So I'm updating quick once again and all because I don't want to leave any of you hanging so enjoy!
"Why are you so restless today Auria?" Ormaine attempted to comb Auria's unruly hair back to adorn it with a few a handmade ornaments of precious stones and leaves. Auria's thick brown hair was hard to tame and with Auria moving incessantly it had become even harder to do so.
"You must relax… there is nothing for us to lose here…" Ormaine sighed.
"I do not know why you worry so much about my appearance when there is something far more important that is about to happen!" Auria's nerves had begun to take their toll on her and her fear that Lumina would not poison Ierek ate at her. She clenched her fists and attempted to remain clam under the hands of Ormaine who serenely combed and adorned her hair as she softened it with a few oils she had prepared.
Ormaine breathed in and then smiled a little. "We are the seers of the tribe… prized among them and as revered as the elders. It is tradition that we dress ceremoniously on such an occasion…." She sighed and then grabbed a vial of oil that was sitting in the table by Auria. "You are young Auria… far too young to have such a burden on you."
Ormaine began to stroke Auria's hair with a special type of oil to soften it out.
"When I was your age, Vesta had me under rigorous work constantly and never once allowed me the freedom I give you. I thank her for her discipline but I know that youth should be taken advantage of. You are young and I want you to be with me as my apprentice because you like doing so. If you do not want to follow as my apprentice in the end and would rather have a mate at your side… then I will understand you. I have been like a mother to you as you have been like a daughter. All I want from you is the knowledge that you are happy. There have been far too many hardships for you to not once enjoy life. Enjoy this day for I am sure that the outcome will be for the best."
Ormaine finished with Auria's hair and patted it before she moved away and sighed. She was only a few years older than Auria but her movements and words were that of someone older and wiser. Auria could not thank her enough for everything that she had done with nothing to ask in return except her company. What Ormaine did not know was that Auria found comfort in helping her pack and in bettering everyone's lives. The only thing that made her restless was the knowledge that all her work would be in vain; all her work thrown away by Lumina's cowardliness.
Ormaine and Auria made their way toward the pack's meeting place that had been arranged in the woods, not far from where Ulrik was most likely resting. Auria looked around, hoping to find Ulrik but did not find him anywhere near sight. She let out an exasperated sigh and then looked back at Ormaine who had been eyeing her warily all throughout their path.
"You have been acting rather strange… are you expecting someone we are not?" Ormaine kept her voice low but firm. Her eyes bore into Auria's as her question remained unanswered. Auria only shook her head and then broke away from the questioning Ormaine.
Men and women had showed up to the Ordeal, giddy and anxious to see what the outcome would be as well. The old ways had not been forgotten in stories and legends told by the elders but they had long remained unpracticed over the years. They were violent and bloody and if practiced commonly they would tear any pack apart. It was only until a challenge was made, a challenged backed by the pack and by the leader himself that they could be performed. Such a practice could only be arranged by the elders in the pack, those whom had seen everything, the record keepers, the wise ones.
Some of the men had already begun to prepare themselves for the fight that awaited them and begin to slowly grow their fur and their feral teeth were suddenly threatening. They called for blood. The full moon that watched over them was overcast by a red glow indicating that bloodshed and death would occur. The moon's bleeding was an ominous sign and Auria knew that the pain suffered at the Ordeal would never be forgotten and would carry consequences for many.
"Auria?" Lea's voice caught turned Auria's attention from the threatening glow of the moon. "I hardly recognized you! You should dress like that more often… it makes you look far more… feminine." Auria glared at Lea and then shook her head and disbelief. Auria had never taken her time to care for her appearance as much as Lea did though sometimes she wished she had. There were far more important things in life then appearances and Lea would never understand that.
Lea continued. "Look at all these women… weak and ready to fight. They know not of what a real challenge is."
Auria raised her eyebrow in curiosity. "And you do?"
Lea smiled. "Of course! My family and my old pack gave me the blood of ancient warriors. It is only just if I win this challenge and get me the position I deserve. Do you honestly think that I will let such an opportunity pass me by?" she laughed that frivolous laugh that made Auria squirm with annoyance. She was right, she was an incredible fighter but she was not the best and Auria knew that.
For a moment, Auria imagined Ulrik as the victor and Lea at his side. She would destroy him slowly with her frivolity and uncaring ways. A good king needed a good queen at his side in order for his reign to be successful and Lea was nowhere near to being a good queen. Auria looked around and noticed that many of the women had dressed ready to battle for the leader. Many would fight for their mate while others would fight to finally get one. Auria had not thought of this. Would Ulrik pick a good queen? Would he choose her? Or would he let the woman who defeated the others become his queen?
"I suppose then that you are not to participate?" Lea's question was not meant to be answered but inside, Auria asked herself the same thing. Ormaine would never allow her to risk her life and her sight in a brawl whose outcome she did not know. "
"How silly of me to ask! You are to become a seer and we all know how seers never have mates." Lea was drunk with delight at the sight of the many young men that prepared themselves to fight. Her eyes looked around from one to the other, savoring every little movement they made. "You are the only one that I can think of who could ever defeat me but you seers preoccupy yourselves far too much in your art to think of anything else! I've come to ask you if your visions have seen who will be my mate."
Lea touched Auria's shoulder and in that moment Auria's mind spun into another image of the Lea who stood before her. Her face and body was mangled and the defiant and vain expression that shone out of her beautiful face and eyes was replaced by something darker. Her scarred and aging face left Auria in a cold state as slowly the old Lea came back into her mind. She could not utter a single word and she could only wonder what would cause such a drastic change.
"Forget what I asked and don't tell me. Please my dear Auria, pray to the moon that I get a good mate." She hugged Auria and then walked away laughing drunkenly. She was far too vain and frivolous to ever realize that she would not always be the best at anything. There would always be someone greater, someone better. Auria shook her head and attempted to shake off the unpleasant encounter with Lea.
Everyone was in an anxious state as they waited for Ierek and Lumina's arrival. The elders stood far off, watching the crowd and directing a few lost ones now and then. Strangers from other smaller tribes had come along as well. To be the leader of the Lupine lands made you the head leader of all the surrounding packs as well. Such a promising challenge would surely attract many interested newcomers.
Auria noticed a silent figure standing far from her but near to the crowd as he watched them intently. Ulrik. His eyes appeared to be taking all in and he almost completely ignored the stares from a few interested women and men as well. He was beautiful in the moonlight and his powerful presence, even when silent, overtook all. There were a few who eyed him closely, thinking that they had seen him before, no wonder thinking that they had known him as a child. He made his way toward the elders, meeting Auria's gaze only once, and spoke to them. Auria smiled at him in wonder. He would be a great ruler. She stood there, in her ceremonial robes, as a child watching him pass by in amazement and adoring the sight of seeing him once again amongst his rightful pack and his people.
Yet, the attention toward Ulrik did not last long as neither did her newfound joy. The people began to lower their voices and the mood appeared to darken as Ierek began to walk amongst the crowd with Lumina at his side. He walked proudly, more than ever, and as Auria looked at Lumina, she saw fear in her eyes though she was unsure whether it was from poisoning or not doing so.