Chapter 92: A Name

The woman in pink claps her hands and the pond disappears and a meadow takes its place. My body dry and clean, I stand naked. The women who were just moments ago washing and perfuming my body disappear into mist. With a small bow, the woman in pink does as well. On the wind I hear her reminder. “Follow your path without judgment.”

Asteria takes a stick and carves a circle into the ground.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“We will hold our ritual. It is safe here.” She says plainly.

“So you will give me a name?” I ask, unsure of how any of these rituals work.

“Yes. I will name you. The ancestors have already whispered your name to me in my dreams.” She confides. “Stand within the circle. No matter what happens, do not leave the circle.”

“What do you mean, no matter what happens? What do you expect?” I ask.

“You can never anticipate what may appear outside the circle. Just heed my warning and do not leave it until I say.” She says firmly.

She stands in the circle, arms raised an