The Morning of the weave I spent my morning trying anything to even get that spark back. "Subjects of Mossura, mandatory sorting is to be complete in the Square." The speakers scratched my ears. "Subject of Mossura, To the Square for mandatory sorting." My stomach dropped, it was that time again.

Every year there was a lottery to choose people from each city to take on the Roles of the Spellweaver wars, they did this to remind us of how the Harmony saved the world from the blight that spellweavers were. This event was seen in poor cities like Mossura as a cursed event. For we were seen as weak and when they broad casted the event, it would be us, our resilient people who would be the first to die.

Everyone trickled out of their homes, I could see the angry on their faces. Portals opened up, out came the Frelsari Gaurd, they wore Plate mail that made themself look like angels, but we knew they were demons beneath that amour. The desert sun really highlighted how high and mighty they held themselves.

Their eyes judged us through their helmets visors. They hated being here, they would hold out their swords to "keep us in line". As Frelsari, it was their divine mandate to protect Anthurium people, to keep them safe from Atropa's darkness.

I joined the crowd. Frelsari kept pushing us in line, like cattle to the slaughter. I could feel magic swell inside. I could not control my magic, it's times like these I wish I knew how to. I felt my fire Glyph heat up. "Breath Elandra..." I felt a hand grab my wrist, I spun immediately. I was greeted to soft emerald eyes, Briar walked beside me, her tangled black hair, blew in the wind revealing her olive skin. "Remember, El, Deep breaths, no accidents." Her song like voice always knew how to calm me. "We knew this day was coming soon." Her eyes danced in line with her smile.

"I know Bri, but do they have to be so..." I nodded toward a Frelsari leaving a house covered in blood, another one joined him looked in and they laughed. "Cruel?" Briar finished.

"Yeah.." I took a deep breath. "It's bad enough they perform this yearly ritual, that the Guilds of Dura Vail, stand by and let games go on. They are just as bad as the Harmony themselves."

"Elandra," I heard the sadness in her voice, "At least if you manage to be part of a Guild, you are spared from this. You'll gain your magic power one day, then you wont have to worry about being part of the lottery." Briar smiled.

"That doesn't mean I wouldn't always worry about you." I squeezed her hand. The warm feeling holding her hand sent butterflies scattering in my stomach. "You don't have to worry about me silly," She giggled and kissed my cheek. "Perks of being the Barons daughter." She winked.

"Saying that, Shouldn't you get out of the crowd to stand in front of the crowd with your dad?" She rolled her eyes, "Trying to get rid of me?"

I felt the corner of my mouth betray me. "No..." The butterflies attacked, Briar leaned in and kissed me. Time stood still, feeling the crowd move passed us. I didn't care, it all just vanished. Couldn't this last forever?

The heat of her lips pressed in harder as I felt her hand caress the swell of my back. She leaned away looking into my soul. "Go, remember, breath." She pushed her finger against my lips and pushed me away. "You are right about one thing, My dad is probably wondering where I am." She gave me a quick kiss before she twirled away and danced toward one of the Frelsari, they nodded and escorted her away.

The heat of her lips lingered. I couldn't help but smile. I continued with the crowd. Forbidden love, A poor street urchin, with the daughter of the Barron. This relationship was looking for trouble. I didn't care. As long as it took me away the pain of being a slave, and away from this ritual.

They set the square up with the propaganda posters, the Stage in the center, we all crowded. On the stage was a floating crystal. A stage cart sat behind the stage. Briar and her dad were not on stage. They stood below, I could see an intense conversation with her father. He then struck her. She fell to the ground. I felt a flash of magic hit my glyph my fist ignited. Everyone around me stepped away. I felt the ice cold of a blade press against my neck. "Put that out girl." The Frelsari kicked the back of my knees to bring me to the ground. "NOW!" Briars voice filled my head. Breath, El, Take a deep breath. I followed her words. I could feel the fire extinguish. He kicked me over, laughed then walked away to join his squad.

The crowd then got quite as I stood. The amplifiers could pick up the foot steps on the metal stage. There stood an elf in all of his self importance, pure white cloak and his city suit. He flipped his cloak away revealing dazzling star lights. He then tapped the Microphone. "Hello Subjects of Mossura! I have come back." He paused, his cocky smile made me want to run up and punch him. The crowd started to talk in hushed whispers.

"Is that Torrel?" a woman said

"No, it couldn't be, His family is in Dura Vail now." Her friend said

"What is a victor doing here?" Another person said

There was something wrong. Everyone was talking and no Frelsari stopping it.

"Yes, yes, It is I! Victor of the 68th Weave. Now This year is going to be different! For it is the 74th Weave. It is a special time!" His voice sang, "I think there is a time for change on how we do The Weave. What about you all?" He leaned forward, his voice so full of optimism, that a few people in the crowed cheered. "YES! Time for a change is a time to cheer! This year they have told me that some things will be kept secret. But what they have told me, is we are opening the lottery to everyone!" He cheered it out. A stunned silence filled the air.

My stomach dropped, my eyes met Briars. Tears fell. She was not safe was she? Does that mean I'm not safe ether?

"This year the Harmony have decided that only the Barron of each city is wont be chosen, all others Magic wielders or not, will be participating to really bring the reality of the Spellweaver Wars. It effected not only us magic folk but everyday subjects like you!" He waved his arms out to the crowd.

"But do not worry the Weave this year is going to be very different, I think everyone watching this years event will be inspired! Next year, we will have you all lining up to participate."

He couldn't be serious, the weave is essentially a glorified sacrifice to Anthurium and Atropa to leave us alone. The Goddess' had nothing to do this world anymore. But there was always that self doubt. Maybe they were watching us, but I don't think even they would want the weave to happen.

"Now! Shall we start the Choosing Rites?!"