The days leading up to the festival passed quickly. Everyone setting up stalls and booths were working feverishly, fresh pork, beef, bread, candles, and even fresh shoes. If that were even a thing. I watched it all from the stalls, also working feverishly on my own job, trying to keep the horses and Mr.Tucker happy. By now all the stalls were full, hosting the steeds of the guests from Dravenfall. Mr.Tucker had received meticulous instructions as to the care of each steed. Instructions that were then passed down to me without most of the explanations probably supplied. The job kept me running around feeding, brushing, cleaning, petting, and even consoling one of the horses for most of the day.

Finally receiving a break, I looked up to the Repository. There I saw tents being put up and pre-assembled booths being placed down, surrounding the usual stoic building in a myriad of colors. Everyone was out around today, placing flags and ropes of colors around the entirety of the town. Kids ran around the streets holding little paper ornaments that spun in the wind. Anywhere I looked there were bright colors of orange and red adorning the town.

The day continued and after finishing work I got roped into tying decorations for the festivities. Luckily, I was stuck tying the colored ropes to hang from the houses. It was mindless busy work which is just what I needed. Slowly, as the sun dipped into the sky, the festival was ready for the morning. Everyone wandered tiredly back to their shops and homes, bodies exhausted, minds excited for the ensuing day. I too followed the throng of people heading in the direction of the plains, sleeping as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I awoke to the sound of rapid knocking on my door.

“Hurley! Today’s the day!” Came my mothers voice, too cheerful for the early hours.

“I’m getting ready. I’ll be done soon.”

Finally bringing myself to sit up I ran a hand through my hair and contemplated whether any of this was worth it. Slowly my sleep deprived brain gave a response, Yes, it is. With that I got onto my feet and pulled open my door to see my mothers shining face waiting for me. She stood, mostly leaning against the couch, with a blue vest in her hands.

“Wh-what? Mom, we can’t afford anything for the festival.”

“On what could be the most important day of your life! Of course I could do something.”

“But how? I mean, we have no money left.”

“A few people heard I was making jars again. They came by a few days ago and I offered a sale to them If they would use the money to buy this. Here here!”

She tossed it to me and I carefully slipped it on, admiring the deep color and smooth leather feel to it.

“Well, let’s get you on your way. Grab your shoes in the kitchen. Your trousers are already washed, scrubbed, dried, and laid out for you right here.” She said patting the pair on top of the couch. I ran over before she could continue and hugged her tightly.

“Go! Time for hugs later, you’ll already be late by the time you arrive.”

Giving one last squeeze I turned and ran out the door, throwing a wave over my shoulder as I went to what could be the most important event of my life.

*********

I had barely made it a mile before my legs stalled out on me. Endurance definitely was not my strongest suit. I wasn’t a stick, the stable-hand job made sure of that, but I wasn’t bulky either. At above average height I could sprint pretty well, but only in short bursts.

Taking a break, I put my hands on my knees and took a few deep breaths. Year-round the temperatures were pleasant, but still warm enough to break a sweat after walking or running to and from. I looked out across the countryside, enjoying the gusts of air that passed over the grass to rustle through my hair.

Inhaling the fresh scent of the sea and grass I stood fully to begin the rest of my journey.

“Move! Out! Of! The! Way!” Boomed a voice.

I immediately threw myself to the side of the road, not even checking to see if the command was addressed to me. It was a good thing I did, because moments later a man thundered by. He was wearing a dark blue robe and matching hat. The wide brimmed hat caught the wind and blew off, landing next to me.

His robe billowed out from underneath him as he kicked his horse, urging it to go faster. He continued to blur down the path until he reached the base of a hill and paused. His horse came to a halt and the man patted his head, realizing he had lost his hat. Suddenly the man reared his horse up and turned around blasting back my way. I scrambled to my feet and grabbed his hat, brushing off the dirt. He soon reached me again and studied me with a quizzical look.

“Did you pick up my hat? Here here. Ah, good thing it has no dirt. Dirt would be bad. Very bad. Not pleasant at all. Hm not at all… You boy.”

“Yes?”

“Are you attending the festival over yonder? Hm?” He asked flipping his hat back onto his head.

“Yes sir I was just making my way there.”

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“Are you? Well. You’re very late. But considering I’m the one authorizing the whole thing I guess I could let it slide. After all you did rescue my hat. Hm, yes. I’ve decided to give you a ride. Hop on.”

Deciding it was best to accept the generosity, and not question the eccentric mage, I hopped up behind him. Holding onto the sides of the saddle he barely gave me a second before I was forced to hold on for dear life, yet again blasting off in the direction of the Arcane Repository.

We arrived shortly to the crowd of people gathered around the Arcane Repository. Each face looked at the mage in awe before noticing me and doing a double blink in confusion. A small pathway of people had opened up to allow access to the front of the Repository. On either side I noticed men in dark colors with satchels around their waists, discreetly milling about the crowd. In years past I had always thought they were just observing servants of the nobles. Now, I recognized that there were mages spread throughout the entirety of the crowd.

Clearing his throat the eccentric mage began to speak, “All those participating in the Acceptance gathe-” Pausing he turned his head to look at me.

“Boy, why are you still on the horse?”

The crowd was dead silent as my face reddened.

“Yes, I was just about to-“

“Shoo. Go.”

Not wanting to further displease him I hastily swung a leg over and basically crashed into the ground. Dusting myself off I ran to the end of line up and realized I was standing next to the noble from the night before.

“Quite the entrance…” He murmured to me.

“I try.” I responded not sure if his comment was biting or friendly.

“As I was beginning to say all those participating gather before me. It already looks like that has been done so we will continue with the whole procession.” He said waving his hand at the building.

“You all will enter alone into the building. At first you will be in a small stone foyer-esque room, but after the doors close it will open up and you’ll be encouraged to walk into the main spiral of the tower. Numerous floating light colors will be going around you. I’m supposed to elaborate on many other elements but nothing works like experiencing it, right? All that needs to be said other than if light chooses you, wonderful. If not, tough luck. Some of you might be tested or something like that. Any questions? Oh yes, my name is Barden.”

“Is this guy a bit more brash than others?” Acklin attempted to discreetly whisper to me.

“Yeah, usually they’re all stuck up and professional. He looks like he rode here straight from the tavern.” I quipped back, realizing Acklin was indeed trying to create friendly conversation.

“You two have anything you’d like to share with me? Seems like much chatter for a noble and a hat boy.” The Barden said whilst directing pointed looks at the two of us.

There we go… Never living hat boy down. I thought to myself.

Acklin responded for both of us before I got the chance. “Yes, I was just wondering how you know if you’ve been “chosen”.”

“Well, you’ll know if you’ve been chosen because the light will go right up to you. Pretty self-explanatory right? Your parents spend anything on your education or just those robes?”

Acklin’s face quickly became a similar shade of red to mine as a few scattered laughs came from the crowd, Ruel’s being one of them.

“Great! Let’s do this.”

With that he lifted his hands, one holding the grimoire. The book hovered out from his palm in front of him, slowly opening. When it reached a stop, completely level, a dark blue energy shone from within. The energy began to gather a foot above the book, creating what looked like a large glowing water drop.

Barden mimed pulling at the air, almost as if his hands grabbed ropes of invisible air. At first it appeared nothing was happening. But as the mage began to speed up his pulling movements tendrils of the dark blue magic floated towards him.

What had begun as little tendrils formed into a chord of gleaming power that whistled through the air, spinning around the mage. It circled time after time before no more power came from the glowing grimoire. At this point the spinning motion of the magic was strong enough to create an artificial wind that blew several hats off. He shifted from pulling movements and started to circle the thick band of power around him, waving his hands behind and around his body.

Throughout the entirety of the process the mage’s eyes remained closed with a look of intense concentration on his face. The whole clearing was both darkened by the intensity of the magic but also lit from the power within. I tore my eyes away to look at the crowd and noticed that even the other mages were amazed at the display, Ruel himself going slack jawed.

Finally, after minutes of concentrated gathering of power the mage threw his hand up, guiding the power up to the sky. There it sat for a moment before it came screeching back, a shooting star aimed directly for the crowd. At the last moment the shooting star of power flipped on itself and slammed into the doors of the repository.

Immediately the power spread from the doors outward to the stones. It followed the cracks and runes engraved on each stone, spiderwebbing throughout the entirety of the structure. The dark blue magic gradually lost its color and became a blinding white, making it impossible to look at the structure straight on. This blinding light caused all those in the crowd, and those lined up before the tower to cover their faces as it reached its pinnacle.

Slowly, the light faded from the tower and settled into a comfortable glow. Everyone blinked a few times before admiring the Repository. Amber lines outlined every stone of the building while the actual stones themselves were illuminated by their glowing white runes.

Although I’d seen this every year, for many years, this appeared to be the strongest demonstration of power. The way the magic had been manipulated by the man was plain incredible. Although, that could’ve just been bias from the fact that it was my acceptance day.

“Well, isn’t that beautiful. However, as much as I’m sure you young people would like to sit here and admire it, it’s time to get a move on. The doors won’t stay open for long.” He pointed a finger at a diminutive girl, Janet, who was closest to the door and said, “You there! Get this started.”

Everyone apparently so entranced, hadn’t even noticed the open doors. But now, led by Janet, we began walking closer, still holding the line. Janet was walking slowly, probably nervous at leading the whole thing, and stopped before the doors.

“Go! There is no time to dilly-daddle.” Barden said yet again shooing her on.

Finally, Janet took a step within the entrance. As she did this a warble appeared in the air. I noticed I couldn’t see Janet once she was all the way through, almost like when heat came off of our stove and disrupted the air. The boy behind her didn’t seem to care and simply smoothed his ornate robes before striding through the entrance.

One by one the small group of attendees filed into the building until it was almost my turn. Finally, only Acklin and I remained. He turned to me, a smile on his face and said, “Hopefully we both end up with a grimoire after this.”

“Yeah. Hopefully.” I wasn’t sure at all why he decided to talk to me. I’d seem him show kind qualities but he only continued to make what appeared to be genuinely friendly gestures toward me. Either way I wasn’t going to upset a wealthy noble with a temperamental bodyguard.

With that Acklin confidently walked into the Repository, disappearing in front of my eyes. I, not wasting a moment, followed shortly after.