The Ceremony
The dawn of a new day breaks the morning sky setting it streaked with a golden glow of the sunrise. Dewdrops fall lazily from leaves on the trees outside.
"Get out of bed!" yelled an annoyed mother hastily readying the evening meal so that it would not be a hassle later (the meal consisted of smoked fish and some fruits). "But mom just a little bit longer!" A lazy girl calls from her bedroom. "I will have none of this 'a little bit longer' you get out of bed right now or you will not be going to the ceremonies," She announced in a motherly discipline. "That's not fair!" the girl yelled jumping up out of bed. "Now that your up get dressed and ready for the ride to the grounds!" her mom hastily exclaimed. The girl yawned wearily and began to put on her clothes. They weren't much more than cloth shirt, a vest and some hide pants but they worked for everyday life. She was not that tall compared to some of the people she had met and was a bit larger too but she did not mind for her strength made up for where her agility ran short. She had a scar on her back that extended from the bottom of her neck halfway down her back. The scar had been from the ceremony for her father. When he had died the traditional ceremony of loss was preformed and they had used magic to place the scar apon their backs. Only the Tarrow's preformed this ritual and no one else knew of it. Suddenly she realized she was late and without another word her and her mother came bursting out of the house and getting hastily onto there saddled horses awaiting them in the stable outside. They rode quickly towards the fabled spot of the ceremony. Something caught the girl's eye that made her slow to a trot and stop. It was none other than the elusive Mr. Tibbens. He had helped her and her mother achieve the easy life they had now by giving them money and his old home. Now he looked very happy indeed. A smile was wide across his face. Well you see he is not the sort you would see everyday. He wears tattered clothing and has a strangely crooked face. The shadows made him look shifty and uneasy. He was no criminal but often mistaken as one. He was also a dear friend of the girl and she could tell that he was not surprised to see her racing with her horse following her mother. "Ahh Diana I see you are going to the ceremonies on this fine day," he said with a big smile. "But first you must come with me for I have something incredible to show you." "Is it another creation?" inquired Diana as her horse stomped it's feet impatiently.
You see she was rather fond of his strange ideas and creations. She never grew tired of his creations, for they all proved to be very interesting indeed and sometimes deadly.
"Yes but this time I have discovered something truly incredible!" He announced his eyes sparkling with delight.
"Well I guess a peak won't hurt," she said looking towards where her mother had just been but only swirling dust remained. "But then I have to leave."
"Fine, fine," he answered delighted that she was coming to see his invention. "Just follow me."
Diana led her horse over to a long wooden poll and tied her horse's reins to it careful to double not it. She followed Mr. Tibbens quickly as he led her through the bushes and towards his small hut. As they emerged from the forest his hut was quickly in view just apon the hilltop. You see this man had given most of his belongings and money to her family. He did not have much left for him. That would explain why his hut was a bit ragged and peeling. He seemed to like it that way so it did not bother Diana or her mother. They still worried for his health and never stopped trying to give back some of the money he had lent them. He quickly inserted his key into the lock and opened the door. Diana followed quickly behind. His home was full of strange creations and pieces of metal. She eagerly awaited Mr. Tibbens to reveal his new invention.
"Do you remember my last invention?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered dryly. "I wish you wouldn't have tried it on my pet for I wanted to keep him for a little longer."
"Never mind that now," responded Mr. Tibbens. "Do you remember what it was supposed to do?"
"It was supposed to enable him to change into any animal at will," she answered Diana, for one, had found that invention impossible.
"Well I doubt his intelligence would have allowed him to manipulate the powerful concoction I had made anyways," he mumbled to himself. "But this time I believe I have finally harnessed the correct amount of items to create a powerful potion that will enable the drinker to become a changer, as I call them."
"Changer?" Diana criticized. "Couldn't you have come up with a different name?"
"Don't rush me I didn't have very much time to figure out a name!" He retorted. "I need a test subject for my new potion and I don't know where to get one!"
"Well I'm out of small animals that I call pets," Diana grumbled. "Thanks to you."
"I'm very sorry about that," he said sheepishly. "But I had to test my serums on something."
"I understand," Diana replied.
"Do you know where I could get a test subject?" He asked. "No," she answered.
"Very well," he sighed. "At least you didn't come for nothing I can still show you the potion and I've made some tea so you can maybe join me for a moment before you leave." "Sounds delightful!" She replied happily.
Not only was she fond of his countless valuables but she also loved his tea, which was famous for it's taste. He quickly walked over to a kettle he had over a small fire (indoor fires what will he think of next?) incased in a barrel shaped metal that he called a 'stove'. He lifted it off the top of the stove and poured it into two cups. He then asked Diana if she would fetch one of the logs for the fire from outside. She quickly ran outside and he slipped a large amount of his 'secret ingredient' into her cup but not his. (Can you guess what it is? Mr. Tibbens has put his potion in her drink!) He carefully added the normal ingredients and smiled to himself as Diana came in with a medium sized log and threw it in the fire. He showed her the potion. It was bright blue and sparkled like diamonds. Diana stood transfixed staring at it for a while. Mr. Tibbens pushed her drink towards her.
"Drink up I don't want the tea to be wasted now," he said smiling.
Diana took her cup and nodded her head appreciatively. You see it is a great honor to drink some of his fine tea for most don't get a chance to. When she had finished she found it very tempting to ask him for another cup of it. It was rude of course to ask for a refill unless it was offered to you, so she didn't.
"Now Mr. Tibbens I thank you for your wonderful glass of tea but I must be off to the ceremonies before I'm late," she said smiling. "Bye."
"Bye," he answered smiling to himself.
She quickly ran back through the forest and jumped on her horse untying the reins and taking off. Mr. Tibbens followed her from the shadows of the forest. He did not want to loose track of her just in case his mixture took immediate effect. You see the way he had made it was sheer brilliance. It was only to take effect when the drinker was able to control the power it possessed. This rare kind of plant he had found made him able to create a superficial waiting period. It would remain dormant on the lining of the stomach and eventually go through into the blood, which let it release the power he had set into it. This strange mixture was somehow immune to the stomachs acids and actually sticks to it. This power was so skillfully made that he had combined all of the things he had been trying to make throughout his life into one. One super power which had many advantages that we will soon find out. But let us get back to the task at hand which is Diana riding down a dusty lane towards the ceremonies.
Swift was the pace that she rode on her horse. She was riding Bolt so it was easier for a quick ride. Bolt was her favorite and best horse. She was always faster than the other horses and had been trained brilliantly by Mr. Tibbens. Finally Diana reached the ceremonies and tied her horse to a nearby tree so as not to frighten the other horses by tying her near them then alerting the entire crowd. But this way she could slip in quickly and without anyone noticing.
"Diana where have you been!" her mother raged.
Well almost nobody anyways.
"I'm sorry I sort of fell off my horse while I wasn't watching the trail," she lied trying not to get Mr. Tibbens in trouble.
"Fine but you know this is your ceremony so many people expect you to be here!" She said through clenched teeth. "Mrs. Silver already started the speech!"
"Well let's just listen and everything will be fine," Diana answered.
"You had better pay good attention!" Her mother snapped.
Her mother turned her attention to Mrs. Silver and Diana followed her lead.
"Today Diana Tarrow is turning ten and as we know that age is of great importance," Mrs. Silver droned on. "As many other of the clan have done she is going to have her path chosen that will control the fate of her life. I am very hopeful that she will be chosen for the right one that suits her. Now let us bring her forth and she may begin her life as a chosen of the temple."
(A chosen of the temple means that she was chosen by the magic of the temple to have magic choose her life from here on.) Diana walked forwards and onto the stage. She nodded her head to the crowd telling that she was to accept her duty no matter what she was chosen for and that she knew fully of the responsibility. She walked forwards and reached the podium Mrs. Silver was standing at and smiling apprehensively. She held five medallions that signified each of the lives she could lead. There was peasant, warrior, mage, rogue and servant. Diana hoped with all her might that she would not be chosen as a servant. Mrs. Silver walked over to a large round bowl (highly resembling a birdbath) filled with water.
"The consent of a mage to will the power of choice," she yelled then began to speak the sacred words. "Elyag Aesyz Atroc Xarb Akot Iazyd Aryam neves"
She backed up and Diana walked forwards.
"The words..." her voice cracked looking at the large apprehensive crowd and she then gained back some confidence from her mothers smiling face. "The words of a chosen that follows her fate, Elyag Aesyz Atroc Xarb Akot Iazyd Aryam neves."
Her voice rang out loudly and echoed a few times. Mrs. Silver walked back over and brushed Diana's hand with hers on the way. Diana felt a jolt of electricity when their hands met. She looked down at her hand to see that a small scar in the shape of a heart had been placed on her wrist. She figured the jolt had been from Mrs. Silver since she was a mage but what had the small scar been for? Maybe all who were chosen of the temple received one.
"And finally a bottle of pure Mayta juice from the finest fruits," she said taking out the bottle and opening it. "To signify that we dearly hold our harvest that sustains our life."
She poured it in and the water turned a purple color. It began to bubble and steam then seemed to flash a bit. She walked over to the water and held up the medallions.
"Now is the choosing of fate!" She yelled and dropped them in.
The medallions hit the water sending ripples through its surface and they began to glow pure white light. It sent off a big flash almost blinding everyone around it. When the light began to diminish Diana dreaded the results. The light was finally bearable and one medallion shone through. The medallion bore the symbols of servant. Diana cursed angrily and was on the verge of tears. That would be her life from now on, to serve others? Then slowly another two medallions rose from the basin. It was mage and warrior. Mrs. Silver stared in amazement at the medallions and the crowd gasped. Two rarely ever shone but three, it was unheard of! Diana stared at it with amazement twinkling in her eyes as the three medallions hung suspended in mid-air as if they were held by the white light the basin was sending out.
"Well it seems that servant will be your first path," said amazed Mrs. Silver. "And then warrior and mage."
Diana bowed silently cursing the servant medallion again but almost to spell bound to care for she would not have to work as a servant all her life. She descended quietly off of the stage and towards her mother then nodded. They walked silently to their horses and rode off back towards the farm without a word of goodbye to anyone else.
The dawn of a new day breaks the morning sky setting it streaked with a golden glow of the sunrise. Dewdrops fall lazily from leaves on the trees outside.
"Get out of bed!" yelled an annoyed mother hastily readying the evening meal so that it would not be a hassle later (the meal consisted of smoked fish and some fruits). "But mom just a little bit longer!" A lazy girl calls from her bedroom. "I will have none of this 'a little bit longer' you get out of bed right now or you will not be going to the ceremonies," She announced in a motherly discipline. "That's not fair!" the girl yelled jumping up out of bed. "Now that your up get dressed and ready for the ride to the grounds!" her mom hastily exclaimed. The girl yawned wearily and began to put on her clothes. They weren't much more than cloth shirt, a vest and some hide pants but they worked for everyday life. She was not that tall compared to some of the people she had met and was a bit larger too but she did not mind for her strength made up for where her agility ran short. She had a scar on her back that extended from the bottom of her neck halfway down her back. The scar had been from the ceremony for her father. When he had died the traditional ceremony of loss was preformed and they had used magic to place the scar apon their backs. Only the Tarrow's preformed this ritual and no one else knew of it. Suddenly she realized she was late and without another word her and her mother came bursting out of the house and getting hastily onto there saddled horses awaiting them in the stable outside. They rode quickly towards the fabled spot of the ceremony. Something caught the girl's eye that made her slow to a trot and stop. It was none other than the elusive Mr. Tibbens. He had helped her and her mother achieve the easy life they had now by giving them money and his old home. Now he looked very happy indeed. A smile was wide across his face. Well you see he is not the sort you would see everyday. He wears tattered clothing and has a strangely crooked face. The shadows made him look shifty and uneasy. He was no criminal but often mistaken as one. He was also a dear friend of the girl and she could tell that he was not surprised to see her racing with her horse following her mother. "Ahh Diana I see you are going to the ceremonies on this fine day," he said with a big smile. "But first you must come with me for I have something incredible to show you." "Is it another creation?" inquired Diana as her horse stomped it's feet impatiently.
You see she was rather fond of his strange ideas and creations. She never grew tired of his creations, for they all proved to be very interesting indeed and sometimes deadly.
"Yes but this time I have discovered something truly incredible!" He announced his eyes sparkling with delight.
"Well I guess a peak won't hurt," she said looking towards where her mother had just been but only swirling dust remained. "But then I have to leave."
"Fine, fine," he answered delighted that she was coming to see his invention. "Just follow me."
Diana led her horse over to a long wooden poll and tied her horse's reins to it careful to double not it. She followed Mr. Tibbens quickly as he led her through the bushes and towards his small hut. As they emerged from the forest his hut was quickly in view just apon the hilltop. You see this man had given most of his belongings and money to her family. He did not have much left for him. That would explain why his hut was a bit ragged and peeling. He seemed to like it that way so it did not bother Diana or her mother. They still worried for his health and never stopped trying to give back some of the money he had lent them. He quickly inserted his key into the lock and opened the door. Diana followed quickly behind. His home was full of strange creations and pieces of metal. She eagerly awaited Mr. Tibbens to reveal his new invention.
"Do you remember my last invention?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered dryly. "I wish you wouldn't have tried it on my pet for I wanted to keep him for a little longer."
"Never mind that now," responded Mr. Tibbens. "Do you remember what it was supposed to do?"
"It was supposed to enable him to change into any animal at will," she answered Diana, for one, had found that invention impossible.
"Well I doubt his intelligence would have allowed him to manipulate the powerful concoction I had made anyways," he mumbled to himself. "But this time I believe I have finally harnessed the correct amount of items to create a powerful potion that will enable the drinker to become a changer, as I call them."
"Changer?" Diana criticized. "Couldn't you have come up with a different name?"
"Don't rush me I didn't have very much time to figure out a name!" He retorted. "I need a test subject for my new potion and I don't know where to get one!"
"Well I'm out of small animals that I call pets," Diana grumbled. "Thanks to you."
"I'm very sorry about that," he said sheepishly. "But I had to test my serums on something."
"I understand," Diana replied.
"Do you know where I could get a test subject?" He asked. "No," she answered.
"Very well," he sighed. "At least you didn't come for nothing I can still show you the potion and I've made some tea so you can maybe join me for a moment before you leave." "Sounds delightful!" She replied happily.
Not only was she fond of his countless valuables but she also loved his tea, which was famous for it's taste. He quickly walked over to a kettle he had over a small fire (indoor fires what will he think of next?) incased in a barrel shaped metal that he called a 'stove'. He lifted it off the top of the stove and poured it into two cups. He then asked Diana if she would fetch one of the logs for the fire from outside. She quickly ran outside and he slipped a large amount of his 'secret ingredient' into her cup but not his. (Can you guess what it is? Mr. Tibbens has put his potion in her drink!) He carefully added the normal ingredients and smiled to himself as Diana came in with a medium sized log and threw it in the fire. He showed her the potion. It was bright blue and sparkled like diamonds. Diana stood transfixed staring at it for a while. Mr. Tibbens pushed her drink towards her.
"Drink up I don't want the tea to be wasted now," he said smiling.
Diana took her cup and nodded her head appreciatively. You see it is a great honor to drink some of his fine tea for most don't get a chance to. When she had finished she found it very tempting to ask him for another cup of it. It was rude of course to ask for a refill unless it was offered to you, so she didn't.
"Now Mr. Tibbens I thank you for your wonderful glass of tea but I must be off to the ceremonies before I'm late," she said smiling. "Bye."
"Bye," he answered smiling to himself.
She quickly ran back through the forest and jumped on her horse untying the reins and taking off. Mr. Tibbens followed her from the shadows of the forest. He did not want to loose track of her just in case his mixture took immediate effect. You see the way he had made it was sheer brilliance. It was only to take effect when the drinker was able to control the power it possessed. This rare kind of plant he had found made him able to create a superficial waiting period. It would remain dormant on the lining of the stomach and eventually go through into the blood, which let it release the power he had set into it. This strange mixture was somehow immune to the stomachs acids and actually sticks to it. This power was so skillfully made that he had combined all of the things he had been trying to make throughout his life into one. One super power which had many advantages that we will soon find out. But let us get back to the task at hand which is Diana riding down a dusty lane towards the ceremonies.
Swift was the pace that she rode on her horse. She was riding Bolt so it was easier for a quick ride. Bolt was her favorite and best horse. She was always faster than the other horses and had been trained brilliantly by Mr. Tibbens. Finally Diana reached the ceremonies and tied her horse to a nearby tree so as not to frighten the other horses by tying her near them then alerting the entire crowd. But this way she could slip in quickly and without anyone noticing.
"Diana where have you been!" her mother raged.
Well almost nobody anyways.
"I'm sorry I sort of fell off my horse while I wasn't watching the trail," she lied trying not to get Mr. Tibbens in trouble.
"Fine but you know this is your ceremony so many people expect you to be here!" She said through clenched teeth. "Mrs. Silver already started the speech!"
"Well let's just listen and everything will be fine," Diana answered.
"You had better pay good attention!" Her mother snapped.
Her mother turned her attention to Mrs. Silver and Diana followed her lead.
"Today Diana Tarrow is turning ten and as we know that age is of great importance," Mrs. Silver droned on. "As many other of the clan have done she is going to have her path chosen that will control the fate of her life. I am very hopeful that she will be chosen for the right one that suits her. Now let us bring her forth and she may begin her life as a chosen of the temple."
(A chosen of the temple means that she was chosen by the magic of the temple to have magic choose her life from here on.) Diana walked forwards and onto the stage. She nodded her head to the crowd telling that she was to accept her duty no matter what she was chosen for and that she knew fully of the responsibility. She walked forwards and reached the podium Mrs. Silver was standing at and smiling apprehensively. She held five medallions that signified each of the lives she could lead. There was peasant, warrior, mage, rogue and servant. Diana hoped with all her might that she would not be chosen as a servant. Mrs. Silver walked over to a large round bowl (highly resembling a birdbath) filled with water.
"The consent of a mage to will the power of choice," she yelled then began to speak the sacred words. "Elyag Aesyz Atroc Xarb Akot Iazyd Aryam neves"
She backed up and Diana walked forwards.
"The words..." her voice cracked looking at the large apprehensive crowd and she then gained back some confidence from her mothers smiling face. "The words of a chosen that follows her fate, Elyag Aesyz Atroc Xarb Akot Iazyd Aryam neves."
Her voice rang out loudly and echoed a few times. Mrs. Silver walked back over and brushed Diana's hand with hers on the way. Diana felt a jolt of electricity when their hands met. She looked down at her hand to see that a small scar in the shape of a heart had been placed on her wrist. She figured the jolt had been from Mrs. Silver since she was a mage but what had the small scar been for? Maybe all who were chosen of the temple received one.
"And finally a bottle of pure Mayta juice from the finest fruits," she said taking out the bottle and opening it. "To signify that we dearly hold our harvest that sustains our life."
She poured it in and the water turned a purple color. It began to bubble and steam then seemed to flash a bit. She walked over to the water and held up the medallions.
"Now is the choosing of fate!" She yelled and dropped them in.
The medallions hit the water sending ripples through its surface and they began to glow pure white light. It sent off a big flash almost blinding everyone around it. When the light began to diminish Diana dreaded the results. The light was finally bearable and one medallion shone through. The medallion bore the symbols of servant. Diana cursed angrily and was on the verge of tears. That would be her life from now on, to serve others? Then slowly another two medallions rose from the basin. It was mage and warrior. Mrs. Silver stared in amazement at the medallions and the crowd gasped. Two rarely ever shone but three, it was unheard of! Diana stared at it with amazement twinkling in her eyes as the three medallions hung suspended in mid-air as if they were held by the white light the basin was sending out.
"Well it seems that servant will be your first path," said amazed Mrs. Silver. "And then warrior and mage."
Diana bowed silently cursing the servant medallion again but almost to spell bound to care for she would not have to work as a servant all her life. She descended quietly off of the stage and towards her mother then nodded. They walked silently to their horses and rode off back towards the farm without a word of goodbye to anyone else.
