The Tribes

The Naming:1

I never knew my life would end up like this. The day has finally come. The naming day,when all tribe members old enough for the jobs get their names. Right now I am only Summer13. Every child in the tribe gets a name based on the season and day they were born.

I am sitting in my seat waiting for my name. I already had to wait three days for my naming day. We have one day dedicated to each season. A whole week for every one. Friday is when we all celebrate together and get our mentors. I look up at the stage and watch by best friend get her name. She is currently only Summer5. Sadly that also means I have a while for my naming to come.

Finally! I yell in my head. My naming is finally next. "Summer13, come up to the stage." I smile the biggest I can as I jump from my seat. As I get on stage our tribe leader comes to me. She puts her forehead to mine-as that is how she will know what my job will be- she pulls away from me quickly. She looks frightened. "What is wrong?" "What did you see?" "I...I saw danger in our tribe's future." "What, how?" "Our tribe will meet danger in a horrible starvation, and you are the only one who can save it." "With that I will now name you child Summer13." "I will now give you the name of Spiritwing." "Thank you so much I won't let you or the tribe down." "For our tribe's sake I sure hope not."

"Wildcat!" I call to my friend-Summer5- "Spiritwing!" She yells back as we hug tightly. We pull apart as she looks at me gravely. "What are we going to do, Chieftain says the tribe is in danger Spiritwing?" "I don't know Wildcat..." I say softly as I look at my feet afraid for my tribe. Shifters are very close and I feel great sadness if the tribe were to lose a member. "Let us go talk to Windingstone she might know what to do." My friend says as she pulls my hand. "Windingstone, Windingstone!" "What is it girls I am quite busy, I need to collect herbs for wounds?" "Yes but can you help us find Quickheart-our leader-." "Of course girls I know of what you want to ask her, follow me, quickly now ." 

We follow Windingstone quickly as we twist through tunnels of caves that our tribe calls home. It may be confusing for others but it works for us. My tail flicks quickly behind me as nerves catch up to me. With us shifters being part animals and being able to transform into them we kind of take on their instincts,also making most of us shy, insecure, and anxious.  "You okay Spiritwing?" Wildcat asks me breaking me from my thoughts. "Ya I am okay just caught in thought is all." She smiles at me just as we reach our leaders room. "Good bye girls, and good luck." Windingstone says as she leaves her tail hitting my leg softly as a way of confert. "Lets go in." Wildcat says to me. I nod and follow her. 

Quickheart sees us and motions us over to her where she sits with her husband Lionoak. "Girls" Lionoak says as he nods to us. "Chief" We say together. "Girls I knew you would come. We have much to discuss." "Now I am sending you Spiritwing and four others on a dangerous mission to find our tribe a new home so we will not starve. Please pick who you wish to travel with you then go see Windingstone for herbs for on your journey. We are counting on you Spiritwing make your tribe proud." "I will Quickheart,don't you worry we will save the tribe." 

"Wildcat will you come with me?" "Of course I will Spiritwing!" "Who else should we take with us, Wildcat?" "Hmmm.." "I don't know." She says grabbing her tail and twirling it around her finger. "Oh I got it!" She says letting her tail go and jumping up and down grabbing my arm. "Who?" I ask while laughing. 

"You will just have to wait and see." She says over her shoulder to me as she also winks. I just laugh and follow her thinking of who she may have in mind and thinking of the dangers that lay ahead for me and my friends. I just hope I can be the hero my tribe wants me to be. I frown in thought and follow Wildcat with worry. Lets see who she has in mind shall we?