It was the first day of spring. All the snow had not yet melted in Myldar. Although the weather and air was warm the ground was still frozen and muddy. But today was my day. It was the annual coming of age ceremony, for when a Viking Prince turns the age of 16. He then has to choose a beast to aid him in whatever they deem fit. My reasoning was to become the new king and eventually take over my fathers reign as king.
But in terms of Beasts? There were so many. How could I just choose one, and would the beast choose me. The nerves were getting to me. The ceremony was close though, I believed it starts in 30 minutes but I was often in my own world. Thinking about the future and what it holds, ever since I was young and understood my role in the hierarchy I began to feel Enormous amount of pressure it was just being a royal. Let alone a prince of a very successful king.
As I sat on the edge of this cliff side that would oversee the ocean I heard a voice call out my name.
"Gale…Come on already the ceremony is starting!"
I turned around to see a close family friend that I've know since a baby, his name was Udin.
"Coming!" I shouted as I ran over toward him.
"Your late young prince, come we must get ready before your father arrives" said Udin.
"Is father still not back from his trip?, I thought he was supposed to arrive earlier today?"
"He was supposed lad, but I guess plans changed, you know how it is."
I shook my head I. Agreement and he hurried back to our family cabin. I quickly got freshened up dressed, I was wearing my black leather boots, my dark brown pants, my royal tunic jacket with a white long sleeve underneath and my shoulder pad armour with my families crest on it. (Which was a lion)
"Alright Udin I'm ready to go now" as I rushed past him on the way to the ceremony. The event was being held by the main square where everyone usually goes to attended town meetings and celebrations.
When we arrived I could see all the people waiting for me to get there. The faces seemed cheerful but something about them were off putting. I don't know what it could be. Maybe it was the nerves, and the anxiety getting to me. Nevertheless the show must continue. I quickly put my royal face on and continued toward the square with Udin.
"Are you ready my prince ?" Said Udin
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, just a little nervous that's all."
"Don't worry lad, your father was the same way when he was your age, sometimes I feel like I can't tell the difference. But no need to fear young one, today is your day embrace it."
Udin said smiling. I smiled back and headed throughout the gates of the square. I could hear the cheering of loud banter of the crowd behind the doors. With confidence I pushed open the square doors and immediate Cheering from the crowd and praises from everyone.
"Happy birthday young prince"
"Long live the prince"
"Congratulations Prince"
The warm praises eased my heart strings and my heart began to slow and calm down. I walked toward the middle of the square where a stand with three objects on top of it was. As I walked up to the stand loud trumpets began to ring.
"All rise as the king of Myldar arrives!" Everyone began to stand and hold silence for a brief moment.
My father was a famous man with a honourable Carrier he left behind. But being so successful meant that I've never really gotten to see him due to travel.
He walked through the front gate and everyone cheered my father then lifted his arms is the air embracing the warm welcome.
"Hello my dear people, I have returned for our journey across the divide and I bring good news. We have found land that we can explore and prosper further."
Everyone in the crowd cheered again praising my fathers words.
"But today is not about me or about our accomplishments. It is my youngest sons 16 birthday. Does everyone know what that means?" My father said as the crowd shouted back
"Selection of wills!"
"Yes yes, the selection of Wills. It is a trademark of our people that runs back to the time of our ancestors. Today my son will show us today what the Everheart bloodline is made of!"
The crowd responded in cheer. This moment was so intense for me, everything had slowed down. My heart pounded harder and harder with each breath. I began to hear ringing in my ear and began to shake.
Before I knew it my fathers arms wrapped around me and his warm presence calmed me down.
"Breathe son, you can do this"
I took a deep breath and put myself together.
"We will now start the ceremony. Let us begin"
A woman wearing a turquoise dress and pale blue skin whom I've never seen before walk to where my father and I stood and greeted us.
"Hello your majesties, it is I Cassia Grove witch of the north, and I'm pleased to serve you this final time my king."
My father rolled his eyes and explained to me that Cassia has owed him favours for some trouble she caused him back in the day. I guess she had performed for all my siblings ceremony's.
(Btw I have 3 older siblings. 1 brother and 2 twin sisters.)
Cassia had walked up to the stand where the three objects had been laying and welcomed me to join her.
We stood on opposite sides of the stand and she explained to me what was going to happen.
"So my prince welcome to the ceremony of the selections of wills. This is an important process every child born of royal blood goes through before they can assimilate to the throne. one of these 3 eggs will imprint on you if found worthy, and whichever egg selects you, you form a spiritual bond with each-other and become extensions of each others souls bonded., making you become a "Beast Master". Just like your father."
I looked toward my father and he smiled. His strong jaw and black hair and clothes brought out his white smile. He was truly great.
"Now my prince I'm going to need you to draw some blood for the ceremony."
I looked at Camilla with a big fuck you written all over it. But I drew a small knife I had in my back pocket and slashed a mark across the palm of my left hand. With my hand bleeding Camilla told me to put my hand out in front of me while dripping my blood across each egg.
As I began to move my hand across of eggs Camilla recited a spell. It was some sort of foreign language I couldn't understand, so I didn't make out what she was saying. Suddenly the eggs and I began to glow.