The Journey: The Tales of Four » Places

         

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Location: Bregar Village

It was the day of The Choosing, the day the Fiddleson sisters would pick a small group of young adults to venture into the Wild. Some feared this day, others begged for it to come in hopes that they would be granted the honor to be one of the Chosen. As for Jens, he didn't feel dread nor excitement. This was just another day for him. He'd witnessed plenty of these 'Choosing' days growing up, so it wasn't anything new to him. He wasn't really look forward to it since it would just be a wait of time for him to go. He wouldn't be chosen anyway, but unfortunately every citizen had to attend this ceremony.

He'd woken up early that morning to get his siblings cleaned and dressed, not feeling any concern for them since they were still too young to participate. His father had already left to do who knows what. Jens had noticed his fathers early absence on these particular days a while back. For some reason the man always disappeared until the last minute. They'd meet up with him in the main square anyway.

And meet up they did. After the normal routine of cookies Yui and Arthur breakfast, Jens dressed himself in a plain white shirt and dark pants before leading the twins to the center of the village, finding it too much of a hassle to dress all proper-like like most of the citizens of Bregar did on these days. They'd been waiting there for a while as others showed up. Yui and Arthur begun to braid each others bright red hair out of boredom. Only seconds before the ceremony finally started their father found them in the middle of the crowd and now stood beside Jens who held Yui's hand who in turn held Arthur's.

The rest went on as it usually did every few years. The old ladies would have a farewell speech about the past Choosing. Sometimes the public would protest, sometimes they wouldn't. This time around there were two, one being the mother of one of the fallen. As the Protectors lead them away Jens felt his sisters hand tighten around his and he glanced down at her with a small smile to reassure her, though it probably helped her more than it did himself. He hated when people protested. Didn't they know it was useless to resist? Nothing good would come out of it so what was the point...

The ceremony continued on without any hesitation after the two were escorted away and Jens returned his attention to the Fiddleson sisters as they spoke. They would pick their Chosen soon, the teens would leave and few to none would return, and Jens would go home and continue living his life normally everyday. He promised Arthur that he'd teach him how to tell how long ago an animal had passed by by the tracks the next day. They'd have to get up pretty early for that.

"All of you are great, but some of you have proved to be greater. This Time of Choosing, I am pleased to announce to newest of the Chosen, and may their ancestors guide them through their struggles--"

Yui had to go to a birthday tomorrow too. They yet had to pick out a gift. Jens had suggested a few things, but the little red-head had shook her head at each one and pat him on the head with her sketchbook complaining that they were all too boyish, but he'd only been joking around with her. He had a much better idea, but that would be a surprise for tomorrow.

--and return them safely back home. Wynston, of the Banes family..."

He realized he'd started to space out at the ground in his thoughts, but hearing the name of the first Chosen he looked up. He might as well pay attention to the poor souls who'd be shoved out into the unknown. However, the next name to be called was his own. At first he felt complete disbelief and almost thought that maybe he just imagined it. Until he felt his fathers hand on his shoulder. Jen's turned his head to look at him with an expression on confusion, but his father only stared forward with terror in his eyes. Jens swallowed dryly and let go of his sisters hand, knowing exactly what he needed to be doing next.

He didn't really hear the names that were called after his own, after all he was a little too in shock for that, but as he stepped up and the other Chosen joined him he could somewhat put names to faces. He'd taken in a deep breath before turning to face the village crowd, so he was a little calmer now, but he still felt shocked. The last thing he expected, and the last thing he wanted was to be chosen, yet here he was. He moved his eyes from side to side to get a better look at the other teen with him as the sisters continued to speak. Most of them looked excited actually, aside from the smaller girl beside him. Anyone would probably be able to tell that she was clearly afraid, poor girl.

Then there was himself. How was he feeling about the current situation? He wasn't really sure if he was afraid, but he knew he wasn't excited or thrilled. He was still having a hard time actually taking in the fact that he'd been Chosen. What the heck did he have to offer anyway? He'd always done a good job of staying off the radar, and not even on purpose. He was just a naturally unnoticeable person, or so he'd always thought. Apparently, though, the sisters had other plans for him.

         

Lyrael Yunoki

Location: Village square of Bregar

To see the usually buzzing alleys of the village so quiet and deserted was eerie in a way Lyrael had never felt before ... well that really wasn't true. To be honest, she felt like that on one day once every few years. The day of selection or the Time of Choosing, as their elders called it. And once again that day had arrived and every single person in Bregar had gathered in the village square to hear the decision of the Fiddlestone Sisters. This year though, Lyrael was even more tense, almost scared, of the sisters' choices because now she was old enough to be chosen as well.

Her grandmother hurried the young girl further through the village, muttering under her breath. "Stay quiet, do not fidget, stand back and DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF!" she hissed through her teeth. Lyrael knew that her grandmother was scared that she might be chosen today and only wanted to protect her. She herself was scared afterall, not knowing what lay behind the walls of the village wasn't very reassuring. Together they hurried ahead to stand with the other people in the village square, the second gong of the bell telling them to be quiet now. In the centre of the square were two elderly women, the Fiddlestone sister.

Lyrael couldn't help but fidget about nervously, her eyes gliding over the people to see if she could make out a familiar face. Suddenly, there was someone by her side, talking excitedly to her and she had to stiffle a giggle. "Of course I remember you, Wynston." she said in a hushed voice to not draw attention to them. "And who doesn't." she sighed and bit her lower lip nervously. "Do you think we might be choosen?" Lyrael asked him worriedly. If she was going to have to leave the village she at least wanted to have a friend along with her.

She wanted to say more, but then one of the Fiddlestone sisters started to speak and she quickled turned her attention to the front.

"Welcome! Four years have passed since our last great event, and in that time we have unfortunately lost three of four valuable lives of the people who were sent out on their Journey. They left our village with high hopes and strong hearts, but in the end it appears they were not what we had expected them to be."
"Let us take a moment to remember them. To the families of Eka, Jonas, and Edwin, we are sorry for your loss."


Lyrael swallowed hard. The thought of three young people dying out there in the wild was horrible. Why did the elders make them do that? Why would they send them out on their own? Without protection? She couldn't comprehend it. Not at all.
Someone in the crowd seemed to share her opinion and she tried not to nod in agreement when he put voice to his thoughts. But soon the man was led away by the protectors. Lyrael glared at them. They were like dogs! Trained by the Fiddlestone sisters. It was awful and she shook her head sadly. People had lost their children, siblings, cousins. Who gave these two old women the right to send children to their death? To break up families like that?

"Me and my sister have watched every one of you carefully. During these long four years, we have gotten to know all of you better, we have become closer friends, and we have collected all that we needed to make the final decision that is to be announced today. For some, we have payed closer attention to than others, and with great honor those will be the Chosen who will hopefully reach their success."

The women had started to talk again, as if nothing had interrupted their speech. The smile on their faces did not serve to calm her though, it was creepy.

"All of you are great, but some of you have proved to be greater. This Time of Choosing, I am pleased to announce to newest of the Chosen, and may their ancestors guide them through their struggles and return them safely back home. Wynston, of the Banes family..."

Lyrael looked over to the boy standing next to her, her eyes wide.

"...Syrin, of the Kohen's. Kara, of the Nash's. Ettana, of the Ravich family, and Lyrael of the Yunoki's!"

It took a few seconds for the words to sink in. Only the stiffled gasp that escaped her grandmother's mouth told Lyrael that the last name really had been her own. "Oh no..." she breathed. Automatically, she felt her feet carried her forward. Her mind seemed to be detached from her body, otherwise she wouldn't be able to move now, but here she was, following Wynston to the center of the square. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the other three stepping forward as well. Two girls and another boy. Lyrael could feel her body shaking slightly as she stood between Wynston and the other boy. He seemed to be older than them, while the girl who stood on his other side appeared to be about her own age.

"The five of you are very clever indeed. I believe that each of you will succeed. Let us give a cheer for our Chosen! As usual, they are granted the afternoon to pack what belongings they choose and visit who they want, then just before dusk the Gates will be opened and our Chosen will leave for their Journey!"

Her brain barely registered the following words. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Now she would be forced to leave the village, her grandmother and go into the wild, probably to get killed their like so many other children before her.