The sun was high in the sky and Linea was glad she'd worn a hat, though she could still feel the skin on her nose starting to crisp a little. But the carrot patch needed to be weeded, the tomatoes needed to be pruned and she wanted to cut some rosemary so it could start drying in the same sun that was making her a little uncomfortable.

"Oh well, I'll have to get some stronger sun cream. You'll just have to deal with it for now, nose."

She tried to look at her nose while she talked to it, and realised how silly this would look to an observer. Never mind, maybe the plants got a laugh out of it. Giggling a little, she stretched her back, knelt back down and continued to carefully pluck the weeds from between the rows of bushy little carrot plants. "The chickens are going to enjoy munching these" - into the chicken basket they went.

Linea loved gardening, and she loved all the animals that her family had, as she dusted the dry soil from her knees and hauled the woven basket over to the coop. Most wouldn't understand, but her community did. The chickens rushed the wire fence to get their food, but once she was finished feeding the chickens carrots and cleaning their cages, she had to head to her father's home. It was quiet work, but she loved it. Her father, Josiah, was not only the right-handed man to The Prophet, but also his half-brother. Father always wanted her to take care of his wives and half-sibling, but Father was good to her, so she would only have to visit Mother Josie and Mother Diana today. Because after that she would have to clean up for church for service, she wouldn't want to miss that; the whole community would be there. Plus The Prophet and Father were not men who appreciated lateness.

She was born and raised in this community, The Crosslands Fellowship. They were taught that they were God's chosen ones that would lead the world after the end times, and she knew it was coming because The Prophet Paul said so, and God spoke through him. The Prophet promised they were the chosen few who would inherit the earth after the coming end times, and no one in the community dared question a voice that spoke for God.

Linea scrubbed the grit from her hands, smoothed down her high-collared dress, and walked the dirt path through the heart of the Crosslands Fellowship. From every direction, neighbors were preparing for tonight’s gathering. The Fellowship was all she had ever known.

She reached her father's home and knocked.

"Come on in, my child," her father called.

"I'm here to serve," she answered as she always did once she was inside.

The house was lit by oil lamps and candles, and the walls blocked out the sun, and the home was filled with the smell of tallow and beeswax.

"We have some good news, and it will be announced at church tonight," he started. "The Prophet has gotten word from God; you are to be his 14th bride. That means God sees you are more worthy than the rest; you should celebrate. Don't worry about the Mothers; one of your sisters will do that from now."

"I'm honored," she answered as she knew she should; she knew that marriage would be soon, as she was coming of age by The Crosslands Fellowship standards, but she had hoped it would be to someone younger, but she should be happy as there was no greater honor. "May I visit my Mother's grave to tell her the news?"

A smile she didn't recognize came across Father's face as he answered, "Of course, go tell her how favored you are."