sue Li stopped talking, walking over to take the tea cup from Millicent’s unresisting paws. A few minutes of careful examination proved to the vixen that her student had slipped into that state most useful for Madam Maxine’s special training wires. Walking behind Millicent’s chair she pressed the back in a certain pattern. Hidden latches released, allowing the upholstered panel to fall away. Within was a complex panel, with a wire recorder carefully mounted upon a tray that slid our from beneath the chairs seat. Working quickly, for the song was only a bit over eight minutes long and she had to maintain the music class or chance Millicent breaking from her drug induced hypnotic state. Sue Li unrolled dozens of long thin wires from waiting spools. She had just finished attaching the first half of them to various points on Millicent’s body, mainly her skull and spine on her neck when the record neared its end. Hurrying to the player she lifted the needle just at the right time.
“Miss Holmes, that was?” she asked in a very soft voice.
“Grande valse a l'Americaine. By Mr. Edmund Dede” the feline answered in a far away voice.
“Quite correct Miss Holmes. You have such a wonderful memory. Next we play Mon Sous Officier.” Turning the record over she again carefully placed the needle into its grove. This song was only seven minutes long, but her needs would require only five. Her last attachment was a copper ring around the felines tail-root, being careful that the metal was warmed in her own paws before touching that delicate bare skin on the tail roots underside. With everything ready, the equipments tubes warmed and balanced Sue Li started the wire recorder. In seconds electrical signals took over the vixens body, pushing her mind deeper into that hypnotic state as instructions were fed directly to the felines brain. Now a gun could be fired next to her ear and she would never notice it. Once Sue Li had carefully examined that control panel, carefully that was until she spotted a symbol every sane person knew. It had come from Cranium Island, and having come from there the vixen was afterwards very careful to follow exactly her instructions. Cranium Island was dangerous, so were the things that came from there. Finished with her work she returned to the records. Two hours and forty minutes for that tape to run completely. Another five to pack it all away and wake the English girl carefully so that she was unaware of how much time had passed. Then the wire spools had been designed to be very helpful here with that problem.
Millicent again found herself in Mr. Dassher’s office. This time though she had come of her own accord. “You are certain that you remember nothing of any indoctrination” the hound asked after listening to her report.
“Nothing sir” the feline answered. “There were... Places on my body that tingled. As though an electrical current were going through them. I had Doctor Hudson inspect those areas. One being my tail root. His report sits upon your desk sir.”
“Yes. ‘A very healthy young lady showing no evidence of puncture wounds, adhesive material or abrasion of the underlying fell.’ Very competent Dr. Hudson. Yet you felt something.”
“Yes sir. It is as an after feeling.” She blushed abruptly. “As when I have been with my Tatiana, even afterwards I able to feel her touch in places.”
Dasher wrote as his young cleric spoke, carefully setting to pen every hint of evidence that the girl could give. “Yet you remember nothing other than the music you were exposed too.”
“Tea sir. Very well made. I drank so much that I had to visit the water closet before leaving. Absolutely nothing more and nothing out of what I would expect. Sue Li was before me at all times and no one entered the room. Of this I am most certain.”
“Very well Millicent. You are released for the night. And please, try not to collar the German too quickly?”
Millicent stood, gathering her purse to her. “Sir. She is too dangerous. I fear that should I attempt such that my Tattie will be a widow before she is married.” She brushed a fallen lock of hair from her eyes. “I will not allow that.”
“As long as you are careful then” the hound agreed. “In the morning then.” He waited until the young feline had left before pondering what she had told him. A feeling of electrical current, yet Doctor Hudson found nothing. Though the good Doctor was very competent, certainly there had to have been something. All well and good it would have to wait until Major Hawkins returned from his date on Meeting island.
January 24th, 1937
Helen Whitehall placed a plate of breakfast in front of her visitor. “Your students” she asked as she settled down across from the yellow furred hound.
“We are going to lose one” Catherine Devinski answered. “It’s not her will, her desire. It’s her body. She’s collapsed twice now. I will be sorry to lose her, but if she keeps going she may die.”
“Songmark does not kill her students” Helen quoted.
“No, we don’t. This girl, her heart is too small. No one caught it until Doctor Kiwi took chest x-rays. She had collapsed after a simple three mile full pack march. Then again the next day when climbing. Mrs. Oelabe sent her to Meeting island Friday for testing.” She drank her coffee, avoiding the look Helen was giving her for the moment.
“You should never tell this tah me” Helen whispered. “‘s not my place to know.”
Catherine nodded in agreement. “But, if I keep things from you” she answered in that same whisper. “When do I stop keeping... ‘things’ from you? Better never to start than try to find a place to stop.”
“Who then?” Helen asked.
“Patricia Cobbler. A little Prairie Dog from the United Moaru Chiefdoms.” Catherine sipped her coffee again. “Tried as hard as any girl ever has. But its her heart. Doctor Kiwi is the best we have in this regard hon. Normal life, about the only thing that’d overstress her would be ah hard childbirth. And she wants pups. Mrs. Oelabe is givin her that hard news this afternoon. Flight leaves tomorrow morning.”
“Why not tell her when you knew? Why make her think she still might have some sort of chance. Catherine, there’s nothing that can be done?”
Miss Devinski shook her head no. “Sadly, she was born with a small heart. Her parents had to know. At least one of them. Probably her mother now that I think of how the girls life has been. You can’t do that. That is too dangerous. A mother over protecting her pup? All she managed to do is turn Patricia away from her.” She sat her cup down. “Bad conversation over breakfast. Oharu bought the girl a second chance. Should have seen this, her exhaustion after swimming from Casino to Main. But so many other things covered it.”
Helen pushed her food around, thinking. “That air ambulance, she knows enough to be useful to them.”
“No good. Rules hon. Your walk out the gates, you go home. That is why we demand the return fee.”
Helen shrugged, “Seem’s so mean though. Well, nothing ah can do. Better to eat breakfast now before my son wakes. He’ll want his right after a diaper change. If there’s any left.” She winked at Catharine, the hound being polite enough to blush. “And I only have you until three this afternoon. Maybe I will take your collar. Can’t marry you, only other way tah be sure we stick together.”
Catherine reached across the table to take the afghan’s chin in her paw. “I will never collar you” she promised. “Other than your heart, as you seem to be doing to mine.”
“There is Oharu” Helen answered with a giggle.
“There is the mouse” Catherine agreed, then stood, leaned over the table and kissed her hostess.
January 25th, 1937
Patricia Cobbler stood on Casino Island beside the third year girl Ada Cronstein, waiting for her aircraft to board. “I can’t sah goodbah tah tha Priestess” she asked, barely keeping her tears at bay. She was a Songmark Girl after all, and Songmark Girls didn’t cry. Not even when they had failed. She wore her uniform, but there was no note upon her collar or sleeve.
“Great Mother, that is the High Priestess” Ada explained. “She has ordered Oharu not to have any contact with any Songmark girl but her daughter Tatiana. Not until this years course is over. I would take you to her myself, if I were able.”
“Then” reaching into her jacket the smaller prairie dog pulled out an envelope. “A letter. To her. I’m going to my fathers home. Gonna mine for opals.” She looked out the windows towards Eastern island. “Ah dream. All ah dream.”
Accepting the envelope Ada followed that look. “A dream yes little one. A dream fourteen girls find true each year. This year you were one of the fourteen. Remember that little one. One of the fourteen in the whole wide world. Better than all others. You have the address, write your dorm mates. They will want to know that you are well.”
“And the Priestess?”
“Write to her in care of Miss Devinski. My word that whatever you write, it will be delivered to Oharu.”
“Flight Four Seven to Hawaii, leaving in fifteen minutes. All please board now” came a call over the intercom. Patricia looked up at the grill hiding that speaker. Stared at it for several minutes. “I better goh” she whispered.
Ada stopped her with one paw. “Remember little one. You are Songmark. You will always be Songmark. No one can ever take that away from you. And remember this too, you leave not in disgrace but in Honor. Your body failed you, though you should not have told me that. Your body failed, not your spirit. I am proud to call you my sister in Songmark. Now” she pulled a small package of something from one pocket. “Sweets, for the trip. And write, we all want to know you made it home safely and what you are doing.” She laughed, “Who knows, I might need some help one day if I land on your side of town. “I would trust another Songmark girl before even my Rabbi.”
Accepting the little package Patricia threw herself into a hug with the older, larger girl. Then slowly backed away, grabbed her valise and ran for the waiting aircraft. It would be three hours later when she opened that little package, and found her first year notes within it.
Miss Blande was waiting outside the gate when Ada returned. She waved the Jewess over to that visitors bench just in sight of the gate, but out of hearing range.
“You gave Patricia her first year notes back” the feline said. It was not a question. “You are aware of the rules regarding this?”
Reaching into her own jacket Ada removed the envelope Patricia had given her, dropping it on the bench seat next to Miss Blande. “For Oharu from Patricia” she stated. “And yes, I certainly did. She deserves them.”
“In your opinion?”
“In my opinion” Ada agreed.
“Tomorrow is the full moon. Your woman already needs you.” Miss Blande picked up the envelope and stood. “Go to her. Now. We will discuss your punishment when you return.”
“Yes mam.” Turning her back on her instructor Ada ran back to the waiting water taxis. Whatever her punishment would be Ada was certain of one thing. It could never be worse than these nights, knowing that soon her loves curse would be lifted. Lifted, and like a certain Priestess Ada’s heart would be torn open.