Yla

Chapter 11: The Day they All Waited For

They spent the night eating and dancing to their heart's content and as the night drew to a close Ogami had whisked Yla away for one last time so he could say goodbye. 

“The impossible task of getting away from a crowd must tire you everyday”, he said to her as they walked towards the forest. 

“It is not always like that”, she said, noticing that they were on the way to the lake, “they are just excited, after this festival the next one is much more important.”

“Another one? I never knew that the people of the north celebrate spring too much to have a celebration every week”, he chortled, Yla looked at him amused.

“Well everyone in Fadia has waited for it for years, if you think this celebration is big, you should see the next one”, Yla was beaming, “I do hope you will be there, that day is special.”

Ogami looked at her, she too seemed to be excited for it, he began to wonder what the cause of celebration would be, “what is the occasion?”

“Next week, I will turn eighteen” she sighed, looked up at the stars and back to him and smiled meekly, “it’s a celebration only for me.”

Ogami’s jaw dropped, his parents didn't mention it, a celebration just for her, he realized the reason for it recalling what she told him at the graveyard, she will officially be the Protector of the Light of Fadia. But with it he knew that it would be impossible for him to be there, too much magic would be around and his brother would not fail to notice it. Just how much has he fallen for her, he thought, that he didn't want his brother to find out their connection. He looked at Yla’s waiting expression, he can see that she wants him to be there, instead of responding Ogami took two stones from the banks of the lake and covered them with his palms, there was a small burst of light and when he opened his palms there were two bracelets on them. The bracelets were made with a chain of what seemed to be gold and on the center of was a clear glass stone. Ogami had asked Yla to hold the stone with her two fingers and it pierced them, the blood colored the glass, Ogami did the same thing, and after which another small burst of light came forth. The stones were now the color of blood, he placed the one which had pierced him around Yla’s wrist, “I cannot promise my attendance to your special day my lady, consider this as my present. With this a part of me will always be with you, and of course the same can be said with me”, he smiled at her.

“These bracelets are not just mere decorations, they will tell us the well being of the other, the color will fade if there is a problem, and it will turn clear when the other is in grave danger, and black if...” Ogami didn't want to finish, Yla nodded, she knew what he meant. Soon after that, he escorted her back to the edge of the village and bade her farewell.

Yla smiled, even after he was gone from her sight she had a lingering smile on her face, her hand unconsciously went to the bracelet, tonight is indeed a wonderful night. 

The following day everyone was still abuzz from the merriment of the previous evening, but as soon as they were sobered up all had already begun the preparation for what is yet to come, Yla’s coming of age.

For years the people of Fadia had anticipated for this day to come. All had noticed the gradual shift in the magic in the earth for the past years, it is as if the earth itself has been preparing for her coming of age. For years, all of Fadia had been told of Yla’s progress, and how she affected the magic of the Light of Fadia, and how as she grew older she was able to master her emotions that directly affected the magical source, and they all waited for this day. The day that she will officially inherit her mother’s legacy and the title of Protector; her sole duty was to protect the magical source even if it costs her her life, with it she must ensure that the earth's magic maintains balance.

The death of Lady Adda had brought about great sorrow, that even the earth had lamented her passing, the once flourishing and thriving northern territory lost the green luster it once had, bitter winter winds blew harsher in hopes of freezing the landscape and killing the heart of the region. Not even the nymphs could do anything to replicate balance, they do not have the power to do so even at the cost of their lives. But the years of waiting have now trickled down to it's final days, soon the earth will be in jubilation once more, and all of this will happen when Yla speaks her oath, the blessings that promise will bring will be a benefit for all.

As nightfall came Yla was pacing around her home, crumpled pieces of parchment piled near her desk, her quill lay motionless atop another parchment making a blot on the page, her chair was pushed back and a troubled look was on her face. She paced endlessly back and forth, thinking of the best words to say on the day she gives her oath. On and on she paced until it was interrupted by a rasp knock on her front door. She looked out to the window and saw the moon had peeked from behind the clouds. It had gotten late without her notice, she stared at the pile of paper on her desk, not enough time to clean up, she shook her head, and went to open the door. 

Waiting on her doorstep was Cana, she was carrying a parcel wrapped in brown paper and a string. She looked excited, “good evening Cana”, she said happy with the distraction.

“Good evening to you too”, said the old lady

“It's a bit late, what could be the reason for you to call at this hour?” she asked, eyeing the package under her arms.

“I will tell you soon as I am inside. May I come in dear child?”

“Yes of course”, she said, making way to allow the old lady into the abode. 

The house was a mess and Yla knew what she would be hearing an earful for not keeping it clean. They went to the table where her parchments were scattered all over, swiftly she cleared them away making sure not to let a drop of ink touch the wood of her mother’s table. Yla offered tea but Cana declined it. 

“Don't bother yourself with anything I will not be staying for long, i just want to show you something for the ceremony, I have been keeping this a secret for so long I just can’t keep it in”, she said telling Yla to take a seat and placing the package on her lap gesturing that she open it. 

A bit wary and puzzled, Yla pulled the string that held the paper together and unwrapped it, inside she saw something she had never laid her eyes on in years, it was her mother’s ceremonial garb. 

The garb was made with blue and white silk with a cotton inner lining to keep wearer comfortable, it had long wide sleeves with lace trimmings,  delicate insertion lace that ran from the shoulder to the waist, gold fasteners and the bodice was dotted with small crystals that reflected light,  the garb went all the way to the floor with silver embroidery at it's hems going up to the back of the garb like intricate vines, it was matched with, what Yla thought was a long skirt but it turned out to be a pair of trousers designed to look like a skirt, it was also made from the same silk and had the same silver embroidery like the hem and back of the garb. 

Cana told Yla to put it on, she was at awe when Yla walked out wearing the garb, it fitted her like a glove, the colors complemented her complexion, she looked all grown-up and lady-like. The fabric flowed down her slender figure, while the hems waved gracefully as she moved, to Cana she was a work of art.

“It's beautiful”, said Yla as she spun slowly in front of the mirror, Cana was already in tears.

“It used to be your mother’s”, Cana sobbed

“I know... I saw it only once in the past, how did you come by it?” Yla was still admiring the workmanship of the dress

“I found it in one of the closets in the attic last autumn”, Cana has finally calmed down, “we had to do alterations to fit you, and we really did a good job.”

Yla couldn't forget when she saw her mother wore this garb, it was on the spring festival before the tragedy, she felt tears run down her face, if only, she thought.

The days came by so fast like a playful wind, until finally the night before her birthdaycame. Yla felt sore all over, she had been very busy with the preparation, and people had been in and out of her house to check on her or provide her with things that most times she didn't need, she was just tired. She sat on her windowsill watching the other villagers finish the preparations, you can see the excitement in their faces, because they know that tomorrow everything will change. Starting tomorrow she will be called “Lady Yla”, as they do with her mother in the past, something that she needed to get used to in the coming days. She glanced at her garb on the dress form and whispered under her breath, “Please be with me tomorrow mama.”

The following day Yla woke up a little later than what she wanted, but she could already hear the people bustling around her house. Slowly she got out of bed, walked downstairs and greeted them all with a smile. The older women crowded around her already calling her ‘Lady Yla’ and began helping her to get ready. The bath they prepared was warm and smelled like jasmine flowers, she allowed herself to fall into it's embrace and calmed her nerves. Then she was aided by Mionette to put on the ceremonial garb, Mionette was giggling in excitement the whole time. Neither Sivelle nor Cana were in her house, she expected that as they had bigger parts to play than just help her get dressed. When the women of the village were finally satisfied Yla looked at herself in the mirror, her hair was once again put up in a bun with its crystal band, a pair of crystal earrings hanging from her lobes and the Light of Fadia proudly around her neck. She smiled, if her parents were here today they would have been proud of the person she had become, if they were there, if.

There it was again, that word if, Yla shaked it out of her mind, today is not a day for grief, she breathed in deep fighting back the tears, when the doors open, proudly she walked out.

Confidently Yla walked out of her threshold, and beyond the thin veil that covered her face she saw the arches of flowers leading towards the village ceremonial grounds. The crisp scent of pine floated in the air, the sun was bright but scorching and the villagers that lined the streets waiting for her. Slowly Yla began her procession, everyone was happy, they wore their best clothes and watched her make her way to the ceremonial grounds to inherit her mother’s duty. Yla scanned the crowd but she didn't see Ogami anywhere, a slight pang of sadness, she wanted him to be there. When Yla neared the last of the flower arches Cleon and Sivelle stood on either side waiting for her, Sivelle held with her a flower crown and placed it on Yla’s head. Sivelle couldn’t hold back her tears, Sivelle and Cleon hugged her tightly. They whispered words of encouragement and told her that they were proud of her. She walked on leaving the couple, Yla stopped herself from looking back, Sivelle and Cleon played the role that her father would have played if he were alive, the flower crown symbolizes Yla’s coming of age, she smiled to herself, her father would have been happy to see her today. Just before she got to the platform her friends were waiting for her. 

“You look beautiful”, Mionette said to her.

“Sometimes I wish you would look like that everyday”, Archeos joked, but Mionette gave him a jab on his side so he couldn't laugh. 

Each of the two of them held Yla’s hand and led her to the platform where was waiting for her. “We’re here”, she heard Archeos whispered, they gave her an encouraging look before backing away. The platform was decorated with spring in mind, it was filled with either flowers or flowering plants, Yla noticed butterflies fluttering around them. She took a deep breath and faced the village of Fadia. You can see in their faces the excitement, some were in tears, but all were in anticipation to hear her take oath, her pledge, her promise. But Yla understood that to them this was a gift bestowed by the Beatitudes, but for her it is a burden to be carried until her dying breath, but she didn't fear it, she looked forward to it. 

Cana stepped forward, she faced Yla, gently she touched her face, she was smiling but i was obvious she was holding back her tears. Yla saw jubilation in her eyes, how happy she is for her, how much pride she felt, then she turned to the crowd, “It is a good day for Fadia!” she began.

“We have waited patiently for this day for many years, and today the Beatitudes has blessed us!” the crowd cheered, some began to sob profusely, Yla herself began to feel nervous, her years of training and preparation had boiled to this moment. As a child she never fully grasped the importance of this day, but as she grew older even she felt excited for today, and she wouldn’t allow her nerves to ruin the joyous celebration.

“Today, our dearest Yla has come of age. We all had our own experiences with this child, she grew up as a member of each of our family. Today the child that we collectively raised has grown up and has surpassed our expectations.” 

“Adda and Nivek would be happy to see this moment with their own eyes. I can never express to all of you how much joy is flowing within me right now. We are all recipients of the bounty from earth, and we are nothing but thankful to you Yla.”

Cana looked back at Yla once again and beckoned her to step forward, “Yla, on one knee if you please”, Yla obliged and as she knelt everyone saw the light that emanated from the crystal around her neck. Yla was a bit surprised herself, this was the first time she saw it glow so bright, but it didn't hurt her eye, if anything it filled her with a familiar warmth that she had long forgotten.

“Yla”, she heard Cana spoke, she lifted her gaze, “daughter of Adda, I place upon your person the duty of your mother, and her mother before her - the Protector, the Keeper of the Light of Fadia”.  

This was the magical source that her parents gave their lives to protect, now the responsibility has been passed on to her. Was she ready? She didn't know. Will she be able to perform duty that came with the title? She wasn't sure. But she was sure of one thing, she will do her best. Deep in thought she suddenly heard, “do you confirm it?”

Cana’s eyes looked at her with intensity, she sensed a bit of fear and nerves, Yla can decline the duty after all, and she knows that no one in the village will scorn her if she says no, but the faces of her parents flashed in her mind, and with that she knew her answer.

Her fears, her doubts and uncertainties vanished, she looked at Cana and responded, “Yes”, the crowd cheered, she raised the veil from her face, she rose and looked at the eager faces of the villagers. 

“Yla, your oath if you please”, cana whispered to her. Yla shuddered, she didn't had the time to practice this, she wasn't sure how to address them, she wrote something, she barely even memorized it, but now she faced them. 

“Vi-vi-village of Fadia, aa-a-I, face you today with h-hope”, she stammered, she took a deep breath, these people are not strangers to her, they are her family, she thought, there is nothing to fear. With this new wave of confidence she continued.

“I, the daughter of Adda, my predecessor, and Nivek the hunter, swear upon their graves, and on the Light of Fadia, to be it's Protector. I will keep it, and protect it at any cost - be it my life. This is my oath, my promise til’ my last breath.”

As she ended her promised a blinding light erupted from the crystal that engulfed the village, it was a warm sensation that everyone felt. They felt it in the air, in earth and in themselves, in every living being, the magical energy surrounding them. The whole world suddenly felt teeming with life - finally, the true spring has arrived.