Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Celia thought most of the women being carried around this way looked happy and serene—as did the men who were carrying them. Many of them greeted La’ver’na, who had put her golden sun mask back on, with a bow of the head and a reverent, “Good day to you, Priestess.”
La’ver’na acknowledged them regally with a nod of her head but said not a word until they reached the largest tree Celia had ever seen. Its massive trunk was as big around as an office building and its enormous branches rose so high they got lost in the pale pink of the sky. Its deep purple leaves looked to be the size of blankets to Celia, who was craning her neck to try and see the whole thing.
“This is the Mother Tree.” La’ver’na’s voice was hushed and reverent. “This is where we live and where many of us work. You will be staying here on First Branch, which is where the dormitory for our new recruits is located. Some of your work may be located on Second or Third Branch and our communal dining area is located on Fourth Branch, but above that level, you must not go until you have become full members of the Sisterhood of Peace.”
“Don’t go above the fourth branch—got it.” Celia nodded gravely. “That, uh, shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Very good—obedience and adherence to our laws is very important for new recruits.” La’ver’na nodded. “Well, let us ascend to First Branch so I can get you properly dressed and show you to your dormitory. I will also explain our way of living, so that you may begin to school yourselves in the lore of the Goddess of the Shining Heart.”
“Um, okay but…how do we get up there?” Celia asked doubtfully. Even the distance up to the first massive branch—which was itself thicker than a good sized tree trunk—was at least fifty feet off the ground. She wasn’t one to be afraid of heights, but she didn’t think she would be able to get a good enough grip on the papery white bark to climb all that way. Back home at the gym, she never did well on the rock-climbing wall and there they had a harness to keep you safe. Celia didn’t see any safety harnesses here.
But La’ver’na seemed to have an answer that didn’t involve climbing.
“We have sky-lifters of course. Follow me,” she said.
The priestess led them a little way around the trunk where there were long, narrow wooden platforms which had ropes on either end. La’ver’na tapped her goat men’s heads and they knelt smoothly as one in front of one of the platforms, enabling her to step directly onto the narrow length of wood. Then they removed the goddess seat harness and one of them tucked it away in a bag which he slung over his shoulder. Taking their positions on either side of the priestess, each of them seized a rope and began to pull, which caused the narrow rectangular platform to begin rising up the side of the tree trunk.
“Hurry and come up,” La’ver’na called down to Celia. “And mind you two—don’t let your goddess’s feet touch the ground,” she added, giving Fierce and Hold a stern look.
“I don’t think we’re up to that kneeling trick—we’d need to practice before we can do it without dumping Celia on the ground,” Hold said uncertainly.
“Here—I’ve got her.” Keeping one arm around her thigh, Fierce reached up with his other hand and caught Celia by the waist.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, as he swung her down into his arms and then placed her feet on the nearest wooden platform.
“Are you all right, my lady?” Hold asked, coming to stand on her right.
“I’m fine—I’m just not used to riding around on people’s shoulders, that’s all,” Celia said.
“Well, it looks like you’re going to have to get used to it since your dainty feet can’t touch the ground as long as we’re here, goddess,” Fierce said, smirking at her.
Celia smiled back tentatively. It seemed they were going to forget about the fight they’d had earlier and just go back to normal—which honestly, was a relief. She hated arguing with the Dark Twin and much preferred getting along with him—even if he did get her temper up sometimes.
“I hope you don’t mind that I told La’ver’na we would join them and, er, become part of the “Sisterhood,” she said in a low voice as the twins each grabbed a rope and began to pull. The platform rose with surprising smoothness, so that even though it was narrow, she didn’t feel in any danger of falling.
“Not a problem, my lady. It seems to be working out well so far. And it’s not like we had much of a choice if we wanted to get the ship fixed,” Hold remarked. Celia couldn’t help admiring the way his biceps bulged and his back muscles worked as he pulled the rope.