Sani, the young initiate, yes, that one -- not yet the kind of priestess you gave
important tasks to, not tasks for an
important person -- mind, she was pleasant enough. Yes, anyway, that Sani, had stepped across the square, with lotus flowers sprouting with each step, just like the old bodhisattvas, and she winced like she was about to be struck with each step. It wasn't right, after all -- not her. There were other, more deserving priests.
Earlier, The Fall.
Sani had been lighting lamps in the gardens of the capital -- pleasant in the night air, with the murmur of streams and fountains, and the sighs of aimless couples -- there were always aimless couples in the central garden. There were five sacred sites with lamps to be lit at the feet of statutes of Anaya, one for each of the five sacred plants, which grew in abundance: their flowers were soft-blush red; plain white; dull Aegean blue; brilliant gold; and humble, mud brown.
When the stars winked out, one moment there was the Third Altar, and the next, it was gone. There was a nothingness that looked cold, like a black pool of water in winter. A few dim things walked out. They advanced on her, and, true be told, she had felt frozen in place, like a scared rabbit – more scared than a rabbit, in fact.
It was hard to say what had happened first, but someone screamed “RUN!” And at some point, when her eyes were squeezed shut, and she was praying to Anaya, she felt a sudden benevolence, followed by a gentle sadness. A voice said “Save them, child.”
She heard howls, groans, screams. Then: “The plants got them!” cried a jubilant woman. “Thank Anaya!”
Sani opened her eyes, and a humble, brown plant had grown thickly over the Hole in the World, and wrapped it up shut.
“Thank Anaya, “ a woman sobbed nearby.
But Sani didn't feel any relief, because when she looked up, Anaya was gone.
The Present.
Sani, the young initiate, stood tentatively near Rashana, as if waiting to be acknowledged. She had a basket of food: warm bread, butter, cheese, and wine. A path of flowers receded across the room behind her, small lotuses with pale flowers.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, diffidently. “Miss, I’ve heard you made all these fortifications. It’s a miracle. The High Keeper asked me to bring you food and wine. He says you are blessed by Anaya.”
"But that's not true, is it? Anaya's gone. Everyone can see that."