Door in the Stone: part two

In the morning, I left the cabin to find Faraz leaning against a nearby tree. He had a pack slung over one shoulder and a quiver over the other. Dressed in the browns of a hunter, the sixteen year old offered me a mischievous smile.

"Going hunting?" I asked, wondering who his partner would be until we returned.

He shook his head. "Not today. Or for the next few days, actually. Chief's given my partner and I an escort assignment."

Matching his stride to mine, we walked through the village.

"Must be pretty important if two hunters are needed for the journey." I said, keeping my eyes on the path. Faraz yawned.

"Oh, nothing as serious as a gathering of chiefs. Just taking the tribe Oathkeeper and his apprentice to the cavern." He gave a laugh. "I plan on watching the old magic in action if we run into any trouble. Personally, I wouldn't want to mess with an Oathkeeper."

I shook my head, holding back a giggle.

Faraz was one of the tribe members with a singular talent. It wasn't so fancy as some of the things we had heard about, but he enjoyed his ability.

We soon reached the small shack that Ladarius called home. A simple two room building, I had spent many hours here over the past six years as I learned about the old magic. It became a second home to me after the year sickness swept through and claimed the lives of many villagers, including my mother. I was nine at the time, and there were more Oathkeepers then just Ladarius. It was a strange illness that struck those with an affinity for the old magic. Most of those who had died from it had only a mild affinity, too weak to learn more then a shadowtwist or truthsense.

I shook my head in an attempt to clear my mind of those exhausting months.

The door to the shack opened. Carrying a pack and a walking stick, Ladarius walked over to us. "Faraz, I assume Ahriman has told you of your role?"

Faraz whistled a cheerful tune. "Setup the camp while the rest go play in the cavern. Pretty relaxing actually."

"Enjoy the rest. Once we return, we're going to increase our training schedule." My brother said from behind us. Turning to look at his partner, Faraz grinned.

"Forgive my lack of surprise, but I've expected that news for a week. You get a certain glint in the eyes when the current regimen becomes too easy." His eyes grew wide and shifty for a moment. I tilted my head.

"The right eye needs to be a little twitchy... yes, that's better!"

Ahriman looked past us to Ladarius. "We will follow your pace." When my teacher nodded, we began walking.

My brother walked a few feet ahead of us, while Faraz walked behind Ladarius and I. Faraz softly whistled a cheerful ditty, alternating pitches at a speed only he could achieve.

After we left the village, Ladarius spoke. "You have questions, apprentice?"

I glanced at him. "Does the ceremony need to be during the full moon?"

He shook his head. "No, that is merely tradition."

"Okay," I said, looking at the ground for a moment. "Why now?"

"You have reached the end of what I can teach. To withhold the position of Oathkeeper until the usual age would be a great disservice to both you and the tribe."

"But-"

"Do you remember the duties of an Oathkeeper?"

Still watching the ground, I sighed. "To preserve Newiderr, seal one to their word, and provide council."

"In order for you continue in the first duty, you must leave us."

I stopped walking. Faraz stopped right behind me.

"What's this about leaving?" Faraz asked, looking at Ladarius.

"There are other Oathkeepers whose knowledge of the old magic exceeds my own. Nadira has the strongest affinity for Newiderr that I have seen. As an Oathkeeper, part of her duty will be to learn all she can about this magic." Ladarius answered. He began walking again, Faraz and I followed after a moment. I looked ahead as the meaning of this journey gained more significance.

Not only would I become an Oathkeeper, but a particular kind.

I was to be an Errskyn.