Disclaimer: Magic: The Gathering is copyright Wizards of the Coast. All original characters belong to me.

Chapter 21-Convocation

Alaysia sighed impatiently as she tapped her fingers on her thigh. Her tail flicked behind her, betraying her restlessness. Her golden fur was matted with sweat, partly from the heat and partly from her anxiety. The tent was unbearably hot. She gazed longingly at the door were a cool breeze made the curtains covering the door flutter, giving her a glimpse of the village. How she longed to leave this stuffy tent and feel the wind caress her fur. She hated being confined like this. Alaysia was a free spirit and felt trapped indoors. However, she doubted the two Leonin standing guard outside the door would allow her to leave. They were under direct orders from her father to keep her in the tent until he returned.

She sighed again and flopped down on her bedding, staring at the dark brown ceiling. Lucky Argoth got to attend the meeting with the elders in the main tent while she had been ordered by her father to remain in the family tent.

After the whole village had witnessed her ability, she had been taken aside by the village elders and questioned at length about her newfound powers. She had repeated over and over that she did not know how she had caused the wall to materialize out of thin air and all she'd done was desperately wish for something to save her brother. Argoth had then been questioned about the supposed Nim attack and had revealed how she'd used her abilities to defeat the Nim army. After hearing how she'd more than likely saved the village, the elders had calmed down and had decided they needed to hold a council to discuss these new developments and Alaysia had been escorted back to the tent. Argoth had begged the elders to allow her to attend the meeting, but his request had been denied, so he promised his sister he would come to her as soon as it was over and tell her everything that had happened. This had been a small consolation to her and she impatiently awaited his return.

Suddenly, with a sharp rip, a knife sliced through the fabric by her head. Alaysia bolted upright and stared at the blade. It belonged to a short dagger. It wasn't particularly sharp and probably not meant for combat, but it was enough to cut through the thick cloth of the tent.

For an instant, Alaysia feared for her life. Why was someone trying to enter her tent like this? She considered alerting the guards, but then realized she was in no danger. If someone bore ill intent towards her person, they would not come with such a pitiful weapon. Various swords adorned the tent and, even though she hated to admit it, all the training her father put her through had turned her into a competent fighter.

The knife moved upwards now, parting the fibers of the cloth as it created a large gash in the cloth wall. As it continued its journey upward, Alaysia's hearts began pounding faster. Who was coming to pay her visit?

The knife finally stopped its ascent and a paw reached through the opening, parting the cloth to reveal a female Leonin. She wore simple robes with a brown sash. Her eyes twinkled with mischief and she broke into a wide smile upon seeing Alaysia.

"Nya!" said the stunned Leonin.

"Sorry I had to sneak in like this," said the newcomer "The guards wouldn't let me in."

"What are you doing here?" asked Alaysia, still shocked at seeing her best friend before her. The two had become close friends as cubs. Nya was mated to a Leonin warrior in the village.

"I came to fetch you," said Nya "Come on, we're going to listen in on the council."

"What? Father told me I had to stay here," said Alaysia "Has he changed his mind?"

"No, but you're going to be at that council," said Nya "Don't you think that you should be allowed to attend? The council's decision affects you personally! They have no right to keep you in the dark like this. You are a member of this tribe and have the right to heard what they have to say about your powers!"

Alaysia immediately recoiled at the mention of her newfound abilities. Nya immediately noticed her friend's discomfort. Truth be told, she was more curious about Alaysia's powers than afraid of them. If she could control the metal of her surroundings and shape it to her will, it could be a great asset to the tribe. Never again would they have to fear the Nim if Alaysia could create creatures to defend them.

"I-I don't know what's wrong with me," said Alaysia "What have I done to be cursed?"

"This is not a curse," said Nya "It is a blessing! It saved you from the Nim, so this is obviously a gift from the Gods!"

"I'm a freak," said Alaysia, tears welling up in her amber eyes.

"You aren't," said Nya, entering the tent through the slit and embracing her friend "You are gifted. One who is born skilled in the art of the sword is not a freak merely because they have talent. A gift from the Gods is not to be feared; it is to be embraced."

"What is going to happen to me?" asked Alaysia.

"That is why we need to listen in on the council," said Nya "Argoth sent me to bring you there."

"Argoth wants me to be there?" asked Alaysia.

"Yes, now come on! We want to get there before they finish," said Nya, pulling her friend through the slit.

"Wait," said Alaysia, struck with a sudden thought. She ran over to her cot and bunched up the blanket, stuffing her pillow under the covers to create the illusion of someone being in the bed. "I need to make sure the guards don't notice I'm gone," she explained, leaving the tent.

"Very clever," said Nya "Now come on."

The two Leonin made their way across the settlement. The going was slow because they had to avoid anyone who might recognize Alaysia and question her as to what she was doing out of her tent. Finally, they reached the center of the village, where the council hut stood. Two guards stood by the entrance.

"How do we get in?" asked Alaysia.

"You'll need to use your power to sneak us in," said Nya.

"I don't even know how it works!" protested Alaysia.

"What did you do when you made that wall that protected your brother?" asked Nya.

"I don't know!" said Alaysia "I just prayed for something to save him."

"Well, this time, pray for something to make the guards not see us or something."

"It doesn't work like that!" said Alaysia.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't control when I use it. It just happens when I really need it, like when I was so afraid that Argoth would…would…" she lowered her head, unable to think of what would have happened if she had not protected her brother.

"So it is triggered by strong emotions?" Nya frowned. "I've got it!" she exclaimed after thinking for a few seconds about this discovery. "You said it was unfair that you were not allowed to attend the council. You're angry, right?"

"Well, a bit, yes…"

"Focus on that anger," said Nya "Use that hatred!"

"I-I can't," sighed Alaysia "I just don't have it in me to bear such anger against the elders and my father."

"All right," sighed Nya "New plan: first thing to do is disguise your scent. I'm fairly sure your father would recognize yours. Here," she added, slipping out of her robes. "Put these on. My scent should sufficiently mask yours. Now, here's what you're going to do…"

When she entered the hut, Alaysia quickly ducked into the shadows by the wall and sat there in silence as she let her eyes adjust to the gloom of the interior. She could see that the Leonin elders were seated at the far side of the hut and seemed to be discussing something in hushed tones. Looking around, Alaysia saw Argoth sitting near the elders along with their father. The rest of the Leonin assembly sat in silence as the elders held their council. Presently, they seemed to have reached a decision.

Monyan, the eldest of the elders stood up and addressed the assembly. He was a very old Leonin with a white mane and a tired, disheveled face. Despite his aged appearance, he still held himself with elegance and dignity as he spoke.

"The elders have reached a decision," he said in a low growl "Alaysia's abilities are a gift we cannot ignore. She could be of great aid to us against the Nim, but she cannot stay here: she must go to Taj-Nar to serve the Kha."

"No!" Alaysia cried out "I could never bear the leave the village. My place is here!"

"Alaysia?" growled Rashnak "I thought I told you to stay in the tent!"

"Father, she must be allowed to stay," said Argoth "This decision deeply affects her. Elder, she must be allowed to have a say in this," added Argoth, turning to Monyan

"Very well," said the Elder "Alaysia, daughter of Rashnak, step forward." Nervously, Alaysia stood before the council, trembling from all the eyes staring at her. "You have heard the decision of the council. What have you to say?" asked Monyan.

"I-I," stuttered Alaysia "I do not wish to leave the village," she said, an unexpected feeling of calmness suddenly sweeping over her. She felt confident and her words conveyed this. "This is my home. I cannot leave my family behind."

"We understand your reluctance to leave everything you've known behind," said Monyan "However, you have a gift that could prove vital to our struggle against the Nim. You would be much more useful to your people by the Kha's side."

"Elders, I strongly object!" said Argoth, protectively placing his paws on his sister's shoulders. "Alaysia is not some weapon to be dragged into battle."

"Argoth, be quiet!" snapped Rashnak, standing up. "Elders, I apologize for my son's arrogance. He has yet to understand the way of the warrior!"

"I cannot believe you'd hand over your own daughter like some bauble! She is your flesh and blood!" said Argoth.

"I will have no more of your insolence!" growled Rashnak, raising a paw to strike his son.

"Enough!" roared Monyan. Rashnak paused, stunned at the Elder's sudden outburst. "Rashnak, we will not tolerate violence in this council. We can settle this argument in a civilized, peaceful manner. Now be seated, the both of you! Alaysia," he continued as the two males returned to their seats. "This council does not wish to impose its decision on you, should you truly be opposed to leaving. We would like you to strongly consider it before giving us your answer. The council is adjourned. We will reconvene tomorrow, at which point Alaysia will tell us if she wishes to journey to Taj-Nar to learn more about her abilities and be of aid to the Kha."

The elders stood and filed out of the hut as the assembly burst into hushed conversations about the council's verdict. Alaysia merely stood where she was, absorbing what had just happened.

"Come, Alaysia," said Rashnak, placing a paw on her shoulder. Still a bit dazed, she followed her father and brother out of the now-empty hut.

"Alaysia, you must not go," said Argoth as they headed back to the family tent. "The journey to Taj-Nar is far too perilous."

"Argoth, this decision is your sister's to make," said Rashnak. "We must not try to persuade her to chose either option and no matter what she decides to do, we must abide by her choice and support her in her decision.

"Thank-you, father," said Alaysia, a bit surprised. He had expected her father to pressure her to go with the council's decision and had already envisioned the conflict between Argoth and their father. This sudden gift of freedom from her father was a surprising, but welcome occurrence.

"I wish to be alone," said Alaysia, once they had reached the tent. "I need to meditate on this matter."

"Understood," said Rashnak. "Come, Argoth; let is allow your sister to think in peace."

Alaysia entered the tent and sat on her cot. Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths to focus her thoughts. She was grateful to the council for giving her the final say, but at the same time, she wished they had not put her in this terrible dilemma, since she would now have to make a life-changing decision whether to leave her home for an uncertain future, or stay where she was and never find out more about her abilities. She was grateful for the council for giving her the final word, but at the same time, she wished they had decided for her. It would have saved her the dilemma she now found herself in.

On one side was her loyalty to her family and friends. She did not want to abandon them behind to pursue her own interests. After all, to leave for Taj-Nar would greatly affect her brother and father. She did not even know how long it would be before she would see them again and she knew that Argoth would sorely miss her if she left. However, she was curious about her abilities. Even though they frightened her, they had also saved her. Maybe if she learned how to use them, she could help people.

She sighed: her brain and heart were telling her two different things. Should she stay, or should she go? At least she had the night to decide. Lying on her cot, she closed her eyes. In the morning, she would know what to do.

To be continued…

Author's note: Yeah, I'm back. Been a while, eh? School's been crazy and I just haven't been able to find my groove, but hopefully, with the break nearing, I'll be able to get a bit more work done on this story. Thanks to James for his expert knowledge of the Leonin.