SOPHIA: The Oath

Photo by Marcus on Unsplash

Sophia kneeled, palms up, head bowed. Through closed eyes she could feel the heat of the central fire; she was one 12 children who surrounded the flames while their ceremony as Chosen commenced. The smell of burning sage permeated the air, the smoke thick enough to choke on. Sophia breathed slowly and deliberately as she had been taught. Coughing in any form would disrupt the solemn moment, and might be considered disrespectful.

The Fire Keeper stood to one side of the flames, ready to assist if the fire did anything other than burn steadily. The elder stood on the other side, regarding the children with a quiet smile. Each one had been selected for her unique physical and psychological profile. They would become the keepers of wisdom: it was a great honor and an incredible sacrifice.

Sophia was just 7 years old, too young to understand what was being asked of her but old enough to fall in line with expectation. Her mother whispered excitedly at the news that she’d been chosen, and her father beamed with pride. It was enough to fuel her ambition for the task of a lifetime: she would do everything possible to become the best keeper her people had ever known.

She felt the lightest touch on her palms. The feather of a red-tail hawk lay cradled in them, slightly shifting from the energy generated by the nearby flames. Sophia remained perfectly still and willed the feather to do the same. As the object settled, she heard one of the girls cry out in disappointment: a fallen feather meant the loss of one’s place among the Chosen. Sophia was beginning to feel the strain of kneeling and holding her arms out. The ground felt hard and unyielding. Sweat ran down the back of her neck from being so close to the fire. Still, she did not dare move until it was time.

“Rise.” The elder’s voice was rich with experience and history. Without opening her eyes, Sophia carefully rose to her feet, struggling to keep her hands… and the feather… as still as possible.

“Open your eyes.”

Sophia blinked slowly to keep sweat from getting into her eyes as her vision adjusted. She focused on the feather, ignoring all movement and sounds around her, save for the voice of the elder.

“Take your feather between your palms and place your thumbs to your head.” As the girls complied, the old woman spoke again. “This feather is now your mashkiki. You will keep it with you for luck and protection for the entirety of your time in this realm.”

Your time in this realm.

Sophia let the words swirl around her and settle into her consciousness. She nodded in compliance as the ceremony ended, and the rest of her life began.