VERSE TEN: I’VE BEEN TRICKED!
Jaunava went with me at home to talk to my parents regarding taking me as her disciple. And of course my parents were delighted about the news. Somehow they were thinking I am entering Maidenhood in the temple though they were not totally wrong. Songstress are also considered a priestess that specialize in performing rituals. Rituals often involves singing and dancing. Yes, dancing. I, too, cannot imagine myself dancing without tripping or stepping onto my own feet.
The next morning, my lesson with Jaunava takes place last in my lessons in the afternoon…
Daina: May I ask? Can you explain things to me further about what I will be through? Is it a voice lesson?
Jaunava: *smile* Child, let me tell you something first. Taking the road to be a songstress is not easy. After all, we sing for our gods and goddesses. We sing as praise, as worship, for peace, for prosperity. A simple song cannot reach the heaven, this I will tell you truthfully. Your nine this year, still too young, but I won’t sugar coat my words just because of that. This universe is cruel. Nothing is fair aside from it being unfair to all. The reason I take you as my successor is because your wise thinking. You are realistic. You view nothing as pure black or white. I can see it. So it will not be a problem if I show you things harshly.
Her little speech make sense. I just somehow feel shivers down my spine as I get what she’s hinting at. After that she take me to the pond inside the temple. Oh no… Please don’t let it be what I am thinking.
Jaunava: Now, take off your robe and get in the middle of the pool. Stay below for at least a minute.
Whew… just a minute. I can do this.
Jaunava: Next for three minutes. Do it. *smile*
To my horror, it turns completely to my assumptions. A minute become two, then five… then ten… and so on… If I can’t last, she will only give a noble smile then punish me by making me clean the hallways. This continues for a month.
I thought I am finally let off but no! She actually still put me to her new torture method! She would make me standing still for hours will poking me with blunt stick, sometimes tickling me. If I move or make a sound, she will punish me again and again… These various methods of questionable torture last for more than a year.
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After hours of training with Jaunava, I will go straight with my alchemy lesson with my father, eat, then sleeps afterwards. This cycle continues as my daily routine. With mental and physical exhaustion… it’s a miracle I have my sanity intact.
Ilios: Little sister… Somehow I do and don’t envy you. Poor you, you barely have time to spend playing with us.
Fengari: It’s a great opportunity to be directly mentored by the head priestess. Yet, we can’t help but be lonely without your company.
Daina: don’t I always attend all the lessons with you guys?
Cunzai: Yes. You always attend with us while sleeping. Is your training really tough? You don’t know but I miss yo-
Ilios/ Fengari: We, your big sister miss you.
Guh… I’ve been found out sleeping
Ilios: But is your training really that hard? My aunty is also a songstress but I never heard her have a hard time. She always says she starts voice lessons then later dance rituals lecture.
Daina: … So you’re saying she, your aunty, doesn’t undergo physical training?
I slowly ask them blankly.
Fengari: If you mean stretching, then yes that’s all. That’s why we’ve been wondering why you are always tired. Our aunty is really obsessed about her work that we almost got fed up about her blabber. We are not blood related but we still like her because she always sing us to sleep. As far as I know, after a year you’ll be taught a ritual song that you will accompany with dance. Your recital will be held after three years of training.
Ilios: So, what song have you learned lil’ sis? At least give us a sneak peak. *giggles*
I ignore the twin and the grumbling Cunzai in the corner. Jaunava, how could she? Now my unexplainable feelings before were finally explained.