The Gentle Maiden and Five Lustful Brothers-Chapter 162: Celebration

The Maiden and The Mother left the chamber and summoned the burial team to collect The Crones body.

The sisters and brothers were in a frenzy trying to set up for the festivities and celebration. There were streamers adorning the awnings of a stage in the center of a field. Garland wrapped around streetlamps. Decorated lanterns made to look like stars, floated above their heads. Vendors had set up in the park selling delicious deserts and salty snacks, jewelry and clothing. Some had set up art stations to make

Death wasn’t mourned; it was celebrated. Though behind closed doors loved ones felt their absence. They weren’t immune to the pain of loss. However, in public, tears just weren’t shed.

And when The Crone past a new one would be elected from a selection of powerful women of a certain age.

Arya would be heartbroken not being here for the festivities, but she picked war over coven. She would miss this because of that loyalty.

Theirs’s was to the gods, and the now the MoonChild. Not the vampires. Especially not now when they knew the MoonChild was with her protector and they wouldn’t be participating in a war that goes against the gods plans.

The festivities were starting to kick off and the crowd was livening up. The Circe Coven was as large as it was powerful. People were starting to arrive by the dozen.

Both The Maiden and Mother were smiling seeing everyone coming to celebrate and enjoy it all.

"I think we should tell Arya that The Crone died. I don’t think we should wait." The Maiden stopped suddenly and turned to face The Mother.

"You think we should inform her of only that?" The Mother questioned The Maiden’s motives.

"Yes. Only that. She was close to The Crone, emotionally closer than the rest of us. If we don’t, we aren’t doing right by her and that reflects badly on us." The Maiden clarified.

"Fine call her. If she answers inform her the Rite has been done and the celebration is now. But nothing more and nothing less." The Mother choose her words carefully. She trusted The Maiden, but like The Crone, The Maiden played favorites, and had a soft spot for Arya, when it mattered.

She wasn’t fully trusting of The Maiden, not to leak information to Arya but they had a chance to investigate and think about things. And with a new Crone, this was something that needed time and patience to deal with.

The Maiden nodded to The Mother and turned away. She pulled out her witch’s glass and called Arya.

"Hell Maiden. What has you calling me this early in the morning?" Arya answered yawning. Roland groaning in the background rolling onto his side.

"Hey Arya, The Crone past last night, we’ve preformed the Rite, and we are now having the celebration. You should come back and let the others know." The Maiden’s voice was pitched yet aloof. She sounded childlike but she spoke in a way that sounded like she was disconnected from the words she actually said.

Arya shot up out of bed.

No... The Crone and her had a such a special bond and relationship, how could she just go. Without a word?

No...

She had to go back home. Now.

"Thank you, Maiden. I’ll see you soon. Prepare for my arrival, I’ll bring who ever wishes to join." Arya said

"So shall it be. Blessed travels Sister." The Maiden said closing the call.

She looked at her compact mirror and slid it into the pocket of her skirt and walked out of the room. The weight of the information was lifted off her chest.

It wasn’t that early in the morning, but I guess when you’re up all night with vampires this would be considered early morning. But really it was afternoon.

Arya was at a loss for the words sitting back on the edge of the bed. Props her elbows up on her knees and holds her face in her hands. The pain of losing The Crone was settling in. She wasn’t anything special but The Crone’s interest in her made her feel special. She had to hurry back for the celebration, she couldn’t mess the selection for the new Crone.

Arya pulled herself together and started moving around her tent packing a light bag.

"Rolland, baby, wake up." Arya said shaking him some.

"What..." He moaned.

"I’ll be back I have to return to the coven. The Crone died." She said sadly.

Roland’s eyes popped open "Oh, babe, I’m so sorry, I know you cared for her." Roland reached a hand up wiping a single tear that was hiding in the corner of her eye, Arya sniffled and nodded.

"I’ve got to go let the other witches know, I’m leaving some behind to help guard, you stay here as well." Arya grabbed hold of Rolands face and kissed him deeply. They melted into each other for a moment before she pulled away to leave.

Arya left her tent and went to where her fellow coven members were.

"I’m heading back to the coven, The Crone passed away and the celebration is happening now. If you want to come, let’s go, I’m leaving in 10." Arya pulls out her phone and sees the time. It was midday, she texts Violet to let her know she was heading home to her coven for the day, but that she’d be back. "I’ll be back; I’m going to make rounds and inform the others."

Arya left the witches rec area and headed to the borders of their protected area. She let the patrols outside know and headed to collect the people who would be coming with her.

After counting she dropped a stone on to the ground and casted a spell. The crystal opened up a portal too her covens front gates.

They all stepped through.

The scene before them was an of people sharing their abundance of joy. Walking through the tree covered canopied streets, lanterns floating above their heads, flowers decorated the ground. Music played and the smell of sweet treats assaulted their senses upon arriving.

It felt good to be home.

Arya made her way through the crowd. She had to see The Maiden and The Mother before she began enjoying herself at the celebration.

The old Crone would have skinned her alive if she partied without paying her respects to her leaders first.

Running through the crowd she slipped away from her warriors and found The Mother at a silk stall looking at bags and scarves.

"Blessed be Mother." Arya said bowing her head in respect.

The Mother glared down at her, "Ah I see you grace us with your presence, how are you fairing?"

"All is well Mother, and yourself." Arya asked.

"As expected, I’ll need to see you before you go back to camp, find me tomorrow after the celebration. Now shoo go find The Maiden." The Mother dismissed Arya, when only brought her more joy. The Mother was a stickler for rules and procedures. Rigid woman.

Arya made her way around the main streets before heading into the park to look for The Maiden.

Finding The Maiden sprawled out in the middle of the grass staring up at the greenscape from the trees canopy.

Arya popped a squat next to The Maiden and laid down beside her.

"You know. I’m gonna miss that old hag." She whispered.

"I know me too."

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