Legends of Ardonia 3: Color Balance

Chapter 3: The Ceremony

The day had come. The day where one lucky Ardoni could become the sixteenth Primesinger and wield all four Prime Songs. Many Ardoni of every clan were travelling north to the arena on the border of Northwind. The cold winds sent chills and shivers through their bodies. The morning sunlight shone light into the icy cave system below and reflected on the large icicles hanging from the ceiling. Flowers dotted the grass around some trees with drooping leaves. The clans made their way down the spiralling stone steps. The place where champions once stood many years ago, who fought each other for the use of the Prime Songs, were now the two Primesingers, who gave any and every Ardoni a chance to prove themselves worthy. Hadis Prime sat behind a table with his diamond greataxe on his back. In front of him were the four Prime Songs glowing and humming. Emmilia Prime stood next to him, keeping a watchful eye. The Peace Bringer was on her back and she held Voltar upright in her hand, its blades extended. She had tied her hair into a braid that slung over her shoulder. The other Masters were the last to arrive. Master Esaria, Master Milan, Master Cyclone, and Master Hylis all held the clan staffs upright in their hands, waiting for the process to begin. Ardoni, young and old, stood on the stairs, the ledges, and next to the arena, waiting. Small children pointed at the Prime Songs excitedly to their parents. Among the crowd the other Ardoni of the former Ardonian Resistance were seen. Fisheus Sendaris stood with the students from the Primesinger Temple with his enchanted iron sword on his back. Morado Mendoris was behind them, standing idly with his iron longsword sheathed on his back. Guards with Ardoni honor staffs stood in place keeping an eye out for troublemakers. Hadis caught sight of Enair walking down the staircase across from him. She took a seat at the bottom in the front row. Hadis stood up from his chair and gave his welcoming speech.

Hadis Prime: "Welcome everyone, my name is Hadis Prime. Ladies and gentlemen, Ardoni of all clans, it brings me great pleasure to announce the beginning of our annual Primesinger ceremony. I encourage any and all of you to take a chance to decide your fate by approaching the four Prime Songs behind me. Once the Songs choose their wielder, this Ardoni will have the highest honor of becoming the sixteenth Primesinger in history. So without further ado, let us begin the ceremony!"

Hadis sat back down in his seat as the crowd applauded. The students from the Heart of Ardonia were the first to come close. They were the first to find out if their training had made them worthy. Everyone watched expectantly as Ardoni from every clan walked up and then away to let another have their turn. They had been trained to admit defeat and accepted the outcome. Ulia Sendaris stepped forward and stood before the Prime Songs with her hands behind her back. When the Primes showed no response to her, she became disappointed and confused.

Ulia: "B-but I train every day, I practice all the time...I don't get it. Am I doing something wrong?"

Hadis: "You are not doing anything wrong, Ulia. The Primes work in mysterious ways. No one knows how one is chosen or why. Do not take it to heart, you will always have a chance next year, Ulia."

Ulia: "I...understand."

Ulia went to sit down, thinking on how she could improve herself even more. The time started to go by and still there were no results. Fisheus and Milan stood together and talked like old times.

Milan: "So no one from the Heart was worthy? Isn't that a little disappointing?"

Fisheus: "Admittedly yes, but they are strong Ardoni. They can handle a little disappointment. You think one of us will be the lucky one?"