The Mating Run

I hummed, watching my handmaid Rayan carefully comb my hair. Her dark eyes narrowed as she picked out another knot. Scalp aching as she finally removed the tangle, throwing away the clump of gold hair that was torn out.

“Sorry, my Lady,” Rayan said in her soft voice, “I tried my best, but that was one of the worst knots you’ve had.”

“Not to worry,” I smiled at her in the mirror, “I should have been taking better care of it last night.”

“Are you nervous?” Rayan asked, “The choosing ceremony is tonight.”

“I really don’t want to be chosen for the mating run,” I smiled, “But if it means helping the survival of our race, I will do what I must.”

“Very noble of you my Lady,” Rayan frowned, “I am sure you won’t be chosen, I’ve heard that some people are paying to keep their daughters off the list, while others have paid to get selected.”

“Such corruption is disgusting,” I muttered, “I don’t understand why people would go to such measures.”

“For many people it is a chance to free themselves from poverty.” Rayan said, her soft voice filling the quiet room. “If nothing else it will be one less mouth to feed.”

I nodded in agreement, “I’m sure the nobles are trying to keep their children out of the run. Most people I know would be horrified if their chance for an advantageous bonding was ruined.”

Rayan began braiding the side of my head, pulling my golden hair away from my face, “Do you think some might be trying to get their sons in it? If there is a high-ranking female in the run, then they would be able to completely change their life.”

“It is unfortunate that people are trying to change the results of the run.” I winced as she tugged to tighten the braid. “As much as I would dislike being chosen, I will do what must be done.”

“That is a good way to think of it,” She said as she tied off the braid, “If you are chosen tonight, you will be taken immediately. After what happened a few years ago…”

“I know,” I sighed, remembering the tragic news of the female that had killed herself to avoid being chosen, “You are so lucky Rayan, to have found a wonderful mate so you won’t have to participate. How is Adon? Still farming?”

Rayan blushed at the mention of her mate, “He recently bought piglets, we are hoping if they get big enough that he can sell them for a profit. I’m surprised your father hasn’t found you a sutor so you won’t need to go through all this.”

“Mother said that he wasn’t able to find anyone good enough,” I sighed, “That means that no one has enough money or a high enough station to bond with me.”

“Don’t worry, Aslin.” Raylan took my hand pulling me away from the mirror. “You will find someone handsome and kind to spend the rest of your days with.”

“I hope so,” I smiled at her, ignoring the sense of dread that was weighing on my chest.

“Aslin!” My mother called, drawing my attention away from the herbs I was tending to.

“Yes?” I called back, straightening and brushing dirt off of my pink dress.

“Come inside,” She replied, disappearing back into the manor.

I pushed my braid behind my shoulder, grasping my dress so it would brush the ground as I walked inside. My mother must have gathered people to see me off. I had already seen the carriage that had been sent to bring me to the temple.

Peering through the open doorway I could see my older brothers chatting. Their faces creased with worry lines. My father stood near the staircase, his cold blue eyes looking at the floor tiles.

“Darling!” My mother called excitedly, her large smile almost making up for the dreary atmosphere. “Come. Say hello to your brothers.”

“Henry,” I said, nodding to the taller of the two males. “How is Marie?”

“She is doing well,” He grinned, his eyes glazing over at the thought of her, “Shouldn’t be too much longer before she gives birth. Healer Ray said it will be one more month. We couldn’t be happier.”

“Wonderful,” I smiled wider, enjoying my brother’s happiness, “How are you Bryn? I’m surprised you made time to come here with all of your studies.”

“Always time to see you sis,” Bryn replied, his blue eyes so similar to our fathers sparkling in the dimming sunlight, “Are you nervous?”

“Of course not,” I’m dreading this so much. “I doubt I’ll be chosen.”

“What will you do if you are?” Henry asked, “I’ve heard stories of how violent it can be.”

Bryn nodded in agreement, “One of my friends at the academy had been chosen when he was younger. He still has large scars on his back from the fights. Apparently they spray the females down in heat pheromones to make sure everyone tries to bond with each other.”

“Don’t worry,” I reassured him, my heart pounding in my chest and my hands clenched together to keep from shaking.

“Stop scaring your sister.” Father growled, walking towards us, “She is a strong girl. Even if you are chosen Aslin I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just hide until you see someone who looks like they can protect you. Maybe you’ll even know someone there.”

“Aslin,” Mother said, “You must get going now, the carriage is waiting.”

I embraced my brothers, drawing what comfort I could from them. My father didn’t hug me, just nodded before wandering back to his study. Mother grabbed my hand, walking with me to the carriage.

“Lady Aslin,” The driver opened the door, his white gloves standing out against the dark wood of the carriage.

“You’ll be okay,” Mother reassured as I hesitated to climb into the carriage. “When you get home tonight we will have a big dinner to celebrate you not being chosen.”

“What if I don’t come home?” I whispered, blinking to keep back my tears.

“Then we will see you in two weeks when the run is over.” Mother hugged me, her thin arms wrapping around me tightly, “No matter what you will be coming home to us safely.”

“I love you,” I grasped her, quietly crying into her shoulder.

“I love you too, Aslin,” She patted my back before pulling away, “Go on darling, I’ll see you soon.”

With that I took the driver’s hand, letting him help me into the carriage and ignoring the pity in his gaze. I wiped away my tears and waved goodbye to my mother. Her large smile gave me courage as the horses pulled me away from my family.

~~~

“Lady Aslin?” The driver called, pulling me away from my daydreaming, “We are almost at the temple.”

“Thank you,” I replied, straightening out my skirts and making sure I looked presentable.

The carriage pulled up to a large open gate, the horses’ hooves clicking against the cobblestone. The tree branches stretched high into the sky, blocking the moonlight. Before long the carriage slowed to a stop. Halting in front of the large temple. I was familiar with this temple, my family frequently meeting with the priestesses.

The driver hopped down, his boots thudding against the stone. He opened the door attempting to smile reassuringly. I grasped his gloved hand, heart pounding as my nerves worsened.

“I was in the run once,” He murmured as I stepped out of the carriage. “You don’t think right while you’re in there. Find someone to protect you, and don’t run. Wolves love to hunt and chase, the more you run the more desirable you are to them.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, letting go of his hand and walking towards the brightly lit temple.

I could hear the other girls chattering inside and I thanked the mother for a small bit of familiarity. Slipping inside the front doors I kept close to the walls, nodding a greeting to the few priestesses that noticed me. The other girls lounged on the couches that had been spread throughout the hall.

Only five other girls were from wealth like me, it was easy to pick them apart from the others as they had gathered together. They giggled as they sneered at the others. Rolling my eyes I continued to survey the room. Because the villages were so small two of them would participate in the choosing. I waved to the few villagers that I recognized, most of them seeming to be as nervous as I.

“Aslin,” Mayla called, “It’s so good to see you.”

“Mayla,” I greeted, embracing the older girl, “You must be glad you don’t have to participate in this.”

She smiled, the silver necklace with a crescent moon dangling from it gleaming brightly. Mayla had been a priestess for a few years now, and because of that she didn’t have to go through this process.

“How have you been?” She asked, “Still tending to your garden?”

“Of course,” I replied, “I’ve started supplying the village healer with them.”

“Amazing!” She cheered, “I always knew you were talented with plants!”

I blushed as the others looked at us, “Do you know when this will begin?”

“Soon,” She assured me, “We are just waiting for sister Aral to bring the blessed water. Go sit somewhere they should be going around soon.”

“Going around?” I asked, but she had already scampered off.

Following her instructions I sat down near the girls from the village. I listened to them chatter excitedly, distracting myself from what was to come. It wasn’t long before a female arrived, her muscles straining as she carried a large silver bowl to the basin at the center of the room.

“Everyone,” The head priestess Arina called, drawing our attention to her standing at the doorway in the gray robes all the sisters wore. “Thank you for coming here tonight. The mother is grateful for your sacrifice.”

I stiffened at her words, sacrifice was never a good thing. It meant losing something, so what is it we were about to lose?

“My sisters will help you through the ceremony.” Arina’s silver hair gleamed as she stepped closer to us, “All we will be doing is taking one drop of blood from you. Other than that you can just relax.”

With that she walked to the basin, standing over the holy water with an engraved silver dagger. Mayla came forward, grabbing the hand of one of the other nobles. She led her up to where Arina was standing, holding the hand she had grasped over the basin.

“May the mother Bless this offering.” Arina said, pricking the tip of the girl’s middle finger.

Mayla pressed her finger, causing a drop of her blood to fall into the holy water. She released the girl, letting her go sit back down. They repeated the process, Mayla continuing to lead girls up to have their finger pricked. I watched, my hands shaking, the warnings of my father and the driver ringing in my ears.

Finally, Mayla came to me, grasping my hand in hers and giving me a comforting smile. My hand trembled in hers as we got closer to Arina.

“May the mother Bless you,” Arina said, her smile widening as she looked at me.

Mayla grasped my wrist, her hand suddenly cold. Before I could pull back the dagger pricked my finger and my blood dripped into the stained holy water. Instantly the water cleared, the orange tint in the water disappearing.

“Aslin,” Arina called out, her voice projecting throughout the room, “The mother has chosen you!”

With those words everything froze, my blood chilling. Ringing sounded in my ears and Mayla’s grip tightened on my arm. Arina grinned, her eyes narrowing at me.

“Call the carriages!” She ordered, “The chosen one must leave at once!”

Mayla pulled me to the open door, smiling comfortingly. Most of the girls looked at me pityingly. The remaining few however were glaring, their eyes filled with hatred.

“Come on Aslin,” Mayla murmured, “You have to be at the Garden in two days.”

I remained silent as an oddly large carriage pulled by massive horses halted in front of the steps. Three males dressed in dark armor with the king’s crest on it. One held the reins, keeping the chestnut horses in place, while the other two stood on the back of it. The shorter of the three males jumped off the back, landing gracefully beside it.

“This is Aslin,” Arina said, her hand clasping my shoulder tightly, “She has been chosen by the mother.”

“Congratulations.” The male standing in front of the carriage said, “Please come with us. We have been sent by the king to collect the chosen.”

He opened the door, extending his hand towards me. Mayla tugged on my arm, forcing me to start moving. I walked down the steps slowly, gripping my dress to keep from tripping on it. Grasping his hand I stepped up into the carriage slowly, surprised to see that there were no benches, just a heap of blankets that had been arranged on the floor.

“We will be traveling through the night and will only be stopping briefly,” He explained, “Try to get comfortable.”

I nodded, stepping inside carefully. Avoiding the blankets as I slipped off my shoes. The carriage shifted as the male hopped back on. I kneeled down, moving the blankets so I could lie down.

“Are you ready, chosen?” A male asked.

“Yes,” I replied, pressing my cheek into the soft pillow.

We lurched forward, the only sound was the horses’ hooves as they clicked against stone. Yawning I looked down at the wrist Mayla had been holding, my eyes adjusting to the dark enough for me to make out a dark crescent shape. I frowned but decided that whatever it was I wouldn’t be able to figure it out tonight.

Pulling the blanket up to my chin I shivered, the cold autumn air biting into my skin. Shivering I grabbed more blankets, wrapping myself up as much as possible. Exhaustion took over and I wasn’t able to resist as I was dragged into a restless sleep.