💫Stella - a short story

I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am

John Newton

“Enough” came the soft command.

Stella, eyes locked on her opponent, immediately lowered her katana poised at the younger woman’s carotid artery. Both women’s chests heaved from the effort of trying to best the other in that evening’s sparing session. In one swift moment, Stella reached down and grasped her friend and parter’s equally calloused hand as a wide smile split her smooth dark brown face.

Brandy groaned.

“You really need to learn how to take it easy.” The younger woman muttered between shallow breaths.

The sharp sound of an exquisitely carved ebony and ivory walking stick, commanded silence from the two women.

As soon as they heard the rap on the tiled floor, they broke their gaze and stood at attention. Stella’s warm dark brown eyes and Brandy’s cool, pale grey eyes focused on Her.

“Tomorrow, Stellina, you will receive your assignment. Brandy, you may accompany her if you wish”

The women, trying to contain their excitement, nodded curtly and replied “ Yes ma’am.”

The older woman, clad in purple flowing robes gracefully stood with her attendants following closely behind her . The Royal guard flanked them on all sides as The Matriarch left the gymnasium. The 2 young women placed their hands over their hearts and bowed their heads as She and her entourage passed by.

Stella and Brandy had been training their whole life for this moment, and for Stella, it was finally here. The other women, also training in the gymnasium looked over at the two in awe. One never knew when they would be called to serve. Stella’s time had arrived.

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Being a Pilgrim

To journey without being changed is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and to be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim. ~ Mark Nepo

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Over Stella and Brandy’s heads, stretched the Andromeda galaxy, thousands of stars twinkling against the pitch black sky. The cool evening wind wicked the sweat off of their bodies and set their linen garb afloat. Both women stood tall and lean. The well defined muscles in their arms were further extended by the weapons in each of their right hands. Stella was carrying a katana and Brandy wielding an axe - their weapons of choice. In less than 24 hours their lives would be changed. Stella would have her assignment and Brandy would likely be assigned soon afterwards.

“Where do you think they’ll assign us?”

Physically, outside of their lithe, tall and powerful fames, Brandy and Stella were polar opposites. Ebony and ivory. Brandy wore her white blond hair in a chin length Bob and Stella wore the cords of her jet black locs down to her waist. Although 5 years apart in age, they’ve been best friends since they were sent to this place as children.

Stella let out a loud laugh that seemed to reverberate amongst the stars.

“Us?!?! What makes you think they’ll place us together? ” Stella smiled.

Brandy hooked her arm through Stella’s and said “Because we’ve been together for as long as we can remember!”

“That much is true….but if I remember correctly, The Matriarch said that I had been assigned and that you may join me in the meeting… only one of us is being assigned right now,” Stella said a little sadly.

“And I guess it would make sense for The Council to assign me to the Royal guard.” Stella looked down at her sword, now sheathed at her side and at Brandy’s axe. “We’re warriors. We’ve been trained to protect, fight and serve our whole lives…But something doesn’t seem right, The Royal Guard is fully staffed, and they’ve been staffed for a while now.”

Brandy’s brow furrowed . “ I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”

After supper the following evening, Stella and Brandy arrived into The Matriarch’s meeting hall wearing sapphire blue tops and slacks, and a delicate gold necklace with a bow and arrow charm encrusted with a mineral found no where else but there. Although dressed in fine attire, both women wore their weapons on their hips. Her Royal Guards were present, but Stella, Brandy and the other warriors were trained to be ready to protect The Matriarch and the compound at all times .

Both Stella and Brandy were nervous. Not because they feared attack, but rather because their assignments and thus their fate rested in Her hands.

“Thank you for joining me ladies. Please be seated.”

Stella looked over at the Matriarch. She was significantly older than the 2 younger women, but that in no way diminished her striking beauty. The Matriarch’s skin was a rich copper color that stretched smoothly over high cheekbones, her eyes twinkled with the wisdom of the ages and she wore her hair in two long braids down her back. At almost 6 feet tall, she was breathtaking, but it was her regal air that was most noteworthy. It swirled around her and every being in her presence.

Stella and Brandy quietly sat in the mahogany chairs. These chairs had, as most items within the compound, been fashioned by the artisans within its’ walls.

“Stellina,”

The Matriarch was the only one that called Stella by her full name.

“As I shared with you last night, it’s time for you to receive your assignment .”

Brandy slipped her warm hand into Stella’s. Barely breathing, both women kept their eyes on Her.

The Matriarch slid an envelope across the table for Stella to receive.

Stella took a deep breath and whispered, “Thank you.” Stellas’s hands shook as she opened up the envelope and one item at a time inspected its contents. A frown marred her smooth brown forehead. Both Stella and Brandy looked up, confused.

“With all due respect your Highness, this must be a mistake”

The Matriarch raised one well manicured eyebrow.

“I rarely make mistakes, but please go on…”

“You majesty,” Stella stammered “ I assumed that I would be assigned to the Royal Guard, or perhaps assigned to train the younger warriors… This can’t be right.”

Stella gestured to the letter stating her assignment and 3 photographs.

There was a picture of 3 children, a man and a home. Stella had no experience with any of those things or beings pictured in the photographs.

“I was trained to protect and fight. I’m willing to teach, but this, I wasn’t expecting. Not this.”

Brandy looked up cautiously at The Matriarch, the Royal Guards and then back at Stella. She didn’t dare say a word.

The Matriarch looked over at Stella with compassion. “Stellina, what are the 10 key traits of a true warrior?”

Stella and all of the women and girls were trained to know and portray these traits from birth or as soon as the arrived to the compound.

Stella rattled them off easily, “Adaptability, Courage, Dedication, Leadership, Patience, Protectiveness, Resilience, Self-sacrifice, Strength, and Wisdom.”

“Precisely. You’ll need all of those traits for your next assignment. You’ve modeled each one of them beautifully here on the compound, it’s now time for you to model them elsewhere. The time has arrived for you to serve.”

“But….”

The Matriarch raised a hand to halt Stella’s protest.

“You’ve been given your assignment. Pack lightly, you’ll be heading to Texas in the morning.”

“Texas!?!” Stella gawked. Brandy’s mouth dropped open.

“Yes, Texas. Earth-side, Southwestern United States of America. This family needs you, and quite frankly, pretty soon you’ll need them too. There will be someone present to brief you when you arrive Earth-side. You’ll recognize her by her voice, her mark and her stone. Whether you choose to believe it or not, you were trained for this and you don’t travel alone. God bless you my Daughter. Farewell sweet Stellina”

In a daze, Stella and Brandy rose to their feet and left The Matriarch’s quarters. Once they arrived to their bedroom, both women began to ready Stella for her departure.

To be continued….

I wrote this short story this week in response to my ongoing struggles and growth within my own service position in motherhood. It’s not easy.

Please let me know what you think and if you’d like me to develop Stella’s story further. I’ve learned so much this week about motherhood by pushing my own boundaries in writing. “Adaptability, Courage, Dedication, Leadership, Patience, Protectiveness, Resilience, Self-sacrifice, Strength, and Wisdom.” Thank you God for revelation 🙌🏾. Striving to be a true Chayil (Proverbs 31 ) wife and mother is a service position not to be taken lightly.

I pray that you all are having a blessed MLK day and will have a beautiful and blessed week. See you all next Monday 🌻