The Traveler's Handstaff

Through the Gate

Tara tilted her head back, eyes closed, to let the sun stream down onto her face. Winter had finally passed, meaning that it was now warm enough to venture outside without wearing approximately 50 layers of clothing. She smiled when she heard a bird tweet as it hopped along the ground in search of food. The winter had been a short one, so it was likely that there would be cold flashes over the next few weeks, but for now the temperature was enjoyable. Tara lazily opened her eyes after hearing someone call her name. Connor was walking toward her, a grin on his face. Tara grinned back. They hadn't been able to see each other since winter started because Conner couldn't handle the cold, no matter how many layers of clothing he wore, and he lived far enough away that Tara couldn't walk there in the snow. Ironically his twin brother, Oliver, loved the cold, but hated hot temperatures. Tara sped up her walking speed until she was running and tackled Connor with a hug. After an oof that indicated his loss of breath (Tara could run very fast), he hugged her back.

"How have you been?" Tara asked after they finished attempting to squeeze the life out of each other.

"How have I been, or how am I?" he asked back, still grinning. After a moment of pretend speculation she replied

"Both." Connor rolled his eyes.

"I've been freezing and I am warm." he said, a teasing note entering his voice. Tara rolled her eyes back at him.

"How about other than temperature wise?" she asked, this time with a mock glare. He only grinned wider at this before replying.

"Winter was miserable, as usual. Though Oliver has finally given up on dragging me outside to go on one of his little 'fun' winter escapades." Tara laughed at this. Oliver had been trying for years to convince Connor to leave the safety of their hovel during winter. When Tara had finished laughing he continued "I feel great now that it's started warming up outside, though I am worried..." he trailed off, no longer smiling. Tara sighed, her elation at seeing her longtime friend draining at his statement.

"Me too," she whispered. Every year those in the region who were 16 years of age gathered at the spirit's shrine. One of each gender got chosen by the spirits for something. No one knew what. What they did know is that no one who was chosen had ever come back. Both Connor and Tara had had their birthdays that winter, meaning they were now eligible.

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Frida paced back and forth. Choosing day was drawing closer. She could only hope that the Hero would be among the potentials. Time was running out.

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Every muscle in Tara's body was tensed. It was Connor's turn to walk up to the shrine. If the glowing light in the center turned green, he would be announced as chosen and the girls would start. If nothing happened he would join the rest of the boys off to the side and another would try. He touched the shrine. Nothing happened. Tara released the breath she'd been holding. Connor seemed to do the same. He joined the group of boys waiting at the bottom and the next boy in line walked up to the altar. The boy looked pale and scrawny. He didn't look like he would qualify for whatever it was that the spirits did with the two chosen, but when he touched the altar it turned a pale green. When this happened, the boy somehow paled further and there was a sigh of relief from those who had been in line behind him. He didn't seem to have any family in the crowds of people watching the ceremony, as there were no cries of despair, or even tears, that Tara could see. Tara watched as, one by one, the girls in front of her touched the shrine and walked away. Her muscles started tensing again. The girl in front of her walked up, touched the shrine, and walked away, relief evident on her face. Now it was Tara's turn. She took a steadying breath and walked slowly up to the shrine.

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Connor held his breath as Tara walked up to the shrine. She reached out slowly and placed her hand on it, her terror evident, even from a distance. Her hand touched the shrine and it instantly flashed a brilliant green. Tara went pale and the green light made her look sick. Conner shouted and started forward without consciously deciding to. He hadn't made it far when a hand stopped him. He struggled until his brother's voice broke through his horror. "There's nothing we can do,'' he whispered, sounding pained. "If we want to help her, we're going to have to find another way into the land of the spirits." Connor sagged. He knew his brother was right, but he didn't want to leave Tara to the spirits for that long. Oliver stepped in front of him and they clung to each other. After a little bit, they let go to watch. Their best friend was about to disappear, possibly forever. They would at least be brave enough to watch.

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Tara heard Connor shout and turned in time to see Connor try to break forward in a run before Oliver stopped him. She turned to the crowd and saw her mother sobbing on her father's shoulder. Her father had his head in his hands and his shoulders were shaking, a definite indication that the usually stoic man was crying. Tara wanted to run, but knew better than that. If she ran, the region would suffer. It had happened before. If one of the chosen ran off, the entire region would suffer until they were brought back and sent off. Taking in a shaky breath she put on a brave face that fooled no one and walked up to the dias to stand next to the boy who had gone before her.

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Frida felt hope for the first time in many years. The light hadn't flashed that bright in a very long time, though the flash preceding had been less than impressive. Maybe the Hero had finally arrived... if they could survive long enough to learn what that meant.

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"My name's Tara. What's yours?" Tara whispered to the boy, who looked like he was going to pass out. At first it looked like he might not have heard her, then he replied

"J-Jackson '' he took in several choppy breaths, then "I-I'm s-scared" his voice broke at the end and tears gathered in his eyes. Tara paused before replying

"Me too, but we're in this together, it'll be okay" I hope. Jackson nodded, his lip quivering like he was holding back tears. Tara walked to the center of the dias, and Jackson followed her. The dias began to glow. It grew bright enough that Tara couldn't see past it. She closed her eyes to block out the light, but it seeped past anyway. It continued to grow brighter then, suddenly, it disappeared.

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Connor watched as Tara whispered something to the boy before moving to the center of the dias. The boy followed her and when they were both in the center it started glowing. It grew bright enough that Connor could no longer see Tara. His eyes had started to water when the light disappeared. Tara and the boy were gone.