Cadence

Enkind E9

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Melody staggered as the ground shook. Rocks and dirt flew into the air as the broken pieces of the elementals twisted and writhed, hand reattaching to arm, leg reattaching to body. After several minutes of shaking everything stopped. Complete silence settled over the arena, Melody caught herself holding her breath as the dust settled.

The clearing dust revealed the elementals, completely reformed and twice as big as before. She shot a quick look at Terrance who stood gaping at the arms, as stunned as herself and then a rock whizzed past her face.

Without thinking, she shot into motion, smashing through one elemental and throwing another one into a third. Something dragging at her foot threw her off balance, the arm of the elemental she had smashed grabbed onto her leg, the hard grip bruising her rock like skin. As she tried to kick it off the arm twisted throwing her to the ground. Bits and pieces of the destroyed elemental bashed into her pummeling her from all sides.

Reaching beneath her she grabbed all the rocks close to her, she yanked them upward with all the force she within her. Merging with the flow she allowed the rocks to pass through her and smash into the elemental above her. The monster disappeared into a cloud of dust.

All Melody saw in any direction was a wall of elementals heading straight for her. Falling backwards she propelled herself through the ground to a safe distance. Aiming upwards she flew out of the ground and landed facing the monster army fist sized rocks spinning in a deadly wave around herself as she surveyed the damage.

Melody closed with the nearest monster, noticing as she did so that Terrance was alone in a sea of elementals she turned and headed towards him. He bobbed and leapt, closed and crushed. He was good with stone but too many creatures surrounded him. Bolder after bolder slipped by his defense and crashed into him, slowing him down and preventing him from dealing with the elementals closest to him. He didn’t fall however, just shrugged the boulders off and kept fighting.

Melody reached deep within the earth and threw it at the elementals, a tsunami wave of stone and earth rushed away from her, rising and growing as it sped towards the enemy army. She twisted the wave as it closed with Terrance, sending the wave around him and reforming on the other side. The earth wave plowed into the elemental army grinding them into dust.

Terrance wasted no time but turned and ran for safety as soon as the wave passed him. Melody sprinted in the same direction, rejoining the ranks of fighters. Time passed in a blur as she and Terrance fought the horde together. They fought in perfect unity, hardly needing to communicate as they dispatched the elemental army.

An incoming rock soared in towards the trainees hiding within the rock walls Terrance had built. So far the elementals had chosen to fight those in the open but she did not know how long that would last. No one else noticed the rock so Melody leaped into the air and kicked out, redirecting the bolder into an oncoming wave of elemental warriors.
As she approached the ground a rock sailed in right where she was going to land. With nothing to push off of the rock crashed into her sending her soaring through the air and crashing to the ground at the outskirts of the arena. An elemental crawled its way out of the ground, clamping onto her foot, Melody redirected a bolder into the monster, propelling herself away at the same time.

Pierre was rushing forward into the fight again, causing massive destruction but leaving his position weak for attack. He drew back to throw a boulder into an attacking elemental but the rock didn’t move. A look of panic erupted on his face, and he turned to run away only to find himself surrounded. Terrance appeared next to him, blocked the boulder from hitting him, and encased Pierre in rock shooting the rock into the back of the line.

A rock sailed in towards the flank, Melody reached out to block it but nothing happened, her magic was almost spent. She attempted to retreat but found herself surrounded. She blocked attack after attack, feeling her strength wain and her skin soften under each attack. She was soon covered in light scratches and bruising.

“Terrance,” she yelled looking around wildly for him. He stood in the midst of a group of elementals, his gray skin turning back to flesh color, His magic almost used up.
He turned at his name, recognized her predicament, and sprinted forward towards her. Turning Melody attempted to dodge a large bolder flying towards her. An elemental crawled out of the ground, however, caught hold of her, and faced her towards the oncoming bolder.

A strong wind buffeted Melody but the elemental just tightened its grip. The bolder flew in close, it would hit her in another moment. Terrance came flying in and crashed into the bolder, deflecting it enough that it missed her. He fell to the ground, his body twisted and broken, blood seeping out of his mouth and nose.

Melody stood frozen for a moment watching Terrance’s motionless body. She wrenched with all her strength tearing herself out of the grasp of the elemental. Something snaped inside of her as she wrenched and magic flowed within her. She reached out and grasped the magic, it curled around and filled her. The world changed in an instant, reaching down she called to the magic, vines and roots erupted from the rocky ground. The elementals had a moment of panic, some attempted to dig themselves back into the ground but they were too slow, the roots and vines caught them and held them still.

The tree fairies she had seen earlier in the day flew out of the woods, Melody was surprised to see them, fairies had very little to do with people. Sprites and brownies floated in and out of the camp and sometimes allowed people to link with them but fairies kept their distance, never linking with people.

They crashed into the battle ground, fifty strong, and attacked the elementals. Soon nothing but rubble, vines and roots covering the battlefield.

The rock users who had been subdued on the sidelines were released. They immediately started searching through the rubble, pulling out the heart cores that made up each elemental. With the heart cores the elementals could be regrown, in a few years some participant would win the right to link with them and gain a strong partner.

Melody snapped out of the moment and glanced around. Terrance lay on the ground close by, scarcely breathing. She ran over to him pulling his head onto her lap and directed the flow of magic into him. The Fairies flew around her, singing the same song they sang when they healed her. They flew in rapid circles, nature magic radiating from them. Intricate patterns formed in the air, they merged and separated, formed and flowed. Ring apon ring formed each ring more complex than the last. Magic flowed from the rings and into Terrance.

Terrance’s wounds closed up, his broken limbs straightened, and he sat up. He looked around in bewilderment.

“What happened? A bolder flew right towards you. I couldn’t get too you in time. My magic was empty as well. I remember pulling on the air magic but that creature had you and I couldn’t move you. I leapt forward but I don’t remember what happened next.”

“You got to me in time,” she said, “you deflected the bolder and then you fell to the ground. The elementals kept attacking but the tree faeries suddenly flew out of the woods, destroyed the elementals, and healed everyone.”

“Why would they do that? Fairies don’t help humans.”

“I saved one of them earlier today, they were probably just paying back the favor.”

“Thank you.” Terrance said as he drifted back to sleep.

Melody sat wondering about what had happened, the magic, warm and gentle, flowing through her still. She also knew where each of the fairies were around her. She didn’t know what was going on either. Fairies didn’t link with people, and only one link between human and creature was the rule. What was going on.

As she sat thinking someone walked over to her. She looked up to see the head of the nature faction standing above her.

“You need to come with us,” the leader said, “you have some explaining to do.”

Enkind E8

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Terrance stood flexing his hands as he prepared for the next tournament. This was the big one, the most important competition. His dad, uncles, and grandfather all linked with stone elementals; his dad managed to win a stone wyvern as a link. His family expected him to do well at this competition, he needed to uphold the family tradition.
His pride at being second in the air event was tempered by the knowledge that his family considered it to be a more feminine element. His cousins had teased him mercilessly the night before about doing so well in a female’s event. He wished they had not done that; he was skilled with air, that should be something to be proud of.

The competition today would be his most important event, more important than any of the others. If he did poorly hear but did better in the fire challenge, he still might be able to face his village after the competition but if he did poorly there he might as well not come back when he finished his time in the mountains.

Scanning the crowds, he watched his family filing into the arena where he would compete soon. Alternating emotions of gratitude and dismay filled him as he watched them enter. If he did well, they would see his triumph but if he did poorly, they would all see his shame. The pressure to do well went up tenfold watching them go in.

He couldn’t think about that, it would distract him from doing well. He tried to push the feelings aside, but they kept surfacing. He wished that there was someone who he could talk to, but none of the boys nearby came from his village and they wouldn’t understand his predicament.

The lines started marching forward at a signal from the commentator. Terrance walked in first in the boy’s line, directly across from him he watched Melody, her face turned ashen with fright. He caught her eye and smiled. She sent a shaky smile back.

The great stone gates boomed open as they approached, the lines of participants walked through the massive doors awed by their grandeur. Once they were through the doors, they turned and followed the path through the stadium.

“Welcome to the competition of stone. Today you will be doing a competition of endurance. You will be faced with experienced stone users, the longer you last the better you will place.”

“Once you link with the amulets the competition starts, it’s a battle between the participants and the linked.”

Baskets of rocks floated up from the sides of the arena and sped to the participants.

“Participants, get ready. Three, two, one, GO.

Terrance tried to link with the amulet. Nothing happened. He tried again. He felt the edges of the magic but he couldn’t grasp it. A rock whizzed past his face, barely missing knocking him unconscious. He grasped the magic as he dove to the ground and pulled it out. His skin hardened, his strength magnified, and a connection to the earth formed beneath his feet.

Another rock raced towards him, deep in the magic he stopped it another one raced towards the back of his head. He opened the earth beneath his feet and dropped in. He raced under the ground into the midst of the linked. Grabbing the stones above him he started a tornado of stones above him. He sensed the linked racing away from him.

Popping out of the ground he surveyed the damage. Two of the linked were being carried away and ministered to by the nature links. He hoped they would be all right.

He was turning to deal with the other linked when the ground rumbled. The competition ground to a halt as an army of elementals popped out of the earth. A booming voice echoed out of the earth, “I like your competition, but what gives you the right to judge. I think I’ll do that job.”

Each of the linked users were rapidly enveloped in rock, the elementals raced forward, picked them up and moved them to the side of the arena and stacked them neatly.

A figure popped out of the ground, “My name is Cingar. I am an elemental god of rock and earth.

“That’s better. Ok participants, here are the rules you fight for as long as you can and any of you that survive can use my element. If you try to escape before your magic runs out you die. Ready set GO”

The last word was said with a shout that shook the whole arena. Terrance stared around bewilderedly trying to figure out what was going on. A rock whisked past his face, searching for the source he saw the elementals drawing rocks up from the earth.

“Let’s get them,” Pierre shouted at his side and darted forward. Pierre launched salvo after salvo at the elementals, but they just glanced off. Terrane drew on the power in the amulet and felt his skin harden and his strength amplify.
He launched a rock salvo at the nearest elemental. He ducked an incoming projectile and returned fire. He heard a thick thud behind him, throwing a glance to where the sound originated one of his teammates lay on the ground, his arm shattered from the rock. He had been unable to use the magic in his amulet.

All around him Terrance saw those unable to access the magic going down. He drew deeply on the amulet and jerked two walls of rock out of the earth forming a barrier.

“Those unable to use magic between the rocks, we will deflect the rocks away from there.”

Pierre was deep in the enemy lines now; he was unable to use the stone skin and he was bleeding in several places. A rock whizzed at the back of his head and Terrance reached out and moved the ground under Pierre preventing him from being brained. He continued the action and yanked him all the way back to the participants.

“Everyone form a defensive wall, those weakest in the back strongest in the front. First row attack with projectiles. Second and third row deflect the stones away from those who are out of power.”

Terrance watched as the group turned into a confused mess trying to maneuver into position. He turned back to the elementals, deflecting as many projectiles as possible as they formed up.

There were too many and one was coming right at him, he couldn’t reach it however because he was already deflecting two other projectiles headed towards the unempowered. Melody popped up in front of him and jumped forward punching the boulder and blowing it into a million pieces. She landed easily and shot him a grin before deflecting another boulder.

Everyone was in position by this time an Terrance and Melody sprinted forward throwing boulders as they closed with the elementals. Melody flipped through the air as a boulder plowed through where she had just been standing doing a swan dive into the ground and disappearing. Terrance darted through a gap in their defense and flanked them as Melody popped back up in their midst. Terrance sent bolder after bolder through their midst as Melody smashed the elementals to pieces. If a few moments they were gone.

Terrance ran over to where Melody was standing, “We did it. They are gone.”

Just as he spoke the ground started to rumble again. The elementals started to reform themselves. In a short piece of time they were completely surrounded again.

“Do they seem bigger to you?” Melody asked.

Terrance stared at the massive elementals and simply nodded in agreement.

“Good job surviving round one,” the ground rumbled, “Round two. Go.”

Enkind E7

https://www.patreon.com/cadencewriting

Melody stood in line watching the other contestants, the guys had been separated from the girls for this event, she looked over at where Terrance stood in line. He kept clenching and un-clenching his hands while scanning the crowd
His clan put a lot of stock in stone and fire for men, this competition would be important to him. She wished she had a way to encourage him, like he had encouraged her.

This competition would not be as bad as the air competition, she talked to a friend the night before who finished the stone competition and told her the competition was done in a group setting. They would all compete against experienced stone users, but they would be on the field at the same time.
The pendants were stronger containers than the ones they used for air magic, filled to the brim with stone magic. Her friend’s competition had gone on for two hours before she ran out of stone magic, there were some who’s amulets lasted even longer.

She stood a ways apart from the rest of the girls, not so far She couldn’t help but compare herself to the other girls. Conversation was not easy for her and she had no interest in most of the things they talked about.

She resisted the urge to pace, any action on her part risked being seen. She hated this fear, she worked hard to overcome her fear, but just standing here in the midst of a crowd was overwhelming.

She glanced over at Terrance again, she wished she was allowed to go and stand by him. He didn’t judge her like the other teens did, he was not oblivious to her fears, but he didn’t let them color his impression of her. Having someone she was comfortable with was a new experience .

She shook herself from that line of thinking, she needed to prepare for the competition, . She took deep steadying breaths, visualizing her fear, a large black hole where her heart should be. She exhaled her fear, with every breath she visualized the fear leaving her in a black cloud dissipated in the light of day.

“Hey freak,” someone called from behind her. Joni walked through the crowd with a group of her friends, “how did a pathetic thing like that finished first in the air competition. She must have cheated somehow.”

Melody turned away hoping they would leave her alone.

“How did you do win, did you bring your own amulet? Did your parents buy you a link? I bet you have an air cat hidden nearby, that how you were able to access that amulet.”

Melody continued to ignore Joni’s jibes.
“I’m talking to you! Turn around and listen when your betters are speaking.”

A rough pair of hands grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. Nothing but rage flickered in Joni’s eyes as she closed the distance between her and Melody.
“You made me look like a fool!” Joni whispered as she punched Melody hard in the gut. Melody fought to keep from gasping in pain. She stood back up bristling with defiance, she wasn’t going to run from this bully. She tried to avoid thinking about the attention this must be drawing. Just the thought made her want to curl up and hide.

Squaring her shoulders, she stared back up into Joni’s murderous eyes, “I have no link, and I did nothing to your amulet. I competed, you competed, I won. I am no freak. If you need to compete with me, compete on the field. Don’t hate me because you failed the first competition.” Joni’s face turned murderous at her words.

“Ill beat you wherever, whenever I feel like it. Here, on the field, at your house. Watch your back, I’ll be waiting.”

With that Joni turned away and marched off. Joni’s friends glared at Melody before following Joni back into the crowd.

Enkind E6

https://www.patreon.com/cadencewriting

The crowd milled restlessly as the sun rose. The second day of the competition started cool and misty. Terrance strolled through the crowd, looking for the second spot in the stone competition. Finally, he found his place among the participants. He chatted amicably with the other participants for a few moments, but soon let the conversation drop. Knowing where to come back to, he started pacing around the arena grounds.

The sun rose over the mountains burning off the early morning mist. Terrance observed the crowd as he walked, the excitement radiating throughout the arena palpably.

He wished there was something he could do to prepare, limber up, but the challenges more spiritual than physical couldn’t be prepared for. The elements responded best according to the individual’s personality trait, those with a solid and steady disposition naturally did better in stone. Those with a caring and nurturing disposition did better in wood.

Terrance didn’t know what he was best at, most times he didn’t think he was good at anything. He needed to fake his way through every day because, as an oldest, so many people depended on him to do the right thing. It grew tiresome after a while.

He twisted the amulet in his hand as he waited, remembering how much effort it took to try to connect to the air amulet. He never used the stone element before, the only training amulet he purchased before was a fire amulet.

Concentrating on the stone amulet he searched for the magic. The magic pulsed faint and tentative. He reached in and grasped it and the magic rushing into him took his breath away.
His skin hardened into stone, his joints creaking as he moved. His strength amplified well, the magic flowing through him. Pulling a little deeper he floated a stone into his hand from a nearby pile and started playing with it, changing its shape first into a sphere, then into a box, and then into a pendant.

Realizing what he was doing he let go of the magic, the event would start soon and if he used too much magic none would be left for the competition. A profound sadness filled him as the magic receded, he felt less now than he had been. He didn’t know how his ancestors had let go of the magic, leaving the mountains and entering the plains.

Feeling restless he turned to examine the forest that surrounded the arena, a mix of conifers and evergreens. The woods waved at him invitingly, but the challenge would start soon, and he didn’t have the time. He didn’t often have the time, now that he thought about it, there was always something that needed to be done.

As he watched the forest he saw Melody walk out with her pants scorched to the knee, but her leg seemed fine. He wondered what happened to her. Signaling to his brother in the stands he called him over, “Run to Cousin Sylvia’s tent and get a pair of trousers. Bring them back quickly.”

As his brother ran off, Melody approached him. She wasn’t limping, so she must not be injured. Maybe she had an accident and the healers already finished healing her, though the level of burning to singe that much clothes would have taken the combined healing of all their healers. Better not to ask.

“Hey”, he called when she walked within earshot.

They made small talk as they examined the arena. After a while, she pulled some berries out of a pouch and handed some to him. His eyes lit up as he ate the berries, they were the best he had ever tasted. His energy level instantly rose. He caught himself almost bouncing with energy his aches and pains from the day before disappearing as well.

An odd oozing sensation ran down his leg, pulling up his pants leg he could see that the cuts he got scrambling through the rocks the day before were healing rapidly. After a few moments, the cut was gone. He couldn’t recall hearing of berries that had been infused with healing, he thought pendants were the only thing that contained the magic.

His brother arrived after a while and Melody scooted off to a changing area to change. Once she was back the announcer called for the next round of the competition to start.

Enkind E5

https://www.patreon.com/cadencewriting

The sun rose over the verdant mountains, cascading down to bathe the world in its warm glow. It glared down on a short squat man standing rigidly watching the tournament ground below. The man did not flinch when the sun hit his face. He did not cup his eyes, nor turn his face away. He, in fact, did not move at all, just continued staring down into the valley.

“What are you doing Cingar,” a voice echoed from the air, “You look like you turned back into what you were.”

The man turned at the voice and looked around. When he didn’t see anyone he glowered even deeper and then called out, “I’m not in a mood for your games today, Ava. Show yourself or leave.”

The outline of a person appeared in the air. It shimmered and shone before resolving into a beautiful woman, tall and fair. The figure laughed delicately at the man’s glower.

“What has you so grumpy today? Did you chew on a rock that is too tough even for you?”
“It’s the tournament. All of those humans are competing using my power. At the end of the week they will choose new links and more humans will have control of my power. They don’t offer tribute. They don’t take orders. And they certainly don’t show any respect. They left us when we needed them and they still have use of my power.”

Ava grew serious at that her laughing face turned grim as a summer storm as she said, “What can you do about it though, Vermox has spoken. We cant withdraw our gifts again. We keep the peace and they guard our mountain.”

Cingar “Vermox is being hypocritical. He gave his first power but he is making the human work for it.”

“He isn’t the only one, several of us are limiting how our power can be used. I for one only allow those with strong willpower to use my power in the arena. They don’t understand what is going on, they have never had their amulets fail before. Those who are worthy can use it though.”

“Hmm, that gives me an idea. I think I know how to make these tests more interesting at any rate.”

“I’ll go tell the others, the challenges will be much more entertaining this year.”

They both smiled grimly down at the arena for a moment before Ava disappeared into the ether and Cingar rejoined the earth.

Enkind E4

Melody walked through the woods on the outskirts of the training grounds. The morning sun was just breaking on the horizon illuminating the distant mountains and slowly warming the air. Melody breathed deeply, enjoying the early morning stillness. A bugle in the distance signaled the approach of the next challenge, she still had time though.

After standing on stage for hours yesterday she had tried to escape before her family found her but she had been unsuccessful. All she had wanted was to get away for a while, detangle that ball of stress that had slowly tangled itself up as she stood on the platform. She didn’t know what she would have done if that boy hadn’t distracted her, It had taken all of her willpower to just stay standing on the stage.

Stepping over a fallen tree she pushed some branches out of the way and stepped into a clearing. Some tree fairies were slowly drifting around the field, glowing in the morning sunlight. They sang a song as they flew back and forth.

Smiling to herself Melody froze at the edge of the field, not daring to breathe. Untamed fairies were notoriously shy of humans, if they noticed her they would disappear into the woods. The rhythmic motions and quite singing calmed Melodies nerves. She temporarily forgot about the upcoming challenge and was lost in the moment.

Melody wondered what the fairies were doing, they seemed to be gathering something from the field. Looking closer at the ground in front of her she saw a leaf poke out of the ground. It shot upwards covered in blossoms. After a moment the blossoms fell off and the now shoulder height bush was covered in small purple berries.
Reaching out her hand Melody took some of the berries and popped them into her mouth. She bit into them, they were perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy with just a hint of tartness. Realizing she had left camp before breakfast and that the competition would start soon she took a double handful of berries from the bush, stuffing them into one of her pouches and stood back to watch the ferries, eating the berries as she watched.

A motion in the bushes to her left made her start, startled she turned searching the bushes intently. Through the bushes, she saw a fire ape slipping forward. It crouched at the edge of the field observing the tree fairies. It barely made a noise as it moved forward, the tall grass hid its approach and the ferries gentle singing masked the noises it made. A fairy drifted closer to where Melody and the fire ape were hidden. Melody felt frozen, she wanted to help the fairies but fire apes were dangerous. They were nearly human size and they were incredibly fast and strong. Not to mention their fire abilities. The ape crept forward tensing.

The ape lunged forward grabbing at the fairy. It caught it in its huge hand as it threw fireball after fireball at the rest of the fairies, covering its retreat. Unable to stand it anymore Melody pulled out her air amulet. She pulled on the magic and buffeted the ape over the head. Startled it let go of the fairy. which fluttered to the ground, one of its wings was crushed. Melody flew forward landing between the ape and the downed fairy.

The ape screeched in rage, it bashed Melody over the head, knocking her to the ground. It leaped at her, she deflected it with a wind gust. It landed softly, twisting around and throwing a fireball. The fireball landed on her leg, singeing it to the bone.
Melody screeched wordlessly, nearly passing out from the pain. Her vision blurred and darkened, with all her willpower she fought off the darkness and shook her head to clear the blurriness. The ape lept, she sent a blast of wind at it. Or at least she tried to, the amulet was empty. Melody watched as the ape’s fur ruffled in the breeze she had cast. It opened its mouth wide as it fell towards her, its arms outstretched, hands ablaze. She tried to role out of the way but her leg was too badly damaged and she was unable to move. She closed her eyes, hoping it would be fast. The heat from its palms burned her face. Suddenly it was ripped away. Opening her eyes she saw the bushes beating at the ape, the grasses grew up around its feet tangling it. Vines snaked out of the grasses, tying it down even more securely. The ape ripped at the vines, burning through them. Ripping itself free it took off, screeching at the top of its lungs.

Melody lay there groaning, her whole body hurt. Pushing herself up to her elbows she looked around. The Fairies hovered around their wounded comrade, singing gently. The fairy’s wing started to straighten, the broken wing seemed to flow and reform perfect and whole again. It’s tinkling laughter floated on the breeze, filling the fields with joy and happiness.

Melody smiled at the sound. She reflexively sat up but the pain in her leg made her groan. The fairies disappeared into the bushes in a flurry of beating wings and thrashing limbs. After a moment they reappeared one by one. They fluttered around her, quietly observing her. As if in unison they started singing again, they lifted their hands towards her and their faces showed signs of strain.

Melody felt her skin warm, and her pulse quicken. Her whole body started to itch, the skin on her face felt tight and uncomfortable. Looking down at her leg she saw the muscles regrowing, the burnt skin sloughed off and new perfect skin regrew. Within minutes she was perfectly healthy again.

One of the fairies flew forward laying a hand on her chest, it closed its eyes concentrating. The fairies song changed, became deeper and more soulful. They spun around faster and faster, Melody was filled with wild energy. She felt like dancing, running, exploding. Throwing back her head she laughed in delight.

Just as she thought she couldn’t take it any longer she felt something release inside of her. As suddenly as the song started it ended, the fairies dispersed back to their field.

The warning bugle sounded for the next event, reluctantly Melody started back towards the training arena, munching on the berries as she went.

Stepping out of the woods and into the training arena she looked around, she saw Terrance standing a ways apart from the rest. After a moment of indecision, she started towards him. Each group moved through the events together, she would be in the same tasks as Terrance for each of the challenges.

Catching sight of her Terrance waved, “hey”

“Hey”

Standing together they stood in silence for a while watching the other initiates milling around. Melody took out her bag of berries and offered some to Terrance. They tried to engage in some mild small talk but it felt forced and they let it drop after a while.
Melody felt the knots returning to her stomach, she didn’t want to do this again.

“Don’t worry about it, Melody. You got this.”

“I’m not so sure, I always liked air, working with stone wasn’t as easy.”

“You placed first in air, after that you don’t need to place high to have first pick when we link with the air elementals. All you have to do is place respectably in the rest of the trials to have a chance at one of the greater elementals.”

“I am not worried about that, it’s performing in front of people, I was all nerves yesterday but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been because I knew that I was good with air, now that I have work with stone I don’t know if I can do it.”

Melody watched Terrance stop observing the other initiates and turned to look at her. His clear blue eyes studied her for a moment before he spoke again.

“When I first saw you I was not impressed, you looked like a timid little girl who wasn’t ready to compete.”

Melody felt her face redden at this, she knew he was right. She wasn’t ready to compete.

“I was wrong however, you walked up to the line and suddenly a different person was standing there. She was not shy, awkward, or terrified. I don’t know why you are so terrified of groups, but when the pressure is on you have what it takes.”

“Thanks,” Melody replied, “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

The announcer started up then, “Welcome back ladies and gentlemen to the second day of initiation. Let’s give it up to our brave trainees.”

Melody fought the urge to hide behind Terrance as the crowd started to applaud.

Enkind E3

https://www.patreon.com/cadencewriting

Terrance watched as Melody took to the platform. She stood in front of the announcer and squeezed her name out. The announcer continued to try to elicit information from her but she was not forthcoming.

Terrance looked away in boredom, he wondered if there was a time limit for how long someone could attempt this challenge. Watching her walk across the stage to where the event began he wondered if she had any chance of catching the air elemental.

Her shoulders were hunched forward and her face was downcast, he had a hard time seeing her behind her thick dark hair.

” Why are we even bothering to let her compete, ” Terrance heard one girl farther up the line say. “She should just give up now before she embarrasses herself.”

Terrance glanced at the girl, she was third in line and stood tall with her hair drawn back and her head erect.

“Be nice Joni,” the boy next to her said, “she has to compete to earn her link the same as anyone else. She has until her magic in the amulet runs out to complete this challenge the same as you. It’s too bad she is going first, it might have been easier on her if she was later in the matches. She has to do this though, without the competition she won’t be allowed to link, and if she doesn’t link she will die when we all go to the mountains.”

“Just make her go last, she is not going to finish the event. Look at her she’s nothing more than a frightened little field mouse. We will be lucky if she doesn’t faint on stage”

Terrance tuned Joni out at this point, no point listening to her anymore. “She is right,” Terrance thought, “but she doesn’t have to be so mean about it”

Melody signaled to the announcer that she was ready and tensed up. Suddenly she swept her hair away from her eyes, straightened her shoulders, and held her head high.

Terrance only had a moment to be startled by the transformation before she sprinted off across the uneven poles leaping lightly from post to post.

“Where did that come from?”

“Why did she stop?”

“Probably saw how high she was and stopped in fear.”

Terrance ignored them and studied Melody closely, she seemed to be having some trouble with her amulet. Melody took off again. She jumped to the next post, spinning as she did and came down facing the air cat. She launched herself quickly forward while striking out with a fist of wind that knocked the air cat head over heels.

As quickly as that Melody retrieved her next amulet and hopped back to the stage.

Landing on the stage she seemed to notice the crowd again. Gone was the confident girl who ran unworried over the poles, now she seemed to curl into herself as she tried to escape the stage. After a few frustrating moments, the announcer stepped back and allowed her to escape. The next initiate took to the stage and set off after his elemental. He flew after it but it was too quick for him, after a long chase his amulet ran out and he fell towards the crowd. A judge sprang forward with his air drake and slowed his descent.

Joni strode towards the stage, all confidence. She signaled and took off at a run. Flinging herself over the edge she soared for a second and then crashed into a pole. She clung on tightly as she crawled back to the top of the pole.

She took her amulet out and glared at it, finally she threw it away and started chasing after the air elemental, a large dog. She chased it all over before the bell sounded signaling the end of the round. Joni cursed loudly stomped across the stage shouting about how the amulets didn’t work.

With a sigh of trepidation, Terrance took his place at the edge of the platform. After his name was announced, Terrance nodded to release the elemental and drew on the amulet.

Terrance had only had the chance to practice on one amulet before, it had been a fire amulet, and he wasn’t very quick at it. The amulet seemed to be resisting him now. It felt like trying to drink a fruit smoothie when there were chunks in the mix. He concentrated hard and pulled the magic into himself. It let go in a rush and he felt it fill him. Maybe air magic wouldn’t be so bad.

Looking around Terrance saw the juvenile air wyrm he was supposed to be chasing soaring around the enclosure. Terrance took off flying after the wyrm. He tried to cast a wind gust at the wyrm but he couldn’t both fly and cast at the same time. His respect for Melody went up quite a bit at that point. Remembering how she had run across the poles and cast he landed near the wyrm and laboriously lept from post to post attempting to swat the wyrm from the air. After a few misses, he managed to hit the wyrm. Leaping forward he grabbed at the wyrm, his hands scrabbling for a hold on its rough-dry scales. Catching it in his hands he reached over and desperately yanked at the elemental amulet attached around its neck. It clawed and scratched at him as they struggled through the air. The amulet released with a snap and he let go hurriedly.

Using the air magic to land on the nearest post he considered flying back to the podium. “Better not,” he thought, “The magic might come in useful in the next round.” Jumping from pole to pole he arrived at the platform. His legs burned from the exercise and he was panting heavily but at least he had caught it.

Striding across the stage he took his position beside Melody.

“Good job on your trial”, he said to her as he took a position near her, ” I liked your trick of not using your amulet until you were close enough to buffet it with a wind gust.”

Melody turned towards Terrance her blue eyes wide with fright.

“Thanks”, she stammered, “I also used it to decrease my weight a bit, made it easier to run on the poles.”

Terrance watched her for a few moments wondering why she was so frightened.

“Do you not like crowds?” He asked her, “You were amazing during the trial, but as soon as you returned to the podium you seemed to shrink into yourself.”

“No, not really.” She said nervously, “I don’t know why, ever since I was a baby I freeze when I am in public. I’ve learned to deal with it a bit, but it was all I could do to just walk onto this stage.”

“That stinks, standing up here waiting for the event to be over must be killing you.”

“Its not fun,” she responded still white as a sheet, “ but talking helps, I don’t mind individuals but people terrify me.”

“Well let just keep talking then,” Terrance responded with a smile.

Enkind E2

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Melody joined the throng of initiates lining up for the pretournament sorting. The other initiates all around her were chatting nervously as they waited their turn in line. The girl in the front of the line reached into a bag and pulled out an amulet with a fire rune on it and the number 27 printed on a card. The girl held it up for her family to see and then headed to the north side of the training ground where the fire emblem was painted. The line moved forward and a small thin boy with sandy brown hair prepared to choose.

Melody shuffled her feet nervously, she was dreading the tournament ahead. It wasn’t, like so many of the others, that she was afraid of the tournament, or that she was worried about using the amulets. Her father had gone to town several months ago and purchased the trainer amulets prepared for the tournament. She had done well, only taking an afternoon to learn how to activate them. As far as the dangers went, they were nothing like her real fear, being the center of attention.

Tournaments were not private affairs after all. They happened in the middle of a large pavilion and the whole region always turned out to watch. The competition was fierce and each village turned out to cheer on their own initiates. “I’d rather just be put in last place,” Melody thought, “ Then I wouldn’t have to go out in front of all those people.”

Shuffling forward a few steps Melody looked around nervously at the crowd, her family was in the front row eagerly awaiting her turn to pick. When they saw her looking at them they all stood up to cheer. They were so loud that they startled the girl at the sorting station. She jumped and knocked over the bag of amulets. Turning beet red the girl dropped to her knees struggling to pick up the scattered amulets.

Melody groaned and tried to hide behind the other girls in the line. This did not deter her family however who hooted and shouted louder. Melody faced forward in the line, hiding her face behind her long brown hair. It was sweet of her family to cheer for her, but they should know by now that it would just embarrass her.

Waiting fell into a rhythm. Wait, shuffle, wait, shuffle. Too soon the girl in front of Melody pulled a 5 water and Melody stepped forward and stood before the sorting table. The bag stood open before her, nervously she reached in and grabbed an amulet. Taking a deep breath she pulled it out and held it in her hand. Quickly she glanced at it and saw an air rune on it. That wouldn’t be so bad, she had enjoyed using the air training amulet her father had bought her. She placed her hand into the second bag and pulled out a card, it had a large number 1 on it. Of all the luck, she had to go first in the air competition. Clutching the pebble-sized rune in her hand she turned quickly and headed over to the southeast side of the arena and stood on the number one painted on the ground.

Her family cheered again, it was considered an honor to go first in the competition. Melody gave a small smile and waved to them, at least this round would be over soon.
After what seemed like forever the line ended and the last person drew their rune and number.

“Its time for the tournament to begin,” the announcer proclaimed, “would the initiates please follow their judges to the testing area.”

Melody eagerly escaped the observation of the crowd and headed into the alleyway behind the training grounds. Once out of sight of the crowds her shoulders relaxed and her breathing steadied. It had taken all her strength to stand there before the crowd as the initiates were sorted.

They moved at a brisk pace, the air testing grounds were in a field quite a distance from the city. Too soon they exited the city and took the road east out of town. As they moved through forests and fields Melody tried to mentally prepare herself for the coming trials. She looked at the amulet in her left hand, it had a clasp on it. Pulling her necklace out from under her shirt, she attached the amulet and let it drop back against her skin. Its cold weight was reassuring.

Reaching the pavilion Melody moved forward to the edge of the grounds. Irregularly placed posts dotted the arena, in the center stood a large staging ground. The group of initiates walked across the temporary bridge and stood along the cliff edge. Along one of the walls stood cages filled with air elementals.

“Welcome initiates, time for your air trial. Two things to remember. First, this is a timed trial, the faster you catch your elemental the better you place. Second is the better you place the earlier you place in the next competition. You each have your amulets, those are the only sources of power you are allowed to use, if you are caught with other amulets you will be disqualified. If you have leftover elemental magic at the end of the competition today you can keep the amulet for the next competition. Would the first initiate step forward please?”

Melody stiffened her back and strode forward trying to keep her head held high. It was all she could do to keep from brushing her hair across her face to hide behind. Her family let out a longer cheer as she strode forward. Stepping to the edge of the she looked down, it was a long way to the bottom. Volunteers moved around, checking the screens that surrounded the enclosure that were designed to keep the elementals from escaping.

“What is your name?” the announcer asked as Melody stepped forward.

“Melody,” she whispered back.

“Sorry, didn’t quite catch that.”

Melody took a deep breath and tried again.
“My name is Melody.”

“Welcome Melody, let’s explain this trial. In each of these cages, there is an elemental waiting to be let loose. Once yours is released the time starts you will do everything you can to catch the creature. Your amulet will help with this, you will have several minutes of flight available to you. Are you ready?”

“Yes sir,” she responded louder this time.

“Ok. On your mark. Get set. Go.”

The volunteer standing near the cages pushed a lever and a random cage popped open. An air cat shot out of the cage. Melody sprinted after it, attempting to pull magic from her amulet. She couldn’t do it. She stuttered as she jumped onto the first pole. She bounced from pole to pole concentrating on the amulet, it resisted her attempt to use it. Balancing on one of the poles she took the amulet in her hand and drew deeply on the magic. It released in a rush and she felt the magic fill her.

Not wanting to use all her magic at once she decided not to use it to fly. Spinning in a circle she searched frantically for the cat. She felt the eyes of the crowd on her and shuddered. Spotting the air cat at the edge of the arena she drew deeper on the magic and sprinted across the poles chasing after the cat, using the magic to reduce her weight. Pushing off she directed a gust of wind behind her and another one to slam the cat and knock it head over heels. Landing softly on the nearest post to the cat she jumped again, catching the cat in midair. The cat went berserk, attempting to escape. Melody held on for all she was worth, doing her best to avoid being scratched up. Landing on the post she removed the amulet from around the air cat’s neck and let it go. It shot away screeching loudly.

Releasing the magic she hopped from post to post until she was back on the staging platform. She wanted more than anything to continue on into the alleyway and disappear but it was expected that she would rejoin the announcer on the stage, if only for a moment.

The crowd was cheering loudly, her family was on their feet chanting her name. The announcer strode forward grinning broadly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give it up for Melody!”

As the crowd cheered louder Melody felt her resolve weakening, she needed to get off the stage and back to the background.

Melody tried to escape to the obscurity of the alleyway but was blocked by the announcer.

“Not so fast! The records will have to be checked but that was the fastest time someone has ever completed this challenge. Here, take a bow.”

Melody went red in the face, this was not what she wanted. She just wanted to get out of here. Giving a hurried bow she again tried to exit the stage.
“Ok, I see you are ready to go,” the announcer sighed in confusion, “head over there to the viewing area.” The announcer pointed to a small platform to the side of the arena. It was just in front of and to the side of where her family was sitting waiting.

Groaning quietly she squared her shoulders and headed to the platform. She avoided looking at the crowd as she walked, if she didn’t look she could pretend they were not there. Standing alone on the platform she set her feet and practiced taking normal sized breaths, hopefully, this would be over soon.

Enkind E1

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Being an oldest brother is a pain. An oldest brother has all the responsibilities of a father with none of the authority. They are expected to understand proper parenting techniques while learning how to be an adult themselves. They are expected to be perennial yes men, who understand what the parent wants and why they want it. The siblings close to his age resent him because he is filling a position he was not designed to fill, while the younger siblings look to him as a father and are confused when he fails their expectations.

Terrance was an oldest child. He had three younger brothers and four younger sisters and it was his job to keep them in line while they were here at the competition. Never mind Terrance had turned thirteen earlier this spring. Never mind that Terrance would be competing in the coming of age ceremony later this afternoon. Never mind that this competition would shape the course of his life. Instead of being down at the practice grounds preparing for the competition, he was racing from stall to stall looking for his younger brother Eunice. It had happened so quickly, one moment he had been showing Eunice the Fire hounds in the menagerie, and the next moment he had disappeared into the crowd.

Now with the most important event in his lifetime about to commence, he was spending his strength looking for his brother; instead of warming up, he was growing fatigued, instead of calming his body for the tournament his body was spiking with adrenaline. Adrenaline that he would dearly need later in the race.

There were so many people here, the normally empty market was crowded with villagers from all the villages within a ten-day journey.

“Where could he have gone?” Terrance muttered between gasps for breath as he stopped beside a row of food stalls. Eunice loved the savory pies served at the stalls, maybe he was here. Searching through the crowds Terrance did not see the brown-haired blue-eyed boy begging for pies like he often would be.

Rushing off again he headed towards the animal stalls. Arriving there he looked around the ice hydra, the firedrake, the air griffin but to no avail. He was not here either.

Remembering how much Eunice loved the playground at the edge of the village Terrance took off again, shoving through the crowd with a rough intensity.

“Watch where you are going!”

“Careful!”

“Show some respect!”

“Shouldn’t you be at the training ground?”

This last one came from his older cousin Gregory.

Spinning around Terrance raced back to where Gregory stood gaping at him.

“Eunice…ran off… can’t find him…” Terrance blurted between gasping for breath.

“Where have you looked?”

“Started with the menagerie…Then checked the east… food stalls… Not at the zoo… heading to the playground.”

“Ok, I’ll head to the west side of the village and search there, take Zoker with you. I’ll have him signal you if I find him and you can send him back to me if you find him first.”

“Thanks, Greggory, so many people here. It makes it hard to find him.”

With that, Terrance took off again towards the playground with Greggorie’s linked fire monkey in tow.

Arriving at the outskirts he began his search. He barely noticed the amazing playground crafted by the craftsman and elementals. Climbing short cliffs built by earth golems and leaping across fortifications Terrance scanned the crowds for signs of his brother. Luckily the playground was starting to empty, the ceremony was going to start soon and everyone wanted to get there to get a good view of the race.

“Ok Zoker, where is Eunice. Find Eunice Zoker.”

Zoker stood up a little straighter at this. Letting out a screech he took off like a flash, searching through all the children for signs of Eunice. Terrance took a moment to regain his strength before continuing. He could hear Zoker’s echoing screech as he dashed through the tunnels and leaped through the pavilions. After a moment Zoker returned, Eunice was not at the playground.

“What you doing with that fire monkey Terrance? You decide to break tradition and link early? I wouldn’t blame you if you did, I’m going to destroy you in the competition today!”

Terrance recognized that voice. It was Pierre, Terrance’s rival from the next town. Truth be told Pierre considered Terrance as his rival but Terrance didn’t care one way or the other. He just thought of Pierre as a bully who got in his way a lot.

Terrance whipped around, sure enough, there stood Pierre with a look of smug satisfaction on his face, he evidently thought he had scored a point with his comments.

“Not now Pierre, I don’t have time for your shenanigans. My brother wandered away and I am trying to find him.”

“Oh did he disappear so he didn’t have to see you lose the competition to me. That would be what I would do if I had an older brother as lame as you.”

“Get empowered, Pierre.”

“Want to say that to my face?”

“I believe I just did”

Pierre took a threatening step forward, a malicious look plastered on his face. His red hair gleamed in the sunlight and his dark eyes took on a foreboding expression. This would not be the first time that Pierre pushed the rivalry to fisticuffs, seemed like every other time they met they ended up battling it out.

I don’t have time for this Terrance thought as he prepared himself. A ball of flame shot from over Terrance’s left shoulder, narrowly missing Pierre’s face. Pierre ducked and screamed, dodging behind a small tree. Zoker barreled out of a nearby rock maze, another fireball held in its right paw.
“Don’t let it get me Terrance”, Pierre called in a panic. “I was just messing with you, I know where your brother is. Or at least where he was a little while ago.”

“Zoker enough. Come back.”

Zoker stopped mid-stride, a look of annoyance on its face. It dearly wanted to through another fireball at that annoying little man.

“Ok Pierre, where did you see my brother.”

“I passed your campsite at the edge of town on my way to the training ground. Your brother was wandering the campsite.”

Terrance groaned out loud. Pierre could be telling the truth, but he might just be trying to tire Terrance out before the competition. It didn’t matter either way, however. He had to go check. Leaving Pierre cowering away from Zoker he raced back to his campground. He ducked inside the tent, no Eunice. He dashed around the side of the tent to the picnic area, no Eunice. Dashing to the bathrooms he called for his brother but there was no response. Tears of frustration welled up in Terrance’s eyes. He was going to miss the races and then he wouldn’t be allowed to link with an elemental. How could he take his place in the village without an elemental? Besides it would be unlikely that he would survive the journey through the mountains without one.

Terrance froze in indecision, he had done his best he could just head back to the training ground and get ready for the tournament. He was tired so he probably wouldn’t be in the first place but he would at least finish which means he would get the chance to link with an elemental.

“No,” he shouted, “He was my responsibility, I can’t leave him lost.” Turning around he raced down the path towards Eunice’s best friend Terrie’s camp. Maybe he had wandered away to visit his friend.

Suddenly Zoker started jumping up and down, chittering loudly. Terrance turned and looked at Zoker, “What is it boy, what do you need.”

Zoker continued jumping up and down and pointing towards the training ground.

“Did he find Eunice?”

Zoker chittered in agreement.

“Awesome!” Terrance took off back towards the training grounds.

Terrance pushed his way through the crowds, doing his best to get to the training grounds, he had just enough time to make it before the ceremony started. The whole valley had turned out, upwards of thirty thousand people were jostling their way around in anticipation of the ceremony.

Terrance bristled with excitement, today was the day when he would be offered his first link! He imagined himself strolling through his village with a fire golem, or a stone dragon following behind him. Of the available elements he hoped he got fire or stone, he didn’t know if he could bear it if he got air or water. In his village, most of the girls had air or water links and most of the boys had fire or stone; not all the villages were this way, some villages men mostly were air and water while girls were fire and stone. But in his village, it was men who received fire and stone. There was nothing wrong with linking with air or water, it just didn’t carry the same level of prestige.

Racing into the clearing Terrance saw that the training grounds were filled to the brim with elementals waiting to be linked. The whole population had spent the year trapping elementals in preparation for this day. Firedogs raced around chasing air cats, stone horses munched on a nearby rock formation. The golems, dragons, and other higher class elementals were off to the side away from the rest of the lower-level creatures. Terrance watched a group of toddlers discover the air fairies, the fairies danced around with the children, throwing them high in the air and catching them. The toddlers giggled with glee while the fairies tinkling laughter filled the area.

“Can I have your attention”, Chief Eugene thundered amplifying his voice using his stone dog’s power.

Terrance hardly listened as Chief Eugene prattled on about the history of their people, how they once had been elementals themselves, being able to use the magic provided by the gods but after a betrayal by the gods, they refused to serve them anymore. The gods had kicked them out of the Elemental Mountains and they had severed their powers. That is when they had been approached by Charis. She would allow them to link with elementals, drawing on their magic and strength. They had refused at first but after their death tole rose precipitously they had reluctantly agreed. This had saved their lives, it was quite dangerous for those who couldn’t use the magic. The lands were filled with giants, orks, and other nefarious creatures who would like nothing better than to munch on some tasty humans. The only thing she asked was that all of their children would spend the summer in the elemental mountains when they came of age. At long last, the Chief wound down and got to the point.

“Now that we are ready, let the games begin.”

Enkind Prologue

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A distant rumble sounded across the plains, it echoed off the mountains and reverberated through the small village at the base of the mountains. The villagers glanced at the impending storm clouds and finished up their chores, hurrying to get inside before the rain started.

Storms were a normal part of life in the Enkind, sometimes the storms were small, barely shaking the trees and watering the field. This was a welcome type of rain. Then there were the raging storms that downed trees and shook houses. The waters would run down the mountain, flooding the village and causing devastation and loss of life.

The villagers watched the storm, praying that it would be a life bringing storm. As they watched it grow closer they realized the truth, it was the death-bringing kind.

The wind struck the village, shaking the houses and knocking branches off trees. Lightning struck over and over again, destroying everything in its path. The rain fell, first as a soft patter which grew into a low roar. The mountain paths filled, overflowing, and rushing down the mountain in a torrent of destructive power. It rushed down the mountain, uprooting trees and dislodging boulders. The flood hit the edge of town, the villagers held their breath as they saw it hit the series of dikes and canals that had been created to divert the spring floods.

The flood crashed into the dikes with a roar. The wood creaked and groaned.

The dikes held.

The villagers let out a sigh of relief, it looked like their hard work was going to pay off. Gradually they shut their blinds and dimmed their lamps. Life would go on for another day it seemed.

After the last light dimmed a man stepped out of the shadows and peered around at the houses. The man was tall, with olive-colored skin and dark eyes. Choosing one he walked with a purpose towards it. It was a nice stone house with clay tiles on the roof, it was neither the house of a noble nor of a pauper. The rain still fell in sheets but the man was unfazed and untouched by the storm. If someone had been there to observe him they would have seen the rain bend as it fell, swirling away from him before splashing on the ground.

Pushing the door open the man walked through and entered the house. It was dark inside so the man crossed to the hearth and threw some kindling on the fire. The kindling soon caught in the embers and flashed up, lighting the room with its flickering light.

“I thought we decided to remain uninvolved, Trillium?” a voice asked as it echoed out from the opposite side of the room. “They rejected us, why do you keep helping them?”

Trillium turned to view his accoster, his lips twitched towards a smile but he managed to suppress it as he saw Vermox standing in the corner.

“Ho, Vermox. They left from fear and oppression, we treated them as our slaves instead of our worshipers. Yes, they have much to pay for, but you know as well as I that we need them as well.”
“Need these puny mortals? Phaw!!! We have our elementals still; they will guard our mountains from the Nox.”

Trillium considered Vermox for a moment, doubt etched on his face.

“I fear the elementals will not be enough in the coming war, they are too undisciplined, too divided. Though they have great power they are not of unified purpose. These humans, however, bring order to nature, without them the Nox will overpower us.”

Vermox studied Trillium for a moment, concern passing over his normally placid face.

“What do you plan to do?” he asked with a note of resignation tinting his voice.

“I am going to give some more gifts tonight.”
“And if I forbid it?”

“If you forbid it, we will all die.”

“Very well, give your gifts. Don’t be surprised when they take your gift and spit in your face anyways. They wouldn’t be the first humans to reject a gift, their ancestors are the reason we are in this predicament in the first place. ”

“Oh I know that some of them will turn away from us, but not all of them will reject me. If I may be so bold, your gift could make all the difference here. The people in this village are good people, they did not flee the mountains into the plains. They live in peace with their neighbors. With Charis’s gift, they train and work with the elementals that wander off the mountains. There is real peace in this place.”

Vermox snorted at that.

“What would you have me do, give a gift to the chief? He would squander it, lording it over his people until they rebelled and drove him off. The same cycle will keep repeating with these people, they don’t deserve a second chance.”

“Not the chief, a babe. I have already given my gift at different villages throughout the valley tonight. The gift is hidden, for now, they will discover it as they grow. Please give a gift to a babe as well, if it is misused you can always take it away. Not everyone deserves a second chance, but these babes are not their parents, where the parents failed maybe the children will succeed. Minds can be changed, patterns can be broken. Giving up ensures the Nox victory, continuing to use what tools we have might tip the scales back into our camp.”

Vermox stood still for a moment, considering. The flashing lightning revealed his deep blue eyes and muscular face deep in thought.

“Very well I will give a gift, though to the village it will seem like a curse. Only after the babe has proven itself to be worthy will its power be showcased.”
“An interesting plan, I may have to retrace my steps. A worthiness clause would keep my gift from being misused.”

Trillium turned and walked out of the door disappeared into the night. Vermox walked back out after Trillium standing in the rain as he surveyed the row of houses. Choosing one he crossed to it and pushed the door open. Moving silently around the elemental dogs guarding the door he walked into the nursery and pulled back the blanket covering the babe.

The babe squirmed at the unexpected cold but didn’t whimper.

“You’re a tough one aren’t you. Hmm, what gift should I give you.”

Slowly chanting Vermox walked around the crib, his hand resting on the babes back. After a few moments, Vermox opened his eyes and stepped back.

“It is done, be warned young mortal this will not be an easy gift. There will be those around you who will call you cursed. If you persist I will meet you in the mountains on your sojourn and will reveal your gift to you.”

Vermox’s face darkened and his eyes lit up with a cold fire.

“If you give up, however, or spurn the gift I give you I will destroy you outright. I will hunt your family as chattel and I will wipe the name of your infamy from the earth.”

With that Vermox smiled and turned walking through the house and out the door.

In the room, the baby squirmed and thrashed. After a moment it lay still sleeping fitfully.

A few moments after Vermox left Trillium walked back through the door, beside him stood a woman. They stood observing the babe for a moment, awe written on their faces.

“I did not believe you would be able to convince him. He has hated humans with a deep hatred since the schism as deep as he loved them before. Never has he given such a gift, even when he guarded and led the humans, he jealously guards his talent.”

Trillium considered the babe a moment, admiring the gift. Suddenly his face darkened and he leaned forward staring intently.

“Look here Charis, he left a curse as well as a gift with this child, look what he has done to its spirit.”

Charis gasped, her amber eyes flashing with indignation, “Even he should not be so cruel, this cant be endured. We should call him before the seat and make him make restitution.”

“What more restitution could be given than the gift he gave. This little one has the potential to grow up to be one of the most powerful humans that has ever existed.” He stood observing the babe for a moment longer, “If the little one grows up.”

“Well if he won’t come and fix this child’s spirit, I will do what I can to ease the burden.”

Placing her hand over the child’s back she chanted softly. Moved with compassion Trillium placed his hands on Charis’s and joined in the incantation.

“Well that is done,” she said, “the way will not be easy but if the babe is stout of heart and perseveres we all just might survive the coming war.”

Picking the child up she walked across the room to the parent’s bed. Laying the babe on the mother she stepped back and walked through the door. Trillium paused as he left, the babe lay sleeping peacefully. Smiling to himself he stepped out into the night, there was a lot to get done before morning.

Enkind Prologue