Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter Seven Part LVIII (ED)

Nia looked down at her own case where a small curved rod made of yellow gold lay. At its top was a small black pearl while from the bottom hung a snake made of white gold. The girl grinned at the two darksnakes and offered them her thanks.

Jurshí smiled with his eyes. We are very pleased that you like the "belly button" ring; your father helped us craft it as snakes do not have such things. Congratulations once more. And with those words, he and Ressil slithered back into the shade.

Niom and Leafë stepped forward, the man holding a satin bag - much larger than any of the others had been - in his hands as he spoke. "For years, we all have watched over the five of you, looking on with amusement, sadness, and pride as you've grown up. Now, the time has come for you to be treated as independent members of society and recognized as adults, even though you shall always be our children."

"Here, here!" Nate cried, lifting his glass in a mock toast with dancing eyes.

The other pair whose irises were the same brown shade rolled in amusement. "Interruptions are not welcome, Nate," Niom said with a heavily exaggerated sigh. "As I was saying, it is now time for you to receive the gifts that were held for you until you reached of age."

"But first, the presents made by our own hands," Leafë continued smoothly, reaching into the bag her husband held and removing a stack of thick books, all bound in black leather and titled in silver lettering. She handed the first to her oldest son. "A compilation of all the fighting forms and techniques listed by race from Du Breoal Abr Kvaedheya."

Nathan accepted the gift enthusiastically and crowed, "Thank you thank you thank you!" while hugging both his parents simultaneously. He reverently set the book down on the table and subtly tried to sneak a taste of the food, but a hard rap on the knuckles thwarted him, delivered by none other than his beau.

Moving onwards, Leafë said to Ren, "A tome filled with detailed information of every magical creature that roams this world." Before taking the book, the blonde gave her and Niom a hug and placed the gift down beside her godbrother's.

The elf handed the next book to Nick; however, this time it was her husband who spoke. "A collection of the many numerous spells I - with some help from your mother - have created, both tried and tested."

Nicholas looked down, stroking the silver lettering with one slim finger. "I can't wait to test these!"

Niom laughed as his son hugged him and ruffled his hair. "We'll have fun experimenting, aye?"

Grinning, the boy answered, "Most definitely." He also gave his mother a squeeze, and she tightened her hold on him for a moment before walking to Rose.

"This is a guide to the ancient art of healing," Leafë explained as her goddaughter took the book from her grasp. "I'm sure you'll put it to good use, my mor'ranr-kona."

The blonde flushed slightly, blue eyes sparkling with delight. "Thanks, Móðiras." She hugged Leafë before turning to Niom. "And you too, Faðiras."

The reminiscence captured their hug before following the elf as she moved to stand in front of Niaomi, holding out another book whose title was gilded gold rather than silver.

"This one is different from the others because it contains only blank pages," Leafë informed her daughter with a warm smile. "It's a vision journal, used by seers to record the things they see."

Thanking her, Nia took the book and set it down on the table with the rest. "I can't wait to fill it."

As she leaned in for a hug, her mother whispered for her ears alone, "It'll be easier than using your diary like you've been doing, my dearest." The girl stiffened slightly as Leafë stepped back and stared at her in shock, but missed a chance to reply as her father stepped forwards.