With the festival in full swing our group splits from Torex’s parents to participate in games and enjoy the food under Fulusmorns light. Currently Lauren, Torex, and I are eating some fruit filled rolls while watching the woodcutters and twenty of the guards compete in a tug of war contest while the local merchants are making bets.

  “Ha look at these guards I understand they may be the newest recruits but still they are really struggling.” Lauren laughs as we watch the contest with the guard troop being pulled closer to the mid line.

  “Well, to be fair lauren they did say the entier woodcutter team couldn’t beat them. Though I do believe they did not mean the Stonehoof Horses as well.” I join in trying not to laugh at the woodcutter side where a pair of horses are walking slowly away with the rope tied to their saddles.

  Each horse is massive easily 7ft tall and over 3000lbs a piece thanks to their heavy earthen hooves that cover the entier leg bellow the knee in dark stone. Each of the two currently are only intermediate rank but the species has a unique trait that causes their strength to quadruple when pulling a object which is what makes them excellent work horses and allows them to beat these guards.

  Isabel chirps in, “The best reaction to this is Captain Max’s he just noticed the horses a minute ago and asked a merchant about it before shaking his head. I bet those twenty are going to get some extra training for being arrogant, and lessons on how not to be tricked like this.” The shaking of her wings reveals he amusement even more than her voice does.

  “I would not want to be them in the morning then. I'm going to sleep in after tonight with the shop being closed tomorrow.” Torex grumbles off to my right.

  “You sure your mother might have you join them for the physical training you agreed on.” I add in with a grin causing Torex’s face to fall before looking at me in despair as he realizes she may do that.

  Isabel and Lauren hearing the comment can’t help themselves and begin to laugh heavily at the growing dread of our poor orcish friend. The few merchants near who over heard our talk all begin to chuckle as well at this and one even passes Torex another pastry with a mumble saying it is for tomorrow’s training.

  As the guards finally lose and we see Max moving forward to berate them we hear a soft thud behind us and spin around. Standing there with large black wings and feathers contrasted by a bright yellow beak and standing at 6ft 4in tall is Prolkin the leader of Isabel’s flock. In his left hand is a massive bow almost seven feet in length made of a deep red wood which has become the signature weapon for the renowned tempest sniper.

  “Isabel, I apologize for interrupting your time with the clutch but it is time for your test. We shall head to the top of the temple so you may undergo the trial in peace.” He speaks with a soft whispering voice that contradicts the thunderclaps that echo out when he fires arrows from his bow.

  “Right away flock leader.” Isabel responds with a bow before giving us a nod and saying. “Good luck with your bestowments guys we will have to celebrate fully once im back.”

  “Good luck Isabel, you will pass with ease.” I say trying to encourage her even more.

  Torex adds in, “If you fail I’ll lord it over you for the next year so you better succeed.” A small grin is one his face as he says it.

  As for Lauren she move forwards and gives Isabel a hug and murmurs, “Knock them dead girl.” before stepping back.

  As Isabel moves to join Prolkin he looks us over for moment before saying, “I was told the bestowments will begin in a twenty minutes at the main hall you should make your way over soon if you wish to be among the first group.” He adds before turning around and launching into the sky with a flap of his wings and burst of wind.

  Isabel looks back one more time before launching herself up to join him in the sky flying over to the temple roof. With that the three of us give each other glances and grin.

  “Torex you go let your parents know the start time for bestowments, Lauren you and I are going to get over there for the first group to go.” I formulate our plan while beginning to walk towards the main hall.

  Torex nods at us and sprints off towards the bard troop where his parents last were. While Lauren walks up beside me grinning and her hands shaking in excitement as we rush toward the hall.

  Reaching the hall we pause noticing the Mayor, His blond hair swaying as he shakes his head, outside talking with Bishop Reginald and a new person the two of us have not seen in the town before. The new person appears to be a dwarf with orange hair and beard clad in a series of grey and brown robes with a tome attached to a chain on his waist. His hands are uncovered showing a few scars on his tanned skin as they wave around as he speaks to the Mayor.

  “I’m tellin you that the need for new wards is not necessary they still have four years before they need replacin. I looked over the pillars myself no way a kobold troop will be passin by without warning even if they are near the end of the enchantment cycle.” The dwarfs voice echos out with a heavy accent as he waves his hand dismissively. “The thing you all should be worried more about is that graveyard it has a abnormal concentration of Death aspected mana. Maybe a rogue necromancer or over eager unclassed is near. That is a far more serious problem than some slightly old wards.”

  The Mayor sighs at the dwarfs tone while Bishop Reginald just shakes his head catching sight of us approaching. Besides me Lauren stiffens slightly at the words of the Dwarf causing me to bump her with my elbow.

  Mayor Reinfield takes a breath to speak before the Bishops leans in and whispers something getting a look from the mayor before nodding. The Mayor then turns looks at us and smiles saying, “Thomas, Lauren good to see you both I’m guessing you heard from a silent crow we would be starting soon.”

  At this the Dwarf turns and slides his eyes over the two of us before speaking. “And who might these two be Mayor Lucas?”

  “They would be wards of the Temple Thomas and Lauren both will be under going a bestowment tonight. Children meet Evoker Lockheed who is here to oversee the warding pillars and the bestowment tonight on behalf of the Arcane Consortium.” Bishop Reginald answers and explains to the Evoker while steeping in his view and looking down at him putting himself in front of us.

  Giving a slight bow and making Lauren do the same I begin to speak, “A pleasure Evoker Lockheed and my apologies for interrupting the conversation. And yes Mayor Reinfield, Prolkin had mentioned the bestowment would be soon so we came here early.” As I finish I straighten up and look at the Mayor.

  The Evoker gives a snort and waves off the apology before looking at the two of us with scrutiny. At his look Mayor Reinfield adds in, “Lauren is the daughter of the late head of the town guard, While Thomas was a member of a caravan that was attacked over a decade ago by bandits nearby and taken in by the temple.” He explains a bit of our background to the Evoker.

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  The Evoker’s gaze is still analyzing us but keeps drifting back towards me before he speaks. “You are aware of the boy’s affinity are you not Mayor I would hate to have found out the one causing the increase in Death mana to be a young lad.” He says without leaving his gaze from me.

  Mayor Reinfield is usually a soft and kind hearted man but at this statement his mana begins to seep out in amber waves and his face hardens causing tremors at our feet as his look turns to look at the dwarf. “Thomas has been a member of this town for thirteen years, We are well aware of his affinity, and a Expert Cleric of Dovan has been training the boy in his mana control and in the methods of a Gravekeeper for eight years. I would ask you to rethink your words Adept Lockheed.”

  The tone of his voice makes it clear the request from the Mayor is anything but so. Beside the Mayor Bishop Reginald is also using his own mana to shield us and the area from the Mayors anger but the Evoker is not so lucky as the protection is lacking directly around him. His tan skin paled drastically and sweat is pouring down his face as his gaze is locked firmly on the ground under the pressure from the Mayor. He manages to grit out, “Crystal clear Mayor, Please accept my apology young lad for my mistake.” All the while he is breathing heavily from the increasing pressure.

  At his words the aura of mana begins to fade from the area. Mayor Reinfield looks up at the two of use who are staring at this with wide eyes. He grins before speaking, “Tom, Lauren why don’t the two of you head inside and speak with Margaret im sure she would love to make sure you both are in the first group for bestowment tonight. We have a total of thirty four youngsters this night, fourteen of which are from the consortium’s academy in Malkein, to get through this night so we best not delay.” As he speaks he give us a wink and motions his head to the door while his hand rests on the Evokers shoulder with an iron grip.

  The Evoker looks at the mayor with a bit of shock and almost opens his mouth to protest it seems before Bishop Reginald adds in, “Indeed I’m sure the vaunted members of the consortium would not mind waiting for us to finish with the local bestowments so they can take their time with the students they have.” The smile on the bishop’s face is anything but kind right now. As the dwarf nods while trembling “Fantastic go on in you two.” The bishop dismisses us at that.

  With swift bows the two of us rush inside and see in the main hall several groups of students from the consortium and a few other instructors waiting and looking nervously towards the door. In the rear of the hall is table with the Mayor’s assistant Margaret seated organizing several documents. As we approach the tanned woman looks up and brushes he dark hair off to the side giving us a smile before frowning in concern at me.

  Looking down at my hands I see they are trembling, from fear or anger I’m not entirely sure right now. The accusation from the evoker still rings in my head for a few moments longer as I notice a concerned glance from Lauren as she tightens her first and shoots a glare behind us. Taking a moment to breath I look up and give Margaret a shaky smile and nod mouthing I’m fine.

  Her eyes get hard at the before putting a smile back on and speaks “Tom, Lauren glad to see you both arrived when I felt the the Lucas’s mana rage I was afraid something might of happened. Almost like a arrogant adept insulted someone of this town. That wouldn’t of happened at all though correct..” Her statement in accentuated by her brown eyes drilling into the instructors from the consortium who shuffle at the gaze.

  Lauren speaks up “Hi Margaret everything was fine though the bishop and mayor wanted us to let you know the honorable evoker decided to delay the consortiums student’s bestowments until last.” Lauren speaks with a wide grin as she looks straight ahead towards Margaret.

  “Oh my what a kind gesture from the consortium members shall I place both of you within the first group then? That also will not be problem for you’re students Instructor Benjamin will it?” The grin on Margaret's face seems almost fierce as she glances at one of the instructors, a orc with grey hair, who opened his mouth to complain before he slams his mouth shut with a audible clack at her look.

  He stumbles for a moment and looks towards the door before looking back and says, “It is not a issue in the slightest Madam Secretary, May the young of your town have successful bestowments tonight and bright paths ahead.” He responds his tone slightly wavering at the start before composing himself.

  “Thank you for your well wishes Instructor. If we could get in the first group that would be great Margaret, thank you.” I finally speak and give her a bow before moving towards a bench closer to the table she is at to sit down with Lauren trailing behind me.

  As we sit Lauren leans forward to look at me and whispers, “Are you okay Tom, want me to beat the adepts face in for that.”

  Looking down I respond in the same volume, “No it is fine. Honestly I kind of expected that reaction from someone from the consortium. From what Elrich told me only those from the Valin families academy on necromantic magic are treated as safe users of a death affinity. Despite that they are still watched like a hawk despite 700 years of loyalty.”

  With a sigh I lean back and look up at the ceiling my eyes tracing the grain in the wooden beams above us. “Lets just wait for a bit soon the bestowments will start and we get our classes. Once we have them we can plan to join the adventure guild at the Malkein with Torex and Isabel.” I say forcing a grin on my face at that thinking of the guild. One of the few military institutes that involve traveling the kingdom instead of defending a single location for years like the army.

  As we wait more and more teens from the town enter the hall we spot the children of several of the older guards, and merchants that give us a nod as they join their own groups and begin to chat about their future. The hall is filled with noise from the discussions while the students of the consortium shuffle in their seats in silence.

  After around twenty minutes it seemed everyone was waiting when Mayor Reinfield, Bishop Reginald, and Evoker Lockheed entered the room. The all seemed to be both nervous and excited as they looked at us. With a few glances at each other the Mayor stepped forward and cleared his throat to gain our attention.

  The Mayor looked around at all of us seated and spoke, “Welcome everyone, it is a slight tradition for the presiding authority to give a speech before we begin with all of your bestowments. Usually it is about how you all trained for this, how this is how your path will be forged. Instead I’ll just say this, Everyone's journey is unique and after your bestowment you will find a question. Follow that question to its end, let it guide you, and never be afraid to go in a new direction to find your answer to that question.” As he ends that statement he takes a few steps back and smiles.

  As we all look around in confusion Bishop Reginald just chuckles at the perplexed expression on our faces, while the Evokers face takes on a sour look. After a few moments Margaret speaks up with sigh, “Lucas, every year you make your speech shorter and more cryptic. Let’s get these youths sorted so I can rant your ear off tomorrow. Derrick, Lauren, Thomas, and Sophie the four of you are the first group please follow us.” Margarets looks at the four of us with a smile. Derrick is the youngest son of the villages main blacksmith, while Sophie is the daughter of a lumberjack and a server at the village inn.

  Rising the four of use get ushered into the city halls meeting room with the Mayor, Bishop, and Evoker behind us. As we enter we see on the table two glass cases one with a purple crystal geode radiating subtle light while seated on a ornate blue cushion. In the other is a simple necklace composed of wood with a stone set in the center giving off a soft golden glow resting on a crimson cushion along the wall are four guards no weapons in their hands. Rather they seem to be waiting around us.

  The Evoker steps up behind the case with the geode while Bishop Reginald stands behind the one with the talisman. Both open the cases and my skin prickles as mana radiates off of each object in pulsing waves.

  Mayor Lucas speaks, “Derrick go ahead and please step forward if you would.” His voice is soft and steady getting Derrick to jump before he nods and steps forward. As he approaches the Geode begins to pulse faster and Derrick seems drawn to it. Soon he is in front of it and reaches towards it almost like he is possessed as a aura wraps around him for a minute before it recedes.

  Evoker Lockheed speaks up his voice surprisingly soft, "Congratulations young man on gaining a class from the arcane obelisk. May Orvander guide you well in your path and trials to come.” After he is done one of the guards steps forwards and gently guides him out of the room into a side hall full of benches.

  Once he is out of the room Mayor Lucas speaks again. “Thomas please step forward if you would.”

  I swallow my throat is slightly dry as I begin to walk forward. As I do both the Geode’s and Talisman’s energy seems to pulse against my skin. With each step the Pulses increase until the Geode’s goes silent and I’m drawn towards the Talisman. Standing still I reach forward and lay my hand on the the stone in the center of the pendant and everything fades away into grey.