It was easy to know when Lazindra had entered the waters. Instantly fish would dart from whatever they were doing towards her and circle about Lazindra like she was the light of heavens or something.<br/><br/>Younglings joked about the story of the horse God being made up so Kate's  (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=70245.msg3099096#msg3099096) kin could have membership simply out of charity for in all other respects weaknesses was not tolerated in the amazon's and Kate's kin could never practically hunt nor fight. It was tradition to explain to all who came of age how priestesses of Arona came to be, a story Kate had recited to many.<br/><br/><div align="center">*</div><br/>Once every generation the shaman leaders of all amazon tribes journey to the top of a sacred mountain where they discuss spiritual matters in a tongue those only gifted with magic can understand. These "great gatherings" are times non-shamans are forbidden to follow and are a time the rest of the tribes spends fasting in spiritual contemplation.<br/><br/>During one of these meetings hundreds of years ago an ally of the amazons called the<strong>Shakolath </strong>managed an unforgivable betrayal through ambush. Without warriors or hunters to defend them the Amazon Shamans were rounded up and soon killing without mercy began in the hope doing so would throw the amazons into despair and disarray. Pleads for them to stop fell on deaf ears, and when only three trembling young women, barely acolytes, new to their mantle remained, the leader of the<strong>Shakolath </strong>boasted of his plan and cunning then ordered the three to be shot over and over again with enough arrows to make them into "hedghogs of glory" - religious trophies to their strange loveless god.<br/><br/>Arrows were soon released but before the rain of death could befall the amazon women, a freakishly endowed stallion appeared shielding them from harm.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e5CENKp5eYU/RlKt0Q3TUuI/AAAAAAAAAO8/DbXmPiagxY8/s320/henry-v-archers.jpg)</div><div align="center"><strong>ShakolathArchers </strong></div><br/>The horse took every arrow that would otherwise murder the women and died shortly there after but its act allowed the acolytes to flee the Shakolath army and inform their tribes of the betrayal.<br/><br/>After morning the loss of their mentors for a year and a day all three fell pregnant, two producing two line of shamans of prodigious talents all current shamans are descended from.  The other a freak - a freak like Kate. It was those three very women that deemed those like Kate were touched by Arona's blessing and were to be treated respectfully as Priestesses of the Horse God if the gods blessings were to be retained. So thankful for return of any of their spiritual order, other amazons agreed ... so the traditional speaks.<br/><br/>Why Arona didn't change random<em>males </em>born to the amazons this way was a reason known only to Arona himself, and truth of the numerous rumors of the fluids from the privates of such priestesses having magical properties and used to form potions are what only shamans know, don't share and forbid non-shamans to openly speak of.<br/><br/>It may be so but so far Lazindra had not approached Kate for any reason or others but neither has she mentioned it as an untrue either. Perhaps its true but so far there has been no need ?<br/>Only time would tell, then again perhaps not as it was also rumored Shamans kept secrets like moon cats keep prey.<br/><br/><div align="center">*</div><br/>Kate looked up to her and smiled while leaning her head heavily to the side - a habit kate acquired when focusing on someone.<br/><br/><strong>"Your affinity with nature is outstanding Mistress Lazindra, and beyond that the hut you organized to be made for me in honor of Arona - pleases him greatly. He has spoke to be in a dream vision last night that such a tribute from a village this small fills him with pride - in return for such appreciation, he has promised our steads will be blessed to be in prime health, so and loyal to our tribe neither stables nor tether will be necessary for ensuring their service"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"How dependent my kin is on others here makes me nervous sometimes as everyone else in the village was so fearsomely useful, independent. Your role seems so assured as you calmed these fears within me as much as you calm these fish moving in enchanting patterns about you. Perhaps being part horse your way with animals is something im not separate to"</strong><br/><br/>Both now waded submerged to their stomach - are rare time Kate's nature was supported enough to resume standing postures others could adopt. Kate many natural soap-stone lined the river bed and one Kate had she rubbed vigorously, producing a lather of natural soap from the rounded river stone. Kate held it in both hands facing the wise woman. A traditional gesture to offer to be soaped personally, one that would be approved by a simple nod.<br/><br/>