I am uncertain if you can hear my thoughts or perceive what I see. I hope you can little one. I hope our connection runs deeper than just blood.
Eve ran her hand over her stomach, caressing it while smiling softly. A glowing warmth consumed her heart as she continued mentally talking to her unborn baby boy of eight months. I have so, much to show and share with you. This place is our village and the stuff we are walking in is called sand.
Our village's name is Tan'lanaisha. Do you know our village name means brave callers? Are you aware that the majority of this village worships a god? His name is Dai'lan'riku. He is our God of creation and destruction.
Look ahead, little one, through my eyes. That is the village square. The area surrounding it is teemed with markets, while the center boasts a public stage. The stage is for our priests and our village elders.
Glance around through me. Those who are gathering are our neighbors and family. It must be an important day. The priest and priestess are on the stage. The old priestess is called Miolan. The younger male head priest is Coal. Look at his traditional priest clothing, my little boy. They are something to marvel at. His white robe intertwined with gold. His golden plated helm ordained with red rubies is stunning.
Do you feel my hand running across you? Does it feel nice? I know you cannot answer. Eve let loose a sigh. It seems like I have to listen now, little one. She immediately moved her hand away from her stomach.
Miolan stepped forward, and Eve admired the long black fitted dress that the elder priestess wore.
Miolan spoke with an old crisp voice that carried an odd hint of melancholy. "Please understand it is with a heavy heart that I tell you this. It is time to send a sacrifice. Please step forward to receive this honor." She opened her arms wide toward the crowd.
Both of Eve's hands immediately went to her round protruding stomach while her eyes darted around the crowd. Is no one willing? She closed her eyes, trying to smother a budding turmoil.
Eve thought about the multitude of things she had seen in the crowd. She saw anger, hatred, pain, and, most of all, fear. She knew then that no one was willing to be sacrificed, despite the consequences.
Eve breathed in and out, slowly collecting her thoughts. She slid her hands around her baby bump. "Forgive me, my little boy." She muttered while glancing around one last time. Somewhere deep inside of her mind, she had hoped someone would have stepped forward. Eve soon realized that thought came from her own selfish desire to survive.
Eve stepped forward, gulping. A slow, deep hesitation worked its way through her mind. "I will do it"! She screamed, half in determination and half in terror. Her heart pounded loudly, and she was cautioned by a small voice in her mind. This isn't her, it is an irrational fear, a fear not belonging to a follower of Dai'lan'riku.
Her thoughts slowly justified her actions. Not doing this means no future for my child. "I will be your sacrifice."
Miolan's eyes held a sparkle. The elder priestess grinned. "Are you sure?"
Eve shuddered. Was she sure? Did she want to be sacrificed? The movement inside of her stirred her emotions. She smiled glancing down. The warmth from earlier had returned. If I die little one, you still have the right to live, Eve thought. Her hands encircled her bump. If I live you have a mother, but no future. I cannot allow that. She squeezed her eyes shut and once again slowly opened them. Those thoughts were all she needed to be sure.
Small chattering voices full of doubt swirled in her mind, telling her to leave someone else do it.
"Yes, I am sure." Eve sounded strong to the ears, but on the inside, every emotion slammed into her spiritual. "I want my little boy to have a future," She whispered.
Eve inhaled a shaky breath as an enormous pressure weighed down on her. The things she would miss and never have. Her baby's laugh, first word, and his token steps. The memories most mothers carry would not exist. She would never see him walk, laugh, or play.
The head priest Coal motioned in Eve's direction as two priests brought two horses before the stage.
Eve's hands never left her stomach.
"Then it is time for your journey. "After Miolan had finished speaking, coal walked off the stage and mounted one horse.
A dark wave of nausea swept through Eve. It settled in her stomach, affecting her head. She had to, no one else was brave enough. Fear of what lay ahead tried to settle in, but she summoned up what little courage existed. Eve gripped the reins of the second horse. The two priests who brought the horses forward helped her up.