Rings of magic

3

The next two weeks are chaotic. The whole village quickly found out about the rings, and many have come to say goodbye, or offer to help prepare. I must admit I was surprised by their kindness, but I was grateful non the less. 

I am allowed to take two trunks, as I will be gone for at least six months, though it could be much longer. Mother and I purchase new clothes, and she makes me practice sewing and mending, and sends me with a box of needles and thread, which I hope not to use. I am not quite sure what I will need, so I bring everything from the three books I own, to my hairbrush, to the small pink stuffed rabbit I got when I was four, which I named Clara, after the woman who gifted it to me. 

We finish quickly, and still have five days left. I am nervous about going, and barley sleep. Mother has stayed home, and father spends less time at work, both spending almost all of their free time with me. 

On the day we have to leave, father and I get into our rickety wagon, mother waving tearfully from the doorway. I wave back until I can no longer see her. I turn to father. 

"Will I see you again?" I ask, hoping the answer will be " of course! You are not going on a dangerous journey with dangerous magic to a dangerous witch.", but I know that's not what he will say.

He looks at me sorrow fully. " I don't know. I hope so." 

We are silent for the rest of the ride, though I lean my head on his shoulder, not wanting to leave. Eventually, we reach our destination. It is a big field, full of wagons and carriages and people waving off their family. I'm surprised there is so many people here for the twelve of us. 

In front of us is a forest, with a small path just large enough for a wagon. I look around, trying to figure out who will be going with me. I know they are my age, bit there are so many people here I can't tell. 

Father picks up my trunks, and places them next to me. I look up at him. "ill miss you."

"Ill miss you too." He places a hand on my shoulder. A man rings a bell and shouts " can the twelve summoners please get in their carriage! "

I give father one last hug, and walk over to the man. He points to a rickety wooden carriage with thick black curtains in the window. It looks only big enough for four people, but I see no other ones. The man ushers me in, and I gasp the minute I enter.