The Vagrants

Chapter 2

MAIKKI

My friends and I headed towards the Shed covering our ears with our hands. The alarm had interrupted Jefferson, Angelie, and I when we were reciting the periodic table to the older Sages. We were only up to rhodium when we had to leave.

When we got to the shed, we stood amongst our group like everyone else. This was my permanent group now, they were the ones I chose when i turned 14, which was a couple of weeks back. I had decided to get the Sage symbol on the back of my neck. It was an outline of a person's head with the brain showing. My family were Sages, all the way back to my ancestor ,Tanya, the first ever person in my group. The only thing I have of hers is her turquoise eyes.

The alarm stopped when everyone was present. The council leader ,Luke Stadran, looked at every group before speaking " As you've probably figured out, something is wrong, or we wouldn't be needing a quest. We've sensed something unbalanced through the Curtain," he gestured towards the Shed "and we need four full Vagrants-one from each group- to see what is being disturbed. The council will send them off in an hour. Over 14s, please step forward." A large amount of people moved out of the crowd.

I didn't want to be chosen. I wasn't exactly the smartest in my group of friends, but I wasn't the worst either. I was in the middle. Angelie seemed good for a quest and as was Jefferson. My friends are your usual Sages. I feel different.

All the Sages are polite, patient, and probably some other words that don't start with "p". Sages don't keep secrets because they find that there is nothing to hide in their daily activities, they aren't bossy, or hesitate when they speak, and definitely aren't boastful. Every Sage that fit in with the last description were always traitors.

Stadran examined the Combatants first. He was staring directly at someone. I turned to look at the person. A girl, jet-black hair, emerald green eyes, something about her features demanded attention, the Combatant symbol was freshly inked onto her wrist, and she firmly held onto a bow. She didn't look like someone to mess with.

Stadran extended his arm and pointed a twig-like finger out at the girl. "You. You're going on the quest. Come up and tell us your name." She strutted up confidently, still holding her weapon.

The girl spoke loudly, not one hint of fear in it. "Evelyn Nightbrane." The applause started from the side where the Combatants stood, then spread around until everyone was clapping. Stadran looked at her as if there was something about her that he recognised but couldn't quite pin it. He clicked his fingers as he figured it out. "You are the spitting image of one of the first Vagrant, Chaz. You must be of his blood." Evelyn looked at him then nodded. "Well, you must be a strong one then"Stadran commented.

Evelyn stepped back a bit, knowing it was time to move on from her. Stadran announced it was the Healers' turn for a pick. He took a while before he decided on one of them. A big group of people around his age patted him on the back and cheered for him. He was obviously very popular.

The Healer had dirty-blond hair with stormy blue eyes that were surprisingly calming. He smiled then told us his name. "Cameron Palmsly." The audience erupted in cheers. "You may not know it but I'm family of Kyle, the first Healer. Another desendant of the first Vagrant.

They picked out a crafter girl, Marnie Oakland. She was pretty, she looked like a person who sits by the mirror all day, fixing their hair, or complimenting their reflection. She looked like a pain to be on a quest with. She had hazel eyes, long dark hair with peacock feathers tied in it, and fair skin. As I expected, considering the other two, she was related to Kyla, the first Crafter.

Now it was time for a Sage. It would have to be a good pick, if they were to go on a quest with descendants of three of the founders. Stadran pointed around my area. He must have pointed to Angelie, or Jefferson. " You, your eyes are as turquoise as the original Sage, Tanya. I pick you." Stadran stated. A rush of nervousness burst into me as I realised who he was talking about. Me.