Embers of Destiny

Chapter 3

My training continued as normal, the only change being I spent much more time working on magic. It wasn't long before word traveled that my sister had indeed become engaged to Tomas, with their wedding scheduled for the spring months.

Soon, winter bled into spring as the snow melted from the mountain and filled our rivers and streams. The goats had their kids, and the trees budded again, as the whole mountain was alight with life. But I'd just received news, the kind that I'd knew was coming but had been dreading. Eldric wanted to leave the mountain.

"W-when?" I asked. Of course, I'd seen this coming for a very long time. As a former member of the Ten Sages, he still had important duties that he had to tend to, duties he had not completed for over two years as he fostered my growth.

"After your sisters wedding, of course. You should have plenty of time to say goodbye," He said. "I know this will be hard for you, but know that this will not be the last time you see them again."

I nodded, but it didn't prevent tears from welling in my eyes at the news. "I understand." yet, at the same time, excitement rose in me, at the prospect of traveling and seeing the world outside of my remote village. Something I'd dreamed about since I was a child. "I'll make preparations."

Eldric shook his head. "I'm sorry, this is more ahead of schedule than I would have liked, but time is of the essence." For what? I wondered.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To the capitol. There, you will meet the king," he added. My eyes were alight with wonder. The king? "And attend tutoring, from the best mages on the continent. There, I'm hoping you'll be able to break the next barrier." For the past several months, I'd reached a wall that I'd been unable to surpass. Having reached only the fourth seal, I had many more to unlock, as I was only able to control a small fraction of the power welled up within me, contained inside my bracelet. I wondered how many years it would take for me to grow strong enough to wear I didn't need the bracelet at all, but as always, patience is a virtue.

I left my master's shack with mixed feelings, dodging mud puddles on the road as I headed back to my own home. I was excited at the prospect of getting to travel and grow my knowledge, but sad with the fact that I would leave my family and beloved home behind. It was truly a hopeless paradox I was in, which I pondered all the way home.

My mother was on the porch, carding wool from the goats. Our villages goats were unique in their ability to be exceptional milkers and also produce wool which made us the finest of clothes to keep us safe from the elements. I thought briefly that I would definitely miss them when I'm gone, as I wasn't sure if they existed any place else.

"Carding wool?" I asked my mother. She was a little early, as we usually didn't start until later in the spring. "What for?"

"Ah, preparing gifts for your sisters wedding. And clothes for your journey, of course. Its best to get an early start."

"You knew?" I asked, surprised. I'd only just found out of my masters plans.

"Of course. Your father and I had known from the beginning, when we welcomed Elric into our village to mentor you. It had always been his plan from the start to take you to the capital, though he'd mentioned he would wait until you were at least eighteen or nineteen..." she sighed. "But, it can't be helped. My little baby has grown up to be an adult now."

I smiled, fighting back the sadness at the thought of leaving my mother behind. "At least you've got your other three children," I grinned.

"I am lucky," she smiled. "To have such beautiful, wonderful, and talented children. Why, I believe there are no better children in the kingdom, no, the entire continent!"