Chapter One The Four Goddesses

Raena woke up as the first rays of light were creeping their way up the sky. She could smell the salty scent of the ocean. As a member of the water tribe, she was naturally attracted to the sea. She loved the sound of waves crashing onto the sand, the feel of the gentle swaying form waves under your feet, the peacefulness of it all. But nothing had been peaceful since the time of Galina, five-hundred years ago. They had moved onto the beaches for better offensive movements in the war, and so their boats became permanently docked, only warships being used. Everyone was tired of this war, they didn't even remember why they started it in the first place, but no one had the guts or lack of pride to end the war. The earth and air tribes just ignored the war, going on like nothing was happening in the desert. Life went on as usual for them.1

2

Raena was ready for the day by the time dawn was finished. She left her small little hut and headed to the docks. As she arrived their she saw many other woman their, all ready for work. A warship was due to arrive today and the woman must be their to greet it. It was custom. Men came home from battle and the woman would fix up the boats while they slept and rested until they were ordered to go out again to fight. But a few lucky woman got to rest also, on of those was the priestess. The priestess of today was Talia, kinder then Galina but more fierce in battle. She just sat around talking to the goddess Jari, sometimes talking to other gods. She went out battle on every full moon, but that was the hardest thing she did. The other women were the nurses. They took care of the young and the pregnant. All the rest of them had to work all day and all night. Raena wasn't one of the lucky few. She worked like most of the rest. 3

4

Raena greeted the other women as they stood at the dock. Threw the crowd she saw a glimpse of golden hair that belonged to only two people alive; Raena and her sister, Leah. 5

6

"Leah!" Raena called. The golden hair turned revealing Leah's perfect little face.7

8

"Rae!" Leah called as she ran through the crowd to hug Raena. Leah was Raena's little sister by four years, being only thirteen. It was Leah's first year at the docks but already her hands were becoming calloused. Her Perfect face was still as beautiful as ever. Leah was the prettier of the two, always being looked after more carefully for beauty was never wasted. When most girls start to work at age ten, the nurses were unwilling to let her work. In fact every body was. Raena was not ugly, but compared to her sister she was as dull as dirt. But no one really cared, everybody loved Raena almost as much as Leah just in a different way.9

10

"Have you heard, sis?" Leah asked. "Another ship is coming in. I miss having work to do. Aren't you excited?"11

12

"Of course I am," Raena said. "The more work the better. I'm just worried some man is going to steal your little heart away."13

14

"Aw sis. Don't worry. I'm worried that nobody has swept you off your feet yet." Before Raena could reply a distant yell was heard.15

16

"Ship's here!" The dock got into a frenzy as the woman prepared for the men to get home. As the ship landed at our dock the thousands of women there wondered if it was there loved ones ship. The one hundred men assigned to that ship clambered off, each a little dizzy from the change of the motion under their feet. Women squealed as their loved ones got off, running to hug and kiss them. The others just sighed in a sad way. 17

18

Behind all the men stood a messenger. After all the reunions were over he slowly walked off the boat. The women waited for him to leave so we could start out work. Some were a bit anxious though, for messengers didn't come that often and most of the times carried bad news. Unfair to the messengers, they weren't very liked. The messenger walked through the crowd straight to Leah. 19

20

"You are Leah?" he asked. 21

22

"Yes," Leah replied a bit nervously.23

24

"I have a message from the priestess to you, Leah." Leah grabbed the letter from the messengers hands. She looked at the symbols on the paper. She slowly read the letter not showing one emotion on her face. After she finished she handed the letter to Raena. The letter's contents went like this;25

26

Dear Leah,27

28

I have been priestess for many years now. Even prolonged as it is, I fear my life is almost to it's end. I would like to invite you to become my apprentice. The reasons being these: for many years I have listened for tales of a girl different from the rest, yours intrigued me the most. I watched you grow up from the age of three to the age you are now. your are now at the proper age to fulfil this part. Please accept.29

30

Yours,
Talia, Priestess31

Raena looked at Leah. Leah felt everyone's eyes on her. 32

33

"Well," the messenger said. "Do you accept?"Leah looked at Raena her eyes asking for her opinion. Raena nodded her head in answer. Leah smiled at Raena, thanks and love filling her eyes. Leah looked the messenger in the eyes.34

35

"I accept." 36