Unforged and Unforgiven

Chapter Five

The dining hall is unlike anything I've ever seen. The ceilings are so tall it almost seems endless. Six golden ornate chandeliers hang in a row down the center of the room. Pillars line both sides with vines of ivy intricately woven around each, disappearing somewhere close to the ceiling. The tables are long and have bench seats on the sides and students begin to fill them.

There's so much food lining the tops of the tables that I know most of it will go to waste. Past the tables sits a circular table with a chalice on the top, next to it a dagger that reflects the lights from the chandeliers and I can't help but wonder why it's there. So far this place isn't like they portrayed in the brochures, though I didn't have a choice in my coming anyway. It would have been nice to attend a university full of fun activities and outdoorsy trips. But I have no option than to just suck it up and deal with the cards that have been handed to me.

"What are you hoping to get?" Val asks me as she sees me eyeing the table with the chalice.

"What do you mean?" My voice wavers proving I'm ignorant to the question she just asked.

She crosses her arms over her shoulders and lets out a sigh. It's becoming a signature thing of hers. "You mean to tell me you're attending Mandor and you don't know anything about the ritual?"

Wait a damn minute. Charlie didn't say anything about a ritual. Not even a hint about it. "What the hell are you talking about Val?"

"Ugh. I swear you're going to force me to pull my hair out." She points her finger toward the chalice. "That, is what decides your fate here at Mandor. Geeze, how are you so clueless? I guess they let anybody in the doors now days."

"Hey! You can't blame me for not knowing. To be honest this place looks nothing like I thought it would. But who in their right mind would do a ritual? Isn't that like, devil worshipping and stuff?" I ask her. Being completely serious.

She gives me a very pointed look. "No Athelia. It isn't devil worshipping. You take the dagger and poke your fingertip and let a drop of blood fall into the cup. The magic will work for itself. Once it's full, you'll drink it and your eyes will change to the color of whatever power runs in your veins. Simple really. Don't make it seem like it's weird. It's a requirement for first years so that they can be separated accordingly. "

I look at her puzzled. " Wait, but how are we dormed together if I don't know what power I have yet?"

"That was figured out long before you walked through the doors. It makes it easier for a new first year if they're paired with someone who knows the place pretty well. Bad things happen here, someone has to be able to protect the new comers."

She turns and walks towards a table with empty spots and we both sit down. Just then an older female with long gray hair walks to the front of the room, standing next to the chalice and dagger.

"Good evening students! It's nice to see a few familiar friendly faces this year! We're going to need you in directing the new students attending! How exciting is that?" She claps her hands together, her dress flows behind her as she circles the table and stands behind it. "This is the Chalice of Chosen. Each first year student will make there way to the front when your name is called upon. You'll prick you're finger and place a single drop of blood into the chalice. The magic will fill it up and you will drink from it. Once finished you'll place the cup back onto the table and face the windows behind me. When the moon is just right, your eyes will change according to the power that you have. From there we will sort you into the groups that will be your companions for the school year. Now, let's begin shall we?"