Kian lounged on his hammock strung between one of the ropes used to anchor the ships to the island, and a tree. His eyes watched the clouds moving overhead and estimated the island's speed to be slower than normal. Maybe it would mean a good harvest of fish before fall set in. His hammock rocked and swayed with the gentle gusts of wind. 

    “Aye, Kian.” A girl called out as she poked her head around the worn trunk of a large oak tree. 

    “Aye, Aine. I am up here.” Kian called back. Aine glided up the trunk of the oak, slipped out onto a limb and carefully dropped into one of the hammocks beside Kian.

    “Guess what I heard when I was finishin cleanin up?” Her voice was bright and she spoke quickly, her words almost blending together. 

    “Was your mom chosen to produce the sacrifice this year?” Kian asked.

    “No, at least I don’t think so. I haven’t heard who has been chosen for the honored sacrifice this year. My ma has been wishin it was her for the last few years. I do hope it is her this year though. It would mean we get the first plates at the feast and her lamb is delicious.”

    “It is. I remember having some lamb stew last winter. I wished my bowl would never empty.”

    “But that wasn’t what I wanted to tell ya.” Aine's voice was excited again and Kian could see her smile crossing her face deviously. 

    “What did you want to tell me then?”

    “The Council. They said maybe!” Aine fell back into her hammock causing it to sway more vigorously before her head popped back up adobe the brim.

    “The Council?”

    “Yes!” She cried. “Don’t tell me ya forgot. You daft warriors are all the same! Can’t keep more than two things in your skull before they start fallin out like… like,” Aine thought for a second before continuing on. “Like coins in a gamblers purse. Ya, I like that one.”

    “What does that even mean Aine? You aren’t making any sense.” The words already passed Kian’s lips before he remembered. “Are you talking about the apprenticeship?” 

    “Of course I am!”

    “And they said maybe? That isn't as helpful or exciting as you think it is.” Kian said. It had been more than a year ago now when he petitioned to the Council for a change in apprenticeship. He had been designated as a warrior and while Kian did find the work challenging, he wanted more. He wanted to be a Druid. 

    “Do I have to explain everythin to you! The Council saying maybe, means they didn’t say no.”

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    Kian sighed heavily, “Yes I understand that much.”

    “That is probably all you understand though. What it actually means is the Council is split. The majority most likely leaning to yes however for a position as high as a Druid Apprentice there needs to be an overwhelming majority. The reason it hasn’t been announced yet is they are potentially going to speak with either one or both of the Druids to see if one would endorse you as their apprentice. If they do, then it would be enough to sway some of the remainin Council members and give you the majority ruling in favor of your petition!” She breathed out heavily.

    “Oh!” Kaid said, laying back in the hammock. “I hadn’t thought all of that through.”

    “Of course you didn’t! You aren’t that smart.” Aine said. Kain could hear the smile in her voice. 

    “Did they say when they would have an official answer?”

    “No but I would guess maybe a couple days.”

    “Why a couple of days oh so smart one!”

    “Well, the young ones will be starting their tests soon and it would only make sense to include your request at the same time.”

    “Yea, I guess that makes sense to me.” Kain said. The clouds above changed colors as the sun set in the distance. “We should be getting back to the village.” 

    “At least you got one thing right tonight.” Aine said as she slid out of the hammock and down to the ground.

    “Your tongue is awfully sharp tonight? Did something else happen today?”

    “Mighty astute of you to notice but nothin some good food and some sleep won’t cure.”

“Fine. Keep your secrets for tonight but I will be asking again tomorrow.”

“Try not to keep too many coins in your purse, they might start clinkin together and before you know it, someone may think you are actually smart.” Kian glared at Aine as they started walking along the forest trail heading back to the village. “I’m sorry. I may have asked a certain someone to take me to the feast this winter, and his response was less than desired.”

“Ahh. Was it Bodin? I thought he fancied you? I am sorry to hear that Aine. I am sure you will find someone.”

“It was. That is what I don’t quite understand. I asked him, and he said yes, but it didn’t seem like a happy yes. It seemed sad. Like he was disappointed. I don’t know, maybe he had someone else in mind for his first choice.”

“As far as I know, you are the only one he has been interested in. Maybe, just maybe he wanted to be the one who asked you?” 

Aine’s eyes narrowed and her lips pinched as she thought. Then her arm shot out and pushed Kian off the path and into some foliage.

“Shut your mouth Kian. No one wants to hear your logic.” She said, “But, you're probably right. I tend to let my excitement get the best of me sometimes.”

Kian recovered and took up his position at her side again. “He will get over it and thanks. I think.”

Their conversation continued as the light of day grew to a close and the outskirts of the village enveloped them. Kian headed off to the armory to gather some of his things as Aine meandered home with the typical spring of happiness in her step. 

    His mind tracked back to what Aine had said regarding the Council and their decision. It had been almost a year since he put in the petition and figured the Council didn’t deem his request to be worthy enough to discuss and dismissed it or maybe they forgot about it entirely. He had thought about it from time to time however he was not one to grovel for the position like a boy begging for a toy. He had assumed their answer was no and got on with the rest of his life. 

    Besides the Druid tales were passed down verbally from a Master to an apprentice. No one, outside of the designated successor of the Druid, learned and memorized all the tales and rituals.