Page 113 of The Song of Sunrise
Though seeds of doubt still remain buried beneath the surface, knowing that there is one last task to complete to win the Summit, I’m close. Nothing short of winning will be enough. Stories of “gallant efforts” are not stitched into Teller patches, only stories of heroes. I want the stone not only for the shielding powers to protect other towns from what happened in Goldenpine, but for Marrow’s memory.
Let my win be vengeance upon his death.
Let my story be one worth stitching.
Twelve cadets remain, and yet only one can win the Helios Stone. I have to win.
Ramona leads us to the Sun’cher section of the hall, noted by the draping gold fabrics around the stone columns. I cannot help but gawk at the gorgeous architecture, as if all of the wealth once invested in the castle went to this room despite the rare use of it.
Gilded sculptures of lions, dragons, gargoyles, and rocs line the front of the stage, each peering out mid roar at the audience members, daring them to critique whatever performance is on stage. Elder Superior Markus now stands on the stage in front ofa gleaming glass podium. He strokes his short auburn beard as he chats with two other Elders gathered on stage.
Families have already begun to fill in the upper decks. Moon’chers fill in near the silver banners, and more Sun’chers join our side. Elders, professors, and cadets alike file into the room, creating a sea of blue as more and more Watcher formals overcrowd the space.
“Please be seated,” Elder Superior says sharply. The sound of everyone sitting at the same time is like thunder in response to his request. “Tonight is a celebration of aptitude, might, and resilience. For those in their first year of study, today you are cadets, but tonight, you rise as Watchers of the Realm.” Markus pauses smugly as the cheers and applause dissipates.
Gods, I hate that man.
“After today, you will have earned your First Stone, proven yourself worthy of manipulating the Source more than most will ever even understand in their lifetimes. It is an honor and a privilege that we trust you to wield such power.” His eyes scan the audience until he narrows them at me. “Never forget.”
My body strains to keep still under his scrutiny.
The Elder Superior’s cold stares never return to me after a few more minutes of speech about honor, but I keep still regardless, not letting him earn the slightest bit of reaction from his pointed look.
Professor Novak takes the stage next and begins calling cadets up one by one to receive their Stone. With each new Stone, the Source flares, bursting with magic at the contact with its new wielder. Foggy whitemysttendrils spring in surprising shapes with each new Moon’cher, or sunfyreflares like bright sparkling lights for the Sun’cher cadets. Each display seems to compete with the next as cadets vie for the crowd’s approval, showcasing their magical abilities.
Finally, it’s my turn to walk the stage. Markus doesn’t bother to hide his grimace. Ever since I arrived in his office on my first night, he has held what seems like a grudge. I roll my shoulders back and keep walking. One foot in front of the other.
“Akemi Nox. I present you with your First Stone. May your light shine as bright as the sun.” Professor Novak recites the traditional Sun’cher blessing and slides a golden cufflink around my wrist. A small flare of light barely registers from my contact with the Source, and a few members of the audience chuckle, Sabra and Ragnar the loudest. My cheeks redden, but I ignore the laughter, knowing deep down why the Sun’cher stone isn’t effective.
I look down and smile at the cuff, pride warming my veins with how far I’ve come, how much I’ve grown in the past few months, and I look forward to wearing this Stone proudly. Some Watchers choose to wear their Stone in their ears, around their fingers, or embedded into a choker. I’m not sure yet what style I’m going to do. Ramona, on the other hand, has a studded choker already commissioned in our room.
I return to my seat, feeling more connected to the Source than I ever have been. The practice stones are nothing like the quality of connection I’m feeling now. It’s almost like the fog around my awareness lifted, clearing my vision for the first time.
And this isn’t even my correct channeling stone!What would it feel like to harness the Starwatcher stone?
Professor Noval interrupts my thoughts. “Ramona Mitchell, I present you with your First Stone. May your light shine as bright as the sun.”
“Sabra Clyopsko, I present you with your First Stone. May the moon guide your way, even on the darkest nights.”
“Artemis Black…”
“Selene Sarin…”
I watch as my whole class walks across the stage to receive their Stones. Sabra’s reaction to her stone resulted in a huge mushroom-like cloud blasting out into the room, only second to Selene’s swirlingmystthat created shapes in dancing synchronization that made the entire audience gasp with delight. Even Ramona’s sun glare was so bright, people had to squint their eyes for the rest of the ceremony.
My display was the smallest by far. But I let any giggles or stares at the reception afterward roll off my shoulders. Sometimes those who are underestimated the most are the ones who can make the most impact.
I don’t need accolades and fancy words to know my worth, to know that I am enough.
The reception immediately following the ceremony is held partly in the auditorium itself and partly in the hall beyond. Servers walk around with trays of rolled meats, hard boiled eggs, and an assortment of cheeses. I grab one of the cheese squares and squeeze the small patch of Teller fabric in my pocket, its soft threads an immediate comfort. Ramona dragged me to the side of the room, where we are now clustered amongst the rest of the Mitchell family. I cannot help but feel a deep sense of belonging when I’m with them, a swelling in my chest so great and terrible.
I smile as one of Ramona’s older brothers tells another story about their upbringing.
I smile because I know that Marrow would be proud of this moment for me. Maybe he would have made the trip to the Watch to see the ceremony.
I smile because, in a way, by graduating, I made something of myself. Something more. Beyond what I had believed I could achieve.
My happiness is short-lived because while I’m content now, I have so much more to do. The third task, the next two years atthe Watch, finding a way to stop these reckless attacks on human villages, figuring out what all these Starwatcher memories mean.
