Ha Ha Ha! Yes! I have more inspiration! Ha Ha HA! Erm, yeah, I'm calm now, really…
~ And that folks, is my crazy anchor! ~
Hey, you're not much better Zurizip!
~ Well, that's the point isn't it? ~
Yeah, I guess so… Anyway, spotlight off of my muse, and onto the story! Ready, set, READ! (Yeah yeah, I know, cheesy, but still…)
PS Did I spell the name of the realm right? I couldn't find it in the books, but I didn't look too hard either. I didn't know if Emelean was just the town, or the city or the country. If I've made a mistake, please correct me.
P.S.S. The speech that is given is loosely based on the pact that Alanna made when she became a knight. Very loosely, as I didn't have the book with me…
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Sandry watched as Lark bustled around, getting ready for dinner. For some reason, she was taking more care than usual. Instead of the fruit, bread and milk that was the dinner they usually had during the summer, Lark was preparing a full-fledged meal. Sandry didn't know what was going on, but had a feeling it was important. When she asked Tris, Briar, and Daja, they all agreed that something was going on. Giving up on puzzling it out, she returned to her embroidery. It was a gift to Lark, to thank her for the teaching. Whenever Sandry asked, Lark said no thanks was needed, but Sandry's upbringing refused to take that answer. As she continued to pick out the design, one of Lotuses and Roses, Frostpine walked through the door. She looked up, surprised. Lark gave her a look, and shooed her out of the room. Giving up on embroidery, she clamored up to the roof. Daja, also in the room, was shooed out as well and followed Sandry.
"Do you know what's going on?"
Tris, who was already there, resettled to give the newcomers more room.
"Whatever it is, it's important."
Briar, who had come up after being released from gardening, snorted.
"Of course its important, Rosethorn let off from weeding before the sun went down."
All three of the girls smirked. Rosethorn's dislike of wasting daylight was infamous amongst them, but they all knew that he didn't like that much himself. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, until Lark called them down. When they came down, each looked at each other, more confused than before. Every one of their teachers was there. Lark, Frostpine, Rosethorn, Niko, and even Crane, who, along with Rosethorn was teaching Briar and Tris how to unlock diseases. Briar exchanged another look with the girls, then shrugged and went to sit down. They ate and talked long into the night. When the moon was halfway up the sky, and the tenth watch had been called, Frostpine stood up. He reached under his chair and pulled out a box.
"We have decided, and Moonstream agrees, that you are ready to pass from being students, to practicing adult mages."
As he spoke, he opened the box and pulled out four silvery gold medallions. As Tris squinted, she saw that they shimmered with a touch of magic. Assuming that it was a spell to make them lighter or something, she turned her attention back to Briar's teacher, who had begun to speak.
"These medallions are to signify that you have completed all that your respective teachers can teach you."
As she listened, Sandry decided that they must have practiced this, because each stood up as the other finished. Crane was next, and she listened attentively.
""You are not to show these without need. They are only to be shown when a teacher, or desperate need calls."
Daja was in a slight state of shock. She was now an adult mage? So long without knowing she had magic at all had almost convinced her that this day would never come. Yet here it was. Lark stood up and began to speak.
"To be an adult mage requires a degree of responsibility. You must abide by the laws of Lightsbridge and Winding Circle that were laid down long ago."
Briar just listened, not showing any emotion. Inside, he was in a state of turmoil. Roach was now officially Briar Moss. Roach of The Lightnings had been banished, and was replaced by Briar Moss of Winding Circle. It felt strange. Niko was next, and he listened with a face of control.
"To be a mage of Winding Circle is an important thing, it means that you must abide by the laws of the realm of Emelean. Do you accept this status?"
All four teenagers nodded silently. As Frostpine gave them the medallions, Tris noticed that each had Winding Circle's emblem on it. Turning it over, she saw a lightning blot surrounded by heavy clouds. This was the symbol of her magic. Inscribed on the outer edges of it, there was her name, and the name of her teachers:
Trisana Chandler, Nikalaren Goldeneye and Dedicate Crane.
As she slid it over her neck, it seemed to vanish. Tris nodded, she had suspected as much. Remembering Crane's warning, she tucked it under her shirt, and saw the others to the same. Frostpine excused himself, and walked out, telling Daja to be at the forge bright and early the next morning. Daja replied that she would, and walked up to her room, deep in thought. Before long, all the children had gone to their rooms, to contemplate this new change. Rosethorn and Crane were left in the room with Lark.
"Well, that went quite well I think."
Lark rolled her eyes, and Rosethorn snorted.
"Crane, you are an idiot, it is obvious that you are not one for reading people."
Crane gave her a glare, then smirked.
"And you dedicate Rosethorn, are?"
To Lark's surprise, Rosethorn actually looked down at her hands, but soon enough was back to herself.
"Much better than you, that is for sure. Each of them was told for years that they had no magic what so ever, and now, two years after coming here, they are told that they are full-fledged mages. Tell me the truth, wouldn't you be a bit taken aback?"
Crane thought about it for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, I suppose that that is correct, but…"
"How did I know that there was a catch?"
"Let me see Rosethorn, you have known me for how long?"
She counted on her fingers, then threw her hands up mockingly.
"Who knows! Too long, does that count?"
He smiled, but did not reply. Lark, who had long ago decided to keep her thoughts to herself, kept her face emotionless as she finished drying the dishes. As she left, she muttered something to herself, but either they had not heard, or did not care. She did not mind though, if they had heard, she would not have been there the next day.
Rosethorn was startled from her thoughts by the calling of the eleventh watch, and rustling cloth. She stood up. Crane had done the same. Before he left, he swept her a bow, and wordlessly took the offered vial from her. Then he disappeared through the door.
Rosethorn closed the door, and went to her room. She had heard what Lark said, but it made no sense to her.
'Only a bird can truly appreciate the rose, for only a bird can avoid such thorns.'
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Ok, I know that I've used the quote before (interestingly enough, I made it up) but I made up the last part first, then added on, and I wanted to use the whole thing.