"Now, young one, I cannot force you to keep this secret, but I believe it best if you do, both for you and for our Clan. That you have told the two of us is already too many and as the Elder Matron and the guardian of Clan Emberscale's spirituality," Matron Kles looking between Korse and Kori, her visage one of utmost seriousness, "I ask you both, here and now, to make a vow upon the sacred Scale that you will not speak a word of this again until such a time as I command it or you fulfil the potential spoken of in that Title."

Giving the two some time for her words to sink in, "This Title is bigger than you could imagine, the return of the Emberscale would change this Clan forever, but beyond that it would change our place within the twelve great Clans, and some may not wish for that change." As Kles speaks Kori begins to shrink in upon herself again, knowing she has stepped into something that no youngling could be prepared to weather.

"But I'm barely even a youngling? How could I change... Anything? Why would I get something like this?" Kori stammers through her questions

"I do not know little one, but this is not something to fear, it may bring greatness to you, or it may be impossible to succeed in 'grasping' its true meaning. No, it seems that this will be a great blessing. The danger is not in possessing the Title, it is in it becoming known to posses it. Some may seek to elevate you or isolate you for your 'protection', others may see you as a threat to the balance of the Clans and attempt to control or even be rid of you. For you to meet the potential this promises, I feel you must be free to do so, and you will not be should this become known."

"So, you ask us for a vow, upon the Scale itself, something I have never heard of outside of raising a new Elder or Chieftain?" Korse finally having settled from the shock of Kori describing her title. "Shouldn't we bring this to rest of the Elders, or at least Ortik?"

"No. Most definitely not.” Kles replies, vehemence and certainty in her voice, “Should we inform Spiritcaller Ortik then he would by duty and necessity inform the rest of the Clans at the next great gathering, which is still over a decade away, but we cannot allow that. This Title, it says she is 'The next candidate', who knows how many have come before her and failed or been removed, here or within the other Clans, and yet I have never heard of such, and I assume the same goes for you. No, if any others have such a blessing, then their own Matrons of the time have done the same, protected the Clans from a 'what if?' and allowed it to run its course. Even the system itself deems that this Title is of such import that it may not be shared or spied with the various means to do so. "

“But what if they discover the Title and find out that we knew?” Korse’s tone leaking incredulity at the thought of keeping this knowledge from everyone. “The other Elders would be incensed.”

“Then I will take the blame, and you will tell them that you were just following my commands. My authority is second only to the Chief’s in most things, and you know it. Where this is a matter of spirituality, it exceeds even his.” Kles moves towards the covered altar in the rear of the chamber, standing just below waist height and covered with a deep red cloth with black bordering. “Now, both of you, come here.”

Kori looks to Korse briefly and as he begins to move forward; she joins him approaching the altar. Standing much higher on her diminutive self compared to the others, the ornately carved altar embossed with deep red gems and even gilding glittering in the dim light. She watches as Kles raises the cloth revealing a shining polished scale with a deep red hue edged in smoky flecks of black, the scale standing nearly half Kori’s height at 35 cm across and stood up with an ornately carved stone pedestal to present it to those standing within the chapel.

As Kori looks at the shimmer of the gemstone like scale, she can feel it resonate within her being, both Korse and even Matron Kles, who probably has seen the scale hundreds of times throughout her long life, stand equally transfixed by the artifact. This single placard sized scale represents the entire history of the Emberscale clan, all the way back to their origin under the Garnet Tyrant’s rule that sits like an indelible mark upon the Clan. Kori knows that she will return here in 3 years, to the very day, and that this scale will finally reveal her class as she begins her life as an adult.

Kles clears her throat and breaks the spell holding both Kori and Korse, “Now, both of you place your hands upon the scale alongside my own and repeat my words exactly.”

Kori has to approach nearly to the point of pressing against the altar to reach, her height still decidedly below average, and as she places her hand upon the surprisingly rough surface of the scale, its shimmering polished surface belying the rough organic texture, she starts and her hand recoils slightly from the surprise as a another spot of light appears at the edge of her vision, a notification opening as soon as she acknowledges it with a quirked head and a silent ‘why?

<< Bonus to daily allotment of Racial Experience gained >>

“Uhhhh… I just got a notification for touching this… was I supposed to gain a bonus to racial experience?” Still quite unsure of herself in this situation, a feeling of warmth from touch of the scale still lingering on her hand.

“I do not believe so? Matron, was that expected? I’ve never seen a youngling touch the scale before their class is unveiled” Korse retracts his hand as he looks between the others.

“It is likely the bonus to Racial Experience she would have gained at that time, but we will have to wait and see if she gains anything more then as well to know for sure” Kles dismisses their concerns and motions her hand back to the scale, “Now, return your hands and let us get this over with. I for one would like to go back to the celebration.”

Korse returns his hand to the scale alongside Matron Kles’ and watches as Kori hesitantly does the same. As her hand touches it once again, she flinches again slightly, looking around to see if there are any further surprises from touching the scale, but nothing happens this time aside from a pleasant, tingling warmth spreading through her hand and up her arm from the scale.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Good, now, repeat after me. ‘I vow, upon the name of the great Maladoxis Emberscale, The Garnet Tyrant’” Kles pauses as she waits for the others to repeat her words.

“I swear… upon the name of the great… Maladoxis Emberscale, The Garnet Tyrant” Kori shakily repeats along side a firmer utterance from Korse.

“’That the matters discussed here this night shall not be repeated until such a time as ordered by the Elder Matron or should the Title of Emberscale Inheritor change.’” The Matron watches closely as both complete the vow.

Kori braces, expecting something as she finishes reciting the vow, only to be surprised by a lack of any response. “Uhhh, was something supposed to happen? I didn’t get a notification or anything?”

Korse looks over to her with a quizzical look, “No, that is it. You have made a sacred vow upon the name of our patron dragon, any Kobold who violates such a pact will be banished from the tribe as soon as it is known. Did you think this was some facet of the system we were trying to bind you with?”

“Well… Kinda, yeah…”

Both the Elders begin to chuckle at the youngling’s innocence. “I sometimes forget that despite how you act, you really are only 3 years old.” Korse continues to chuckle.

“Now, since the matter is settled, I suggest we inform the Chief of our young prodigy here’s remarkable draconic trait that you felt the need to pull me away from the festival and discuss away from prying ears.” Kles gives them a flat stare as she gives them the story that they will be sharing, “We should return to the festivities and try to enjoy ourselves before it winds down.” Kles slumps slightly, at least a little worn from the serious discussion they’ve just had, “Not sure about you Korse, but I could use some of the strong stuff that Aldr stashed by the head table.”

Korse sighs and nods along with the Matron, “I’m afraid you’re too young for that Kori, you can mingle with the crowd, but I’d suggest you return to the hall nearest the brood chambers, you’ll likely find your siblings there as well. Try not to get into too much trouble.”

As Matron Kles replaces the cover upon the Scale Kori feels as though something diminishes in her, she knows now why the Elders all speak of the Great Dragon with reverence, if just a single scale can bring a feeling of connectedness to her like that.

As the three depart the Chapel of the Scale, questioning glances from the Elders at the head table turn towards them, curious as to what was so important as to cause Elder Korse to draw away the Matron during the celebration.

Kles leans forward towards the chief but speaks just loud enough to be heard by most at the table, “It can wait until the morning when we meet, it was worth the interruption but not a matter of urgency.” She waves the youngling off, “Back to the outer hall for you and don’t stay up too late, we may decide to call you to the Elder’s chamber in the morning.”

Kori begins her trek back to the outer hall where her siblings are likely feasting and socializing with the older clutches present. Unfortunately for her she does not exactly remember the path that led from there to the main chamber and with the crowds and noise it is even more difficult to tell her way back to the hatchery. After wandering in the direction she believed was correct, Kori comes to the realization that she is now well and thoroughly, lost. This was most definitely not the best night to begin her exploration of the Clan’s home.

Approaching several of the Kobolds celebrating in one of the halls, “Hi! Can any of you point me to the hatchery? I kinda lost my bearings in all the excitement.” Nearly shouting to be heard over the noise of the revelry and an odd percussive beat that permeates the area from a raised plinth near the end of the hall.

“Huh? You don’t look old enough that you should be out and about little hatchling, which hatchery did you wander off from? The minders won’t be too happy with you when they find out you snuck off!” An older Kobold woman places her hand on Kori’s shoulder thinking she might run off and get even more lost at the threat of getting in trouble.

“I’m not a hatchling! I’m 3 years old today and a youngling now!” Kori protests as the woman begins guiding her off to the side away from the crowd. “I have my Status unveiled and a name and everything!”

“Oh, you shouldn’t fib little one, now which hatchery did you wander off from.” She gives Kori a kindly smile, but clearly doesn’t believe her.

“I’m Kori, not little one, and I’m from the brood chambers at Elder Korse’s hatchery.” Kori protests, her face flushing a slightly pinker shade as she gets upset.

“Now, now, no need to get upset ‘Kori’, lets see you back to the Elders hatchery and to the minders. They’ll know what to do with you.” Clearly still not believing her, but at least humouring Kori somewhat, the woman begins guiding her towards the hatchery, “You really did wander quite a ways, Elder Korse’s hatchery is several halls over, when you’re old enough the minders will show you how to navigate around the caverns and whoever you apprentice with will make sure you know how to get around.”

Kori grumbles under her breath, nettled by the fact that she is finally old enough to be called a youngling, but her height still causes her to be treated as a hatchling. The fact that she does need the guidance regardless of the way she’s being treated irks her further and she sullenly trods alongside the woman, trying to catch sight of what she uses to navigate.

As they reach the somewhat familiar territory Kori spots a few of her clutchmates in the hall, others having already returned to the brood chamber or celebrating elsewhere with those from their apprenticeships. “There’s my siblings, I’m good here.” Hoping to get away from the woman and not get embarrassed to the Minders.

“Oh no, I’m not falling for that little one, I’m handing you directly to the Minders, they’ll make sure you don’t wander off again.”

Entering the Hatchery the woman practically drags Kori off to the nearest Minder, “I believe that this little one belongs here? She must have wandered off on you.” A little bit of smug derision in her voice as she seems to be suggesting that the minder has failed in her duties.

“Hmm, Oh, it’s you. Welcome back Youngling, I assume the Elder must have finally given you your name today, so I guess I should call you Kori now, shouldn’t I?” As the minder looks over the young Kobold and to the older woman, “Now what’s this about wandering off? She should have been out celebrating with the rest of her clutch?”

The woman’s grin fades as the Minder speaks and she begins to say something, likely an excuse or such but before the older Kobold can say anything, and with a mollified and equally smug grin on her face, Kori speaks up, “Oh, I got a bit turned around and this woman didn’t believe me that I was allowed to be out of the hatchery, but she was kind enough to guide me back to the halls here. Thank you for your help.”

“Oh, of course she’s allowed to be out amongst the celebrants, she is a youngling after all. In fact, today is the first day she’s been allowed to wander, bit of a late hatcher this one, so it’s no surprise that she got a bit lost with everything going on.” The minder chuckles as he begins to understand what happened.

“Ah, of course, well then, I guess I should excuse myself… Have a good evening,” Looking to the minder, then to Kori, “And you as well littl… Kori.” And quickly retreats as her scales begins to colour slightly with embarrassment.