Zandala did not join in to the cheering of her sisters nor the gossip and stories going around. Though she had been more than pleased to know that Aisha’s seed had taken to Yael and grown, they had not bloomed. If they did bloom then and only then would Zandala rejoice, otherwise it was giving hope to a dream that may or may not be possible and she did not want to feed such a dream. If others wanted to indulge, then she would let them. They were all old enough to take care of themselves; at least she would not be disappointed.

When the meeting was called by the tree, Zandala came forward; one of the first to come and listen to the words of the Matron. A she began her speech and outrage grew among the sisters, Zandala joined in. Many of them were indeed still quite sore after a year. This uproar was nothing like the following one when the new children were revealed. She could feel their cries in her bones and it shook her as she stared at the small being held by the Matron. Zandala gaped at the child, unable to comprehend what was happening.

This bloomed child resembled an Alkidike but only physiology. The colors and extra things around their ears were different and the coloring… Grey and pink hues, it was a stark difference with their own skin colors. Many cheered and drew closer to the bloomed child but Zandala was confused. The bloom had a different color but she had not expected something so different than them. Were these blooms a curse or a gift? And if it was either, who had given it to them? Aisha? Elzira?

Zandala stood up and moved closer, shoving past the others to see the bloomed child for herself.

Aisha had banished them here, Aisha had raised her, Aisha was her life. What did this all mean?! Zandala tore her gaze away from the child and moved away from the group, disturbed and feeling excitement begin to build within her. Had Aisha pushed them here to find her sister Elzira? Was Elzira stronger then Aisha and that was why Aisha had wanted them to come? Would Elzira make them stronger? The banished would certainly not look like the rest of the Akidikes anymore and never again would they.

Was she to follow Elzira? This had to be what Aisha wanted.

And if it was what Aisha wanted then Zandala would banish her from her thoughts and completely devote herself to Elzira. Elzira would change them and make them stronger; she was the future for them. Zandala put her hands on her hips and smiled, this was glorious! Surely with new bodies the future children would be strong and thrive, this was a way for them to continue on their legacy without Aisha. There could be no other reasoning for Aisha to send them here than to change them into stronger beings and Zandala could see it all now.

Perhaps Zandala would not be able to be born an Elaria, but her daughters would be and they would be strong. She would make sure of it if it was the last thing she ever did. Now they had to make sure that no one found out about this. She could not trust the Yaeli and they certainly couldn’t trust anyone who tried to approach them with good intentions. If it was up to Zandala, the Yaeli would be chased off to the main land and the Banished could take over the island and watch as the Elaria flourished on its soil.

There was still a nagging feeling that Zandala could not shake off. It was hard to forget Aisha to follow Elzira, Zan planned on tempering her mind as one tempered a blade. There would be no other way. While some would dip their feet slowly into freezing water to test it and let themselves get accustomed to it, Zandala was jumping straight in with both feet first. The cut from Aisha had to be complete or there would always be a shred of thought of her on her mind. She planned on taking to preying before Elzira every day if need be.

Not for a child of course, but just so that her devotion to Elzira could grow her roots within her mind. When the time came and Elzira saw her dedication then if she so wished it Zandala hoped to be rewarded with a strong child. Until then, Zandala would work hard and prove herself to her new mother.