Brena
Brena watched her daughters get dressed in their new dancing costumes. She was one of the adults helping inside the girls' lodge, where the Initiates were changing. Each girl had been given new clothes to show their new status.
The lodge rang with sounds—necklaces clinking, feather skirts rustling. The voices of many young girls filled the space, high and cheerful, full of laughter, questions, jokes, and chatter.
Most young people thought the hardest part of the Initiation was the Test on the Tor of the Stone Hedge. That was the night they had to lie underground, in the dark, to honor death and burial.
But that was not the hardest part.
Yes, this year's Initiates had come much too close to real death—closer than ever before—because of the cursed attack by Blue Waters warriors.
Still, in Brena's experience, the rest of the year was harder for most of them. That was the real heart of the Initiation. Now they would need to show patience, loyalty, obedience, discipline, and wisdom—virtues that most young ones did not yet have.
Speaking of lacking wisdom, Gwenika was showing her costume to that girl. Dindi.
Brena's dislike of Dindi had grown stronger after last night. Every year, one or two foolish girls tried to lie to the Tavaedies. It never worked. And Dindi's lie—saying she saw the stones shine—had been a ridiculous one.
Gwenika was full of excitement. "Dindi, look what I get to wear!" she said.
She spun around in a bright yellow costume. Gold bangles clinked, and she wore a round, shiny headdress. The gold and glitter made her look like a star. In comparison, Dindi wore a plain white dress with black maze patterns along the hems.
"It's beautiful," Dindi said.
"Oh—I'm sorry—I didn't mean to make you feel bad."
"Don't be silly," said Dindi. "It's not your fault I have no magic."
"Your dress is…nice too," Gwenika said. But her voice sounded a little fake.
They both smiled—bright, forced smiles.
Brena cringed.
"Will you help me fasten my costume?" Gwenika asked. "I can't reach it all by myself, and I'm afraid I'll tear it."
"No, dear," said Brena, stepping out from the shadows. She placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Tavaedi* secrets are not for outsiders." She looked Dindi straight in the eyes. "My daughter won't say it, so I must. You two cannot stay friends. You are now part of different circles. I'm sorry. Come away from her, Gwenika."
"But Mama!"
"Now, Gwenika. This is not something we will discuss."
"It's all right, Gwenika. I understand." Dindi bowed her head. Her quiet, calm reply made Brena think a little better of her. But not enough. Dindi was still not good company.
Brena pulled her daughter away. Gwenika fought her the whole time.
"I'm an adult now! I can do what I want—you can't stop me!"
"You are still an Initiate. A novice Tavaedi. I am not just your mother—I am a Zavaedi, one of your teachers. You will obey me, or you will lose your place in the secret society. You will act with honor and control. That is what it means to be an adult."
Gwenika wiped her eyes and glared at her mother.
"I hate you."
"Let me finish fastening your costume."
"Leave me alone!" Gwenika cried, and ran out of the lodge.