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"Christill Greyspell, you come before the Council of Elders seeking our wisdom in judgement and our permission for a greater undertaking than that which we have already granted," announced Kiril from the midst of the Elders.
Dressed in a long white robe that dragged along the floor behind him, Christill walked up to the seated Elders and nodded.
Kiril clasped his hands together and placed them calmly on his lap. "We will remind you one final time that failure in what you seek to undertake tonight leads to death."
Through the lump in his throat, Christill replied, "I have thought long on this and have come to my conclusion. I wish to ask Nyrune for her blessings and the right to walk this world as one of her servants. One of her messengers. One of her shepherds."
"Then if you are so willing to risk your life, tell us what the four rules that bind Nyrune's magic are," said Dietrue, gripping the book on his lap more tightly than usual.
Christill could not forget the rules, having spent hours memorising them. He recited the words as though they were the first that he had ever spoken. "No death, no creation, no persuasion." Christill paused, finding it hard to mouth the last rule. In his trial on the Third Plane the goddess had given him only three rules and he knew in his heart that the final rule had been put in place by the Elders. "And no control."
Vischia shifted in her chair, brushing her blonde hair from her shoulders. "Well recited, but any child can remember the rules. Do you know what they mean?"
"Can you understand them?" added her cousin Sielvu, in a voice full of scorn.
Christill replied with a steady, calm voice. "If a disciple of Nyrune uses his or her magic to attempt to create a living thing that can sustain itself on this world, he or she will be banished and their powers taken from them. If he or she use their power to indirectly kill a living creature, for a purpose other than to sustain themselves or those who require aid, he or she will be executed." Kiril and Velski nodded as Christill explained the first two laws, but he noticed some of the others curling up their faces in disappointment.
"If a disciple uses his or her magic to take control of a conscious beings mind in order to make them act against their own will, he or she will be banished and striped of their powers," continued Christill. "Finally, if a disciple tries to use his or her powers to overthrow a ruling body they will be executed." He loathed having to recite the last rule, yet knew he needed the Council's blessing to proceed.
"You have impressed even the oldest of us," said Kiril. Christill did not need to look to realise that most of the other Elders, with the exception of Velski, were not in the same state of mind. "You have come to us, a stranger from a distant land, and within a few months have managed to rise to the top of the Academy. Your knowledge of this world is of the highest standard for one your age, no doubt a result of the teachings you received from Dievu and the Miirvkin disciple of Hamal."
"In the magical arts you have become an adept unlike any I have seen in the past decade," said Velski, taking over from Kiril. "I could not find a task that was too difficult for you to complete."
"The boy is a Valiant. How could he fail?" blurted out Bithi, his thick neck bulging with agitation. "He has the energy of the guardian gods flowing through his body. Any of the Children Valerious could do what he has done."
"Yet he has performed tasks that you were unable to master at a young age, Bithi," replied Velski with a smug grin.
Christill struggled to contain a smile.
"Furthermore you have shown that you are compassionate and unbiased in your judgment," added Dietrue in a flat tone. "You have been brought up in the distant lands of Miirvk, lived with our allies the Feldonians and now seek to become a disciple of the Karmanian Goddess. More than this, you are friends with those who are seen as our mortal enemies."
Christill was displeased by the manner in which Dietrue mentioned Friedrich and Vrill. "I believe that any man can be good or evil. Where they come from should hold no bearing on this."
"Then I believe that you are ready to take your final step," announced Kiril.
Yhu stepped up from her chair and called for Christill to follow her. As they passed from the chamber, the council members lowered their heads and recited in unison, "May Nyrune watch your steps."
Christill walked silently behind Yhu, trying to focus his mind on the task ahead of him. A feeling of dread rose within him and his heart cried out to him to turn around and run. Could he really please Nyrune? What would stop her from simply striking him down?
Thibalt, lend me your courage, he silently prayed.
Yhu's footsteps came to a halt and Christill looked up to see the door to the Shrine. His eyes took in the beautiful carvings and jewels decorating the portal. Would this be the last beautiful thing that he would ever see?
"I have seen many students pass through these doors Christill," said Yhu with a wide smile that seemed strange in the current circumstances. "Most of them have ordinary experiences and return as disciples of Nyrune. So believe in yourself and do not falter in front of Nyrune."
"Thank you," mumbled Christill weakly. "You have always been understanding."
Yhu inclined her head then turned to open the door. A fresh gust of wind entered the room, carrying with it the fragrant smells of the Shrine's flowers. Christill stepped through the portal and began making his way along the narrow path. Insects buzzed around the plants and shrubs and, from the open roof above, fine droplets of moisture dripped down onto the soft grassy carpet. A loud clang signalled to Christill that the door had been closed behind him. His final moment had come.
He moved up to the shrine and sat down before it. The tall tree rose before him in all its splendour, covered in a thin mist and sprouting newly blossomed flowers. Christill looked down and saw the blue liquid waiting for him. As he moved to pick it up, a sharp stabbing pain ran through his body, causing him to bend back. He gasped for air whilst the pain pierced his stiffened form.
In the council chamber the six seated Elders gripped their chairs, as the same pain tormented their aged bodies. Kiril rose from his chair as soon as the pain had subsided and rushed out of the chamber.
Yhu, who was coming up to a sitting position, having fallen from the tremendous jolt, saw Kiril rush into the Shrine entrance with terror etched into his features.
Inside the shrine, Christill recovered from the shock and gripped his chest. His breaths came in shallow gulps and the back of his head felt as though it had just been drenched in fire. He picked up the vial of liquid resolutely and uncorked it. Yhu told me not to falter. Nothing will stop me from achieving this, he reassured himself.
Outside, Kiril picked Yhu up off of the ground and hastily said, "We must stop Christill. He is in great danger."
Yhu quickly grabbed Kiril by the arms and stopped him from opening the door. Kiril looked back in anger. "What are you doing? We must stop him."
"It is too late. He has already taken the potion," replied Yhu.
Kiril turned to the door and saw that the jewels outlining the door were glowing with a radiant inner light, illuminating the door and sealing it from intrusion. The frail Elder sunk his head into his hands. "Nyrune cries out to us in pain. I fear we may have sent that boy to his doom."