Silver Lining: The Apprenticeship

Prologue: Month of The Harvest Moon

Vivian stood tall as Jaxon approached her. He had just returned from his meeting with her father in the Councilor Chambers. There was a changed air about him; iris tinged with a haunting azure glow, his mood broke through his composed façade and preceded his interaction. The crowd that remained to dawdle their time away hoping for a chance to bring their case to the Counselor Rex before the ceremony did not seem to notice, and if they did either they were scared or couldn't be bothered to care. But they did, in fact, make way and emulated some semblance of respect while in the Grand Foyer of the Counselor Rex .

Things had not gone well, and it was painfully clear there would be no further discussion. They had known each other for half of their lives. It was natural to be so in-tuned with such a dear friend, right? Jaxon placed a fist over his heart, eyes averted and bowed. In such a public setting etiquette dictated that she acknowledged him, but not favor him or his attention. Therefore all she did was look at his gesture over her nose, head held high, and waved him off to the side. This was one of many expectations and values that dangled over her head like an ax, waiting to drop on her smooth-caramel neck as it does with a goose intended for the sup. She was meant to be indifferent, a steel blade that wielded its-self. Gone were the days that they could laugh in the quaint side corridors without formalities. Today marked the ripple of change, expectations, and lax rules of her adolescence.

Vivian almost bristled as he continued past her, where before he would linger not far to her left. He greeted his recently announced fiancé with a peck on the wrist where her glove exposed skin. Lady Margaret was a fragrant embodiment of summer time with her golden curls and bow shaped soft pink lips. Such a soft pink did not have the right to be on this woman. Yet, here it was painting her angelic as ever.

Vivian never understood the need for frivolous things like the face paint in which Margaret and other appointed officials indulged in. As a Guardian-in-waiting and Keeper's Apprentice, Vivian understood that one day she too would be wed and it would not matter if she were ready for the marital or child bed. They would come even if her position deemed her the most powerful Guardian in the land. She still felt as though she were a bargaining chip with an expiration date. But Vivian wanted more than the fortress walls, to see beyond. To feel it and embrace the essence beyond them.

Snatched back from her thoughts, Vivian observed the tension in the hall. The people were curious. Jaxon began to escort Lady Margaret past the various milling attendees with her hand in the crook of his arm.

The same way Jaxon once escorted Vivian.

Whispers made their way into the hum of conversation and glances were cast as Vivian awaited her call into the chambers. She would begin officially apprenticing her mother at the mark of the Winter Solstice, but today she would be presented to the masses as one of the Guardians-in-training. Tomorrow there will be a banquet held in her honor, seeing as it is a rare occasion when the Keeper gives life to a daughter of The Blood.

Frequently it was a son of Simple Blood, who would then be wed to a Guardian-in-training within our borders or from another land.

When a daughter of The Blood was born from the union, she would begin apprenticing at sixteen. A daughter of The Blood borne from the Keeper would have a promised betrothed by age eighteen. The same process for a non-hereditary Counselor Rex applied, to maintain the balance. At least, that was the insinuation. There had never been more than one child birthed from the union. It was as if they were bound for the purpose of maintaining the lineage and went their separate ways to their respective positions. Vivian didn't believe either position had true influence beyond the eyes of the people outside the counseling rooms.

Controlled interactions, limited opinions, and dictated marriages? She felt more of a doll than almighty heiress to a thousand year old throne and even older blood.

The masses parted in front of Vivian when the steward announced her presence. She approached the mighty doors that her father was surely behind.