Page 28 of Own To Obsess

She continued to question Rozalia about the shinnos in the Southern Lands. At first Rozalia had to encourage her during meal times, but soon they were chatting as they worked in each garden.

“So why does the Year of Selection only take place every twenty-five years?” Shaya asked as she carefully untangled weeds from the baby plants in the natural garden. “Shouldn't it happen more often if the right Alpha needs to be chosen? If the wrong person is chosen, then they are guaranteed the rule for twenty-five years and surely that would be dangerous.”

“It could be seen that way,” Rozalia said, picking the extra petals from one of the plants known to flower too often. “But the nature of the Southern Land requires the high chief take the time to learn and study. It may sound strange to you, but the Isles has its own personalities across each island, and even the non-named islands have clans that have expectations, requirements, and demands. If the Year of Selection happened every five years, or even every ten, there would be much less chance for the new high chief to learn and have an impact on the Land as a whole before he moved on. The chance to be high chief is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all Alphas, and that is why it is so important to them to protect their validity to be selected.”

Shaya nodded thoughtfully. “So by biting Kardos I took away his chance to be high chief, and made it more difficult for him.” She was quiet for a moment. “I can understand that. But I don't understand why he is blamed for my actions. The high chief knew I bit him but still blamed Kardos.”

“There are a number of reasons for that, Shaya. The main one is that the shinno takes responsibility for his tribe. If each tribe has its own rules, they have to be policed heavily in order to not affect other islands or other people who live in the Isles. The tribe leader is responsible for ensuring that any discrepancies among their tribe are dealt with. If it isn't, the shinno is answerable to the high chief, as well as the tribe leaders. Kardos was always directly responsible for you and your actions, that was why he tried training you so hard, to make you aware of what may be expected of you, but also to ensure you did not fall foul of the rules. When you bit him, you demonstrated behavior that he was responsible for, and clearly he put himself the position for you to take that action.

“Secondly you do not understand our culture. Blame cannot solely be laid at your feet for lack of understanding, which is something I've been trying to get Kardos to realize.”

“So he blames me,” she whispered, her heart dropping.

“Not in the way you think,” Rozalia interjected. “He believes you have been disobedient; he doesn't understand that you are not intentionally doing it.”

“How can he not?”

“Because it is very difficult for him to believe that someone can’t understand how to abide rules. He believes if he says it and it is understood, it should be done—that it is easy for someone to do as instructed, because he himself is disciplined enough to do so, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Shaya nodded thoughtfully. “The high chief said he is obsessed with perfection.”

“That is true,” Rozalia said nodding.

“But why?”

Strangely, Rozalia avoided her eyes. “For many reasons,” she said lightly. “One of them being because he's not perfect himself.”

Shaya pursed her lips. “But he is.”

A slow smile spread across Rozalia's face, and Shaya suddenly realized what she had said.

“I mean….” A hot itch of embarrassment spread over her face and down her neck. “I mean he's very close to it,” she said, lowering her face to avoid Rozalia’s amused gaze.

***

A few days later, Rozalia informed Shaya that she wouldn’t need to visit for a week because she would be traveling.

Shaya’s brows shot up. “Where will you be going?”

“There is a mountain range in the Eastern Lands called the Ariyon mountains, and they’re somewhat of a phenomenon,” Rozalia said excitedly. “The light that travels across the sky there makes it look as though the mountains frequently change color because of the kind of moss that grows on them.”

“You’re going to collect the moss,” Shaya guessed quickly.

Rozalia grinned. “Yes, I am.”

“And… I can’t come with you?” Shaya asked hopefully.

“Absolutely not,” Rozalia said firmly. “Kardos would lose his mind.”

“Oh.” Her excitement dissipated. She glanced around at the snow garden. “I don't think it's wise to leave the plants on their own. Some of them need constant care.”

“I agree,” Rozalia said. “But on this occasion, it is necessary. The moss is a very special ingredient and I don’t like running low on it.”

Shaya nodded in agreement. “But what happens normally when you travel? Does someone help you with the gardens?” As she spoke, she suddenly realized something. “Where is Treska? Hasn’t she returned yet?”

To Shaya’s amazement, Rozalia's face dropped and when she opened her mouth to speak, her skin became ashen. “What is it?” Shaya asked, alarmed. “Has something happened to her?”

“No… S-she’s just very busy,” Rozalia stuttered. “Usually she helps me with the gardens when I'm away, but she’s… n-not available at the moment.”

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