Alemay`s P.O.V.
Ch. 1
My feet pounded against the forest floor. I was running alongside my hunting master, Shaley, my bow and quiver of arrows bouncing against my bare back, my bearskin skirt and plaited brown hair billowing out behind me. I smiled; this is what I like to do whether for fun or for purpose. At the moment, running through the Trishar Forest, it was for purpose. Finally, I thought, after a year of training, hunting, and preparing, it was finally the Blue moon. Exactly one year ago on the Blue moon I had joined the Huntresses, now one year later it was time for me to choose a Queste. Eleven other young Huntresses and were to meet in the Clearing of the Boars at midnight. I looked to the sky.
"We will be late if we don't hurry", I said breathlessly to Shaley.
Grabbing her short blonde hair and removing it from her face she said, "We will arrive just on time, Alemay, no need to worry. The Clearing is just around those trees."
She was right; we ran just a little longer and came to a bunch of trees. When we ran through the trees eleven girls, eleven hunting masters and the twelve elders came into view.
All eyes were on us. I walked as dignified as I could to the circle of the younger huntresses. The elder, Halimeil smiled her wrinkly smile.
"Nice of you to join us Shaley and Alemay, I see you bided you're your time."
"We didn't-", Shaley began, and Halimeil raised her bony hand. Shaley was silent. Halimeil started her speech,
"On the Blue moon, one year earlier you twelve went to the wolfs Cross and entered into our numbers. Now you must choose a Queste that decides if you will stay. As is custom, when I speak your name you will approach the Queste Pot," Halimeil shuffled to the side. Behind her was a dull black pot. Confused looks passed between us. Only the elders and the hunting masters didn't look confused. In fact looks of amusement passed between the hunting masters.
Halimeil went on, "After I speak your name you will reach in the pot and choose a Queste. Maddlem!"
A tall, tan brown haired girl rose and walked toward the pot. Halimeil spoke again.
"Do you accept this Queste whatever it may be, and vow that you will return in one year with a fulfilled Queste, or not at all?"
"I do" Maddlem answered.
Shifting her weight, Halimeil said, "Then choose young one."
Maddlem timidly reached into the pot. Suddenly the Clearing was bathed in a blue light. The pot was glowing blue! I heard myself gasp, I was not the only one. All twelve of us were wide eyed. The hunting masters now had full smiles on their faces. Maddlem looked as though she would faint. She pulled her hand out of the glowing pot and in her hand was a glowing piece of parchment. Maddlem looked at the paper and a smile broke out on her face.
"I am to fight a boar!" she said still smiling. Cheers arose from us all as she sat back down. Things went on like that as they went down the line. Halimeil calling out names, Emilee, Roseline, Minalie, Carmimla, Chineley, Mindella, Zaratee, Bellanalee, Lexitaley, Michatal, and Fallrara. Each getting a different Queste, find three lime green stones, kill a griffin and take its pelt, etc, till Halimeil got to me.
"Alemay!" Halimeil called. I got up shakily. Slowly I walked to the glowing pot. I reached in feeling the brush of parchment on my fingers I chose a folded piece. I pulled it out and unfolded it. I gasped. The words popping out on the parchment burned themselves into my mind. There are spoken rules in the huntresses. The words on the parchment went against one of those rules. Is it even allowed? I thought.
"Speak up!" Halimeil said.
"F-f-f all in l-l-love" I managed to stutter the words out. All was silent. No cheers, no gasps, no sound. Then a cry rang out and it started raining burning arrows.
eil got to me.
"Alemay!" Halimeil called. I got up shakily. Slowly I walked to the glowing pot. I reached in feeling the brush of parchment on my fingers I chose a folded piece. I pulled it out and unfolded it. I gasped. The words popping out on the parchment burned themselves into my mind. There are spoken rules in the huntresses. The words on the parchment went against one of those rules. Is it even allowed? I thought.
"Speak up!" Halimeil said.
"F-f-f all in l-l-love" I managed to stutter the words out. All was silent. No cheers, no gasps, no sound. Then a cry rang out and it started raining burning arrows.