Luna

Chapter 2

    Today was the day a small group of boys would go to the mountains for a special ceremony. It takes about three days to get there and three to get back. They will be joined by other villagers at the ceremony. It's traditionally a transition from boy to man. Bastian went through this two years ago and is going to make sure they make there and back safely. Another young friend of mines Kota was going but this was his year. I was helping pack up food when I spotted Kota sitting alone. I decided to go check up on him. "Hey Kota."

"Hey Amour." I sat down next to him. "What's wrong?" He just shook his head but I already knew what was wrong.

"Well if your nervous about going you shouldn't be, you're not going alone. This is something you should be excited about. Nothing bad is going to happen while you're gone. Bastian and the others will make sure of it." He finally looked at me and smiled. Returning the smile with a little nod. Hopeful what I said really did help because it was true nothing was going to happen to him or the others. We both got up and made our way back over to the others. The sound of the horn went off signaling that they would be leaving shortly.
       Three of our men would be going with them on the journey. Four of our boys would come back men. I tapped Bastian and he faced me. "I need a favor." I told him.

"What is it?"

"Watch Kota he's a little nervous about all this." He looked at Kota and then looked back at me and nodded. "You be careful too." He let a sly smile spread in his face.

"So you do still care." I couldn't help the burning sensation that traveled from my neck to to my face. Not replying I just rolled my eyes, I wasn't going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He brought me in for a hug and I went stiff. We haven't been this close in a year. Just when I was about to relax he let go.

"Just in case I don't see you again."

"Don't say that!" I yelled as I smacked his arm. He laughed but I found nothing funny. "Just messing with you." He winked at me. Sometimes he really annoys me but that's what family does I guess. The boys lined up and let Cthylla mark their faces with blue paint. She drew a spiral on the right side of their faces. When they returned she could us a black paint to draw a a diagonal like going through the spiral to show they completed the process. When she was done they bowed taking a knee. "Right now you are leaving us as the boys we love...but you will come back the mean we will love just the same. May the spirits of the ones before you be with you." They stood to gather their supplies saying their goodbyes to their families. Bastian kissed his mothers cheek and winked at me again. Kota hugged his mom and dad walked towards the woods I smirked as Bastian hooked his arm around his shoulder as they walked. It gave me peace that he would be just fine.

"Why can't I go?" I jumped at the sound of Aetius voice.

"You still got some time before you can go. Plus it's a lot of walking."

"But I wanna be a man." He puffed out his chest and I had to keep myself from laughing. I ruffles his hair. "In time you will be. Now go play." Hearing the word play brought him so much excitement and he ran off.  This conversation wouldn't come up again until he got older. My brothers were only ten and eleven while I am now nineteen. They would be eighteen when they would have to leave. That would be something I would have to prepare them for and myself. I would just deal with that when the time comes.

Dinner was a little off knowing not everyone was not attending. I sat eating my fruit when Livia say by me. I haven't spoken to her since last night but not on purpose. Getting the boys ready to leave took up everyone's time. The silence between us caused me to shift in my seat. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things to you. I was out of line and you're right we all have to believe in something. Hopefully I finally that something too." I felt her touch my shoulder and I looked at her.

"You will Amour and I'm sorry too." We smiled and continued to eat. Cthylla had everyone gathered around for another story. This time she told us about how the village was before we were even here. I looked over to the empty spot next to me. "They'll be back in no time." Livia said and I nodded. These six days were going to be so weird without Bastian here to bother me but it wouldn't be for that long. Out of curiosity I looked up at the moon to see it was only a half one. Then my gaze went to my necklace. The story was tempting to believe but the way I was about raised and how my mind works I know would never do such a thing. I try to see the truth in things and makes me more complex than others. And that's something I sometimes dislike about myself. It's hard to see people be so naive and I am the one to bring them back to reality. If I could escape reality for a day I would. But in the end we would all have to come back.

"We shouldn't be doing this Amour."

"If you don't shh we'll get caught." She let out a groan. We were watching some of the men practice since they are technically warriors. They tend to be shirtless when they are doing this. I don't know why she's scared now it was her idea in the first place. She wanted to back out but once I put my mind on something I have to do it. Finally we got a good view without being seen and that's all it took for her to stop her complaining. "Zae had grown up nicely." She mumbled and she wasn't lying. He had grown his chestnut hair out, it stopped at his shoulders. He had broad shoulders to match his body and he was an all around good looking person. Livia has always had a thing for him since we were little but never says anything to him.

"Go talk to him." I said and her face showed complete terror.

"No!" Her cheeks started to turn a rose color.

"Just to say hi." We continued to bicker about it

"Snooping isn't appropriate." Out bickering came to a stop at the sound of Cthylla's voice. Slowly we turned to face her

"I wouldn't call it snooping more like observing." She arched her eyebrow.

"If you say so, please tell Zae to come see me." With that she walked away. I couldn't help but to smile at her request. Livia was already trying to run but I grabbed her.

"Don't make me do it!" She begged and I rolled my eyes. "This is your chance to just talk to him Via go ahead." She but at her bottom lip and took a deep breath. I had to control the excitement I had when she got up. She made her way towards him and I watched from afar. Guessing she told him they began to walk and talk and he walked her every move as if he would miss something if he blinked. I was very excited to what would come from those two.
Realizing I was still hiding for no reason I stood up and dust myself off. I looked towards the mountains wondering how far away they were. To take my mind off of things I started walking around again. I spotted Adonis sitting by himself. "What are you doing donis?"

"Thinking."

"About what?" I was actually curious as to what an eight year old could be thinking about.

"What was mom like?" At that moment I completely froze hoping he didn't just ask me that. He just looked at me waiting for an answer. The answer I really didn't have for him. The more I tried to think of her the more my mind went blank. "She favors Cthylla a lot." It was the truth from what I remember she did remind me of her just a little. He smiled at my response.

"I thought so." I let go a breath I didn't know I was holding. Wrapping my arms around him he leaned against me. I really wish she was here, things would be so different. But then again we have other people around us that care for us so I know that we are going to be just fine.