It happened the next night. Again, she found herself living the life of another person. With each dream, she understood about that person a little more. She was a singer. When she took her lute and sang, even the busiest crowd stood still to admire her performance. She was loved everywhere she went. She travelled a lot with some people who were also like her. They were gypsies. She floated like a leaf in the ocean.
Her name was Asherah.
Marina was living inside her, like a spectator. She could not make any decision. She simply watched the world from the eyes of Asherah. But she could feel her feelings, she could hear her thoughts.
Asherah longed for a beautiful life. She didn't like the life of performing and travelling. She wanted to settle down, somewhere in a quiet and peaceful village, with her husband and children. But every time she talked to the others, she knew it would not be as easy as it sounded.
There were times when Marina wished she could hug her tight and wipe her tears. But they were like a film. Asherah was a mere character stuck on the screen, and Maria was a viewer from the opposite.
Marina didn't tell anyone about this dual life, not even to the psychiatrist that she was going to. In fact, she almost stopped going there after getting the dreamcatcher. Her eye bags were vanishing and she never felt better. That night when she went to sleep, she found Asherah in a more fancy dress than her usual performance attire. She usually wore long-sleeved and flowing dresses in one color, with decorative belts and accessories. They helped her concentrate better. This time she wore a heavy embroidered top that tightly hugged her body and a multi-layered skirt. Her complexion was already fair, but that day she looked even whiter. Two woman were working on her hair. They twisted and braided her hair, looped it up, and added ornaments. Her hair was neatly decorated like a showpiece. Another was putting colors on her face. When Marina looked at the silver plate, she saw a very different woman. The simple braid and kohl was replaced by extravagance.
At first, Marina thought that Asherah was getting married. She was excited, but also sad because she knew it was definitely not someone Asherah would choose. It was probably another man, chosen by the head of their clan. So Marina felt a wave of relief when she heard the women telling Asherah how important tonight's performance was. The palace spent a fortune on them. So they have to give them the best. The best song, the best dance, the best presence.
But Asherah never performed in such events. She was considered a learner. She at most accompanied her seniors, but never alone. She sang to the moving crowds of bustling ports or Glimmering markets, and earned a considerable amount from their donation. It was a big leap for her.
Marina could say that Asherah was not the only one nervous, so were the women. There will be the king, the queen and all the other high members of the kingdom. One wrong turn can cause damage. But they could not turn them down. It was an order. They were ordered to perform there.
The money was just a courtesy.