Lying in the darkness Liara could here the sounds clearly within the room. She strained to listen trying to here from which direction the odd noises came from. Like whispers the sounds were coming towards her. There were 10 other priestesses in training that shared the small house with her. None would dare to be up out of bed after the housemother had blown out the lanterns. Their training was almost complete and a position in the House of Visions was now open for only one priestess in training. It was a highly coveted role in the Order and all of the girls were doing there very best to be chosen. This was a critical time and not one of them would risk having negative attention drawn to them, especially with something as silly as talking in the middle of the night.
The whispering sounds began to come closer and she realized she was not hearing whispering but robes. The whispering of robes brushing against ankles and floor. Before Liara could sit up fully to see who was coming she felt a belt of silk wrap around her mouth cutting off all protest. Then her eyes were covered with the same soft material and she was pulled gently but firmly out of her bed.
"Come quietly and have no fear Sister Liara.," a soft voice whispered in her ear.
Liara's heart was pounding but she allowed herself to be guided away from her bed. She felt her velvet robes being draped over her shoulders and her traveling slippers being put onto her feet. There were hands all over her guiding her through the doorway out into the night. Although she tried, Liara couldn't gain a sense of direction and soon gave up and allowed herself to be lead.
After what seemed like an eternity she felt warm air brush against her cheeks and hard floor beneath her feet. There was heat coming from in front of her and the room smelled of flowers and incense. Hands removed her slippers and the sash from around her mouth. She was then lead to the center of the room and the hands fell away. There was a hushed silence as the whispers of the robes stopped. In front of her a strong woman's voice spoke.
"Liara, daughter of Paila who resided in our House of Visions and was one of the Moon Sisters. Do you know why you are here?"
Liara breathed calmly through her mouth trying to hide her fear. Still blindfolded she could not identify in which house she was in or with which group of sisters she was in the presence of. Nor did she know how to respond respectfully to the priestess that spoke to her.
Bowing her head Liara responded, "No my elder sister. I do not understand why I am here. I only hope that I have done nothing to upset the Goddess and I may not be here for punishment."
The Elder Sister laughed softly. "Liara, you have been watched. It appears that not only have you acquired your mother's beauty but also her gift of Visions and Sight. Your duties to the Goddess have made you very worthy of the next steps in training. We have met with your housemother and your teachers and all agree that you shall take your place within the House of Visions. But first you must take your journey to find the answers."
Liara's heart quickened and fear mixed with excitement coursed through her body. She felt the warm hands removing her robes and her sleeping gown was replaced by a light cotton robe held closed with a silk cord. One sister was undoing her long braid and another was handing a cup of warm liquid to her.
The elder sister stood in front of Liara and spoke again, in a much stronger and louder voice.
"Liara, daughter of Paila. You are in the Sacred House of Passing. It is here that you will take your journey. Drink from the cup Liara for that is the doorway that will lead to your answer."
Liara drank feeling the sweet warm liquid fill her up.
"My Elder Sister, what is the question?"
The priestess answered in a commanding voice. "Liara, you are at a path crossing. Which path will you choose? You may finish your training in the young maidens house and live your life within the Order with the other sisters. Or you may choose the path that leads to the House of Visions. There you will become a High Priestess and be chosen by the Goddess to be one of the Moon Sisters or one of the Sun Sisters. The path to the House of Visions is a difficult one and once you are one of the sisters the struggles don't stop there. They will continue your entire life. And if you do so choose to remain with the Maidens the Goddess will not look upon you any less then if you chose to House of Visions. You will still be one of her Daughters."
Liara was could feel the warmth from the drink spreading through her, seeping into every limb and appendage. Her head began to feel dizzy and her body weak.
She replied to the Priestess through a heavy voice.
"Elder Sister, I will go to the Goddess and ask for her help in making this decision. I am honored to have been chosen as Her attendant in the House of Visions and I only wish to make Her happy."
The Priestess spoke to the other Priestesses, "Sisters, please leave the room."
Liara could here the whispers of many skirts as they passed before her on the way out the door.
"Liara, once I leave the room you may remove the sash from your eyes. Within the room you will find the items you will need for your answer. You will find a mirror. You must look into this mirror to see your true self. You will see the paths that she may take in this life. You will find a fire pit. Look into it's flames and see the darkness that can cover ones heart. There will be a single flame dancing behind an emerald globe. In this you will see all that can make life happy and fulfilled. These three windows will allow you to see what is within you. If, after you have looked to these for guidance, you find that your life is with serving the Goddess in the House of Visions then you must look to the Bowls.
One is the Moon Bowl in which you will see the darkness that can surround you as you serve the Goddess. And lastly there is the Sun Bowl in which you will see the light and joy that can surround you while you server Her within the House of Visions. Use each one to find the truth you will need. I will leave you now and I will return two sunrises from now."
Liara felt the Priestess's lips upon her forehead and felt her robes brush pass as she left. The door closed and Liara stood there a moment collecting her thoughts trying to concentrate beyond the cloudiness in her mind. Lifting her hands she untied the sash from her eyes and tried to adjust to the light coming from the fire pit in the center of the room. She looked about her and found herself in a small round room with wooden floors and rock walls. She circled the room studying each object she would be using during her journey.