Lottery for Life #MFRWauthor

 

Welcome to the MFRW challenge. This month's topic is "An event where Luck played a part."

The tale of Mirabeesh, Empress of Eruichin, immediately came to mind when I read the topic. Before the rule of dragon law, the head daxa, the one who spoke for the god Tagachim, was second in power to the emperor. And he was the one who controlled what female would be chosen to marry the mountain god either by being thrown into a volcano or sealed in an ice cave.

A woman between the ages of seventeen and fourty was chosen by lottery, which is where luck comes in. Tiles bearing the names of unwed females or those who have failed to produce a child in five years of marriage were mixed and a random pick made.  Or at least it was supposed to be random. However, the head daxa had a specific woman in mind to be selected diovi.
 

Excerpt from Fire and Ice:

Xelme pulled a jade cube from the bowl and held it aloft. “Tagachim’s demands must be obeyed or fire will flow from the mountain. The ice will melt and rivers of burning rock shall submerge the city.” He spun to show the token to the crowd and returned his attention back onto Mirabeesh. “There is one here who meets the age—and is childless.”  

Mirabeesh wanted to run, but couldn’t move. The urge to plunge her blade into the daxa’s heart ballooned into life. Anything to silence Xelme, to stop him from saying the name associated with the token. In the end, she remained still.

Xelme radiated satisfaction as he announced his selection, “Mirabeesh, come forth.”

Roars ripped from the throats of the palace guards and the assembled townspeople prevented Kai’s low growl from being heard by any but her. She lay her hand over the fingers tight on her arm. “My lord, it is the law.” 

Tendons bulged, his grip turned into bands of iron. He let out his breath in a gush, releasing his grip.  

“It is all right, my love,” Mirabeesh whispered. “I understand.” She walked to stand at the end of the line of white. The embroidery and light blue color of her gown stood out, a flare against other diovi. 

Two red-robed men grabbed for her.  

Her glare stopped them in mid-action. They dropped their arms and stood in attentive silence. Instead of presenting the image of captive and captor, they became humbled servants.

Xelme grunted his displeasure, but kept any other response he wanted to make to himself. He dropped the green token into the tube. Making a show of his movements, he tied the lid in place with gold wire and held the container above his head. Despite the crowd of thousands, except for the pounding of her heart, Mirabeesh only heard the clatter of the diovi markers. Instead of reflecting the sun, the wood absorbed it. No longer a tube it became a black arrow, the symbol of destiny—and death.  

A drumbeat and two acolytes stepped from the shadows. The youths carried a metal globe mounted in a wooden frame. Light flashed on the polished bands. Xelme adopted a solemn demeanor. “No hand of man will decide who will be diovi. Tagachim will select his own bride.” After the prelate’s gaze raked each of the women before him, he slid the container of tokens into a slot in the middle of the wire cage and secured it with more gold wire. Deft movements slid a long handle into an open slot in the frame. One by one, first the acolytes, then their masters took three turns at the handle. Rattles accompanied each spin of the globe.

 Mirabeesh closed her eyes and wanted to cover her ears. Each clash of token against wood sounded like a death knell. An eerie silence forced her to open her eyes. Xelme held the tube in one hand, the lid in the other. Smiling, he tossed the lid back into the selecting globe. His tongue licked his lips. “Let those presented for sacrifice prepare to meet their god Tagachim.” 

 Slowly, inch by inch, the temple leader tilted the container until a single cube dropped into his hand. He raised his hand above his head, but kept the marker hidden. A cat with a trapped mouse he toyed with the crowed. Although his expression reflected the solemn occasion, Xelme’s eyes sparkled with pleasure. “Tagachim has selected his new bride,” the daxa intoned. 

 Inevitability darkened Mirabeesh’s soul. Even before the ruler of the temple revealed the cube, she knew the color—and whose name it bore.

  ~ ~ ~ 

 

First Change: Legends From The Eyrie
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~till next time, Helen

Be sure to see how the other authors answered the question. https://mfrw52week.blogspot.com/