After the children stopped crying, the village was rechecked all over again. This delayed the festival by at least an hour, after which Mathias called everyone back to the village square so he could give a speech. The speech bored Ellis half to death, as he went through the danger of ants again for the ten thousandth time. How they would kill them all, how they must remain vigilant and some other nonsense Ellis didn’t listen to.
After dismissing them, the people of Solrise walked toward the church together, all broken up into small groups while discussing this morning's event. Ada and Ellis walked together with Delilah still in his arms, her little hands clasped around his neck and her earlier tears forgotten, now replaced with long strings of snot that she gracefully wiped on his shirt. He didn’t even bother to scold her since he was so focused on what he had to say during the Choosing. But all the words and prepared speeches in his head were dashed the moment they reached the church doors.
Because that is when Ellis’s mother found them.
Despite Mathias’s dismissal earlier, he clearly hadn’t believed Ellis’s lie. Because his mother seemed to have gotten word of Delilah’s little stunt, but blamed both of them regardless. Mostly him, because she gave one little smack to Delilah’s butt, before she smacked him, hard, through the face which caused Ada to excuse herself and run back to her family.
The scolding was something he would have been fine with, but his mother had done it in front of the church doorway, so the entire village had watched. He could have lived with that too, except for the people at the very front of the crowd that Ada was now running toward.
Ada’s father was a good man, if not a little strict, always keeping an eye out for his daughter. He was tall, broad shouldered with thick arms and thicker eyebrows, his eyes hard as stone. And the grinning man standing next to him was his spitting image if he were twenty years younger. The smirk on Derek’s face as he watched Ellis get smacked though, that was solely his.
Isaiah was the one to save the Marsh children, telling Ellis’s mother to continue her ‘discussion’ after the festival. After that, everyone went inside and sat down.
The village church was the only building in the village that had had any effort put into it. The walls were as white as the salt that lined them. Sunlight shone through the windows near the ceiling, casting a golden glow that touched every corner of the church. The most beautiful view though, was the painting of the gods plastered on the ceiling, their splendor radiating down on all those who entered these sanctified walls.
There was Alehemet, the goddess of kindness and cruelty, mother of all mankind, still covered head to toe in flames. She sat on her throne in hell and watched both the tormented and the content be segmented into their proper places. Directly opposite her was Anwir, the god of deception and plenty, who had made the sky his home. He did not have his scars of white, so he was almost ocean blue as he gazed down at the battle he had started, raging through the world that lasted for over a millenia.
Closest to the door was Dumiso, the god of truth and war, the mightiest in the heavens and the father of all mankind, battling with Mier, the god of death and contraptions. Dumiso had wished to rid the ants of their immortality and leave mankind the sole rulers of the earth, but indifferent Mier had refused. The painting depicted the battle that ensued after such a disagreement, fire and impossibilities raining down on all who were near, as Evosa, the goddess of life and change, tried to keep the animals and man out of the way of the carnage.
Ellis loved looking at it, despite having seen it a hundred times. He glanced back down to Derek, sitting a few seats over and thought about that idiots smirk, the idea of an arrow through his head making it far more tolerable. But his eyes shifted to Ada who was sitting next to him, and those thoughts withered away in an instant. He dropped his bow and quiver at his mother’s feet, which she accepted with a huff and nudged into the aisle with her foot.
The people had long since grown impatient, many mutterings and whispers of ‘can they hurry up?’ and ‘where are they?’ floating around before the five elders started walking towards the stage from the only entrance to the building, each holding an urn burning incense, the smell filling the air as their whispered prayers filled the hall.
As one, every person in the church stood, clasping their hands together and praying to each of the gods better halves. Ellis tried to copy them, but had to fight with Delilah to make her follow tradition, all because she was bored. How that meant she got to skip praying was beyond him, so he decided to focus on the people gathering on the stage sat at the front of the church.
No elder stood above the rest, no elder was disrespected. But two men stood above all in Ellis’s eyes. Mathias, of course, since he was tall and strong, lending a helping hand whenever, wherever needed. Begrudgingly, Ellis had to admit the man had been the one to get the Marsh family through many summers after his father passed, providing food, firewood and clothing without one word of complaint. Ellis didn’t like the man much, but he respected him deeply, even if he would never admit it out loud.
Isaiah on the other hand, was short with a pot belly, wrinkles around his eyes like he had squinted them his entire life. Ellis had always marveled at the man’s ability to make people stand straighter with a kind word and a clap on the shoulder. The man could dazzle you with stories of far off lands and adventures that couldn’t possibly be true, then he would lift his pant leg and show the scars to prove them. But no, what was best about the man stepping forward was his smile. It seemed immortal, age having no effect on the kindness held within it when he greeted the people of Solrise.
“Welcome all, to the festival of choosing. Once again a summer has passed and once again we honour our sons and daughters with a purpose. Those of you who have turned sixteen over the last year, come stand before the podium so that we may give you a role to best serve your brothers and sisters.”
Ellis’s mother’s face burned with pride as he stood, Delilah’s wide eyes never leaving him as he approached the podium along with a dozen others, Ada among them. She came to a stop behind him, the last in line.
“Simon, step forward and display your status to the elders,” Isaiah said to the first boy in line.
Ellis was not prepared for such a quick choosing, expecting the usual round of speeches and thanking the gods that happened every year, but clearly Mathias’s useless warnings had burned up a lot of daytime. Isaiah stepped back, allowing Simon to hop onto the elevated stage before being commanded to stop in its center. The elders all joined hands, leaving a gap in the encirclement as they said a quick prayer. Afterward, Isaiah and Mathias each held out a hand toward Simon. The boy grasped them, completing the circle.
Ellis felt a twang of pity go through him. Simon had always been on the nervous side, but from the way his legs were shaking he was clearly terrified of what position the elders might give him. The elders around him looked up at something Ellis couldn’t see, all in silent contemplation before quietly deliberating for two minutes.
Afterwards, Isaiah brought Simon to the front of the stage and presented him like he was a new man.
“Once again, our children are strong. I shall read out Simon’s stats and inform you on the elders' suggestion for what he should be. But we are one people, so if any of you disagree, including you Simon, please feel free to voice this opposition. Afterward, we shall put it to a vote. But I digress, for now, Simon's stats are:
A child of Alehemet:
Simon Cole:
Strength: 5
Mana: 1
Dexterity: 5
Perception: 5
Endurance: 5
Constitution: 5
Total: 26
Level: 1
Ellis was always shocked at hearing Simon's stats. Derek and Ellis were the only ones without levels in the village with a 7 to their names, making them the biggest outliers among their age groups. But Ellis did not think for a moment he was even close to as rare as Simon. Perfectly average, across the board, no strengths or weaknesses at all to speak of.
Derek snorted when Isaiah finished speaking, but Isaiah’s glare made him shrink into his seat with an uncomfortable silence, Simon’s parents glancing back at the tall boy with a curl to their lips.
Ellis did not understand what was funny about Simon’s stats. He would have swapped with the boy in an instant if it was up to him. Sure, he would lose his 7 and 2 points from his total, but he would gain the points he desperately needed for constitution and strength.
Thus, Ellis quietly seethed while the elders presented Simon as perfect for being a farmer, and a collective sigh of relief went through the crowd. Ellis and Simon weren’t close, but even Ellis knew Simon was born to be a farmer. He was already doing the job anyway, so this was only cementing the position.
No voice of opposition rose, and when Isaiah asked for a vote every hand shot up in agreement. The elders spoke as one, “Do you, Simon Cole, accept your duty to the cultivation of life and change, and declare yourself to your new parent, Evosa?”
Simon couldn’t help as a big smile spread across his face.
His voice was as shaky as his legs. “I do,” he said, pressing his finger into an unseen part of the air, flicking it down, and selecting the goddess that would dictate his life forever more.
Growing green lines sprouted out of midair, and grew from a single strand to multiple, all converging together until they formed the shape of a giant leaf.
The elder’s collective voice rang out as the display dissipated. “Welcome, child of Evosa, to Solrise!”
Applause rang out as the leaf disappeared, and followed Simon all the way back to his seat, where he received a few thumps on the back.
Ellis sent up a silent prayer to Dumiso, hoping he would accept this wayward son into his arms like Evosa had with Simon.
The others that went before Ellis received the same treatment, the applause gradually growing bored as each person was chosen and before Ellis knew it, he stood before the stage, only he and Ada left.
Ellis’s hands decided to mimic Simon's legs, yet the shaking wasn’t the worst part. He couldn’t get them to stop sweating, even after wiping his hands on his pants while watching the villagers like a hawk from his peripheral vision. He tried to stand tall, and felt he was embarrassing himself further.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Fantasies of disasters started playing through his head, the roof collapsing or a dangerous stranger flinging the doors open, anything to make the Choosing be cancelled. He had never wanted to bolt more than he did right here, right now.
Then his name was called and he stepped up onto the stage. Isaiah gave him a reassuring smile while Mathias greeted him with a nod. He grabbed both their hands, completing the circle while the rest of the elders watched on.
Isaiah gave his nod of assent, so Ellis whispered Status under his breath and watched as his stats displayed right in the middle of the circle of Elders. Each Elder went through each stat as if it were the only thing worth reading.
A child of Alehemet:
Ellis Marsh:
Strength: 4
Mana: 1
Dexterity: 6
Perception: 7
Endurance: 6
Constitution: 4
Total: 28
Level: 1
Isaiah was the one to break the silence. “A 7? Clearly taking after your father. Your perception is the best of the village, better than some of us even, and we have levels to our name. Your dexterity and endurance are nothing to sneeze at either, better than most of the candidates we have seen today. You would make an excellent hunter Ellis, just like your father.”
Ellis felt a rush of pride as the elder standing next to Mathias nodded in agreement. He had two of the elders' votes of confidence, which was a great sign of trust. The one directly opposite Ellis didn’t seem as convinced.
“But we strongly advise against it,” Mathias said bluntly, the elder standing next to him nodding along to his words. “And we will make this known to the townsfolk. Your strength and constitution mean you are far too vulnerable for our liking, and thus must advise another course of action. We believe your stats, and thus you, are perfectly suited for being the village shepherd. You would know of any threats posed at the flock long before they arrived and could react with a swiftness none of your peers possess.”
Ellis had braced for this the entire wait up here, but still flinched at Mathias’s words. He opened his mouth to argue, but Isaiah squeezed his hand and gave him a look that kept his mouth shut.
Mathias gave Ellis a rare smile. “Come now boy, this decision is not set in stone. We will put both arguments forward to the village and let you make your case.”
Ellis tried to walk tall as Mathias brought him towards the front of the stage, but every nerve he had had while waiting came back with a vengeance now that he was facing the crowd and their judgement.
“The elders are of two minds.” Mathias began.
Isaiah continued, as if they were one. “Ellis’s want to be a hunter is known even to us, so we assume the rest of you have known this for a while. His stats are impressive, but some of us believe unsuited to such a role.”
Mathias started reading off Ellis’s stats, now hovering in front of the two men. He took one glance at the crowd and found too many eyes and shallow whispers directed his way. Ellis’s skin started to crawl, so he looked upward in hopes of avoiding the crowd's attention.
He found Anwir’s cruel grin waiting for him, high above on the ceiling. The god’s eyes locked onto the exact spot Ellis stood like the god had been waiting for him since the moment it was painted. But that couldn’t be, Anwir faced the door, not the stage Ellis was standing on.
Chalking it up to a trick of the eyes, he decided that the crowd wasn’t so bad.
After Mathias finished, Isaiah dusted himself off, stood tall and gestured to Ellis like he was showing off a prized son. “I wish to point out the obvious: Ellis’s strength and constitution are a major concern, yes. But his dexterity is his strength! His perception is his constitution! He would know long before any of us if an animal was stalking him. He could outrun and outlast most of them! Let alone with his father’s bow strapped to his back! I plead with you, allow this boy to be a hunter. Let him continue his father’s legacy! Let us welcome him as a Child of Dumiso!”
Some of the crowd stamped their feet in agreement, Ellis nodding at them like a drunk in thanks.
Mathias stepped forward, wearing a concerned expression as he looked not at the crowd, but at Ellis. “It grieves me to say this, but I disagree strongly with my fellow elders. Ellis is quick, his senses sharp, and he could run far longer than most of us. No one denies this. But his strength and constitution are too much of a hurdle! What if he was running away and tripped? Most of you would walk it off, but he would be dead!”
Mathias stopped looking at Ellis, turning to the crowd with heartbreak on his face and resolve in his clenched fists. “His father had levels to his name, fifteen years of experience and only his bow came back from his last hunt! Ellis’s perception and dexterity are his strength, I agree with Isaiah on that. As a Shepherd, he could check the food pits from a distance. He would know long before any of us if a Rass or sickness was creeping into the herd. Most importantly, however? He would be safe! Let us welcome him as a Child of Evosa, so that we may keep him out of harm’s way!”
The people had listened intently, and half of them started nodding along after Mathias mentioned Ellis’s father. He wanted to slap each and every one of them, but put his clenched fists behind his back.
Isaiah gave Ellis a side eye in warning. “Of course, we must hear from the man himself what he wants. Ellis, the floor is yours.”
Ellis closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before starting. “Uh… hello everyone! I believe by being a hunter, I can be of better service to the village. The pelts and meat I will collect from the wild would sell for a lot more than what we can collect from the goat herd. The elders want me to be a shepherd, which would keep me safe, but also mean that I couldn’t earn money for my family consistently. So, by being a hunter I help all of you and I better help myself, so… win win?”
Ellis finished his prepared speech, the entire hall deflating into a disappointed silence. Ada gave him a thumbs up from just below the stage, hiding a grimace that he saw through right away. The silence was broken by Derek snorting. The man grinned ear to ear like he had just seen the village dunce dance.
And that single sound made Ellis’s temper soar. He had held it in since his mother had smacked him, but now saw the way the wind was blowing and he couldn’t take it. The roar in his ears drowned out everything else as he leveled his glare at the man.
Isaiah started speaking, but Ellis barreled right over him. “You know what? There is nothing else but being a hunter for me. Mathias going on and on about my father when he pointed out dad did this everyday for fifteen years! Did my father not bring home the money my family desperately needed? I know he did! What, I ‘might’ trip and fall? Why should my life be decided by a fucking ‘maybe’!? ‘If’ one of us stepped on an ant that wandered into the village, we would all die! ‘If’ that Archduke down the road figured out we didn’t pay salt taxes, we would all die! If! if! if! At every moment we are all subject to danger! Look at Derek, all high and mighty with his 7 strength, and what does he do? He runs to the city and back. That’s it! If that is all a good amount of strength will ever amount to, why would I need it!? I can do more as my father’s son than some fucking goatwatcher! Don’t rob me of this, please!”
Ellis had to catch his breath after ranting, a very different kind of silence falling onto the crowd now. Derek was no longer grinning, staring at Ellis the way everyone else was.
Wide eyed, jaw hanging open like they could not believe what had just happened.
Ellis’s temper subsided, replaced only by panic. He started stuttering out an apology, looking at Isaiah for assistance only to find the elder smiling, a cocked eyebrow like he didn’t know Ellis had it in him. Mathias had a similar look, except he lacked the smile.
The elder who had agreed with Mathias spoke up from behind Ellis. “Well then. We have heard what Ellis has to say. Does anyone else have something they would like to share?”
No one stood up, no one breathed a word. Until Ada opened her mouth. “I think we should give him this. He has always wanted it, after all.”
That got people going, nodding and shrugs filling the hall along with general whispers of agreement before Simon’s dad stood up.
“Wanting something does not mean it is right for you to have. I agree with Mathias, especially after his outburst. He doesn’t even take the danger seriously!”
Again nods of agreement went around, the whispers growing into open conversation.
“My son knows the danger better than all of you, except only for me! It wasn’t your husband that died! Let him fulfill his foolish wish if he is so eager!” Ellis' mother spat at the man, disgusted he would even look at her son.
This seemed to break some imaginary seal, because now those discussions turned into full blown arguments, the crowd growing louder as people started standing, screaming at each other over the benches. Anwir watched from above, his grin almost growing wider at the sight.
“Order! We will not disrespect the gods this way! It is a holy place!” Mathias’s voice rang out, louder than every argument combined. People sat down with a huff, but quiet won out over the congregation once again.
“Alright, if someone wants to speak, please stand. And everyone? Let them say their piece, alright?” Isaiah said, casting a rare scowl at the crowd.
Ada raised her hand, since she was already standing. Isaiah snorted but waved at her to speak. “Well, we are all hung up on his low strength and constitution, but wouldn’t that be solved when he levels?”
Mathias was the one to respond now. “It would, but relying on leveling is not an option. We cannot predict if he will level now or in five years. And for all that time, he would be in danger.”
Ellis raised his hand. “But we are in danger now. Why is it so different out there compared to here?”
A deep scowl etched itself onto Mathias’s face before he raised a finger at Ellis. “You know why it’s different! The threat of ants and the Rass are two different things! We have prepared for the former together. At best, you would prepare for the other alone!”
“So you don’t trust me to prepare?” Ellis retorted, which made Mathias’s scowl worse.
Derek’s high pitched voice interrupted them. “Ellis, I have a question.”
The man hadn’t even bothered to stand up, sitting with his arms crossed, that old grin plastered on his face. Ellis didn’t like that. It meant he was up to something.
“My question is this. ‘If’” he started, imitating Ellis’s voice on the word. “If you kill a deer or boar, or anything that stands above knee height, really, many miles away deep in the forest surrounded by predators, can you carry it back?”
The crowd looked from Derek to Ellis, realization dawning on every single one of their faces. Even Ada flinched, before she threw her brother a glare.
But it was too late.
“Of course I can!” Ellis said, rolling his shoulders and pretending the question wasn’t even worth considering, before Derek continued.
“Well, when you were helping my sister out at the butcher a few weeks ago, I saw you trying to pick up that deer I brought back from the city. You couldn’t even get it off the ground. My sister had to do it for you. So, I ask you again.”
His grin faded to a deep a scowl as he spoke every word loudly enough to echo throughout the hall. “Can. You. Carry. The. Animal. Back?”
Ellis took a step back, as if slapped by the question.
Heat filled his chest once again, his face hardened and his lips lied. “I know I can! I was just pretending so that Ada would feel strong, which she is by the way! Nothing wrong with that!”
Derek sat back in his chair, gesturing at Ellis as if to say, “see?”
Ellis started shouting a new argument when Mathias’s voice cut him off. “I believe we have heard all those against, and all those for. Everyone, should Ellis be a hunter?”
Ada’s hand was the first one up, bobbing her head and coaching people that were seated near her to do the same. He saw his mother raising her hand half way up, the gesture almost reluctant, while his sister jumped up and down on her seat to make her hand be the highest in the room. But even with all their assistance, not enough hands went up.
Not nearly.
Ellis didn’t hear Mathias ask the crowd if he should be a shepherd, most hands rising at the question, some looking away, afraid to meet his eye while others had a look of determination on their face, like they were ‘saving him’. Derek only sat there with a smug grin, his hand high towards the sky now.
Ellis didn’t hear them, all he could hear was that ringing in his ears.
He didn’t wait to be dismissed, marching off the stage and past Ada towards the only entrance, ignoring the many protests coming from behind him. He picked up the bow and quiver that lay near his mothers feet, throwing off half-hearted attempts at stopping him from some concerned neighbours before he threw open the doors, and turned back to face everyone he had ever loved.
“I will be a fucking hunter whether you like it or not! And I will prove it!” He shouted, slamming the doors and sprinting into the forest where his father had died.
