Acacia: The Gatekeeper Series Read online

Acacia looked at Kalerian, she was sure he would help her find Rhea.

  The chanting ended and Acacia sat in place not moving as instructed as Kalerian closed the circle, he then took her hand and they stood, bowing to the hooded figure.

  The hooded figure reached out his hand to take the jar, and Acacia let out a small gasp as his hand was bone, covered in what looked like was left of a hand after the skin had been stripped off and chewed on by some fierce dog.

  She quickly adverted her eyes to the ground and stayed in a deep bow.

  "Sara, take you mistress to her room and help her get ready for dinner."

  Acacia quickly stood looking at Kalerian.

  "Up until we were in circle it was like I was in a dream." She said to him.

  "Yes, sometimes tragic events will cause that to happen I have seen it a lot."

  "Did I prove myself to the Senator?"

  "Yes, you did a very good job at proving it. I haven't seen such spirit for a long time. He was pleased with my report of it all." Kalerian stroke her check affectionately.

  "So, I killed my family." She said not to anyone in particular

  "It's better that you don't remember it, my dear."

  He then turned and left the room followed by a half-dressed boy who kept his head down.

  "Who is that?" Acacia asked completely unaware that the boy had been in the room.

  "Zane, Master Kalerian's apprentice." then Sara cleared her throat a bit.

  "He's for you."

  Acacia looked at her as Sara lead her to the other door on the other side of the Alter room

  "For me?" she laughed a bit "But you just said he is Kalerian's Apprentice, besides he is just a child."

  Sara opened the door and Acacia followed her

  "He is twenty, he will come to you when you are ready for him to." Sara went to the big mahogany wardrobe that held clothes for Acacia.

  "I see" Acacia said shutting the door behind her. "That way we are truly connected, even through the two of you."

  Acacia walked closer to Sara watching her take clothes out

  "Tell me Sara have you connected with Zane?" Sara didn't make eye contact

  "I do as the Master bids." She replied

  "And has he bid you to his bed Sara?" Acacia asked feeling rather upset about the idea of everyone sharing everyone.

  Sara looked at her "When he calls I answer."

  Rage filled Acacia and she slapped the girl, not really knowing why she did it. Acacia didn't want to share Kalerian, not in the way she had just experienced him. the girl’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Acacia

  "He's the Master." Sara said her voice slightly breaking as if that explained everything

  "And now I am your mistress! And I say you will not do his bidding anymore."

  the girl didn't look at her in the eye.

  "He's your master too, you will do what he wants." The girl spit out, backing away from Acacia incase she might strike her again

  "How dare you! I am not in the middle ages."

  Before Acacia could strike again another voice came from across the room

  "That will be all Sara."

  An older woman stood at the entrance to Acacia's bedroom. The girl hurried form the room.

  The woman bowed

  " I am The apprentice trainer Margaret."

  The woman was a great deal older and spoke with a slight accent Acacia could not place.

  Her face was flush from her spout of anger

  "Master Kalerian sent me, he said there might be some conflict for a while, until you come to understand our ways. I will assist you for now and after a while Sara will be restored to you."

  The woman moved gracefully across the room. Wearing a long brown skirt and top to match coming straight out of the early 1900's.

  Acacia took a step back. "I am in the dark ages aren't I?"

  The woman looked through the supply of cotton dresses, and airy clothes in the wardrobe. she looked at the clothing then at Acacia and shook her head.

  "Silly girl should have taken one look at you and known better then these clothing." the woman closed the door to the Wardrobe and knocked said something that sounded like an Ancient African language and then opened the door again. The clothes were replaced by darker bolder colors. Acacia stared in amazement.

  "Mistress, you will find that things are different here then they were in the world before you came. This is a world dominated by men, they of course need equal partners in women, who are strong."

  Acacia rolled her eyes "Equal but different, you mean."

  "Exactly." Margaret pulled out some clothing and took off Acacia's robe, dressing her in a black and red corset top. It made Acacia's small breasts perk right up and almost pop out of the top. Margaret pulled the strings tight making her look like she had curves that she really didn't have. Acacia was a petite woman, being only five foot four. The long skirt that accompanied the corset top was also red and black, she could wear it full, or tie it around the back which is what Margaret did, then she put on the heels that the skirt hid anyway.

  Margaret instructed her to sit at the vanity. Acacia watched as the woman started to do her hair.

  "Why are we getting so dressed up?"

  "The Senator, Mark Peterson, demands it, and what he wants is what you best do Mistress." The woman was straight forward, in a way motherly. She had a feeling she would be quick to put Acacia in line

  "Dressed so old fashion?"

  "He rather enjoys watching people dress this way, he is lenient when people are out hunting for him, but when you are here you will dress the way he desires. He says it reminds him of the purity and simple nature he so desires."

  Acacia tried to turn her head, which was met with the old woman using force to turn it back before she went back to pulling her hair up.

  "There is nothing simple about what it is we are doing." Acacia said in the mirror.

  There was silence to her statement.

  Acacia finally gave in and started to apply her makeup, which was laid out for her.

  The woman had even managed to control the wisp to her hair, which she had never been able to manage, and it looked fuller then it was.

  "Margaret, have you ever heard of a woman named Rhea?"

  "No" was the old woman's reply.

  "You have never heard anyone mention that name before."

  "NO, and even if I had I would not repeat it to you." the woman was being stuffy.

  she finished and picked up Acacia's things

  "Master Kalerian will be here soon to pick you up." the woman replied and was out the door before Acacia could ask anything else.

  Ok, so it isn't the fairy tale you imagined, but it could be worse. you could be out there in the work camp, or worse being tortured in the chambers below, like the investigators had said they would do to her if she didn't give them what they wanted. She could be dead, dead would not be the best place right now, or even the worst yet, running. The government was out there hunting witches, and what they called freedom fighters. Yes, yes it is best you become content with where you are. Acacia consoled herself.

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