Unalome

My name is Eira.

My papa is the priest for the Unalome – both the village I live in and the one where the ancestors live. That’s why papa has to stay in the grove and protect the sacred hawthorn tree. It’s his duty. It also means his life is in danger. There always has to be a priest and – to become the priest – you must kill the current one. Papa killed grandfather to become priest, and I’m scared someone will kill papa for it one day.

There are many traditions and rites for the Unalome, and the priest makes sure they are followed. I don’t all of them, but papa said I will know all about them when I’m older. When I go to my lessons to learn how to be Unalome, I feel like everyone expects me to know everything already. All I know is that I like this boy named Uvul. I think he’s cute and I hope we get arranged to marry.

Warning: Contains abuse and sexual themes.