Sun Mote Copse the goddess pillar

Pulled from her den and to the shrine, Asherah was confused and concerned. Had something happened? It could, perhaps, be the ritual for Honey's chose child but she wasn't sure why this would need to be so public. Concern hastened her steps until she stood before the shrine, quietly waiting for Eshamun to speak. A whisper of change made her shiver, unsure of what was happening and only knowing that it was something big.

Eshamun looked over all the members, but her eyes landed on Asherah herself and the woman's brow furrowed in concern. She tried to piece together some meaning from Eshamun's face but found no clues. Her soft words sent a ripple of shock through the red woman and Asherah had to catch herself from staggering. Tears instantly came to her own eyes and she shook her head in disbelief. Why? What was going on?

The admission of loving a man shook Asherah further and she knew instantly that Eshamun meant Ar-Khalba. She herself had flirted with attraction to the man beyond what was allowed, but she had always kept herself steady. But what had caused this in Eshamun? Asherah could not wrap her mind around the words, what the woman meant. Her head was spinning and the more Eshamun talked the more surprised she became. When her sister spoke that she herself must lead the Malkaria, Asherah was floored. Her eyes flew open in surprise and she shook her head a little. She must lead? Surely this was a joke, Eshamun did not mean to leave at all this was simply a prank.

Eshamun motioned to her and she stepped forward in a daze, intent on convincing the woman that there was a mistake. Eshamun's nose brushed her forehead, and she named her Ekar-Aji. "But Eshamun," Her voice shook with both fear and sorrow, her voice whispered quickly to the other. "Surely there must be some way you can stay? How am I to lead? Molech help me, I am still but a fledling to the teachings. If I will complete the illi-du-dam from now on, can you not have your own litter of children with Ar-Khalba?" For a moment she paused, knowing even as she spoke the other would not want to lay with any other and would not want Ar-Khalba to lay with any other. It shocked her to see Eshamun disobey the rules of Molech.

"If I am to lead, what will you be within the Malkaria? What will Ar-Khalba be?" It had not yet dawned on her that the woman meant to leave, and likely would take Ar-Khalba with her. "Surely I can pray and Molech will send us an answer?" She had never before aspired to lead, but if Molech had spoken her name then it must be what she should do. Was this why she was sent here? She couldn't believe such a grand thing of herself, such a destiny.