The Life & Times of Isadora: Book 1

By Lorri Payton

Isadora is an old spirit in a new body, sent to turn people back to spirituality through unconditional
love and the majick that creates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483538754

Book preview

story....

CHAPTER ONE

Calli couldn't help but notice that the wind had come up and was chilling her to the bone. This night was going to be one of confusion, upset, miracles and joy all wrapped into one. The carriage was moving swiftly toward the village where tonight the lives of everyone in her world, including her own, were going to change. If only she knew what to expect or how to feel. She knew what she was feeling, yet knew that her feelings were not ones of love, but generated from her own fears and insecurities. Calli thought that all of these feelings were under control until the call came for her to go pick up the baby; now they all came crashing in on her. She had spoken to the Oracle about her concerns, and was assured that they would disappear once she held the baby in her arms. She would rely on this information to get her through the night.

Isadora had been awakened and knew it was time to make her appearance into the world. She started moving instinctively toward the birth canal. She had enjoyed the peace and quiet during her six months of gestation. She did not have to enter the body of the infant until it was three months old, even then she was allowed to travel back and forth between this world and the spirit world. Now she was about to enter this world in a body, something she had not done for hundreds of years. It was her adventure and now was the time.

She moved closer to the opening and kept pushing herself out until she saw light and felt the coldness of the air on her body. Immediately she felt arms come around her, wrapping her and cleaning off the sac she had been encased in. She took her first breath and opened her eyes to look into the eyes of a young priestess. Immediately she could feel the warring of emotions within this woman. If this was an example of the priesthood her soul group was correct in insisting that someone come down to earth as a guide.

As she thought this she heard Isis speaking to her mentally; Isadora stop analyzing the situation and just be the baby. Your role is to work within the body so you can experience what others do when first entering this world. This is the best way you can help, so stop thinking and start feeling.

Isadora accepted this and immediately started feeling overwhelmed by her five senses kicking in; smells, noise, light, and the feeling of the soft blanket she was wrapped in. Now she felt herself moving, being carried quickly to a waiting carriage to be taken to the temple. She closed her eyes for just a moment and fell into a deep sleep.

Look Mohmar isn't she beautiful?

Yes, Calli she is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. All that black hair and eyes so blue you can almost see through them. I would have to say that the Oracle was right about this one. She is only a few hours old, does not cry and is already smiling with a twinkle in her eye.

Calli looked down into the heart shaped face of the child; her skin was flawless and her body was perfectly shaped as though she had been molded. There was no redness as most newborns, nor any physical marks from the labor or birth. There were no birthmarks and the baby appeared to glow.

There is something about this baby Mohmar, I feel the peace and love radiating from her, almost as though she were speaking directly to my soul.

The parents must have been distraught to part with her, Calli.

They were not allowed to look upon her. I was at the birth myself; caught her as she came out, cut the cord, cleaned and covered her, then left quickly.

Mohmar sighed, I suppose that is for the best, less painful in the end, but yet never to gaze upon the face of your child is incomprehensible to me.

Oh come on Mohmar, I am sure that you have many children out there that you have never gazed upon. I have heard of your comings and goings from the temple as a peasant.

Calli your tongue, as usual, gets away from your brain. Finish cleaning the babe and get a wet nurse in to feed her. Even though she does not cry, I am sure she is hungry for her first meal.

As you wish, my lord.

Calli we have grown up together as a brother and sister because of our life in the temple, however, we are now considered adults and it is time to stop the constant sarcasm and pent up hostility. There are different rules in place for the priests than there are for the priestesses. I don't make the rules, nor do I particularly agree with them, but I have learned to follow them without complaint; as should you if you plan on remaining in the temple.

I guess I am just a bit jealous because the priests are allowed to come and go as they please, yet the priestesses are restricted to the temple.

These rules have been in effect long before you and I were ever born, and quite frankly I don't see them changing in our lifetime. Enough of this it is time to feed the baby.

Calli looked down at the most beautiful serene face she had ever seen. This was not the first babe she had handled since coming to the temple, but it was the first one that she would be responsible for entirely. Playing and cuddling was one thing, but supplying all of her needs was quite another. She had never changed a diaper by herself or done the purification rituals required for babies. However, there was something about this one. The child was only a few hours old, and yet she was able to fully open her eyes. Her eyes were clear blue with tiny flecks of black that reminded Calli of a mosaic, and they seemed to stare into her soul. She shook off the instant uneasiness she felt from her stare and went to look for the wet nurse. She wanted to lay the child down in the crib, but knew that she was not allowed to leave the child for the first month. There were strict rules concerning this, as it was believed that the child needed constant energy that could only be supplied by another human being. Therefore, for the first month of life she would be held and tended to constantly so that this energy could be provided. Calli was uncomfortable around the babe, even though she knew this was not logical.

Calli had come to the temple as a babe as well, but hers was a birth of status and money. Her parents had paid her way into the temple. She was now seventeen and within one year the priests would test her. If she could not pass their stringent tests she would be sent back to her parents. Sent back, now that was a joke. She had no clue who her family was and wasn't sure she wanted to know.

Life in the temple had been structured, yet the children were given much freedom to discover and learn on their own; in fact this was encouraged. She had no idea what the world outside of the temple was like, or if this type of free thinking was even tolerated or allowed. She was not sure how she felt about the upcoming tests, and wasn't sure if she could pass them. It wasn't like it was something that was laid out and you could study for. In fact, there was a large net of secrecy surrounding the whole process. Those who had gone through it and remained never spoke of it. Those who did not pass were immediately taken back to their families, so there was no chance to speak to them. Calli had lived her whole life with this hanging over her head, but as a child she did not give it much thought as it was yet years away. Now it was upon her and the uncertainty was causing her sleepless nights. Not sure how she felt about staying or going was bad enough, but the lack of control over the situation was debilitating.

Perhaps her own insecurity was why the new babe bothered her so. The Oracle had prophesied this one and Calli could see with just a glance that this child was very different from any she had previously handled. There had not been a baby prophesized by the Oracle in the temple for over a hundred years; at least that is what the scholars declared after spending their lives studying the ancient scrolls. If the Oracle prophesied a child being born it was automatically known as the Chosen One sent by the gods to guide the world.

The parents of this child were said to be poor and of humble backgrounds. They were shocked when the prophecy was made, but willing to do what was asked of them. It was their third child, the first two being boys, so it was a true sacrifice for the mother to give up her beloved girl. She soothed her breaking heart with the knowledge that this child would always be cared for and loved and that she would be able to help many others during her lifetime.

Calli had always heard stories and rumors of chosen ones being born before, but no one was still alive who had experienced the birth or lifetime of a chosen one. She could definitely see a difference; the baby had a beautiful bright golden aura, and the energy surrounding her was filled with love and peace. Her smile lit up the entire room, and just holding her made Calli feel as though she was loved unconditionally.

It was like her ego was warring with her spirit. Calli had never felt jealousy in her life, so this was quite a new feeling, one she did not know how to handle. The other children were all like her, from affluent families that had bought their way into the temple. She had seen many come and go in her seventeen years, not really giving it much thought. All the children were treated the same; and as far as she could tell they were all given the same opportunities when it came to learning the arts and seeking power. Some were a little better than others in certain areas, but all seemed to have equality in the end. She had a strong feeling, however, that this would not be the case with the new babe. It would have no effect on her, so why was she so uncomfortable?

As Isadora looked up at Calli she felt all of her emotions playing across her face. She knew that there was jealousy, yet there was love that overwhelmed that jealousy pushing it down. She knew there was a reason that she was put into the hands of this priestess to be nurtured, and knew that love was the stronger of the two emotions. She smiled up at her with unconditional love and felt the connecting emotion snap between them like a cord pulling them closer and forming a bond. She watched as Calli smiled back acknowledging the bonding.

CHAPTER TWO

Calli carried the child with her and found the wet nurse; bringing her back to the child's room, her room now for the next month, because she had been chosen to nurture the chosen one. The priests and priestesses would come and go, especially Mohmar, as he was selected to be her protector. She didn't mind the fact that she would see more of him in the next month. Mohmar was twenty and had already gone through his testing. He was handsome with jet-black hair that fell just below his shoulders in a gentle wave. His eyes were light brown with flecks of gold in them and his body was that of a man rather than the boys she had seen. The priests were required to tone their bodies, as this was considered as important as the spiritual aspects. The women were basically left to their own devices, other than being provided with all the female luxuries, such as oil massages, cosmetics and hairdressers.

Mohmar, now that he had passed his test, was allowed out of the temple with no restrictions. The women were never allowed outside of the compound. If ceremonies needed to be performed in the temple all access was provided underground, so that they never had contact with the outside world. This seemed very unfair to Calli, although she had to admit that Mohmar was very kind to tell her all about the outside and patiently answer all of her questions. She could almost see it in her mind as he talked. Yet, she wasn't sure at all that she wanted to pass her test. It was just not knowing what was out there that was scary. She had gotten used to the routine inside and knew what was expected of her. Perhaps she had just grown comfortable in her life because she had no idea how the rest of the world lived. Her only real job had been that of learning and developing her skills. This was the first time she had been called on to care for anyone other than herself. Her thoughts were a distraction so she brought her mind back to the task at hand; knowing that the decision would be taken out of her hands in less than a year and she just needed to accept that and get on with her life.

She casually watched as the wet nurse fed the baby. The nurse was talking to the babe in hushed tones as she put her on the breast. With very little encouragement the child started suckling gently, slowly as if it was in no hurry. While the child was eating it was staring into the eyes of the woman.

How old did you say this babe was?

Calli was brought out of her daydreams and replied that she was just a few hours old.

Impossible, said the wet nurse. No new babe is able to fully open their eyes and stare at that age.

This is the Chosen One, Calli replied.

Oh I have heard of the child, but didn't realize the birth was so near.

As far as I know she was delivered two weeks before the due date.

I have never suckled a Chosen One; I am honored.

I will leave you to your joy then as I have some things to attend to. Do not leave her alone...

Don’t worry; I shall be here when you get back.

Isadora was enjoying the warm milk and the feeling of her stomach filling up for the first time in this body. She was determined to pay close attention to this body, as there would be plenty of time to understand each different personality that she was expected to work with. She sent peace and love to the wet nurse and watched her smile and glow.

Calli was still trying to understand why she was so afraid of the child and felt uncomfortable around her. It was as though the child could not only read her mind but also look into her soul. She always felt that she was a good person at heart, but she had secret thoughts and desires that she really didn't want anyone else to know about, as they were embarrassing. The fear of them coming to light or someone else recognizing them had her spooked. Still, she could not deny the moment that the baby smiled at her and she felt a cord pull and a bonding take place. She shook her head once and headed to her room where she could be alone with her thoughts. There, she would pack up her belongings and move them into the room with the child for the next month. Once that month was up it would then be decided who the best candidate would be to care for the child and provide a nurturing environment. She was pretty sure she wouldn't be picked because of her age if nothing else. It was preferred that full-fledged priestesses handle the babies and their needs. The best candidate among the priestesses would be picked so that the bond of mother and child could take place.

Wet nurses were used until the babies were old enough to eat solid food. They were servants that had been raised in the temple and knew no other life, but had been allowed to marry and bear children of their own. They were given a totally different wing to raise those children and were never mixed with the initiates. The servants were only allowed access after intense screening as to their personalities and spiritual awareness. Access was only given as long as the child needed it. In the case of a newborn they were required to spend the night with the child, but could go about their daily routines, coming in every three hours as needed for feedings. It took an hour before feeding for them to be prepared. They had to be bathed, sanctified and blessed before they could even touch the child.

Torvar, the current nursemaid, had suckled many newborns. She had three children of her own, but her milk was never allowed to run dry. It was an honor that she was very proud of. It was the next best thing to actually having one of your children chosen. In the case of the servants their children were never even considered, unless there was a definite prophecy indicating it. It took money and status to have your children raised in the temple and even though Torvar's children were technically being raised in the temple, they had none of the advantages of the initiates. There was no schooling for them, either educationally or metaphysically. They were trained to be servants and given instruction into whatever field they were most qualified for or interested in. Some became seamstresses, some cooks, gardeners; the list was endless, as neither priests nor priestesses did any physical labor.

Thinking about the babe as she finished packing she concluded that it was just jealousy. After all, the child could not talk so even if she did know what Calli was thinking she couldn't tell anyone. By the time the child could talk Calli would either be a full-fledged priestess or gone, either way it shouldn't matter to her. Maybe it was because she was going to have to give up a month of freedom to nurture the child. She was not asked, but told that this was her job. It was a difficult dilemma. On one hand she felt honored to have been chosen, on the other she resented the fact that she had been given no choice in the matter. This seemed to be the way of her life lately, feeling helpless and at the mercy of others. Yet, there was that moment when the child looked at her and smiled that she felt the most overwhelming love she had ever experienced.

This child did not have to worry about testing, as none would be required. At the age of sixteen the babe would automatically not only join the ranks of the priestesses with no testing required, but become high priestess. Those were two of the advantages of being prophesied as a Chosen One. However, one of the major disadvantages was that your life was planned out for you. You simply did what you were destined to do. As far as Calli knew a Chosen One had never refused the priesthood; although there were not lots of books about any of the previous chosen ones; and no one was alive to talk about their lives. There were just rumors handed down orally from generation to generation.

CHAPTER THREE

Mohmar stuck his head in the door just as Calli started to gather her things.

Calli, are you ready? It is time you went back to the babe. You know the wet nurse is only supposed to hold the child as long as it takes to feed her and that should be long over with by now.

I was just finishing packing my things to move into her room. I am glad you stopped by you can help by carrying my trunk; as I was just about to call for help.

I will be glad to help if it gets you back to the baby quicker; now go and I will handle the rest. Mohmar quickly brushed past her and grabbed two of her baskets. I will send two servants back to gather your trunk, if you think you will need it.

Of course I will need it, I am going to be there for a month.

I don't know why women require so many possessions.

Then it is a good thing you are not a woman.

They both hurried down the passageway to the baby's room. Calli realized in that moment that she actually cared what Mohmar thought. He had always been like a bossy older brother to her and his words had never affected her before. She was starting to feel something whenever she was around Mohmar, which was a bit unsettling. She had been raised with him and they had been inseparable since early childhood. She felt comfortable around him, and yet this was the same Mohmar she had chased, told her secrets to and despised all at the same time. Yet, being around him now made her feel self-conscious and clumsy. Her heart beat a bit faster when he called her name or simply looked at her. She did not know what was happening, and there was really no one to ask. She wondered if he felt it too; although he was acting the same way he always had so she doubted it. Now was not the time to think about such things as she hurried back to the baby.

There were only three ways she would ever be allowed to be with a man. The first: if she was chosen to either wed or be mistress to the pharaoh.

Since the pharaoh was considered a god to his people, the priestesses were allowed to sleep with him, and it was hoped that a child would come out of this arrangement. The coupling of a god and his priestess was considered very good karma and the resulting child would have immediately been put into the temple. Of course, this rarely happened. If the pharaoh did take a priestess as a wife she was immediately elevated to queen, and many pharaohs did not want to share their throne with anyone, even in name only; as the queen was consider a goddess by the people and of equal stature ruling side by side. The people understood that any queen would have the ear of the pharaoh and be able to influence any decision; although he had the final word.

The pharaohs liked their god status and were not willing to share it with a child who was of the gods so to speak. Mixing politics with religion was not a good combination for a long and successful reign. There were enough who conspired to remove their gods without giving them an easy replacement. Instead the pharaohs took many wives and had many children who were picked according to age. In fact, upon reflection Calli could not remember a time when a priestess had a child fathered by a pharaoh. She had heard of it as a child, the history of it at least, but had never experienced it nor knew anyone in the temple now who had. There were some priests and priestesses who no longer lived at the temple because of their age. They had been moved to a retirement palace where they were no longer required to participate in any ceremonies or rituals, but rather enjoy their time in peace and meditation.

The second: if she married a priest. This was frowned upon by the priesthood, high council and pharaoh. It did happen, but not often. This coupling would put the children of the priest and priestess above the children of the pharaoh in rank, and most pharaohs were not secure enough for this risk to be taken. There were some, however, that did marry, but even fewer had children. In fact, she knew personally of no children from this type of union.

The third happened if she failed her test or decided she didn't want to remain in the priesthood. She was then free to marry.

Calli, hello is anyone home? I have been talking to you for the past five minutes and you have not heard a word I have said.

Startled, she looked at Mohmar and realized he was talking to her.

Sorry, just thinking.

That must be some deep thoughts you are engaged in. I asked where you want me to put these baskets.

Oh, just over there in the corner stacked on top of each other would be fine.

Torvar looked up from the babe upon hearing their exchange. My lord, she said as she bowed her head and tried to get to her knees.

Torvar, do not kneel, stay where you are. How is the babe?

She ate well my lord and is smiling, and I do not think it is from gas.

He looked down at the babe and indeed she was not only smiling but had turned her head and was looking directly into his eyes. He felt a flash of energy, but said nothing. He reached out for the baby and Torvar handed her over and then bowed as she left.

I will return in three hours, my lord.

Thank you Torvar.

You are welcome, my lord.

Calli looked at Mohmar. Do you ever get tired of people calling you that?

I really don't pay much attention to it. The only ones that refer to me that way are the servants, and I don't personally have any.

You don't have any servants; then how do you dress yourself, and prepare your body?

Mohmar laughed, I do it myself. You know I am physically capable and prefer the privacy. Don't you ever get tired of having others wait on you, bathe you, rub oils into your skin or plait your hair?

I have never really given it much thought. Although I must say I have never had the desire to do it for myself.

Well then the high council has chosen well.

What do you mean, Mohmar?

In the next month it is you who will tend to the baby. You will change her diapers, bathe her, talk to her, sleep with her and instruct her. The only other who will have anything to do with her care will be Torvar and that is strictly for feeding. Remember she is not your babysitter. You must be near while she is feeding.

Why are you holding her, then?

I am a priest; I have no restrictions set upon me any longer, not to mention that I am her chosen protector. Besides, I am about to hand her over to you and leave.

Wait, you can't go yet.

Why not?

Because I have no concept as to what needs to be done for this child and I need instruction.

Very well, hand me those diapers and you shall get your first instruction.

You have got to be kidding me, I have to change diapers?

How did you think this was going to work? You know that no servant is allowed to touch her besides the wet nurse, so who did you think was going to do it?

I didn't think, it isn't like anyone asked me or even told me what was required; I was simply informed that a baby was coming and I was chosen to care for her and to move my things down to the nursery.

Changing diapers is quite easy, simply watch and then put the dirty diaper in the basket and the servants will remove it. The baby must be bathed once a day, the servants will bring a tub and the things you will need. She also must be oiled and sanctified three times a day. You perform this the same way you do for yourself, but giving regard to her size and understanding of ritual. Don't worry you won't be alone. Servants will be sent to instruct you and help you, but under no circumstances are they to touch the baby. Do you understand this Calli, do you really understand, because it is very important?

Yes, Mohmar, I understand, don't worry; I won't let you down.

It is not I you should be concerned about but the high council and the gods, not to mention your own karma.

All right, all right, I got it. Talking about changing her, I think she is wet, why don't you demonstrate the first time yourself?

Ah, so you think I have never changed a diaper do you; watch and learn.

Isadora had seen so much when looking into the eyes of the priest. His body was young, but his spirit was old and she recognized him as an old friend in her soul group; one she had been with through many lifetimes as lover and husband. This was now getting much more interesting; as she had always loved teasing him. She wondered how long it would take him to recognize her spirit.

Mohmar looked down into the face of the child and was a bit disconcerted to see that she was staring right back at him. Her eyes had a twinkle of mischief and curiosity in them. He knew better than to dismiss this as his imagination. He spoke to her in a low murmuring voice, which brought a beautiful smile to her face. He adeptly went about cleansing her and putting fresh clothing on her, all the while blessing her and talking to her about her present incarnation. He explained to her in great detail what would be happening to her over the next few months.

Calli was awestruck; she had never seen anything like this. The child actually acted as if she understood what Mohmar was saying. She was brought out of her confusion when Mohmar handed her the baby.

Somehow Calli I don't think you were paying attention to the procedure.

She understood you Mohmar, I watched her eyes as you spoke.

Why does this surprise you Calli? You have lived in the temple all of your life and yet you have learned nothing of the force of the spirit? The spirit knows everything that has ever happened from the beginning. We are brought into this world and quickly forget once we accept the body and our entire attention is focused on what is needed to physically and mentally adjust to the body. The forgetting gives us a clean slate and allows us the opportunity to learn the lessons we didn't learn in the previous life. In this case the spirit has been sent back for a specific reason and will retain all of the knowledge so that it may accomplish the tasks quickly and easily, rather than spending an entire lifetime remembering.

Her head snapped up with the rebuke still cold upon her heart. "I have learned much; I have just never experienced communication with