Hatched

TWO

     The wind blew softly, the Blessing Stone warm in the breast of my cuirass. I'd been observing this herd for two days now, learning their behaviors and studying the different members. According to tribe rules, the largest buck and doe of the herd was off limits, in order to not diminish the population. Many in my class went after the smaller ones or the injured ones, knowing that they were unlikely to survive anyways. Having something to prove, and knowing Mother was struggling to put food on the table despite trying to hide it, I had my eyes on the second largest buck. He had challenged the largest and had part of his antler broken, which effected his balance despite being only a small peice. I knew the antlers would sell very well within the village, and the buck would keep Mother and I fed for a long time. They were resting now, but he was still up strutting around the clearing, the larger one watching him tentatively. I had to go home today, and I couldn't go back empty handed. I was ready. I was nervous. I was doubtful of my abilities. It's one thing to hit a staged target, but would it be different to hit a moving animal? What if I missed and scared them away? I couldn't go after them, Mother would come looking when I didn't return home. She would come quickly. Too many have been lost in the wilderness during their first hunt for her to hesitate. And if I returned home to notify her I may never find the herd again. I shook my head free from my anxieties. Nothing good could come from them.
     As silently as possible, I drew my bow, breathing with it. feeling it bond with my hands and becoming one with the weapon. I am Alatohtar. Inhale. That is my birthright. Exhale and release. I watched, seemingly in slow motion, as my arrow flew through the air, effortlessly hitting true in the side of the buck. He fell as the rest of the herd ran. Concealed excitement flowed through me as I approached him. The arrow had peirced something of importance, because it was no longer breathing. Struggling, I threw the buck over my shoulders and started the trekk home.

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     Eyes followed me through the entire village. Everyone stood, eyes wide and mouths agape. I paid them no mind, and made my way to my mother, standing outside our home with half-hanged laundry, a wide grin on her face and tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Many children brought home a meager first hunt, bowing as they placed it at the feet of their parents. Not me. I was not meager, and neither was my buck. This was not an offering. This was a show of power and prowness. I tossed the buck gently off my shoulders and laid it at Mothers feet, but I did not kneel. Her grin grew impossibly wider, and she reached around my head and let my hair down, then adjusted my headpiece. The murmurs stopped as movement was seen in the crowd, and people moved aside swiftly. Tári appeared in front of us, her son and heir to the throne standing a few feet behind her, an odd look in his eye. Thalien and I were friends, once. As he grew into his role and we became of age, he slowly shunned me alongside everyone else. I understood. He needed the people to respect him if he was going to rule them one day. A small part of me hurt from his betrayal, but he was never unkind to me. I bowed my head, tracing my fingertips across my chest, shoulder to shoulder, ending it with an outreached hand as a greeting and symbol of respect. Tári returned the gesture, grasping my wrist firmly while Thalien nodded in return. One day we'd all be greeting him this way, but for now he was to stand back and observe.
     "Ohtariel, you have done especially well for your first hunt. This buck will feed you and Dana well for a time. Was it the biggest?" She raised her eyebrow, observing the size of the buck. I shook my head quickly. "The second biggest, Your Highness. He was challenging the largest often, and his antler was broken in the process. Not largely, but enough that he soon wouldn't have survived. His balance was affected greatly." She nodded, satisfied with my answer. "Well, Thalien, help Zorha clean and prepare the buck. I'm sure she's hungry. Most are only gone for a day on their first hunt, and she stayed for three." With that she turned and disappeared back into the crowd, leaving Thalien, myself and Mother behind. He turned to her. "We can handle this, Dana. Please, have a rest. You are unwell these days." As much as she tried to conceal it, Mothers health was declining over the last few years. Nobody was surprised. No elf lives as long as she did when their true mates suffer a traumatic death. I felt she only held on so long for me.
     Thalien turned to me as Mother retired to the house. Even though greeting him traditionally in front of the Queen was seen as disrespect, greeting him on his own was acceptable. Before I could think, he traced his hand across his chest, offered his hand and bowed his head. He was greeting me, I realized. I returned it, gripping his wrist firmly until he released first. "You are strong. Whispers of your hunt run rampant through the village." The strange look was back in his eyes, and he appeared to be attempting to conceal a smile. Although he had never been cruel to me, we were no longer friends. I had no idea what his intentions might be, so I treaded carefully. "Thank you, Thalien. I only wish to care for my mother, as she spent many years caring for me." He smiled, and we continued our friendly banter as we cleaned my kill.

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     I invited Elvaria for dinner so I could ask her about the Blessing Stone and catch up with my old friend. She was always kind to me, like a second mother. She smiled and spoke. "You look so much like your father. You're strong and beautiful like your mother. You will do this village much good with your abilities." She grasped my hand, squeezing it briefly before releasing. I smiled in return, touched by the compliment. My mother was one of the most powerful warriors my village has seen in many years, and my father was just as mighty. The men guarded and taught the children, while the women hunted and battled. My parents were the best of their class, and have yet to be bested. I missed Father deeply. As Mother stepped out to clean up after dinner, I cleared my throat and pulled the blessing stone from my blouse. "Elvaria, did you leave this on the step for me on my birthday?" Her eyes widened in recognition, and there was a hint of fear. I knit my brow in confusion as she quickly closed my hand around it and held it there, looking around. "Where did you get that? Did you show it to anyone? Answer me Zohra!" She demanded in a panicked whisper as I recoiled from her, feeling strangely protective of the Stone. "It's a Blessing Stone, isn't it? It was wrapped on my porch the morning of my birthday, three days ago. With this note. Mother and I thought you left it." I handed her the piece of parchment, and the panic in her eyes grew as she tried harder to conceal it.
     "I don't recognize the handwriting, and I did not leave it. You called it a Blessing Stone?" Elvaria asked, confused. "Well, yes," I stuttered, untterly perplexed. "That's what Mother said it was. I've never seen anything like it though, and it looks different from the paintings of Blessing Stones I saw in school. I just assumed they came in a variety." She shook her head, gripping my hand ever tighter and leaning in closer. "This, Onya, is not a Blessing Stone. You will see soon enough. But if you care for the safety of your mother and yourself at all, you will not show this to another soul. And whatever you do, keep in it your shirt and do not dispose of it. It should stay warm and safe there. Everything will make sense soon enough." With that, Elvaria stood and left swiftly, claiming she had to check on the children. I uncurled my hand, gazing at the Stone and brushing my thumb over its smooth surface. What are you? I thought to myself. And who left you for me to find?

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     It had been three weeks since Elvaria told me about the Stone. I had been following her instructions, not mentioning it to anyone and going about my daily life. Though I did occasionally go out to hunt, it was mostly to keep stored for the cold seasons and to make sure Elvaria had enough for the children. Mothers story about the Tree had been on my mind lately. Why would the Spirits choose me? And what exactly was I chosen for? I was about five miles out from the village, thoughts swirling in my mind, when I notice someone on horse headed my way from the village. I assume they see me as well, because they pick up speed and I rush to meet them. We don't take horses out for fear of scaring the game. We only take them for battle, or when someone's missing.
     "Zohra, hurry." Thalien said, halting in front of me and offering me a hand up. "It's your mother." Wordlessly, I climbed up behind him and we headed back for the village, fear blossoming in my heart. The Spirits were calling her home.
     Finally arriving, I wasted no time flying into the infirmary, just to be met with Elvarias firm grasp. "Onya, Onya, wait. Please my child." I looked up at her, desperation on my face. "Where is she? Where is my mother?" Her grip on my shoulders did not relax. She bent down to meet my gaze, not daring to release my shoulder to lift my chin. "There's many with her now, and she's not well. I need you to calm down before you go in her room, otherwise you'll only make things difficult." I took a deep breath and shook myself. I was an adult, and I needed to act like it. Mother needed my strength, now more than ever. With a nod, Elvaria released me and I headed for the door to Mothers room, a part of me knowing that this would be goodbye. Forever this time.