Series: The Mountain: Book 1: The Awakening

Welcome Ceremony

The scent of freshly baked bread coupled with the unmistakably sweet smell of barbecued meat brushed past their nostrils as Liam and Helen followed the group down the corridor. Although enticed by the overwhelming fragrances, the pair, rather than let down their guard, strengthened their level of caution even further. Unsure of what potential threats lay at the end of the passageway, Liam slipped his fingers into Helen's, who in turn tightened her grip on his hand as they neared their destination. Ready to draw upon his aura at a moment's notice, Liam grew even tenser as the hallway widened into a spacious room a few steps ahead. Biting his lips as uncertainty beckoned at him, he threw a glance at Helen before following after their newly introduced group. 

On entering the open chamber, a plethora of surprises simultaneously picked at them as all of their companions awaited their group around an abundantly stacked, wooden table. Aside from a few empty chairs, the remaining seats were occupied with even more new faces.

"Helen," Xavier said, standing as he saw their approach, "Liam," he added, waving them over, "I saved the two of you some seats." he called, motioning at the two empty chairs at his side. 

Seated quietly to his left was Sylvie, who patiently waited for them to arrive before greeting the two. 

"Good morning to the two of you," Sylvie said as they a pulled a chair. 

"Good morning," both Helen and Liam replied, the latter trailing behind the first. 

"How'd you sleep?" Helen asked, staring warily all around her as she spoke. 

"Well enough," Sylvie replied, noticing the princess' expression, "Certainly beats sleeping on the trail, if you know what I mean."

Nodding as she leaned in closer, Helen muttered, "Any idea who these people are?" 

"They're the residents of the peak," Sylvie replied in a similar tone, "Honestly, they seem friendly enough, however, I can tell that they're uneasy about something."

"I think I may have an idea about that," Helen replied, without bothering to elaborate any further. 

Settling into her chair as she stared uneasily at the unfamiliar faces, Helen's straying thoughts were suddenly disrupted as Isabelle tapped a wooden spoon to a raised goblet. 

"Ladies and gentlemen," the Elder began, "today is a glorious day for your peak. Not only do you have the honor of hosting the daughter of Lucia Van Aldin," she revealed , immediately generating a stir, "but you also have the fortune of welcoming a rarity of a new student."

"What's so good about a new student in comparison to the daughter of one of the Mountain's core disciples?" a man with a stubbly beard asked. 

"I wouldn't be so quick to judge if I were you," Isabelle cautioned, eyes lingering over Liam as  she spoke, "This boy has yet to fully mature yet he's already managed to surpass every single one of you here at this table."

On hearing her words, the entire room went into an uproar as they verbally challenged Isabelle's statement. 

"How could he, a mere cub, have already surpassed our level," one shouted, clearly irate by the Elder's words. 

"Surely we, who have honed our power for years, is more capable than some youngling," another yelled. 

"Tell me," another spouted, "what feats could this young one have accomplished for you to rate him this highly."

Regarding them all with a smile, Isabelle responded, "Liam here has not only challenged the barrier but was somehow able to come out unscathed." 

"So the rumors were true?" a girl a tad bit older than Liam asked in surprise.