The Zodiac Cycle

3.2 Knock on the Door

George kept his eyes closed, the forest around him making all kinds of noises, and he could hear them all, he could feel them all. He was sitting on the forest floor cross-legged with his palms pressed into the dirt.

Feel it.

Be it.

He concentrated all his focus into the earth, pushing against it, and feeling the satisfying shift of movement when he did so. He moved the ground forward, away from him, then towards him. He separated his hands and felt it move around him as he lifted his hands off the dirt. The earth remained in his hands, rising desperately to keep in contact with him.

He stopped, opening his eyes and glancing to his sides. The small pillars of earth he had made still under his hands.

The Elder troll sitting across from him nodded, pleased. His name was Mikin. "Well done, Georgia."

George inhaled a bit, the slight bit of anger at the name causing his earth pillars to collapse back into the dirt.

Mikin narrowed his hands. "You shouldn't allow your emotions to take over like that."

George nearly glared at the old man. "Then maybe you shouldn't keep calling me that."

Mikin ignored his comment. "You have been improving quickly. Do you wish to present yourself before the court?"

"No. I simply want to learn." George stood up, assisting Mikin to stand as well.

"You don't want a mate?" Mikin seemed disappointed.

"I dont need to find one, I have someone already? Remember?"

"Oh, my dear. That wont last." Mikin laughed. "The fish cannot walk on land without suffocating as the rock cannot survive in water without drowning."

"Persephone found a way with Hades." George replied crossing his arms. The only reason he had taken peoples negative comments on him was because he wanted to learn Jörd properly. Jörd was an ability that most Trolls had; the ability to move the Earth.

"George." George turned his head to see Avery standing by one of the trees with a backpack. "Its time to go."

"I'm coming." George followed the small boy through the forest and back into the small, reclusive village that they had been staying at. They were heading out that day to get to the meeting with the others in the Cooperative. There was an underground railway they were taking about a mile North, so they had to head out a bit early to get there in time.

George and Avery said their goodbyes to the village and headed out, George was tense from all the trolls that still called him Georgia.

He wasnt Georgia anymore, and he was glad to go to visit people who respected him, even if just for a little while.

~~~

"Do you have your skull?" Margaret patted Elizabeth's shoulders nervously.

Elizabeth patted the satchel bag she had. "Yes, now can I go?"

Margaret looked at her little sister worriedly.

"I'll be fine. I'll be back before you can count to 13."

Margaret shook her head. "Unlucky number. You worry me."

"How about 17?"

"Better." Margaret hesitantly stepped back, allowing Catherine to step forward and wrap her arms around Elizabeth.

"I hate it when you have to go." The youngest sister mumbled.

"I know." Elizabeth rubbed her back comfortingly, smiling at how big her baby sister had gotten. Catherine pulled back and Elizabeth smiled. "Take care of the old lady for me."