Legends of Belariath
Annikki
Annikki grew up on another continent, in the south. A land of long summers, and heat. Canyons and deserts, marked by occasional streams and one large river.
A land of extremes, of summer sand storms, of extreme heat, of apparent scarcity of game and plant life . So it would seem to others.
But the streams and rivers winding there way through deep buff colored canyons provided water, well part of the year they did. And by now they knew locations of the springs. And game was there for those who had had to survive in this land.
How or why the small Chirot village has gotten there, was unknown. Something about a massive storm. A few elders called themselves the 8th city. The rest something else. Though city was hardly the name for it. The Chirots numbered about 500 now, and lived high up in a cave in a deep canyon. They had worked the large deep cave, building buff color stone homes, and common areas within, and delving back into the canyon walls. A good home, cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.
So they prospered, always keeping the old ways. The flame of Sheara burned high in their hearts.
Annikki's young years were happy ones.
Parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, it was happy family. Happy as could be that is, for they were at war. An emperor had discovered the vast mines of mithril and gemstones. And so mounted a campaign. Over 3 years, despite the combined efforts of the races that lived there, the Empire took over.
Yet the resistance went on. And as Anni grew, her idealistic heart was inflamed with the righteousnous of Sheara and so, she came under tutelage of the Clerics of her tribe.
As her clan and other races mounted what resistance they could, harrying the mining caravans,and using their skills to cause cave ins and more.
Annikki moved into Priestess's Merlo home, joining the other noviates. She spent her late teen years doing the mundane, cleaning, gathering the special herbs for the Chirot rites, studying the Tome of Sheara, and all the other tasks and aspects given those who would be Clerics. Often in trouble, because of her mischievious nature, she spent much time scrubbing floors. Yet, ever did the flame of Sheara burn in her heart.
The story of Sheara, at times saddened her to tears, made her break out in giggles, or inspired her to new thoughts and a deep devotion and love to Sheara and will to become a Priestess.
“One day” she would murmour as she read the Tome.
The Gods work in strange ways and the turn her life would take was unexpected indeed.
The raids went on, as the Chirots would attack the mining or slave caravans, if not able to free their brethern they would kill them in their shackles with arrows. Giving them the dignitiy of death, rather than slavery. It was good to send them to the Great Kingdom. Annikki secretly missed them though. This troubled her greatly, feeling she was failing Sheara.
During one of these raids, the young Chirot, just turned 18, was captured. But no mines for her, for many chirot had escaped or caused trouble once in the mines.
Instead, a brand on the back of the neck. An iron ring through her wings, and wrists shackled. And a long long journey in the dark hold of a sailing ship. Was it weeks or months? She would never know. Yet at last the journey was over. For a storm took the ship near an uknown shore. It hit the rocks and only a floating chest saved her as she blew onto the shore.
After much travail, she came a house..A chirot house and so was saved. Now, after a trip to the homeland, and passing the rite of ascension, the noviate is a noviate no longer, but a Cleric.
For Nanthalion is badly in need of Clerics and Priestesses. Annikki, Cleric of Sheara now, with the help of her Paladin of Sheara, Homunculnis, works to improve her own skills and knowledge, and to guide the other Chirot.
The Imperial Temple's new Chriot Shrine is almost ready, only one thing left needed for it. Then will there be the consecration and the young Cleric, must take up her duties, no matter how inadequate she feels herself to be.
She stands at her house shrine, wrists crossed over her chest, eyes closed. “My Lady, it is almost ready. I hope it pleases you. And oh by the way - could you not, just send one, just one of the many from the homeland? They said the rites and ways we used at home were fine..but would not it please you more to have them done the way it is done in the homeland?”
No answer comes as the Chirot waits long minutes. Her crossed wrists lower, a little disapointed then she breaks into a dimpled grin. “I guess not, thats okay My Lady. There are others who will help” she whispers soemthing in Chirot, to the small shrine, then heads outside to milk the goats.