Saarebas - "The Dangerous Thing"
Chapter 1:
Today was finally the day that they'd all be getting their assignments. With him was a small group of children that'd just turned twelve. The tall horned Vashoth that stood in front of them had a list clutched tightly in her hands , and somewhere on that parchment was his number and job. Their teacher, a Ben-Hassrath of education, stood off to the side, beaming. She'd done her duty to the Qun, and the children were ready to accept their roles. In this crowd was a young boy known as number 25538, or Whistler for his abilities.
I was so excited that my hands began to fidget. Teacher saw this and motioned for me to stop, so I did. After all, where would everyone be if they weren't working towards what was best for the Qun?
Beside me stood my friend, Nimble. He was a young Vashoth, but already his horns were starting to come in. Last night, when we'd talked about what each of us hoped to be he'd said it best, "What's good for the Qun is what's best for us."
He remembered this, and smiled. Nimble was sure to be be given the role of Ben-Hassrath. After all, he was clever and fast on his feet, hence his nickname. He could also tell a lie better than anyone Whistler knew.
"The secret," Nimble had told him many times before, "Is to stick as close to the truth as you can. It gives the lie the ring of truth it needs."
I'd never been any good at that kind of thing. If there was one thing I was sure of is that I wouldn't be in the Ben-Hassrath or a Hissrad, a spy, and that was okay. No, I had other hopes.
Finally, the Vashoth stood up and unfurled a scroll.
"I am a Tamassran, and I will be assigning you your roles. Please remember young ones that while we're assigning you a role now, your position in the Qun may change. We do not waste talent when it's clear you are meant for something else. The roles you'll be assigned are based off what you have shown aptitude for in the past."
The group around him was completely silent. I tried to do the same.
She began again. "With all that said, I shall begin."
And so she did. She called out numbers and the appropriate child stepped forward. When they were in front of her, she told them their role and they returned to the group. I wasn't sure he could be as calm as them when his number was called.
"Number 25510."
Nimble stepped forward, and I stood on my tip-toes to see over the taller children around me. He came forward and waited.
"Number 25510," she repeated, "You will be part of the Ben-Hassrath. You shall now be known as Hissrad."
I felt my face split into a smile, so happy for Nimble, now Hissrad of the Ben-Hassrath, that I could hardly take it. I let out a long piercing whistle for him. Nimble found me in the crowd and smiled.
"Children, enough!"
I stopped, pretending that I hadn't been the one to cause the disturbance. Nimble walked back into the group and stood beside me, smiling from ear to ear. My face wore the same expression. The Tamassran called more names until it was my turn.
"Number 25538."
Without even remembering how, I was standing in front of her, doing my best not to tremble. Here it was. I held my breath, hoping she'd say…
"Number 25538, you are to be an Athlok working in the fields. You shall be known as such."
And then I was back among the others, all smiles. I'd gotten what I wanted. Other were called to the front and I did my best to pay attention, but was too consumed with my new future. I would be be working around plants and animals. Horticulture had always been a passion of mine and the Qun had seen fit to honor me with this duty.
And then the Vashoth was rolling up the scroll and thanking them all. As a group, we thanked her back as she left. Their teacher came forward and told us all how proud she was. When she stepped back, I noticed a small group of adults sitting off to the side. They stepped forward as the teacher spoke.
"Now children," she began, "I know you will all do the Qun proud in your new roles. I have had the pleasure of education you all in the ways of the Quanari. For many of you, you will be taught the ways of your role and go from there and no longer need education, you should not fear it. The Ben-Hassrath are here to make sure you understand your role in the Qun, and there is no shame in needing further instruction."
She was right of course, but I hoped to focus my entire being on agriculture and not worry about things that didn't concern me.
"Children, I'm asking that you go towards the appropriate person after they have introduced themselves. They will show you to your new living quarters and begin in your professional instructions in your new roles. Please make us all proud."
One-by-one, the adults stepped forward and asked for a certain role. I couldn't help but notice that the one Nimble left with for the Ben-Hassrath Hissrad was hornless Vashoth. When my eyes met their I lowered mine as a show of respect. Nimble waved and I waved back. Hopefully, I'd see him sometime soon. Then a tall elf woman stepped forward.
"Would all Athlok please follow me?"
I and a few others joined her.
"Welcome. You may call me Mayflower and I have the privilege to teach all of you the ways of our agriculture and animal husbandry."
When she turned to leave after we'd all been introduced, we followed closely. From behind I heard the next adult calling out over the diminishing crowd.
"Would all Arvaarad please step forward?"
I turned to see that only one of the group had been given that title. Arvaarad were the ones to hold back the evil, so it was no wonder that one of the hornless Vashoth children had been given that honor.
"This way, child." Called out Mayflower.
I turned and followed as the group walked towards our new home.