‘Greatness is the expected minimum’

That was the Magus' last word in the discussion. Well, the last that Aja committed to memory at least, as she found herself stuck on the expression. Greatness was an internalized actualization, wasn't it? That was what her father and aunt always told her. Yet, when Faama Jato's royal decree was given, he insisted that somewhere in the Kingdom of Tilibulo was an Animist 'destined for greatness,' which the Magus from the Century Chapter then regarded as if it were a basic requirement.

She understood the Magus' apprehension, this was no small moment in either of their culture’s histories. The Century Chapter was the premiere magic administration of the entire world for as long as anyone could remember — the term ‘Century’ remaining in the name because after its centennial, no one could think of a better title. Curious, Aja always thought, for an institution of the world's supposed most intelligent. In all the generations of the Chapter, of all the magical fields they'd encompassed, all the prime Arcane arts like Conjuration, Evocation and Transmutation, never before had they studied her study, Animism.

The Chapter ostensibly stood apart from any nation, preferring to ‘advise’ on their own terms, but they had a predisposition towards states they know and understand. The Reikmar Republic, on the harsh northern continent of Ekstam for instance, was their ideal: a large landmass of city-states all part of the larger state, each city governed by a single elected Consul, and a history of clinical, utilitarian thinking. The Kingdom of Tilibulo within the southern continent of Tyrege, however, had long stood as a gray area in their eyes. The Grand Mages would always approach the land like an equation in need of solving, rather than listening to the people who lived in it. Moreover, the Mages had little to offer them in terms of magic; Tilibulo's magical needs were fulfilled by their Nyamakola, or Animists, with their intimate understanding of Nyama -- the spiritual force that flowed through their motherland. Animists would forge totems known as Tilik out of pieces of nature, and use them to release and direct the Nyama living within all things. The Chapter often mistook Tilik for some kind of cursed weapons, and while they could be used to deadly ends, they were not built to destroy. They could not shoot lightning or conjure energy from other dimensions like a Mage, but they allowed their wielder to move in rhythm with the natural world, keeping the bond between man and earth in an easy balance. In one sense, it was more refined than the supposed advanced spells of the Arcane.

When Aja was a little girl, she would ask her father why the Century Chapter's emissaries would always come and ask questions of him and the Faama. He always said they were just 'Smart people who need simple answers.' Now at 19, she understood with a bit more nuance: Arcana was based firmly in literacy, recitation of words and intensive study. Animism, on the other hand, grew from the idea that all things that exist -- the rocks, trees, earth, water and animals -- have a distinct spiritual essence, Nyama, constantly flowing between them and weaving the world together. The Animist was one able to release Nyama from physical objects and perform wonders with it.

The Grand Mages were so confounded by this ‘discipline’ — an improper term, Animists noted, as it’s more of a philosophy — that they requested to see the first tomes where the practice was written. They were further confused when the elders informed them that Animism originated from a people that didn’t even have a written language, much less one that relied on books to carry the words of their ancients. Rather, it blossomed in a masonic and artisanal culture, where what one makes is more valuable than what one reads or writes. Some in the Chapter dismissed them as superstitious, but they couldn’t argue the results, as Tilibulo and its Animists flourished and thrived in equal measure to other nations of the world. Though skeptical as rooted intellectuals, the Century Chapter was nothing if not curious, so after considerable time — and a devastating war that Tilibulo helped them win — they approached as peers rather than judges, and asked if they’d be willing to send an Animist to join the Century Chapter in a newly created position, as a means to expand the stage of the world's knowledge.

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From the day that offer was extended, a fire lit in Aja’s heart. She’d learned Animism at a young age from her aunt Sabati, with her father Donso’s reluctant support. As a military leader within Faama Jato’s Royal Council, Donso was privy to the dangers of the world and tried to keep her insulated. Animism, he conceded, was a method of focusing one's mind and nurturing one's spirit, and a venerated role in all aspects of their society. As an Animist, she would certainly stay out of trouble.

She did not, in fact, but that's beside the point.

Donso’s patience ran thin when she came home bouncing with excitement at the Chapter's invitation to their kingdom. Aja barraged him each day with composed testimony about why she was ready for this, why she was in the proper position as the daughter of a royal representative, a prodigious Animist, and how even her name, ‘Ajaratu,’ meant ‘female pilgrim.' She was, literally, born for this. Each morning, he would try to shut her down, but when he went to court, his sister Sabati would barrage him with identical points as to why Aja was the clear choice. Before long, Faama Jato overheard their bickering, and couldn't help but agree. At that point, Donso had been told by so many people ‘smarter than myself,’ as he said, that he would consider it. Seeing how much this meant to Aja, he gave his blessing not long after. But if she was to go north, he would not let her go until she was prepared to deliver on the Faama's promise of greatness. His attitude seemed to contrast what he'd first taught her what greatness meant. At which point her father noted, this was why she needed to learn.

"Greatness means something else to men of their sort," he said gravely.

That proclamation marked the start of a grueling seven months. Her father would wake her hours before first light and put her through rigorous calisthenics and running courses, the same he did in his days as a foot soldier. Then, when the sun just crested over the horizon, she'd go to her aunt for the rest of the morning to hone her Animism.

As he'd say, "I will wake you, but your aunt will awaken you."

"I am awake now!" she'd complain each morning, burying her head in her pillow.

"So are the predators, Meerkat!" he'd bark, failing to hide his smile at putting his genius daughter through a piece of his world.

"What predators am I expecting north?!"

"The worst kind," he warned, "Young intellectuals."

The mornings were hard, then her father's combat and strength courses in the second half of the day tenderized what was left of her. Then, Sabati's evening training usually consisted of having Aja run through a swarm of mosquitoes to retrieve an egg from a tree stump, balance it on a wooden spoon and bring it back to her across a stream of jumping fish.

"Why must training be so painful??" She panted, this sort of intensity entirely new to her.

"This is the way of the Century Chapter" Sabati answered. "The way of the north."

"What kind of harmony can that hope to bring?"

"This is not harmony," her father would drill. "There is reason the northerners call their passions 'disciplines.' Their lives are an endless uphill climb. Unsatisfied with what is around them, only looking forward. They move swiftly, and the swiftest move like machines. They will slice out your knees and leave you behind if you allow it. Again!"

Aja had been active and fit all her life, but this left her different. Now when she woke up, she'd reflexively tie her expansive curls into an aerodynamic top knot, even if she didn't have training to do. Now her taut muscles throbbed restlessly if she didn't work them. The early months of training had her worried her excitement wouldn't survive the stress, but once she crawled through, she came back to her feet stronger than ever. The fire in her burned brighter than she thought possible. It was more than excitement now.

Aja was hungry.