"Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen.Welcome to Havens' Annual Third Years' Choosing"
The elf with the bugle went on to say.He was standing before a long table,at which what looked like the mentors sat.The elf from before,the one who guided Luke through the dome was seated on an immensely large chair,more like a throne.He was flanked by multiple old looking elves and a few kinda young ones. The table sat on a slightly raised slab.
"Today,"the elf with the bugle said,"we gather here to witness and pay tribute to our Third Year Elves as they choose their mentors.They have been like us,but now they become for us."A silent boo escaped the Third Years."Tonight,out big brothers will choose their mentors,who will guide them to greater heights of being Knights,Rangers and Combatants.But before we proceed,I would wish to welcome our most beloved Archmentor,Liege Alberic,to share a few words with us,words of advice and encouragement.Please,join hands to welcome Liege Alberic!!" He was greeted with a wild round of applause.The elf who had guided Luke through the dome,and sent Eric to be his guide,stood up and walked to the front,before the gathering.His long beard was held together by a pin.The elf attempted to hand him the bugle but Alberic refused it.
"Greetings,and Welcome,Ladies and Gentlemen,to this year's Annual Choosing,"Alberic lifted his hands and immediately,his voice became very audible.It was as if he was using millions of bugles.
"Today,we gather here to witness and pay tribute to The Third Years.Today,they will be choosing and taking on their mentors.Today,they will be beginning a new level of their training.Today,they will be going one step ahead.Today is a very special day in their careers.I don't have much to say but to encourage and empower these young fellows.Third Years,"he looked up at the third years,"today,you must make the biggest choice of your lives.Either you take a mentor who will make your career or one who will break it.Make the right choice.You have seen our mentors and have seen how they train and shape their mentees.You should choose carefully.And I wish you luck as you step further into your training,and much more luck as you go on to serve your king.Remember,choose carefully!!"he concluded.With those few words,he walked over to his throne and sat down.
"Once I read your name,Third Years,you will step forward and from the following mentors,choose your own.Séverin Strane,Elliot Moonshadow,Dermetris Archer and Arion Albion,"the elf with the bugle said.The mentors he had mentioned rose to their feet and lined across the hall. Luke was charmed by the smaller mentor.He was a bit smaller than the other mentors but looked more determined than they were.He looked very well trained and he immediately got Luke's attention.Luke had already taken his choice.
"Once you have chosen your mentor,you will be handed a Shadow Cloak,"the elf with the bugle continued.
Soon,the Choosing began.First came Julia Marblemaw who chose Dermetris,and so many more other Third Years who went on to choose their desired mentors. Séverin Strane appeared to have more mentees than the rest.Elliot had a few,fewer than Strane and Dermetris had a good number of them.But Arion had no one.No students chose him and he didn't seem bothered by their choice.He seemed to be used to not being chosen.
Suddenly...
"Lucas Gray Archer,"Luke's name echoed in the hall,and immediately,his heart started to race.Hesitantly,Luke stood up and walked, reluctantly towards the spiral staircase,that led to the mentors.He looked around only to find hundred pairs of eyes looking his way.
Luke drew a deep breath,and looked into the eyes of the mentors.They both shot him looks that made him want to choose them.Maybe that was why all the other students chose them, because of their hard stares.
"Be quick,fellow!!"
Luke strode over to where the mentors stood and said,"I will take him.I will take Lord Albion!!" Looks of utter surprise befell the mentors,but mostly Arion.He really didn't see that coming."Are you sure?"Arion asked,puzzled."Very sure!"Luke affirmed."Are you really sure?"the elf with the bugle asked."I am!"Luke said.Arion handed him a cloak and immediately the other students who had been watching all the time exclaimed in utter surprise.They started to talk among themselves,as if disagreeing with his choice.Luke took the cloak and went back to his seat,his heart still beating wildly.
"Luke,are you sure you want to take Lord Albion?"Asralyn asked.She too wasn't very much into agreeing with him."Oh yes I am.I think Lord Albion is going to be a perfect mentor for me!"Luke sat down, dropping his cloak onto the table.Immediately,Enoc grabbed it and started to admire the fine cloth.The cloak had runes,along the helms and had a hood,too.
"A nice choice it is!"Krysmis said,more like growled.He stunned the group,which had thought he wasn't there at all.Luke only stared at him.And he noticed that Clement was right back then when he said Krysmis and Luke looked pretty much alike.Krysmis had the same golden eyes that Luke had and the long dark silky hair but Krysmis was totally different.He wasn't the kind that Luke was.
"Yeah!"Robin suddenly interrupted Luke who was so lost in Krysmis's eyes.Krysmis might have trapped Luke in his eyes,for Luke almost screamed out loud.
"What? What's wrong?"Clement,who was seated in front of him,asked."Nothing! It's nothing!"Luke muttered, stealing a glance at Krysmis,whose eyes were shut as if he was napping.
The Choosing went on until it was Eric's turn.Surprisingly,he chose Lord Albion,like Luke did.He earned the same look from Arion,who definitely wasn't expecting that coming,too.Arion handed Eric his cloak.
"Why did he choose Lord Albion?"Luke turned to Asralyn,who was almost dropping her jaw.She was utterly surprised."I...I...I don't know!!"she stuttered."I think I know!"Enoc said,with a smirk on his face."He hates to be around me,"he stated,simply,"we had agreed to take Lord Moonshadow but he objected, obviously!!"
Luke was stunned.He could barely believe he now had a training partner.