#351 - Atlantis Sketches

She gazes at her reflection in the burnished surface of silver, shining and soft, like mist at dawn. Nothing is as it seems, she thinks to herself, getting closer to the surface. All of this, all of this... it is a terrible thing, the burden I carry, why should I not enjoy the little which I can get, she asks herself.

Mistress, her Handmaiden says. 

Sangita nods. It is time.

The gardens of the Citadel of Time are extensive and lush. They are full of plants and ornaments which have been gifted from well wishers that come from all over the world. When she was not scrying or entertaining some dignitary, she was walking the gardens, often with a book in her hand. She loved the smell of the soil, the plants, the pretty birds that dart between the branches. 

The gardens are tended by the priestesses of the Citadel of Legacy. They are the temple whores whose duty is to lie with men who pay for their services. In their coupling the land is blessed and peace is kept. The babies are kept  by their mothers to be reared for the Citadel. Their roles are determined at birth. If they are born mute, like Sangita, they become scryers. If they are girls, they could become Whores too, or go one to become wives in prestigious households, or they could be adopted by their own fathers. When this happens, the Whores often marry the men whom they have had the child with. They then go on to become heads of powerful households. It is entirely up to them. Boys went on to serve in the army. They became the most loyal defenders of Atlantis. After serving ten years in the Citadel of Strength, they could choose what path their destinies took them. Many would become merchant seamen, bringing Atlantis to the world and vice versa, and others would be scribes, taking their place in the Citadel of Knowledge. Yet others could become Acolytes in the Citadel of Plenty, farming the land. Of course if they were Mutes, they would serve in the Citadel of Seeing, like Sangita, for Mutes were so rare. If they proved themselves, and if they lived to beyond 45, they could take their place in the Citadel of Elders. Here they were trained to become Elders. Elders were those over 55. They were the ones who helped the others to make decisions which were in the best interests of Atlantis.

The children of Whores often played in the gardens. They received the best education and the most access to the secrets of the Citadels. It was no wonder that many families attempted to either buy their way into the position or hoped for a child or a daughter-in-law who used to be a Whore. Sangita herself remember playing here, getting under the feet of the workers and slaves which helped to tend the extensive grounds. With her playmates they wiled away the many happy minutes of childhood, no matter how brief they were, before they were sent their separate ways. She had sisters and brothers, and extended family all over the island, even the world. They were always calling in, dropping by, sending her gifts which she would have to redirect elsewhere. There was never a moment for loneliness, life in the many Citadels was always absorbing and diverting. The Citadels ensured that everything ran smoothly, that everyone had a fruitful role. That they contributed to the smooth functioning, the most efficient use of resources, that everyone was included.

It was a system that worked. Sangita was grateful. She knew how Mutes were treated in other places beyond the shores of Atlantis. It was a thing which she never took for granted.

A child runs into her as he rounds the corner. He looks up, his open face laughing gleefully. She frowns down at him, jokingly serious. Go now, she nods, and he runs off again, looking for his playmates. Did she ever wish she could have children? As Scryer you were not allowed to look into your own future. Every Spindle was accounted for and you would have to explain what happened if there were missing moments in the day. Sangita was not really curious. She knew that she was but a mote, a scintilla, in the stream of Time, but sometimes she did wish that she could, like her sister in the Citadel of Legacy also hold something of her own, something unrelentingly hers. However Scryers were not to have children. Their elevated position came with sacrifices. 

I did not choose the position, thought Sangita to herself, so should I also not have to choose the sacrifice. Being born into this fate, this destiny, was hers. Accepting it with grace was her challenge in a life that was filled with challenges.