With a groan of frustration Arrek rolled stiffly out of bed, sweat-slicked and aching with an overpowering compulsion to flee from the safety of all she knew, and seek her destiny in the unknown wasteland that the once-fertile plains of Itar had become. It had been nearly seven years since she had sworn herself to the Stone Maiden. So long, that now that her calling had finally come she could scarcely credit the truth of it.
But the dream had returned every night for a quarter-moon now, and with each dreaming the compulsion to seek out the shrine of the Maiden had grown stronger. The time to act had come at last, but she must proceed wisely--prepare herself for the long trek ahead. And Mama must be told.
With a sigh, she rose and poured a small amount of water into the basin on the table beside the bed. Unable to bear her own stench or the sticky feel of old sweat on her skin, she washed thoroughly, rinsing herself twice. It was a shameful waste of water, but it was wonderful to feel clean again, if only for a few hours. By the time she had dressed and plaited her long dark hair, Mama had a cold breakfast of meal cakes set out in the common room.
"You've had the dream again, haven't you?" Mama said.
The words were more an accusation than a question, spoken with a strength and clarity that belied the look of weary acceptance the harsh life of an Itari tribeswoman had etched into her mother's sun-darkened features.
Arrek nodded, trying not to let her own growing sense of excitement show in her expression. Seating herself, she took a bite of meal cake, chewing it with thoughtful determination while she decided what to say next. She washed it down with a mouthful of the tart beverage they brewed from dried sourgrass.
"The call of the Stone Maiden has grown too strong to deny," Arrek murmured, setting the half-emptied cup gently on the table. "I must seek her shrine or die."
"The Harvashti have forbidden it!" Mama hissed, lowering both her eyes and her voice as if she feared some unseen spy.
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