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.