by Maria Shepherdson

Created on: August 05, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2011

Her sister's destiny

Samyulka ran her blistered fingers along the neat edges. Deliberately pressed too hard so that the sacred walls of the Temple of the Sun were marred by the foul contents of a particularly nasty wound.So what! This was no way for her sister to spend her 14th Birthday.

Chirimnyia had been hailed as the family's saviour. On the way from Huchy-Cuzco to market the eldest child of a poor village family had been seen by a priest of the Temple. Short, soft fingers had gripped hard the face of everychild he passed, forcing their innocent mouths close to his as he peered intently into startled eyes. Samyukla had growled at his touch.

Actually growled her incredulous mother had related later, Then jerked her head out of his hands, hunched her shoulders and butted him in the stomach.

What can you expect from a child who is more goat than girl. Jealous, are you, of your sister's good fortune?. Samyulka remembered her aunt's contempt for a long time.

Her father's voice had quietened the chatter.

No, she is quick to act and not one to be pushed around.

He paused to smile affectionately at the girl who should have been a boy.

Mark my words, woman, her spirit will bring this family luck when we need it most. In the meantime, her shoulders are strong for she will have to carry her sister's load as well as her own .

Chirimnyia had intervened gently to stop the priest from back-slapping her little sister and stood calmly as he poked, peered and prodded at her, his face alight with hope. Perfect. Perfect he repeated softly as they trudged along the narrow path towards the scattered settlement high above the Sacred Valley. Despite the chewing of coca leaves he huffed and puffed his way upwards, stopping frequently to catch his shallow breath. Samyulka's contempt grew as they neared the summit, the girls scrambling lightly over the rough scree while the heavyset priest stopped every three paces to rest. Why, she, herself, had made the arduous pilgrimage to Machu Pichu last year with only some cut feet to show for her efforts.

Four long months had passed since she had seen her sister. Since their heart-roots were wrenched apart by destiny. The stifled conversations between her parents which stopped abruptly whenever she appeared worried her. Her father's face showed resignation and passive acceptance the day they had taken Chirimnyia.

Her mother radiated pride and outright joy at the acceptance of one of her children as being worthy of life in the Temple. Samyulka's

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