The Eden Matriarchs

A Study Of Eden Culture, by Francis "Argus" Bors

Argus heard Diavae's words in her mind, repeating them in thought like a mantra, "They will begin with an Appraisal. For both our sakes, don't look away." Argus stood before them, an Eden tribunal. Each matriarch was more beautiful than the last, each wearing decadent, slim fitting robes. Their eyes were locked on hers.
Argus struggled just to breath, her eyes adjusting to the symmetry and revealing something terrifying underneath. The more she stared back, the more of their true form she saw. She felt the urge to run as adrenaline pumped through her veins. She wanted to look away, to hide from their judgment. Argus only asked for help. It was one simple favor. Why was she here?
One spoke, their voice soft, but the acoustics of the chamber carried it far, "Francis Bors."
"Yes." Argus replied.
"Are you prepared for your moment of appraisal?" They asked.
"Yes."
Silence followed, the most uncomfortable silence Argus had ever endured. They stared at her for what seemed like hours. She stood firm, desperate to keep herself as still as possible. Occasionally they'd glance down to what Argus assumed was a screen. Why weren't they speaking?
The floor below Argus opened up. The sound broke the long silence, and she flinched. She looked down to see a circular door and a transparent cover that prevented her from falling. A bright white light poured from the opening, a pool of liquid being its source. Streams reached out to her, tiny rivers suspended in the air.
The streams passed through the transparent floor as if the layer wasn't even there. Argus looked up, hiding her fear and returning to the same position as before. The Matriarchs only stared.
The streams brushed against her skin. It was so bright, she couldn't even see past it. The liquid surrounded her in an egg shaped bubble. The light was blinding, but she didn't feel compelled to close her eyes. In truth, It was quite the opposite.
She felt as she did back during The Battle of The Pillars. She felt small, but refused to look away. Her eyes remain open, and she felt as if they'd never close again...

Diavae and I took warp liners across 10 systems to find the Archangel. We were to present ourselves before the Matriarchs, the highest honor an Eden can receive without exaltation.
Technically a matriarch is on par with eden saints. In practice this may not be obvious. The matriarchs have an enormous amount of power over every aspect of eden society. Even their gods must respect their wishes. Still though, the saints have their agendas, and do their work with or without their approval.
The matriarchs are figureheads for the Eden faith, and that makes them the heads of government as well. There is an eden matriarch for every sector of space under eden control, that is to say, around four thousand of them.

What I Can say

There are things I've seen, things I've been told that I'm not allowed to divulge. Then again, I don't know much to begin with. What I do know is that their responsibilities are as varied as they are numerous. They command in war, head religious events, establish and enforce law, and they also andle foreign policy with other species within their respective sectors.
When we arrived, we were brought aboard the titan, and even with elevators and shuttles it still took hours to get to the center of the ship from the dock. The lifts were heavily furnished, with luxurious seating big enough to lay on for a nap. The archangel is more than a flagship, it's the seat of power for the matriarchs, and they spared no expense in its design.
Not everyone needs to present themselves directly like I did. The Eden offer their wares to anyone upon formal request. My encounter with the matriarchs was likely more than just to ask a favor. I was being appraised, something I'm not too happy about.

Appraisal

An appraisal occurs when a saint or some other high ranking eden official has a child. When the children reach a certain age, they are presented to the matriarchs.
The goal of the appraisal is to determine worth. Those appraised are brought out of the shadow of those that raised them and are measured to see how well they stand on their own. In theory it works, but in my case it felt like a formality, a way to let me feel like I'm a part of their world. I'm not. I'm very much not.
It's something I've been warned about but never thought would actually happen. I was judged on my merits, a human compared to a species of stronger, faster, far more capable citizens. They found me to be "surprisingly adequate," whatever that means.

Argus paced from one end of the shuttle to the other. Diavae didn't seem concerned. She sat in a chair staring into space, deep in thought about her next move.
Argus crossed her arms as she spoke, "I can't go back empty handed. I won't go back empty handed."
"What makes you think that's what's going to happen? Have I done something?"Diavae replied.
"What are you talking about? They denied my request. You were there."
Diavae cocked her head. "I told you it was a formality. They wished for you to be appraised. I indulged them."
Argus heard the sound of rushing air, a burst that roared and echoed off the walls of the shuttle. Argus turned and another Eden sat across from Diavae with a large, black case in their lap.
They were tall and fit, their hair long and parted to the side. Their alabaster skin was flawless, almost fake its appearance. It made Argus shudder.
"Jhuva," Diavae said, standing with a smile and reaching out her hand. Jhuva took it with grace, a subtle touch like one given to priceless works of art. Diavae continued, "Argus, this is my consort, Jhuva, war saint of deceit."(On consort)

(On deceit)


"How'd you get in here?' Argus asked.
"Maybe I'm not here yet. Perhaps I will be, or I was always here from the start." They replied with a smile. (on...whatever that was)
They watched argus, as if waiting for her to catch on to something. Argus noticed immediately. The saint was speaking her language, an act of respect. "I believe this is what you're seeking." Jhuva pointed to the case.
"You're going against the will of the matriarchs?" Argus asked.
Jhuva let out a laugh and Diavae shook her head and said, "Formality. That is the right word, yes? We asked out of respect. I have an obligation to right the loss of war. The gods are with my side. (on with my side)
Jhuva nodded, "We answer to none (on none)