Empress Uprising

Chapter 4

* Thea*

The announcement ceremony is about to start. The whole coven is gathered in the middle of the village. To the side of the fountain, which sits in the middle of the village, is a couple of long tables set up. They hold refreshments of all kinds. Fruits, loaves of bread, pastries, sandwiches, drinks of all kinds, and different little toys for the children to play with. It's a nice little offering table to keep everyone happy. I usually tend to just stay toward the back and run off after the announcement is made. I know that I can not do that this year. My name will be called this year. That means everyone will want to say their goodbyes. Even if they are fake. Kora had a make-shift stage build years ago that she brings out when she has to address the whole coven. It's decorated in her favorite colors. Black and purple streamers and flowers adorning it. I have to say it looks nice.

Kora and Theo step up on the stage and to the middle. Kora doesn't rely on microphones and just uses Theo Air magik to make sure her voice is heard by all. And it starts:

" Good Morning Moonrise Coven. Once again we are gathered to honor those who will be making the trek to the Saoirse Traning Camp this year. I know that many of you fear this announcement as we have yet to see a return of any of those who leave. This is a great opportunity for those that go, however. To learn how to use magik to its fullest. To engage with the rest of the supernatural community and form unbreakable bonds in the name of our coven. I am sure that the coven members we have sent in the past took great honor in the sacrifice they made for the greater good of our kind. Many of them are most likely still fighting on the front lines to keep us safe." She took a pause as the coven waited for her to say the names of those who will go. " Each year we are asked to send a few members to help bolster the numbers in the war against humankind. The Moonrise Coven is one of the largest and therefore we always send five people. This year we have not had as many births in the coven as we normally do so we will not be sending five. Instead, we will send three to carry on our honor. If I say your name please come up to the stage and stand beside me so the coven can properly honor you."

" Delani Grove, Zane Maris, and Thea. Please make your way to the stage." The crowd erupts in cheers and claps. I see Zane's parents hugging him and crying. I look toward the stage to see Theo looking right at me. I start to walk toward the stage and feel people lightly touch me as I move by. After a minute I am almost to the stage when Luca steps in front of me. He hugs me and whispers in my ear that he will miss me. I hug him back but say nothing. Zane has caught up to me and grabs my hand as we finish the few steps we needed to make it to the foot of the stage. Delani is still being embraced by her friends and family so we wait there for her to catch up. It seems fitting for us all to go up at once. I wonder why Kora choose Zane this year when she could have chosen him last year. Best guess is so that it was more painful for me.

I'm not engaged in what is going on but I hear it all. The applauding, and thankful sayings for our service. The crying of some and the sheer happiness of others. I look at Kora to find her smiling. She does not do that often. She must be really happy I am leaving soon. SHe makes another speech that I hear nothing of. I still feel Zane's hand in mine. He is squeezing it slightly. Trying to get my attention. I look up and notice that is because it is over now. Kora has dismissed the coven and instructed them to eat, mingle, play, and enjoy the day.

All I can seem to think about now is that soon I will have this bracelet off my wrist. Soon I will know if I really am worthless like Kora tell me. What will my magik be? Theo says it will hurt. How bad? Will I be able to control myself when it happens as he wants me to? Will I even have anything to have to control? How will the training camp respond to a witch with little power or one who doesn't know how to use it? They have to expect the recruits to have some knowledge or why else wait till they are at least 16 years of age. It is technically a new start. Even if it is one that sends me into the war. I wonder if I will be shunned there as I am here. Zane is leading us over toward the fountain. People are saying all kinds of things to us, but I can not focus on them. There are too many questions running through my head. I know she would choose me this year. Hearing it and living it is different though. It means that I really do have a chance at actual life.

I know I have been blessed to have Zane as a friend while growing up. Wrong or not I am extremely happy I will not be alone in a new place. I know that Hilda and Luca care about me as well. I will miss them dearly. If I can survive the war maybe I will get to see the two of them again one day. If I survive maybe I can find another coven to accept me. Somewhere I will not be an outcast. Where I can actually be a part of something.

The day drags on with games and talking. Soon its night time and the coven moves into the main building for dinner, dancing, and more socialization. Kora made it beautiful in here too. This year she let the decorating team go all out. There are streamers of every color all over the room. Tables and chairs set up to the side of the rooms, and a big open space in the middle for dancing. Floating candles and what looks like fireflies raised up above our heads to provide soft lighting. Somehow it is enough to see everything perfectly fine, without being too much light either. It is stunning and I find myself relaxing and enjoying my night. I dance with Zane a few times and Luca once. Luca is concerned about the war and my well-being. I tell him to look at the bright side of things. His mom should be less prickly once I am gone.  Who knows when the war will end, but the more recruits we have out there helped; surely the faster we can find an end. Dinner was amazing. The cooks outdid themselves once again. Beef kabobs with Spanish rice, a lamb curry that was mouth-watering, and fresh-baked bread and veggies. Good food is the only thing I ever find myself being extremely happy for. I think it is my weakness. Thankfully I always get to enjoy the coven gatherings as well, and the cooks here are something I will miss as well. Who knows though maybe the cooks at the training facility will be amazing too.

Before I know it the night is ending and Kora is congratulating us again on being chosen. She dismisses everyone back to their homes. I sign. This means I have to go back to the attic for the last time. I still have to pack though as I have spent the whole day with Zane. As I go to head home I hear Kora call my name. I turn around to see her a few feet from me.

" Yes", I reply.

" Come to my office in the house in one hour. Theo and I will need to speak with you before you go to bed tonight.", It was a demand not a request from Kora. It is never a request.

" Yes, ma'am," I reply and then turn and start back toward the house. I wonder what she will want tonight. She is getting rid of me tomorrow. Will she really want to rub it in. While she is always harsh with me, she is usually not the type to harp on. She threatens and/or implements the punishment and then moves on. I learned long ago not to think too much about her request though. Just wait, get it over with, and then move on. Otherwise, I overthink and end up with anxiety. Never helps. She will do what she wants, but I will still be out of here tomorrow no matter what.