Nodding his approval, Ruarc turned and ushered his apprentice onward. With the gravity of the clearing behind them the walk returned to its somber tone. The song of the forest was welcoming and warm, and the starry night sky shone through occasional gaps in the canopy. Gentle light from a waxing crescent began to peek through the foliage as the moon worked its way over the valley ridge, and Drysi would likely notice a small procession beginning to form. Off in the underbrush a troop of spriggan began to follow along as they observed the passing. The forest itself seemed to be watching, as the mages rounded a bend to see a large deer with antlers wreathed in vines and leaves. Ruarc offered a simple tilt of his head in acknowledgement to the entity, but did not pause.
After a time it would become apparent to Drysi that Ruarc was heading towards the river, and the occasional smell of campfire smoke drifting on the wind would provide confirmation. Flickering orange light among the trees provided the first sign that they were close to their destination, and once they passed beyond the treeline Drysi was greeted by the crackling of firewood, the babbling sound of shallow river water passing over stone, and four figures; two known, one, recognizable, and one entirely knew.
Laoise gave Drysi a warm smile from where she stood beside the fire, and Caoranach offered a cordial wave of her own. Standing by the water’s edge with her back to the fire was a woman Drysi had seen once before, Mealla Brennan; Ruarc’s boss, Chief Keeper of the Fifth Circle, and Second in Command for Ard Rhys Silas Clarke. Upon the duo’s arrival, she turned to look over her shoulder, cocked an eyebrow, and Drysi could feel a dissecting gaze pass over her. With little indication of what she gained, Mealla turned and walked over to the fire with a definitive sense of casual ease. Dressed is a dark leather jacket and navy denim, she looked a tad odd with a formal cloak draped across one shoulder.
The individual Drysi had never seen before was resting in a simple folding camp chair as he watched the fire. He was a positively ancient man. Wrinkle lined eyes sat within heavy shadows cast by thick grey eyebrows. His chin was clean shaven and his head had naturally lost the last of its hair years ago, now replaced by a number of mottled liver spots. A slight smile appeared to be a constant fixture upon his face as he basked in the warmth of the glow. Mealla’s movement caused him to look over and catch sight of Ruarc and Drysi. Grabbing a rather squat staff from beside the chair, he used the wood to push himself back up to his feet. His form was wispy, and likely had never been a particularly well built man even in his prime. An arched back brought the already modest sized man to a height where even Drysi would need to look down a bit to make eye contact with him. His clothing was the most notable aspect of his appearance; dressed in a burgundy waistcoat with rich dark silken paisley stitching that shimmered in the light, and a golden pocket watch tucked into a pocket. His pants were a charcoal grey, and his shoes were double strapped monk style leather dress shoes. With a shaking arm and a beaming smile, he raised his hand in an offered shake.
Ruarc strode forward and shook the man’s hand before the elder could move too far from his seat.
“Chief Lecturer Engleby, so good to see you, Sir,” Ruarc greeted the elder.
“Of course, Keeper Flynn. As if I would assign any simple scrivener to this task,” the old man’s voice sounded worn, but gave the impression that he could raise it well enough. After shaking Ruarc’s hand, Engleby shifted his gaze over to Drysi. Extending his shaking hand once more he began to shuffle towards the teen. “And this must be the apprentice. How are you, dear girl?”
[The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
“I’m doin’ well, Chief Lecturer Engleby,” Drysi, who had remained at Ruarc’s side as if bound, curtsied politely to the elderly man. She carried herself with a demure confidence, all the while snapping her book shut and putting it away in her bag so that she could shake his hand. Like any young person in the company of many people greater in age, she carried herself stiffly and shyly. “I’m Drysi Maelgwyn, pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.”
Her new staff had given her some fresh confidence in the forest, but now it felt like her only friend, so she gripped tightly to it. This wasn’t a normal training session, not with such important people present. Engleby was someone Ruarc clearly had respect for, and vice versa. She didn’t know many other druids, nor knew of many important figures among them. Druids were not very public people, and so learning about them was more difficult unless they were Silas Clarke.
Mr. Engleby was nice, but Ms. Brennan made her hairs stand up. This was partially for what Drysi knew about her, and partially because Mr. Flynn and Mr. Caxton would speak about her with dread. Being the head of the Keepers meant that she was essentially a sort of police commissioner among the druids. If she was here for anything, it was probably for Mr. Flynn. At least, Drysi hoped that was what it was, something about the look in Maella’s eyes sent a shiver up her spine.
It was clear that Drysi was nervous, especially since she didn’t know why she was there. She was thankful for Laoise’s presence, as the familiar always had a comforting aura. Even Caoranach being there helped steady her nerves, but Drysi would probably be the only person in history who was happy to run into her in the woods in the middle of the night.
Her new staff had given her some fresh confidence in the forest, but now it felt like her only friend, so she gripped tightly to it. This wasn’t a normal training session, not with such important people present. Engleby was someone Ruarc clearly had respect for, and vice versa. She didn’t know many other druids, nor knew of many important figures among them. Druids were not very public people, and so learning about them was more difficult unless they were Silas Clarke.
Mr. Engleby was nice, but Ms. Brennan made her hairs stand up. This was partially for what Drysi knew about her, and partially because Mr. Flynn and Mr. Caxton would speak about her with dread. Being the head of the Keepers meant that she was essentially a sort of police commissioner among the druids. If she was here for anything, it was probably for Mr. Flynn. At least, Drysi hoped that was what it was, something about the look in Maella’s eyes sent a shiver up her spine.
It was clear that Drysi was nervous, especially since she didn’t know why she was there. She was thankful for Laoise’s presence, as the familiar always had a comforting aura. Even Caoranach being there helped steady her nerves, but Drysi would probably be the only person in history who was happy to run into her in the woods in the middle of the night.
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
“Well, everyone who needs to be here is,” Ruarc gave a pointed look directed at Mealla. “Let’s begin.”
With that, Laoise stepped forward and handed Ruarc his formal cloak, which he draped over his shoulders with a practiced swipe of his arms. Cloth the color of dark oak appeared black in the night, but hems of gold filigree shimmered in the fire light. A quick flick drew the hood up and over his head, concealing his face in sharp shadows. Mealla followed suit, but distanced herself from the fire as she straightened her own cloak; the Chief Keeper’s cloak bearing the Fifth Circle’s sigil embroidered in enchanted golden thread. As Laoise and Caoranach withdrew to the water’s edge Chief Lecturer Engleby withdrew from the handshake, and with now steady movement raised his hand to his collar. With a hushed word a brilliant sapphire blue cloak billowed outward to almost float into position around the elder’s frame. A further swipe of his other hand seemed to will a heavy ancient tome to fold into existence. As the man turned to move into his own position Drysi would see the golden embroidered sigil of the First Circle.
Ruarc now stood on the far side of the fire from his apprentice, and with an open palm he motioned for the Welsh girl to stand opposite of him.
“Drysi, you are brought here tonight because through the merits of your actions, and diligence of your training has proven your worth of being accepted as a full fledgling member of the Druid Order. You will be the newest steward of an ever changing world, you will be a guardian of ancient knowledge, and an ambassador between the natural world and those who live in it.”
As Ruarc spoke the fire seemed swell, and the sounds of the river and the wind seemed to become more noticeable.
“This decision will bring with it a community of comrades and like-minded individuals. For many it is a family, or for others simply access to some of the oldest historicals documents and research notes available in the mortal realms. You will be welcomed into a tradition that has seen empires rise and fall, and has survived where many others have fallen.”
Raising his head so that his face was fully illuminated by the fire, Ruarc held eye contact with his apprentice.
“Acolyte Drysi Llewella Maelgwyn, do you accept this nomination?”
With that, Laoise stepped forward and handed Ruarc his formal cloak, which he draped over his shoulders with a practiced swipe of his arms. Cloth the color of dark oak appeared black in the night, but hems of gold filigree shimmered in the fire light. A quick flick drew the hood up and over his head, concealing his face in sharp shadows. Mealla followed suit, but distanced herself from the fire as she straightened her own cloak; the Chief Keeper’s cloak bearing the Fifth Circle’s sigil embroidered in enchanted golden thread. As Laoise and Caoranach withdrew to the water’s edge Chief Lecturer Engleby withdrew from the handshake, and with now steady movement raised his hand to his collar. With a hushed word a brilliant sapphire blue cloak billowed outward to almost float into position around the elder’s frame. A further swipe of his other hand seemed to will a heavy ancient tome to fold into existence. As the man turned to move into his own position Drysi would see the golden embroidered sigil of the First Circle.
Ruarc now stood on the far side of the fire from his apprentice, and with an open palm he motioned for the Welsh girl to stand opposite of him.
“Drysi, you are brought here tonight because through the merits of your actions, and diligence of your training has proven your worth of being accepted as a full fledgling member of the Druid Order. You will be the newest steward of an ever changing world, you will be a guardian of ancient knowledge, and an ambassador between the natural world and those who live in it.”
As Ruarc spoke the fire seemed swell, and the sounds of the river and the wind seemed to become more noticeable.
“This decision will bring with it a community of comrades and like-minded individuals. For many it is a family, or for others simply access to some of the oldest historicals documents and research notes available in the mortal realms. You will be welcomed into a tradition that has seen empires rise and fall, and has survived where many others have fallen.”
Raising his head so that his face was fully illuminated by the fire, Ruarc held eye contact with his apprentice.
“Acolyte Drysi Llewella Maelgwyn, do you accept this nomination?”
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
It happened very quickly. Even as their movements were carried out in solemn, slow fashion, the meaning of it all crashed on top of her like a forceful wave.
This was it.
The little leading questions, the idle comments of her progress, the presence of these elder druids, all of it was for this. Everyone was here tonight for her, and she had been so swept up that she hadn’t put it together. She was being offered the chance to join an order, to belong in a way that the Library had promised her.
A small lump of trepidation sat in her chest, remembering what her fascination with the cultists of Cardiff had cost her. The druids were not like that, though, no matter how terrible an impression Alexei had left upon her.
Mr. Flynn was kind, firm and fair. He accepted her despite the baggage that had come with her, just as he did with everyone. Willow had been his real apprentice from the beginning, but despite being dropped in his lap, he treated Drysi no differently. After the possession ended and she was left without a course, he gave her direction, a way forward into the future. Not all druids were like this, perhaps few of them were, but because Ruarc was, Drysi wanted to be too.
Her hands tightened on her staff as the emotions welled in her chest and she choked down a sudden rush of emotions.
“Yes,” Drysi’s voice cracked as she maintained herself, never taking her eyes off the hard lines that drew the face of her master, "I do."
This was it.
The little leading questions, the idle comments of her progress, the presence of these elder druids, all of it was for this. Everyone was here tonight for her, and she had been so swept up that she hadn’t put it together. She was being offered the chance to join an order, to belong in a way that the Library had promised her.
A small lump of trepidation sat in her chest, remembering what her fascination with the cultists of Cardiff had cost her. The druids were not like that, though, no matter how terrible an impression Alexei had left upon her.
Mr. Flynn was kind, firm and fair. He accepted her despite the baggage that had come with her, just as he did with everyone. Willow had been his real apprentice from the beginning, but despite being dropped in his lap, he treated Drysi no differently. After the possession ended and she was left without a course, he gave her direction, a way forward into the future. Not all druids were like this, perhaps few of them were, but because Ruarc was, Drysi wanted to be too.
Her hands tightened on her staff as the emotions welled in her chest and she choked down a sudden rush of emotions.
“Yes,” Drysi’s voice cracked as she maintained herself, never taking her eyes off the hard lines that drew the face of her master, "I do."
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
“Very good,” Ruarc said, a warm smile growing that was visible only to his apprentice. Reaching out his hand, the druid reached his hand into the flames of the unnaturally large campfire flames. Unphased, Ruarc used a small effort of will to draw some of the flames into the palm of his hands. The flickering flame sat cradled as he pulled back, burning lazily compared to its parent.
Channeling fire was the first form of magic Ruarc had learned, and when he had begun teaching practical magic it remained his most common example. It was all a matter of energy conservation and application of will. No finesse like with water, no guesstimations like with air, and no need for brute force like with earth.
“Fire is one of the core aspects of magic, as well a vital component for life. It can warm hands on a cold day, turn metal into weapons, and raze forests. But perhaps its most defining capability is bringing light into darkness. For years beyond count it has been a guide for those looking to find their way.”
“Now, take up a flame of your own, and you will find a stone table set into the bank a little way downstream. Bring the flame there, and light the candles that are placed upon it. We shall follow along behind you.”
Channeling fire was the first form of magic Ruarc had learned, and when he had begun teaching practical magic it remained his most common example. It was all a matter of energy conservation and application of will. No finesse like with water, no guesstimations like with air, and no need for brute force like with earth.
“Fire is one of the core aspects of magic, as well a vital component for life. It can warm hands on a cold day, turn metal into weapons, and raze forests. But perhaps its most defining capability is bringing light into darkness. For years beyond count it has been a guide for those looking to find their way.”
“Now, take up a flame of your own, and you will find a stone table set into the bank a little way downstream. Bring the flame there, and light the candles that are placed upon it. We shall follow along behind you.”
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
Almost with too much enthusiasm, Drysi began to reach for her book. The bag rustled with all of her trinkets, runes and stationery until she withdrew her hand, empty. No, not the book, not for this, she thought. Mr. Flynn called the fire with his hand, she would too.
Evocation was not Drysi's strong suit, but the campfire provided a source. Small things like these wouldn't be hard. So, she extended her hand, and her fingers curled.
The fire moved as a whole, and a quick, calculated shift in her fingers brought a lesser none-too-large portion into her hand. She had to bring her other hand around to contain it, and then spent precious seconds trying to reduce it. Then, she kept looking up at Ruarc's fire, carefully reducing it to match its size.
"Ah… Um…" Drysi started to overthink the process, and pulled some more of the fire into her palm. Awkwardly, more time passed of the apprentice trying to match the flame, "... Sorry…"
Embarrassed, she huddled the ember to her chest, trying to avoid the stares of the masters. Drysi wordlessly bounced her way down the bank, searching for the stone.
Evocation was not Drysi's strong suit, but the campfire provided a source. Small things like these wouldn't be hard. So, she extended her hand, and her fingers curled.
The fire moved as a whole, and a quick, calculated shift in her fingers brought a lesser none-too-large portion into her hand. She had to bring her other hand around to contain it, and then spent precious seconds trying to reduce it. Then, she kept looking up at Ruarc's fire, carefully reducing it to match its size.
"Ah… Um…" Drysi started to overthink the process, and pulled some more of the fire into her palm. Awkwardly, more time passed of the apprentice trying to match the flame, "... Sorry…"
Embarrassed, she huddled the ember to her chest, trying to avoid the stares of the masters. Drysi wordlessly bounced her way down the bank, searching for the stone.
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
“She’s quite the character,” Mealla said with myrth in her voice as Drysi scurried down the river. “Shame you couldn’t have kept Fairburn too. That girl would have made quite the Keeper.”
“I’ve little interest in training a Keeper,” Ruarc gave Mealla a look that said he wasn’t going to say any more on the subject. With that, he and the others began to follow along the faint glow that was Drysi’s flame.
Further down river Drysi would find that she needed to find a balance. If the flame was too low it didn’t provide enough light, as well as threatened to go out. If it got too large it began to grow unstable and singed at the tips of the teenager’s fingers. The bank gradually grew rockier, and the light of the flame was a welcome friend in the dim light of the crescent moon. Careful steps were needed to avoid twisting an ankle.
About a fifth of a mile down the bank Drysi finally found her destination. A large singular slab of stone approximately fifteen feet in diameter sat amid the scattered river rocks. In the center of the slab were five unlit candles corresponding with the tips of a five pointed star drawn in chalk. Connecting the points was a chalk circle. Lining the circle and the joints of the star were a vast array of runes, a number of which Drysi would possibly recognize individually, but had never seen together. The night was quiet save for the sound of running water.
“I’ve little interest in training a Keeper,” Ruarc gave Mealla a look that said he wasn’t going to say any more on the subject. With that, he and the others began to follow along the faint glow that was Drysi’s flame.
Further down river Drysi would find that she needed to find a balance. If the flame was too low it didn’t provide enough light, as well as threatened to go out. If it got too large it began to grow unstable and singed at the tips of the teenager’s fingers. The bank gradually grew rockier, and the light of the flame was a welcome friend in the dim light of the crescent moon. Careful steps were needed to avoid twisting an ankle.
About a fifth of a mile down the bank Drysi finally found her destination. A large singular slab of stone approximately fifteen feet in diameter sat amid the scattered river rocks. In the center of the slab were five unlit candles corresponding with the tips of a five pointed star drawn in chalk. Connecting the points was a chalk circle. Lining the circle and the joints of the star were a vast array of runes, a number of which Drysi would possibly recognize individually, but had never seen together. The night was quiet save for the sound of running water.
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
As Drysi came to the large stone, her mind began to process all the things happening. Excitement threatened the fire in her hands, the only thing that she needed to maintain between the campfire and here. It was all so simple, but it was still a ritual, carried out in the woods in the growing evening. It was dark, and she saw nothing ahead of her. She didn't dare look back, for fear of the looks in the eyes of her betters. Once again, she could hear the haunting laughter of her grandmother on the rustling leaves in the swaying trees. Just short of her objective, she stopped and silently suffered from a mild panic attack. It was the most severe of test anxiety on the simplest thing.
Her thumb rubbed against the clean wood of her walking stick.
Snap!
She could remember the scary noise, but this time it was encouraging. The sound resonated like the breaking of a tie, of something that arrested her from her future. The walking stick supported her weight now; instead of being carried, it carried her. For the last portion of the distance, she walked with it, like a wizened sage.
In those few steps, she carried on with her the strength of her teacher, breathing out the anxiety and fear. Once she put boots to stone, she set the staff down at the edge of the circle. Then, paying special mind to the fire in her right, her left hand plucked smaller embers to light the candles. One by one, she ignited the wicks, before finally turning around to face her elders. Realizing the ceremony of it, she had tugged her hood over her head.
The flame in her hand illuminated the soft curiosity in her eyes, framed in a wreath of golden curls.
Her thumb rubbed against the clean wood of her walking stick.
Snap!
She could remember the scary noise, but this time it was encouraging. The sound resonated like the breaking of a tie, of something that arrested her from her future. The walking stick supported her weight now; instead of being carried, it carried her. For the last portion of the distance, she walked with it, like a wizened sage.
In those few steps, she carried on with her the strength of her teacher, breathing out the anxiety and fear. Once she put boots to stone, she set the staff down at the edge of the circle. Then, paying special mind to the fire in her right, her left hand plucked smaller embers to light the candles. One by one, she ignited the wicks, before finally turning around to face her elders. Realizing the ceremony of it, she had tugged her hood over her head.
The flame in her hand illuminated the soft curiosity in her eyes, framed in a wreath of golden curls.
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
Ruarc had maintained the pace of the followers so as to allow Drysi plenty of time to herself. It was a straightforward test, as the Irishman preferred, and judging by his student’s pace it was working. It was a test of one’s own making. It was entirely reasonable to assume many people would simply carry the flame from point A to point B, being alone in the dark had a wonderful way of making people introspective. Sometimes that was good, and sometimes it was bad. Drysi had accepted the nomination, but there was still time to back out; and he wasn’t going to force her to proceed.
Smiling, he watched the teen’s body language, saw her turmoil, and then her set determination. Moving forward once more, he heard the others fall into step; even the aged Engleby who seemed to be having no issue navigating the stoney bank. By the time Drysi turned to face Ruarc he was already a few paces away, and responded to her curious look with a respectful nod.
Allowing the flame in his own palm to dissipate, Ruarc began to move to the opposite side of the circle.
“Take a seat by the circle, Drysi,” Ruarc's voice broke the white noise of the river and seemed to re-invite the ambient sounds of wildlife. “We shall begin the final step.”
Taking a seat on his own side outside the circle positioned between the Earth and Fire points of the pentacle, he gestured for Drysi to sit by the top point of the pentacle; spirit. Once comfortable, he placed his hands just outside of the chalk.
Smiling, he watched the teen’s body language, saw her turmoil, and then her set determination. Moving forward once more, he heard the others fall into step; even the aged Engleby who seemed to be having no issue navigating the stoney bank. By the time Drysi turned to face Ruarc he was already a few paces away, and responded to her curious look with a respectful nod.
Allowing the flame in his own palm to dissipate, Ruarc began to move to the opposite side of the circle.
“Take a seat by the circle, Drysi,” Ruarc's voice broke the white noise of the river and seemed to re-invite the ambient sounds of wildlife. “We shall begin the final step.”
Taking a seat on his own side outside the circle positioned between the Earth and Fire points of the pentacle, he gestured for Drysi to sit by the top point of the pentacle; spirit. Once comfortable, he placed his hands just outside of the chalk.
Re: [The Forest] The Path Less Traveled By
The final step.
What was the final step to becoming a druid? Picking your order? Deciding what future you wanted for yourself? Where you wanted to work? What manner of magic you’d settle on? The color of your robes? The way you carried yourself in the world? Drysi’s mind played on all of the possible options, except the one she knew was the answer. It was the one she wanted to consider the least. If she thought it was true, it may not be true, just for her believing it to be true. That’s just how her mind worked.
She had constantly bothered Mr. Flynn with pictures of birds, begging him to tell her what were the chances. Day after day she bothered Laoise with silly questions of whether or not it would be pretty like her. Deeper down she tried to keep the possibilities in mature lines, but her imagination was much too powerful. She had even drawn potential candidates.
As Drysi came to her knees at the top point of the pentacle, her position, she came to one conclusion.
It has to be a dove.
Ruarc could see three eyes glimmer at him with electric hope and excitement.
How will they know if it’s not a dove?
What was the final step to becoming a druid? Picking your order? Deciding what future you wanted for yourself? Where you wanted to work? What manner of magic you’d settle on? The color of your robes? The way you carried yourself in the world? Drysi’s mind played on all of the possible options, except the one she knew was the answer. It was the one she wanted to consider the least. If she thought it was true, it may not be true, just for her believing it to be true. That’s just how her mind worked.
She had constantly bothered Mr. Flynn with pictures of birds, begging him to tell her what were the chances. Day after day she bothered Laoise with silly questions of whether or not it would be pretty like her. Deeper down she tried to keep the possibilities in mature lines, but her imagination was much too powerful. She had even drawn potential candidates.
As Drysi came to her knees at the top point of the pentacle, her position, she came to one conclusion.
It has to be a dove.
Ruarc could see three eyes glimmer at him with electric hope and excitement.
How will they know if it’s not a dove?