This way, child. Auwei floated ahead of me, leading to a long table with several sheets of parchment and sticks of charcoal. Sitting behind the table was Elder Madrin. The old man smiled at me.
“I’m glad you were Chosen, Sara.” He laughed. “Though I supposed I won’t be calling you that the next time I see you.” He sighed. “Your parents will be so happy. Is there a message you want to write for them?”
“Yes, thank you,” I said, taking one of the sheets and a stick of charcoal. The Elder was there for any children who didn’t know how to write yet. He could scribe a note for them if their family wasn’t here.
I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting on the coal, getting dark and grimy. What would I say? The Clarks had taken me in when I’d been only six. I only had faint memories of my real parents. The Clarks had been there for my formative years… and yet not been there. Their primary concern for their children had been a solid education in various disciplines. Other than that, they’d been buried in their own work illuminating and scribing manuscripts. My sister Ella — though now her name was Dove — and I had been left to ourselves for much of the time. We’d grown up a bit free and wild. It hadn’t been a bad life, but it hadn’t been a truly warm one either. I was closer with Dove than I was with our parents. Still, they had done so much for me.
I put the charcoal to the parchment and quickly wrote, “Thank you for everything. I was Chosen. I’ll write when I can. I love you.”
Short, simple, and sweet, Auwei said.
I handed the parchment to Elder Madrin, who smiled. “I’ll make sure it gets to them right away.” He worked with them at the library, so he’d see them soon enough.
With that, I turned and headed for the line of carriages.
I wouldn’t need to bring anything from my old life, though a few mementos were allowed. In a small satchel, I had my favorite book — hand-written by my foster parents of course — as well as some brightly colored stones from the river near Miraline where my sister and I used to play, and last was my favorite summer’s dress. I knew I’d have new clothes soon enough, but hadn’t wanted to leave this behind, mostly because it had belonged to my birth mother and fit me so well. Whenever I wore it, I imagined she was hugging me through the fabric.
“Sara?”
I turned at my name and was surprised to see Edrid Clark, my foster father, hurrying up to me. I was so stunned I couldn’t move until he swept me up in a hug.
“I’m so happy for you!” he said on the verge of tears.
“Mother?” I asked, but I knew she wouldn’t be here.
“She couldn’t bear to see you leave, or see you unchosen.” As I’d suspected. “But I… I had to know and see you one last time if you were. Spirits Within! I’m so happy for you. I know you wanted this so much.” He hugged me tighter, lifting me from the ground for a moment. When he set me down, he looked at Auwei.
“Thank you,” he said to the Lumani. “She will do right by you. I’ve never seen a girl with more spirit!” He blushed a little, perhaps realizing what he’d just said. He looked at me. “Don’t tell Dove I said that, if you see her, but it’s true. I love my daughters both, but you always had a bit more fire in you than she did. She was so bright of mind, and you of spirit.”
I think that was the kindest thing he’d ever said to me. I slipped in to give him a long hug, tears in my eyes. “Thank you, for everything. I love you, Papa.”
“I know, Sara. And I’m happy you got what you wished. There is a whole new life out there for you, go and shine in that new life as you have in our lives.”
I squeezed him tighter, not able to say anything. It was a long moment before I could choke out the words, “Good-bye, Papa.”
I released him and was just a bit surprised to see his cheeks as wet with tears as mine.
He nodded. “Good-bye.” Then he stepped back, holding me at arms-length as if to get one last look at me. I took the moment to do the same. He had ink smudges on his smooth cheeks, a smile on his wide mouth, and a softness to his brown eyes as his unkempt blond hair tousled about his brow.
“I’ll return when I can,” I said, though in truth I had no clue when that might be. Ella — now Dove — my sister, had been Chosen three years ago and had yet to return.
He nodded with a sad smile.
We stood there for a moment longer before he dropped his arms away. I took that cue and turned, marching to a carriage. When I stepped up, half through the open door, I looked back. He waved.
I waved.
Then I stepped in and the coachman closed the door.
This was it.
That was very sweet. I knew you were the right choice, Auwei said and glowed just a bit brighter. I hadn’t thought that possible, but her cream-yellow color became just a bit more distinct and vivid. Then she giggled.
Giggled?
Were Lumani supposed to giggle?
Also… when had I started thinking of her as a “she”? The voice in my head did sound distinctly feminine, but the Lumani had no genders.
