While most of the village was on their toes, stressed and worried about the goblin attacks, I was ecstatic.

It had been one day since the shaman saved that boy's life, and I was eager to find out more about the magic he used.

I strode to the other edge of the hill, dagger tucked into my waistband and some herbs in my pouch. I was ready to bribe him if need be.

I arrived in front of the shaman's house. It looked considerably sturdier and less likely to collapse in on itself compared to our house. It also had two rooms, one acting like the main living area while the other was used as the shaman's workshop.

Next to it was a smaller house, in which my mother gave birth to me. It used to belong to the granny's family before she got married to the shaman. I didn't like to go inside of it, since it brought up some bad memories.

They were very clearly an incredibly wealthy family; however, at the moment, the shaman had no children to inherit these three houses. I've heard he used to have a daughter, but she died to a ribba years ago.

I stood in front of the house, taking a deep breath to compose myself. I then confidently strode in, before tripping myself up and face planting on the ground.

Ouch.

'Raknar, can you not make a mess every time you come here? Every single day I have to clean after you and Mok.'

'And if you would like to play with him, he's not here. I'm pretty sure he's pestering the hunters again.'

I looked up and saw granny, shaking her head. She often pretended like she was mad when she really wasn't.

'Hey, granny, is the shaman in here? I'd like to ask him something.'

'Hmm. I guess you have never seen him doing his thing before yesterday. I suppose it's natural for you to have some questions.'

It seemed like I wasn't the first to be enamoured with this magic. I should have predicted it, really, since healing someone's wound in minutes is an amazing sight whether you are from Earth or not.

'You are going to have to wait for a bit, though. I am sure he will pray for longer than usual today.'

I nodded and sat down on the ground. Next to me was a baby orc. From what the granny told me, she was the youngest daughter of the butcher's family, born just yesterday. She wasn't even taken to the chief yet. The butcher's wife asked the granny to take care of her for a couple of days, as they were repairing their house at the moment and had to sleep outside.

I played with her for a bit while thinking about the strange magical power and how it might work.

Perhaps this magic comes from the Gods, and prayer is like recharging your powers?

The shaman spent another hour or so praying in the other room before finally coming out.

'Oh, Raknar, you're here. Let me guess, you came to ask me about yesterday, didn't you?'

I nodded. I didn't know I was this easy to read.

'Come with me, kid. I'll answer what I can.'

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I followed him into the other room. I used to sneak inside of it often, trying to find any magical items or potions.

He sat down in one of the only two chairs I have ever seen in the tribe. The other was owned by the chief, acting as the throne. Who knew chairs could be used as status symbols.

I sat down on the cold hard dirt beside him.

'So, what do you want to know?' 'Nothing much.' I said. 'I just want to know how your power works… and whether I can use it as well.'

He scoffed. 'I'm afraid you will be a bit disappointed, son. Well, sure. I can start by telling you how the whole process works, save for the details. Those I can only share with other shamans.'

I nodded. It was getting quite hard to contain my excitement.

'Well, first of all, this ''power'' you speak of does not really have a name. What you saw yesterday was a miracle, performed by the Great gods of Takhra. I have no power. I just act like a vessel, through which the gods' energy, or what you would call 'power,' is channelled.'

'The old tongue you heard me speak in yesterday is said to be a language both us and the gods understand. What I did yesterday was simple; I just humbly asked the goddess of fertility to help us. And that is how all miracles work. Whether the miracle indeed does happen or not, however, is up to the gods.'

'That is why a good shaman is an orc who is favoured by the gods and prays every day. It's a simple thing, really.' He added.

'Alright, I understand. But this doesn't explain the figurines, or why the one from yesterday burst into flames.'

I still couldn't forget the sensation I felt when I looked into the doll's eyes. Terrifying.

'Well, aren't you an inquisitive little guy! Sure, I can explain that as well.'

'The reason I carve these small figures is simple. As I said, the gods' energy can flow through me; However, that does not mean it can stay within me for a longer time.'

'What would happen if it did?' I asked him.

'Your soul, your very being would be destroyed. That is why I use these figurines, as they have no soul, and act like a sort of a container. Yet even the figurines cannot withstand the energy for a prolonged amount of time and burst into flames right after.'

'So then.' I inquired. 'If I diligently pray every day, can I become a shaman as well?'

'Nope. Whether you can become a shaman or not is decided from birth. Do you know how I knock every baby's forehead with a figure three times once they are born.'

'Ye- No. No, I don't.'

I just barely saved my skin there. I haven't seen him do the ritual since he performed it on me, and in no way should I be able to remember anything from back then.

'Oh, right. Silly me. I suppose you've never seen it happen.' He chuckled.

'Every time a child is born, I tap their forehead three times with the figure depicting Boshamar, the wise one. Tapping the forehead of a newborn equals knocking thrice on the Great doors of Heaven. It is a very rare occurrence, but sometimes, the gods answer. This is shown by a heavenly light flowing through the eyes of the figurine.'

'And, I'm sorry to say this, but you were not chosen.' He didn't look too sorry about it.

I was starting to lose hope, but I wasn't ready to give up just yet.

'Are you sure it's completely accurate? Can you give it another try?'

'Haaaa…' He let out a sigh. 'I knew this was going to end like this. Sure, I'll entertain you. I'll have to use a different method though.'

He got up and walked to the main room of the house and brought back a charred piece of wood.

It was a piece of the burnt figure from yesterday.

'The Gods' touch is still imprinted upon it, as it has only been one day since its use. See how it's vibrating in my hand?' He asked.

I looked at it, and the piece of wood really was vibrating slightly.

'It's doing that because it's trying to connect back to the Heavens through me.'

He then pointed towards the entrance.

'Go to the main room, so that it is not disturbed by my presence. If it vibrates, then you're a vessel as well.'

I did as he told, the granny shooting me a confused look. She was cradling the baby girl in her arms, trying to get her to sleep.

I sat down on the ground, and held the piece of wood in my hand. I concentrated on it the best I could, though I doubted it would change anything.

It vibrated.

'It's vibrating! Come out, it's vibrating!'

I started laughing and dancing around, and the granny moved closer to me, signaling to quiet down.

The vibrating became stronger.

The shaman burst out of the other room, confusion painted all over his face.

'It's not vibrating! It can't be! Was I too close to it? Just a couple of steps should- '

I held up my free hand, signaling him to quiet down. I then slowly placed the piece of wood on top of the baby girl, and carefully backed away.

It kept vibrating.

I laughed. 'I think I just found your future disciple.'