Aurora And The Book Of Corvus

The Symposia

Emerging from the glassy lake, the surface tension as thick as ice, she could hear the music pumping in her veins, like the feeling of black coffee throbbing through your veins. Parties always got her going, it was the only time when she could let loose a little, the dancing, the drinking, the betting, even the drunk singing got her a tad bit high. But seldom were her party days, Parties are for birthdays, wins or important events, her mother's voice always reminded her. However, even rarer was it that one was invited to the Symposia.

The best part of any party in France was obviously the food, the more expensive the party was the more lavish the food was. It was the only place where all classes of people could meet, regardless of their status, and just be themselves. She made her way towards the seemingly endless buffet table, brandished with the markings of the Morgenstern, the morning star. She couldn't believe it, she had gotten permission to go to the wildest party of the year. She had gotten permission. She had gotten permission? But she couldn't remember how she got permission, she didn't remember executing her three parchment long plan. She didn't even remember leaving her house and going to the lake. Matter-of-fact, she didn't even know the savory taste of the minced pies that she had been eating, and she had eaten seven. Or had she been eating cakes? She couldn't even remember that. She looked around, and heard the distant dripping sounds of the rain, it never rains in Symposia, she thought. She was in a dream, she said to herself hysterically, mentally slapping herself for not knowing it sooner. She put her hand in her jacket, walking discretely into the ladies room, whilst searching for her Marker. She wasn't old enough to use a standard Marker, having only been 8 years old, so holding the practice Marker in her hand, she traced out a tree like rune-a symbol of reality- on the wall, next to the mirror. It glowed green, and staring straight at the sign, she felt a bout of dizziness hit her, as glimpses of the real world, seconds before she was put into the dream state. Within seconds, the images turned from blurry into crystal scenes and then gradually she opened her eyes blinking profusely. Without wasting a second, she shot up from the leather seats, taking deep breaths to steady her breathing and blinking. There was a breakout of applause from behind her, she stood up and turned sharply, to face no less than 100 council members with the Commander, standing in the middle of them all, their hands were moving monotonously, as they clapped for her. She looked at the clock by her right, it read two minutes. It was the third fastest anyone had completed a dream obstacle, the first two done by experienced adults. The Commander waved her hand and the entire room fell silent.

Aurora Althea Black, you have hence completed your trial, with approvable points. Today marks the end of all your tests, tomorrow will be your final Turning ceremony. Be advised, the duties of an Engraved is never truly over. However, today rest well, and may the Angel be with you.

After her robotic speech, which as far as she knows, everybody heard, as they clapped once more, Aurora  walked out of the Great Gard, into the waiting area, where she met her mother Céline who was waiting outside, with her brother Jace (Jason). Immediately, her mother engulfed her in a bone crushing bear hug, but she still found it in her to stick her tongue out at Jace, when it comes to him, she always finds a way.

"Two minutes, that's even faster than mine!" she said ecstatically, as she broke away from the hug. From behind her mother's arm she could see Jace roll his eyes, and that increased her cheeky grin tenfold.

"Where's dad?" he asked feeling irritated. He was born as an Engraved, his father, Stefan had been one naturally, and then his mother Céline was Turned before she married him, so Jace had been born with the powers, hence he was not accustomed with the trials. However, Aurora was adopted, and having no trace of an Engraved in her, she didn't possess the Sight, or the ability to create runes, without a practice Marker (which the runes were limited drastically). But as her adoptive father, what one wasn't born with can always be acquired.