My name is Rhiannon; Rhiannon Nicole to be exact. I hail from the village of Godville. My mother had once said that on the eve of my birth cherubs had hovered above the home my father had built with his skillfully strong hands from the forest that provides the finest timber in all of Godville; singing hymns of praise while dousing our home in rose water. Mother had said this was a sign from the Goddess Ingrid Marie. I would later grow into a young maiden, full of wonderment, hopes and dreams the same curiosities my friends also held. I saw some of my friends go off to marry the Knight of their dreams. My best friend had gone off to a convent! Nothing was happening to me. I had complained to my dearest mother about this; had I been cursed with an unknown defect? Mother had gazed lovingly into my tear-filled eyes saying in a warm voice “my only daughter we have been truly blessed..you’re not cursed at all. Quite the contrary, you have been chosen.” Aghast! Chosen? Me?
The Message came to me later on a warm summer’s night. I had finished my chores earlier in the day and decided to rest in a field of beautiful peonies. Lying on my back I was gazing up at the evening sky drenched in hues of blues and purples while stars dotted the background like sparkling diamonds; I saw a message suddenly scrawled across the canvas “Rhiannon rules her life like a bird in flight wouldn’t you love to love her”...
I blinked and blinked again. Wth is all this supposed to mean oh Great One? Then like thunder sounding off in the distance came this gentle but loud voice declaring me a heroine of Godville I am to embark on a quest in the name of the Almighty Mother and build a temple out of golden brick honoring Goddess Ingrid Marie. SAY WHAT?!
So off I went to be taught the ways of the mighty warriors before me; Godville’s prestigious Gladiator Academy. There I had stood alongside members from my village, my three brothers and cousins. I was always a bit of a tomboy and was accustomed to the fine arts of hand-to-hand combat, archery and even knew how to weild a sword. I heard the snickers and jeers from those who attended our fine academy from other villages; they would soon found themselves lying flat on their backs staring up at me in utter disbelief this of course only angered them more not only having to serve alongside a female but to have their hides beaten by one in a sparring match was a huge blow to their pride. I am quite skilled in sarcasm and can down a tankard of lager with the best. Their tasing and taunts all soon came to an abrupt end once they learned I am the chosen one. I also think my three big brothers had warned the bullies of great bodily harm would come their way if they were to continue. With taunting me.