That’s me. That’s me! Instantly all my nervousness was back and stronger than before. I heard my mother urging me forward.


    “Go on son.” I walked forward as I tugged on my sash. It resisted for a moment before I finally pulled it off, draping it across my forearms, being careful not to misstep or do anything out of the ordinary as I walked up and held out the sash with a bow.


    “Prince Objitar.” I could hear the nerves in my voice as I spoke quietly. I felt the sash being pulled from my arms. I remained bowed, any memory of what I was supposed to do next had escaped me. I could hear a slight chuckle come from him as he reached down and gently pulled on my chin until I was looking at his face, bringing his hands back to rest on the sash. His hand felt smooth and smelled clean and fragrant. He had a bright smile on his face. He was handsome, with most of his long black hair pulled back into a bun, his bangs were loose and went down to his chin.


    “Another Geal huh?” He asked, looking up at my mother and father for a moment. They both nodded proudly, and there was a small chuckle from the crowd. I could see tears forming in my mother’s eyes. “Well in that case I look forward to your safe return.”


    What? No prayer? I mean, I don’t know about some of the other Gods, but at least Aebhsean for luck, or Fomhár for a harvest of ability, maybe Curnunnos to appease the wild things on the Island, or Diamhair (Dee-uh-var) Goddess of Mystery and Dreams. “Fret not little Geal. There have been seven Geal to undertake the Aging just from your father and mother. The last Geal not to return was more than five hundred years ago. Your family is the embodiment of Aebhsean, Goddess of Luck and Fortune. Nevertheless, I do pray for your safety.” He smiled and added. “Thank you for the sash.” I nodded.


    “Yeah. You’re welcome. Prince Objitar.” I stammered out, glancing over at the King and Queen before bowing slightly as I walked back to my family. Well at least I didn’t trip again, that’s nice.


    “Míorúilt Helios (Me-a-rule-t Hell-us).” Said the Queen. Sable nodded slightly to me and smiled as she strutted up to Lady Grainne. As my head turned towards my family, I saw Captain Edorin and the others who had been called up standing next to him.


    That’s going to be me. I’m going to have to go over there, and once I do, I''ll never see my family again. I turned and laid eyes on my family. All of them were standing, my mother was near the back hugging my father. I couldn’t see her face, but even with all the commotion going on I could still hear her softly sobbing. She’s crying. Mom’s crying and it’s all my fault. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked over to find Cyclone standing there.


    “I think you’re ready, brother. Do us proud over there alright?” Brother? He’s never called me anything without saying little first, and very rarely if ever would he call me brother. I nodded and gulped; I didn’t really know what to reply to that with, so I just said.


    “Ok I’ll try.” That strange feeling in the pit of my stomach was back, and my hands and knees were shaky. Next was Bacta, embracing me with his freakish strength.


    “Oh, it all happens so fast. Our Little Croí’s all grown up.” Bacta blurted out. I couldn’t really tell if he was serious or not, but I could feel something different in his hug. This time he was more relaxed so I could speak.


    “I’ll miss you Bacta.” I said quietly. Why did I say that? Why do I feel like there’s something stuck in my throat? He hugged me tighter and leaned in.


    “I’ll miss you too Croí.” He said before letting go and moving aside quickly. I could see tears forming in the big guy’s eyes. Milí was next, tears already streaming down her cheeks. I was caught off guard by that, and her hug. Milí was never one to touch anybody. Even when it was just my father pecking her on the cheek, she would complain, but she was hugging me. I embraced her, thanking her for all the things she’s done to help me through the years.


    She was the only one who was kind to me all the time, never rough or hard on me. Again, that feeling in my throat came up, I couldn’t get it to go back down this time and my eyes started stinging. I hated this. Why do I have to go? I don’t want to. What if I die? What if my family dies while I’m gone? Milí backed away, following Bacta. Sealí came up next. She wasn’t crying, but I could tell that she wasn’t as happy as she was trying to be. I could see the sadness in her eyes as she smiled.


    “Don’t you go fretting ok? Everything will turn out all right. I have faith in your strength.” She touched my face. “Stay true to yourself and keep yourself safe. You got that?” I nodded, ruffling Drewk’s hair and saying, “Goodbye little fella.” He smiled and swatted my hand away, giggling. Sealí stepped aside. Aeleen followed her mother, giving me a hug.


    “Goodbye Croí. I promise I will keep my mother on her toes.” She whispered in my ear, then pulled back with a wink.


    I went over to my mother and father, not sure what to say to them, I just rushed in and hugged them both. I could hear that Sable had finished and was heading over to her parents.


    “Leola Jura (Lee-oh-luh Jure-uh).” Called the Queen. Another girl, but I was too distracted with my goodbyes to pay attention. I knew that I had to hurry up and go, but I wanted this to go on for as long as I could drag it out. My parents pulled away from me.


    “Be strong son, and we’ll meet again sooner than you think.” Said Father, smiling. Mother was sobbing quietly now.


    “My boy.” She said as she fixed my hair and touched my face. “I love you Croí. Always remember that.” She leaned in and kissed me on my brow in between my eyes. It was my special spot; she had a special place she would kiss for each of my siblings. Normally only when we really needed it though. And I needed it now. Then her and Father stepped away, Father putting his arm around her.


    Next to them was Ríger. His normally incredible smile and borderline insane laughter now vacant, replaced by an incredibly somber and sad look. He breathed deeply a few times before speaking.


    “No matter what happens, stick to your name. Keep that bright heart of yours shining.” He pulled out a small necklace and handed it to me. There was a pendant made of stone in the shape of Kolob. There was a smile on one side, and a small cross with a circle on the other. The sign of Aebhsean, the Goddess of Luck. It was a bit crudely made.


    Then I remembered him always working on something off in the corner. For more than a year now I had noticed it. I never thought that all that time he was making this for me. I took it and put it on quickly before giving him a hug.


    “I’ll try.” I replied. I could feel a tear roll off my face. Memories kept flooding in. Memories of being teased by my brothers. Lectured by my sisters. Looking after my nieces and nephews. Helping Mother cook dinner. Chopping wood and fixing things around the house with Father. Kixas teaching me how to hold my own in a fight. Cyclone teaching me how to move swiftly over the terrain. Bacta and his weight training. Ríger teaching me how to use a bow and arrow. The crash courses I had with my sisters on rules and etiquette.


    I could feel two more tears roll off as Ríger backed away and walked off. Kixas stepped in and put his hand on my back as he guided me towards Captain Edorin. Wait! I thought, stumbling slightly from the sudden shift into movement. He didn’t say a single word until we reached Edorin. I could hear the Queen calling out another name.


    “Jael McKann (Jail Mick-ann).” I was half tempted to turn and look but Kixas spoke.


    “Captain.”


    “Lieutenant Colonel.” Captain Edorin saluted Kixas.


    “At ease Captain, I’m retired now, remember.”


    “I know and I don’t care sir.” Captain Edorin said. Kixas nodded back and put his right hand over his chest, and they bowed to each other.


    “You mind if I take him to the gate, Captain? I got something I need to ask and we’re running short on time here.” Kixas said.


    “You’ve got until we get there. I’ll walk slow.” Edorin nodded. Kixas urged me towards the stairs as he put his hand on Edorin’s shoulder.


    “Many blessings brother.” Edorin nodded in reply and returned to watching the others. Kixas said nothing the entire time we were going down the stairs. Why isn’t he talking? I thought he had something to ask. Was he just joking about that? Shut up you wimp! Quit crying. You’re making a fool of yourself.


    When we got to the bottom of the stairs, the crowd was cheering, meaning that the ceremony had concluded, and the others would be on their way down soon as well. Kixas started walking a little quicker across the middle of the arena towards a gate on the other side; practically dragging me along.


    This gate wasn’t like the entrance. It was small and simple, barely more than the walls around it. Through the gate I could see a tunnel leading to the ocean. There was a hill that started just after the gate that rolled down past buildings, and a long grassy field to the cliffs, and to the deep blue of the ocean where I thought I could see the tall sails of ships. Kixas looked down at me as we walked.


    The crowd’s low roar died out as we passed into the tunnel. His eyes and the muscles in his face conveyed concern at first, though they slowly faded into a look of understanding. Then finally to a smile.


    What? What aren’t you telling me? He just looked back up towards the end of the tunnel, not saying a single thing until we reached it, all the while my head was filled with questions and terrible thoughts. When we finally reached the end he stopped, crouching down right in front of me and looking directly in my eyes.


    “There is something that I greatly desire that you do for me brother.”


    “What is it?” I asked, my head going quiet. He gave me a half smile.


    “Stay true to who you are.” He put his hand over my heart. “In here.” I was confused. I had no idea who I was yet. All I’d known was what my family told me.


    “You look confused Croí.” Kixas said, looking at me questioningly. “What is it?” I shook my head vigorously.


    “I don’t know what you mean.” I sniffled, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “I don’t know who… who I… I am.” That thing was stuck in my throat again as I tried to speak, making it difficult to force the words out. He grunted and nodded, like he was saying he understood.


    “Would you like me to tell you what I have always seen you to be?” I nodded and sniffled again.


    “You have always had a drive to do what is right. Never flinching to help anyone in need, even when you yourself are the one needing help. Like now, you’re struggling so hard to keep yourself from crying, trying to be strong and brave, but you don’t need to.”


    He took a deep breath, seemingly to calm himself, then continued. “Besides that, you are loyal to your very core. You could never betray anyone, especially not anyone you know. You are a fierce protector. I’ve seen it in you when you would watch over your nephew. You are also very smart. You pick up on things so quickly, sometimes it leaves me speechless. You question life, and hunger for the answers, and to top it all off, you have incredible resolve. Keep hold of these things. I have faith in you, even if you do not. And Croí…” I looked up at his eyes as he spoke. “I love you.” I could feel and see his honesty as he spoke. “I love you.” He said again. This time I couldn’t hold back. I jumped into him and hugged him.


    “I don’t want to go!” I cried. “I’m scared. I don’t want to die! What if something happens at home and I’m not there to help? What if I get eaten? What if all the others leave me alone? Why don’t any of you care about me? How can you say you love me but then let me go to my death?”If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    My forehead was buried in his chest so I couldn’t see much but the ground and his crouched lower body as I spoke. I noticed his stomach moving, like he was laughing. How can he be laughing? I looked up to see tears in his eyes, one falling off his cheek, his lips pressed tightly together. He’s crying. Kixas is crying. “What did I do? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” He interrupted me.


    “No Croí. Never be sorry for being who you are. You didn’t do this to me. I am taking off the mask I was wearing. All of us were wearing one. We wanted you to remember us happy and supportive. We didn’t want to make you sad and leave you with that as your last memories of us for the next two years. We all, every one of us, care deeply for you. We may not show it all the time, but we do.”


    He wiped his eyes. “I’m not going to lie to you Croí. I’m scared. I know what awaits you on those Islands, and it terrified me to no end when I undertook the Aging. It killed me to keep my word with the Elders and not spill anything and everything that I knew about the Trials to you. In the end, I’m not scared that you will fail, Croí. I’m scared that your heart will be too big, and that when someone else’s life is threatened you will step in to take their place. I feel selfish saying it, but I want my little brother to come back to me, because no matter whose life you save, they will never be worthy of that sacrifice in my eyes.” He took a breath and wiped his eyes again. “Do you understand Croí?”


    I do, I really do. All this time I was thinking that they didn’t want to get attached to me because they thought I was just going to die. But they really do care for me. I thought back to all their faces. I could remember the looks in their eyes, the sadness. That’s why I felt their smiles were fake. All but Ríger. He couldn’t put on his mask.


    “I do.” I said, hugging him tightly. “And big brother…”


    “Yeah Croí?” He sniffled and choked out a response. I cleared my throat.


    “I…” My throat choked me as I tried to speak. “I love you.” I managed to squeak out. I could feel him breathe in raggedly as he tightened his hold on me and chuckled.


    “Thank you Croí. I needed that. Gods know I did.” He said. It was strange, nearly all my life I’d been teased for showing emotion and done my best not to show it, but now, it helped a lot. It felt right, felt safe.


    I could hear footsteps and voices. The others were approaching. Which meant we would have to part ways. He took a deep breath.


    “Ok Croí. It’s time.” I hugged him tighter just for a moment, then let go. I sniffled a few more times trying to clear my nose and used my sleeves to wipe my eyes. Kixas ruffled my hair a bit.


    “Remember Croí. No matter what anybody else tells you, stay true to you.” Again, he put his hand above my heart. I nodded.


    “I’ll do my best.”


    “Oh, and for that necklace that Ríger made you. Be sure to tell Captain Edorin that it’s a religious charm. That way he will let you keep it.” He sighed. “I hope to see you back here in two years’ time. And I look forward to seeing how much you’ve grown.” He smiled and I chuckled back to him as I nodded.


    “Ok. Thank you Kixas.” I said.


    “Goodbye Little Croí.” He smiled.


    “Goodbye big brother.” I replied, this time barely even bothered by whatever that thing in my throat was. I watched as he walked back through the tunnel, nodding to the others as he passed. I leaned against the wall and breathed as deeply as I could until they arrived. I took my place in line right behind Keokin and did my best to keep pace with everyone. I kept my head down so they wouldn’t see how red my tears had more than likely made my face.


    Captain Edorin led us all down a long path that led past the buildings, down past the long field, and winded down the rolling hills, finally reaching the docks.


    There were at least twenty or thirty ships docked. Some of them well over four hundred feet long, others small, fifty to one hundred feet, and others somewhere in the middle. I wondered which one we would be taking. Edorin led us to a small building that sat no more than twenty feet from where the docks began and turned to address us.


    “All right then. Boys on the right.” He held out his left hand. Oh, he means our right. “Girls to the left.” He held out his right hand. “Once inside, you will find a bag with your name on it and fill it with all your current belongings, including your clothes. There is a change of clothes directly underneath the bag for you, as well as a larger pack on the wall above your bag. Be sure to leave the bag with your belongings behind. Don’t worry, they will be delivered to your families for safekeeping.”


    He finished talking but none of us moved. I don’t want to get dressed in front of them! Are you kidding me? This is terrible enough as it is, why do you have to add embarrassing stuff like that into the mix? “Come on now we don’t have all day.” He clapped his hands together a few times and waved his arms to get us to move.


    Keokin was the first in, followed by William. Then the rest of us followed suit. When we entered the room there wasn’t much more than a small panel of wood to separate each bag, I found mine situated at the very end which I was incredibly grateful for. Nobody would walk by when I was in the middle of changing with me being at the end.


    I began by opening my bag and putting it up on a hook that was on the wall. I took off my shoes and socks first. Then I unfolded the replacement clothes and changed into them as fast as I could. The shirt sleeves were fairly form fit and stopped just above the elbow. In general, it was tight fitting, and felt sturdy. The pants were roomy, but only went down to just below my knees. The clothes were a medium brown color, which I thought was nice. We wouldn’t have to try very hard to keep them clean.


    I retrieved the necklace that Ríger had made for me and put it on. The last thing I looked for was shoes, but I couldn’t find any. What? I leaned out to see Keokin standing near the exit as Flint walked out. Neither of them had shoes on, just the same clothes as me and their packs. Keokin noticed me and gave me a questioning look and a thumbs up. I quickly nodded with a thumbs up and ducked back into my stall.


    So, we don’t get shoes? What about the rest of my pants? Where did they go? Man, this sucks. I feel exposed and I don’t like it. I sighed and looked down at my pack, the word ‘Guardian’ was written on it. I knew I was the last one out, aside from Keokin who was still waiting, so I just grabbed it and threw it over my shoulder. I took one last look to make sure that I hadn’t forgotten anything. My gaze lingered a moment on the bag containing the remnants of what I was leaving behind before heading out the door to join the others.


    Surprisingly, I wasn’t the last one out. Two of the girls hadn’t returned yet. I didn’t know which ones because I had missed a few of them after my name was called. I would make sure to learn their names later.


    I noticed that all the girls had essentially the same clothing as the boys. Sable’s outfit wasn’t as form fitting as the other girls were. Many of the outfits didn’t have sleeves at all. Klintock, Sable, one of the taller, short haired girls and I were the only ones with sleeves. A few silent moments later the other two girls came rushing out. Both had typical Cianían features, black hair and blue eyes, but one of them had slightly reddened skin around her eyes, most likely from crying.


    It was Céírde. I knew her from earlier, she was the first one to get called. I remembered her tan skin but last time I saw her shoulder length hair, it was in a ponytail.


    The other girl had much longer wavy hair that went down to below her shoulder blades. She was incredibly beautiful and a bit taller than Céírde. Her skin was the palest of any of us, but it looked smooth and perfectly clear, except for some freckles that formed below her eyes and across her nose. I also noticed that she had some sort of scar on her left shoulder and bicep. It looked jagged. I wonder how she got that. She bowed slightly to Captain Edorin and spoke.


    “Sorry, won’t happen again.” Edorin nodded while keeping a constant expression of boredom on his face.


    “Right. I’ll hold you to that. Follow me and I’ll take you to the Wayward Pony. That’s the ship that will take you out to the Oileáin Trialach. Remember, you are always, without exception, to do exactly what I say. Is that thoroughly, completely, transparently, and in all other ways, understood?”


    “Yes.” All of us answered back.


    “Furthermore, from this point on, you will all address me as Captain. Understood?”


    “Yes Captain.”


    He nodded, then looked over at me, staring at me for a moment. “What is that?” He pointed at me. I looked behind me. Nothing there. Is he talking to me? I pointed at myself questioningly. “Yes. You. What is that around your neck? Personal items were to be left behind.” I stammered for a second before finding my voice.


    “Kixas, he… Kixas told me to tell you that it’s a religious charm.” I put my hand on the edges of the stone Kolob. Edorin chuckled.


    “Did he now? And what religious symbol would that be?” Oh man, my brain went blank. Come on, think quick.


    “Huh?” I asked, trying to by myself some more time.


    “Which God, or Goddess, is that a trinket for?” My mind thawed for a moment, and I was able to answer timidly.


    “F… Fomhár. God of the Harvest, and Aebhsean Goddess of Luck and Fortune.” He looked at me for a moment, looking serious.


    “Fine.” He said, shaking his head with a slight smile. “Everyone follow me.” Whew. That was close. Totally caught me off guard.


    Edorin walked down onto the dock, and everyone followed him. I stayed behind a few moments, trying to memorize every detail about the land I was about to leave behind.


    Deep down underneath all the nervousness and utter terror, a part of me was glad that we were finally getting this done and over with. Soon I’ll find out what kind of man I am, or rather if I am a man. Then all the fear and terror returned to the forefront. What if I’m not? What if I cower in the corner like a frightened child and burden everyone? I shook my head. Don’t think like that. Stupid.


    I turned and caught up quickly with the others, wincing every so often as I stepped on rocks or dry grass, until we reached the dock. Edorin led us to a ship that was somewhat further back into the shipyard. It was a medium-sized ship compared to all the others we had moved past.


    The hull of the ship was a stained dark brown color. The three masts were completely black. I had to crane my head to see the top of them. Each mast had several very long horizontal logs, that reached over our heads, attached at regular intervals all the way up. Tied beneath the long horizontal parts of the masts, were bundles of dark red cloth that I assumed to be the sails. All of it was lashed to the ship with dozens of lines of rope. Painted, in white, on the side of the ship near the back were the words ‘Wayward Pony.’


    Wayward Pony. I hadn’t thought about it until now, but it was a very strange name. Maybe I’ll ask Edorin what it means later, provided we can ask questions at all, and if I remember. I could see and hear men working on the ship already. One of them was standing on the ship, right next to the gangway.


    He had on a thick jade green jacket with the sleeves rolled up. He was wearing black gloves, but the gloves were missing the fingertips. He had messy hair that was mostly kept back by two straps of cloth that he tied around his head. The larger one was the same color as his jacket, but the second smaller one was a bright red color. The pants he wore were a dark tan, and they were baggy with large pockets on the sides and tucked into his boots. His boots looked sturdy and well-worn and came up to just below his knees. They had the same bright red color on the laces that went all the way up. He was also wearing a sword on his right hip; I couldn’t really get a good look at it though.


    “Ahoy Captain!” The man yelled as he waved at Edorin. Edorin just put his hand up and made his way up the gangway and onto the ship, the rest of us right on his heels.


    We were barely over the water for more than a few seconds, but it made me nervous. Not being able to see the bottom, nothing but the dark and blue of the water. My mind was racing with images of what monsters could be in there. I’d only seen fish, so I imagined they would be like giant fish with big teeth. I shivered and raised my wide eyes up and off the water.


    As Edorin reached the ship, the crewman turned and shouted.


    “Captain on deck!” All the men stopped what they were doing and turned to salute Edorin.


    “At ease.” Edorin said loudly. They went straight back to work, ignoring everything but their duties.


    “Zanataz (Zawn-uh-tus).” Said Edorin as him and the crewman grabbed each other’s forearms for a moment. “I assume everything is ready for our departure.”


    “Absolutely. Only thing left is the anchor and a bit of rope. Soon as you give the word Captain.” Replied Zanataz.


    “Consider the word given. It’s late. Get the Agers below deck.” He motioned towards us.


    Whoa! I could feel the ship move as we were standing on it. It was a very strange feeling. At first my hands shot out to balance myself. I thought I was falling over or something, until I saw the image of the ship moving against the stability of solid land beyond it. Cool. The waves cause the ship to move like that. But also, scary. Good to know.


    Captain Edorin and Zanataz chuckled as they noticed that all of us had just felt the ship moving for the first time. “Mind that you find your sea legs quick kids.” Zanataz said. Edorin turned back to Zanataz.


    “Get them settled. I’ll speak with them tomorrow. For now, I want to get underway as soon as possible.”


    “All aboard! Shove off men!” Zanataz shouted to the crew. The crew, already in motion, surged with new vigor. There was the sound of chains being rolled up and stored, though I couldn’t see them. Two crewmen came over and pulled the gangway up and underneath the deck of the ship, cutting off travel to and from the dock. Others climbed the rigging and pulled ropes that released the sails, filling them with wind. Zanataz turned to us as Edorin was walking towards a door at the back of the ship.


    “Right then Agies.” Agies? That’s new. “Follow me and be quick about it.” Zanataz motioned.


    He opened a door on the main deck that revealed a set of stairs heading down to the lower deck. It looked like, at the bottom of the stairs, there was an opening to the left, and a short, narrow, hallway that continued further into the ship. Without descending the stairs, I wouldn’t be able to see any farther.


    I took one last long look at Ionad Talún (Oh-ned Tah-loon), my homeland and our capital city. The place I was leaving behind. Rolling green hills and lush vegetation across the entire land. Steep and majestic rock outcroppings that were met by the crashing waves of the dark blue sea tipped with white spray. The Arena, where the ceremony had taken place, stood large and proud on top of the hills that rolled into the docks, with the city surrounding it.


    I mentally pictured my home, so far away now. The place I had grown up. A log cabin that my father had built with my uncles help. The thick forests that surrounded the rear of the house where I would play pretend with simple toys or sticks, imagining them to be swords and where I would observe small and large forest creatures with glee.


    My heart felt heavy as I realized the finality of the situation I was in. I had been physically experiencing it, but mentally I was just catching up. Now I understood what I was leaving behind and just how much I missed all of it and how much I didn’t want to leave. No matter what reservations or qualms I held towards leaving, there was no going back. Not for the next two years. I scanned the environment one last time before tearing my eyes away from it. Closing my eyes to preserve the image as well as I could. Remembering the individual faces of my family members.


    I took a deep breath and realized everyone else except Zanataz had already gathered at the bottom of the stairs. Zanataz stared at me, his left eyebrow raised, head tilted. A kind smile on his face. Embarrassed, I moved quickly to catch up.