It had been an odd evening at the fires with much going on. As the night grew late, she had found herself at them alone with Leonette and Akasha, talking of the kaiila. Some basic pointers were given, such as keeping a change of clothing at the clan wagons, so that when one of the unruly beasts nipped you, and tore your skirt off your flanks, you did not have to try and sneak through camp to your own wagons for a change of clothing. A very, very important thing for a woman that works with kaiila to know. Now, this brought to light a problem that Leonette has. She has no extra clothes. She was more than please that before she could even jump in, that Akasha beat her to the punch, offering to send some things to her wagons for her.
This was a good thing to see. As it progressed, it was decided that they would both send things to Leonette's wagon, and that kasra would go and help her to alter them to fit. Akasha's offer made the woman rise in her estimations. She did not have to do this, she had no history with Leonette, but the unselfish way that she made the offer brought a smile to Cana's face.
The more time that they spent together she realized that a bond was forming between the three of them. Maybe at first it was a bond of sisterhood between those that had a love and an affinity for the beast, but she felt that it went much deeper than that. It became simply a bond between women. And once such is formed, it can take quite a bit to put it asunder.
Much is sang about the strength of warriors and the bonds that are forged by them shedding blood together, but very little is said or sung of the bonds of women. The silent keepers of the people. Men might be the ones that protected them, but it was the women that were often the backbone of anything. They were the nurturers, the teachers, the ones that tended to the people. Both had a duty, and both did them well. They were both needed to keep the tribe strong.
She had always had an affection for Leonette, even when she was simply belle. But then again, there had never been anything simple about the woman, regardless of her status. This had not changed, in fact they were both free now to explore that friendship in a different way. She knows that there will be those that will be constantly putting the young woman to the test. Those that will never accept her completely. She hoped to be there to support and help her in all that she could. She would not exactly fight her battles for her, but she would be there for encouragement and support. She had no doubts that Leonette would learn to stand strong on her own two feet and embrace this new life of hers, but she would watch it with great interest, and yes, a bit of pride.
As for Akasha, I see a lot of myself in her. She is young, quiet, but passionate about the kaiila, to me that says much. She told me with a bit of reticence about her mother, and I explained to her, that I did not care. I try very hard to know people on their own merits, on who they are, not who they are related to or where they are from. I know that I don't always succeed, but I do try. She will be an asset to the clan, and I do look forward to working with her, teaching what I can, and learning from her. And I am eager to learn more about her during all of that.
I find myself proud to be a part of this little trio. It dawns on me, that we three are the ones that represent our clan at the first fires. That in itself is a huge responsibility, but one that I think we are up to.
Be afraid. Be very afraid. The Sisterhood of the Kaiila has arrived.
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