Chapter 36
The situation was beginning to make Thaddaeus feel uncomfortable. It was not what he was expecting. He was standing with his six friends in what they were calling the ceremonial square. That name didn't make much sense to him since it was a circle. It wasn't the name of the circle that was making him nervous, though. It was the people who were there. It seemed that almost all of their people had gathered in this one place, but they were talking very quietly with one another and constantly glancing over at the small group of warriors. Lux had led him to believe that this was going to be a party, but it definitely didn't feel like one to Thaddaeus.
The seven of them were standing close to the totem pole that Lux had pointed out earlier. As the young outsider grew more uncomfortable he had to look away from the crowds surrounding them. He turned to observe the carvings on the giant pole next to him. Anything was better than watching people stare at him. His attention drifted from one carving to the next. Lux was right, they were all animals. He wondered what each one was supposed to represent. His eyes followed the illustrations upward until he reached the top. Sitting at the very top of all the other animals was a very regal depiction of a wolf. It sat in its place covering all the other animals that sat under its protection. It looked outward to the horizon as if it was watching for threats from distant lands.
With his gaze held fast to the wolf, Thaddaeus began to remember all of his friends' references to the wolf. Memory after memory of their interactions flooded his mind convincing him that there was more to this animal than he previously considered. As he sifted through his thoughts, one last memory emerged far more vivid than any other. It was a wolf. A towering, beastly wolf. It came back to him like a stone hitting him in the head. Somehow, he remembered something impossible. He remembered a giant wolf picking him up out of the snow. It must have been the reason the Alpha didn't kill them all. He lay unconscious for most of the experience, but there was no doubt that he caught a glimpse of it. The memory must have been pushed into his subconscious while he was healing. He wondered if the others remembered it. If they did, they certainly didn't mention it. Where could such a thing have come from? Why was it there?
A hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality, it was Lux. "This person is the Grand Elder. The ceremony is beginning."
Thaddaeus turned to look behind him. Somehow, during the time he was studying the totem pole, they had set up a wooden stage which stood just above the heads of the people. There was an old man standing in the center of it, he must have been the person Lux was referencing.
The gray-haired man raised his hands up to motion for silence. One hand held a staff which he seemed to need for walking. It was the robe the Grand Elder wore that caught Thaddaeus' attention. Instead of the everyday, practical style most of the people wore, his robe was intricately designed and woven with bright white material. He stood out amidst the people who were gathered there.
As the crowd quieted, he raised his voice, "Welcome, dear friends and family. As you all know, the celebration of this night will be of a different nature. I am certain that all of you have taken the opportunity to see them. We elders typically assign especially difficult Iuras to our young warriors. However, this group chose a journey which we did not require of them. Some of us may have expected such a thing of our future Tempestas, but the risk of this Iura was no small thing. Yet, they have returned successful. These very warriors are the reason we are here, this is the Ceremony of the Iura." The Grand Elder turned his eyes to the group. "Might I have the young warriors join me? Lux the Fulgural, Ignis the Caloral, Telucani the Abyssal, Solis the Aetheral, Luna the Noctal, and Fira the Infernal. You are six of the eight elementals."
Led by Lux, the group moved forward and gathered in a line next to the old man. He held his hands on each of their heads as he spoke to them individually. After he finished, he turned back to the people.
"These six warriors have presented a perfectly reasonable account of their Iura. They are, as of this moment, full elemental warriors. I presume that these clouds and approaching storm are indicative of our ascending Tempestas. This is a truly spectacular occasion. Begin the celebration!"
The people gathered their instruments. They began playing a melody consisting of a mixture of stringed and percussive sounds. They gathered around the fires, some danced while others moved about and talked. The music held an enchanting and magical sound as though it carried ancient history through to the present moment.
Thaddaeus looked around in shock. He had never seen such an interesting display of culture in any city on Atlas. He hurried to make his way through the crowd to get to Lux.
"What's going on here?" He asked. "All of this is for you guys? They celebrate like this every time someone comes back? How often does that happen?"
Lux looked around and back at Thaddaeus, "It is only after someone finishes their Iura. We should enjoy this time, then we will show you a place that will answer your questions."