The next morning, Notaku received a shock. After he had eaten breakfast, his father had brought out a robe in the traditional colors of the clan; blue and gold. A headdress of feathers sat on top of the robes. "You will begin your Rite of Passage today," his father told him. "The first part of your Test of Bearhood, the weapons and physical test, will take place today."
There was silence in the house for a moment, while Notaku stared. "To...day?" he finally said. "But I won't be thirteen until midsummer!"
Bryon nodded his head. "I know. And I know you were not going to take the test until then. But there have been cubs who take it earlier. And after today, you will know why. But for now, you must get ready for your dance before we begin. You and four others will be beginning their tests today. Yes, all in the same day."
Seeing the look of utter bafflement on Notaku's face, his mother chuckled and kissed the top of his head. "You're more than ready," she told him. "And at the end of today, I promise you will be told why it's being done like that."
"I-but-we're not..." Notaku shook his head and stood from the table, his mind still trying to process this unexpected bit of news. "Um, all right, let me get my sling, and everything, then...are we doing the dance in the assembly area then?"
Bryon nodded. "Yes, we are. Your mother and I will meet you there, all right?"
The youth nodded. "Okay. I'll get the robes on and be right down." Notaku watched his parents leave, and perceived that they were worried. But finally, he raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders as if to say "Whatever you say", and stripped his nightshirt off. He grabbed the light robe and pulled it over his shoulders, then arranged the headdress on his head. It fit him perfectly.
Notaku spent most of the trip from his tree to the assembly calming his nerves. Yes, he had practiced the dance and knew it by heart, but he was still going to have to perform it now in front of the others. And from what he had seen of other Tests of Bearhood, a lot of people usually showed up.
Today, it was a bit different. Yes, there were a great many Barbics there to watch the ceremonies, but there were also four other youths. Notaku saw with some surprise that they ranged in age from ten to twelve, would be dancing together. At least he wouldn't be alone in doing it. Two of the mages that had not participated in the vision Rite held traditional instruments in their hands; one had a drum, another a rattle. They also dressed in the traditional robes and headdresses. Notaku nervously stepped into the middle of the circle with the other youths, and waited.
It was not as evil as Notaku had thought it would be. The native headdresses did look a bit strange, but there was also a sort of tribal pride that they gave the wearer. The drums began, and Notaku and the other youths began the oft-practiced, side-to-side dance that would mark the beginning of their trials. They chanted the words in the Brbic language that prayed to the gods to watch over them as they journeyed from cubhood to adulthood.
With the completion of the dance, the Test had officially begun, and all were quiet as the five participants were told to take out their weaponry. Notaku noticed, for the first time, that the equipment used to test a young bear's weapons and physical skills had been set up off to one side, and each would have to display their skills one by one.
"There will be two parts to this test, as always, but you will not all be doing the same thing for your second part. You will be told, after you run your first part, what the second will be." The mage conducting the ceremony held out a turtle shell that rattled when he shook it, and he held this above the cubs' heads. "Each of you must reach in and grab a stone," said he. "There will be a number on each one. That will be your order in which you complete your tasks."
This was all highly unusual for a Test of Bearhood, even Notaku knew this, but he wasn't about the question it. His mind burned with questions, but he held them back for now. There would be time for questions later. He stood on his toes and reached into the bowl, drawing out a stone with a "4" painted on it. The ten year old, son of one of the most powerful knights of the clan, drew the "1", the two girls drew the "2" and "3", and the last boy, who was Notaku's age, drew the "5".
"Well then," said the mage to the first cub. "What's your weapon, then?"
"The spear," the boy, nervously answered. He was a cub whose name was Artan, and Notaku could tell he was shaking the slightest bit.
"Very well. You see there are three targets there." The mage pointed. "You must hit those targets. Then, there is a rope that you must climb to reach a slim walkway above, across which you must run. At the top there is a thorn barrier to crawl under, and a rope ladder that leads yet higher. Then, as you see, there is another rope down which you must slide." The cub nodded, taking it all in. "You will all be timed on this part of your Test. It will start when you are ready."
The youngest cub took a big breath, nodded as if to reassure himself, then ran for the scaffold. The mage turned over an hourglass, which was marked in increments along the glass.
Notaku leaned towards one of the girls, one he vaguely knew as Callai. "I wonder why we're all doing this together."
She shook her head, looking as baffled as Notaku felt. "I don't know. For that matter, I'm not supposed to be doing this yet, I'm only eleven."
"None of us are thirteen yet," whispered Notaku. "I mean, Artan is only ten!" Granted, his father was the most powerful knight-warrior in the clan, but still.
Callai shook her head. "I dunno what's going on. But I have heard of bears going through their Test as early as eight. Of course that hasn't happened in a really long time; ten and eleven are more common. Still, even those don't happen too often."
"Maybe," said the eldest of the lot, a boy that was a month older than Notaku. "Maybe they figure they'd better get these over with before we all die."
Callai scowled. "Gerik! That's not too encouraging a thing to say!"
The burly youth shrugged. "Makes sense though, doesn't it?"
The girl let out an exasperated sigh, then turned to watch.
Artan was nearly done with his first part; he had speared all the targets clean through the middle, but due to his youth, he had some difficulty climbing the rope. Most cubs disliked that part of their warrior training; ropes were hard to climb!
The mage smiled at the boy once he was finished, and patted him on the shoulder. "Well done, young man. Go ahead and wait over there while the others finish their parts."
The boy nodded, panting, and went over to sit in the shade and drink water from a large glass. Notaku watched the girls go through their obstacles, one using a bow and the other a spear for their weapons. One missed one target, and while the other hit all three, only one was in the bullseye.
And then it was Notaku's turn. He would have to be fast, but not rush himself so that he made mistakes. "What is your weapon?" the mage asked, and Notaku held up his sling. A pouch of ammunition sat open at his side. "Very well, the line is marked to stand behind. When you're ready."
Notaku nodded, and looked up at the scaffolding. He closed his eyes, and took a big breath, willing his heart rate to calm, and his mind to clear. Concentrate, he told himself. You know how to do all these things, you just have to do them. He had the strangest intuition that this would be one of the most important things he did in his life.
A moment later he opened his eyes, and sprinted for the line.
The target shooting was not so bad; he hit all the targets straight on, leaving holes in the cloth beast-shapes. Once he was finished with that, he ran for the rope, remembering to close his ammunition pouch, and slipping his sling into the belt around his middle.
The hot sun was already beating down on the boy, making him wish his fur was not quite so thick as it was. He grunted as he leapt up, catching the rope a couple of feet higher than he would had he started from the ground. Clenching his teeth with grim effort, he began using his arms to carry him higher and higher; he had found that trying to use his feet often got him nowhere on rope climbs, and that if he timed it right, and swung his body with a smooth rhythm, it was far easier to use just his arms.
Notaku's chest rose and fell heavily by the time he reached the walkway, but he did not slow, for he knew that this part of the test was timed, and that the better his time, the better chance he had to complete his Test of Bearhood.
Being small had its advantages. Though he was not as strong as many his age, his small stature also gave him less weight to haul around on the ropes. The hot wind above was a slight danger in crossing the beam, but his natural litheness allowed him to get across quickly.
He scuttled easily under the thorn barrier, and arrived nearly at the end, looking up at the rope ladder he now faced. This was a slight problem for Notaku, as it had been for the first cub. The rungs were set quite far apart, and Notaku's stubby legs would have problems easily scaling it. He backed up a few feet and came at it at a run, as he had the straight rope, and leaped onto the rungs. The ladder bent and swayed as he struggled to reach the top quickly. It was not as swift as he would have liked, but there was no help for it now.
Notaku wiped sweat out of his eyes as he leapt at the final rope, actually letting out a laugh of delight as he freefell for a split second. This part, he liked. He slowed himself enough that he would not hit bottom too hard, and landed gracefully on his feet, sprinting to the mage and stopping before him, panting for breath. The mage smiled at him, and told him he had done well.
Feeling overall pleased with his test, Notaku stumbled over to where the other three cubs sat and partook of the water that was there for them to drink. He watched the fifth boy.
This was a boy that Notaku did not particularly like. He was a bit arrogant, and considered many of the other youths beneath him. He was not quite a bully, but he wasn't someone that was easily liked, either. For a moment, Notaku hoped that he would fail his test, and then blushed, feeling ashamed of this uncharitable thought. Instead of watching the older boy's test, he busied himself with watching the spectators.
He saw his parents, who both gave him an encouraging smile, but he thought that they seemed strangely preoccupied. Had his father been picked for the quest? He supposed that would explain it. He saw a few of his friends, all of whom were around his age, and Notaku wondered why they were not also going through their Tests.
Once everyone was finished, the mage gathered them all before him. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Notaku felt a little bit shaky as he walked over to here what the mage had to say. The older Barbic smiled down at them. "The good news is this: you have all passed this part of your test." He smiled and paused to let the cubs get their relieved and elated cheering out of the way. "Yes, very good job, all of you. Now, all that remains is your second task. For four of you, this task will be as it is for all cubs; you will be given a spear, and set loose in a maze of Nature's design, to reach the goal before sundown. But for one, this second task will be a quest." Notaku frowned, as the mage paused, then went on. "A quest to find the blue gem that will save our Valley from destruction."
There were gasps from the crowd, as well as looks of sheer disbelief and astonishment from the five cubs. One of the girls sat down hard on her rump, so astounded was she. Notaku made a connection, then; the five bears that had been called at the end of the mages' announcement the night pervious were the parents of the cubs that now stood here to perform their Tests of Bearhood.
"But...why one of us?" Callai asked once she found her voice and got back to her feet.
"Well," said the mage. "We said that the one that must undertake this task had to fulfill certain requirements. And one of these requirements was that the one must be a child under the age of thirteen."
Notaku's eyes widened with comprehension. So that was why... This wasn't just a test of Bearhood, it was a test to see who would be best suited to go on this quest.
"You all possess certain character qualities that have given or taken a certain number of points from your score before you ever began. Innocence, honor, and respect for all life were the main traits we looked at. The number of targets that you hit with your weapons also gave you a certain number of points based on how well you hit them. And your time in finishing this obstacle course determined yet more. There were other things, such as whether you stumbled on the walkway, or how awkward you were on the rope ladder, but those were of lesser importance."
The mage paused, and there was near silence in the assembly area as everyone waited to see who would be chosen for this quest. Notaku shifted uncomfortably; he was not sure if he really wanted to be chosen, or if he would rather not. It was sure to be dangerous, and though the idea excited him, it also scared him. What if he was badly hurt, or even killed? Worse yet...what if he simply failed, and everyone was killed? Of course he really did not expect to be chosen, at all. He was certainly not the best warrior trainee in the Valley, nor was he the strongest or bravest.
Lost in these alarming thoughts, the boy was startled when next the mage spoke. "Notaku Barbic. You are the one chosen for this quest."
There was silence for a moment as Notaku gaped, astonishment radiating from every part of his body. And then, slowly, a cheer began to erupt from the spectators. One of Notaku's friends whooped and ran at him, nearly knocking the breath out of him with his bear hug. Looking a little amused, the mage came up to him and grasped his shoulder. "Your father will tell you what you may bring on your journey. Our eldest mage will meet you and your parents in your home to give you what little information we have." He paused, and then added, "You do have the right to refuse this, and the task will be given to one of the other youths."
For a split second, the overwhelmed boy considered doing just that. A slight flutter of panic seared through his mind as he thought of the enormity of responsibility this quest held. But after a moment of calming himself, he looked up and shook his head. "I won't refuse," he said.
The mage nodded in approval. "Good," he said softly. "Go on to your home then, while I finish the others' Tests. And the best of good fortune to you. I will see you when your quest is through."
Dazed, Notaku watched the mage lead the other youths towards the edge of the Valley, where they would presumably complete their Rites of Passage. As for Notaku, it seemed his had barely begun.
Beside him, his friend laughed in amazement. "And here I always thought you were too scrawny to be a hero!" he said with a grin, and Notaku managed to put his shock on the shelf long enough to send a glare his friend's way. His friend only laughed, knowing Notaku could not stay angry with him long. "Well, go on, Mr. Hero!" He grinned a little wider before his expression sobered the slightest bit. "And be careful...okay?"
Notaku laughed a little bit, and nodded his head. "Okay...well...I guess I'll see you later." He waved as he headed for home, and his friend waved back before leaving to watch the other Tests.
His parents and the eldest mage sat in the main room waiting for him when he opened the door to their home. His father rose and embraced him for a moment, then drew him inside. "I'm proud of you, son," he said. "Worried...but very proud. The eldest here has some additional information for you to begin your quest with."
Notaku took a big breath and nodded, walking inside to sit down facing the eldest. "You will make a fine warrior," she said with a smile. "Now...our visions have not told us much, but we have been given a starting place." She rummaged in her oversized leather bag, where she kept various items of magic, and drew out a thick piece of parchment. On it was a map of sorts, drawn very recently, by the look of it. She handed this to Notaku. "We were shown this place, in our vision, and it is here that you will find your starting place. It is a cave, but beyond that, we know little. You will be allowed to take your sling, of course, and a bag with some emergency supplies in it. Hunting your food will be up to you, but you will be given a full waterskin. After that, though, you must find your own sources of water. It will be a very difficult road, I'm afraid."
"And, there is a time limit," Bryon added. "Midsummer, in fact. You've got six weeks to find this gem...and to return it to the mountain."
Notaku looked at his father in disbelief. "Six weeks...but that gem could be anywhere!"
Bryon nodded grimly. "I know, son. But the mountain will begin its destruction six weeks from now. Had the vision been given to the mages sooner, it would have been easier, but the powers that be don't always work like that."
"No," agreed the eldest quietly. "They do not." She sighed, then turned her gaze back to Notaku. "You will be allowed first aid supplies, and a lantern. You may take parchment and quill if you care to record your journey." That is a good idea, Notaku thought morbidly. That way if I die, someone who finds me can find out how. "And of course, as I said, your sling and ammunition for it. For such a long journey, you will also be allowed a sharp knife." The elder smiled, and put a hand on the young Barbic's head. "You can do this. I have faith in you."
"Wish I did," said Notaku, with a rather sick attempt at a grin.
The elder chuckled, and stood. "I must go now. The visions Rite has tired me a great deal, and I must now rest. You will be in my prayers and my thoughts, young Barbic."
"Thanks," said Notaku, watching the old woman go.
"Well, come on, son. You'll want to leave early tomorrow, so we should pack your duffel tonight. I figure you can leave after an early breakfast."
Still feeling a strange sort of dazedness, Notaku nodded, and followed his father into his bedroom. "I think I'm gonna cut off some of this excess fur," said Notaku as he gathered his parchment paper and his inkwell. "I can leave it thicker on my shoulders for the sun, but everywhere else I'm going to shorten it. Because it's hot out there."
Bryon nodded. "That's not a bad idea, son. What will you wear?"
"Well, I'm thinking maybe just a wraparound kilt. That'll be nice and cool. And I can bring my light cloak with the hood for the sun if I need it...will that be allowed?"
Bryon nodded. "Go ahead and wear the cloak, so they won't consider it extra supplies. You can always take of off later."
"Good idea."
Bryon was looking down at Notaku with a strange sort of expression. Notaku was unsure if it was worry, or regret... "Son...are you all right with all of this?"
Notaku stood up, taking in a big breath. "Yes," he said finally. "I'm all right with it, I'm just nervous. I mean, this is big. This is important...if I fail, we'll all be killed." He swallowed hard, again fighting the little worm of panic that was trying to borrow into his mind.
He looked up as his father took him firmly by the shoulders. "Just do your best, Notaku. That is all any Gummi can do."
Notaku nodded his head. "I guess...it's just...I've never done anything like this before."
"I understand."
"Well..." Notaku looked down at his packed bag, which seemed awfully inadequate to deal with what he was facing, then back at his father. "I think I'm gonna go out for a while...you know, as a last look around the Valley before I die." He was only half joking.
Bryon laughed and put an arm around his son. "Now, I do expect you to stay alive...dying is not an option," he said, and was rewarded by his son's laugh. "Go on, have some fun. Just don't be too late in. You'll want an early start tomorrow."
Notaku did indeed take a good, long walk around the Valley. He watched a little of the others' Tests, but found that watching them only made him more nervous about his own, and so he eventually wandered elsewhere. He spent some time with his friends, and saying goodbye to them, and answering about a million questions of whether or not he was scared, and what he was supposed to do, and what he was going to do... And then they simply hung around.
Soon, though, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the Valley in purple shadows. "I guess I should go," said Notaku quietly. "I'm leaving early tomorrow morning."
"You'll be fine," said one. "You're too stubborn to die." Notaku gave him a look, but in truth was glad of the teasing. It lightened his own mood.
"Yeah," said another, snickering. "Just be yourself, and any enemies'll stay miles away from you."
Notaku shook his head. "Boy, thanks a bunch," he said, but laughed all the same. "Well...guess I'll see you in midsummer."
He turned around and headed back home, waving back at his friends, who all wished him luck.
When he got home, he asked his mother if she would help him trim his fur so that dealing with the heat would be a little easier. Since he was taking the light cloak to shield him from the sun, he decided to trim the fur on his shoulders and head, also. She agreed, and brought out the shears, and they went to work.
When they were finished, Notaku felt a whole lot better. He looked even skinner than normal, but that was all right. It was amazing how much fur could weigh one down.
Notaku felt anything but tired, but knew he would need his sleep, and so he went to bed anyway. He even managed to succumb to slumber within the hour.