Life As We Know It - XX South of Metamor
699 I remember the crickets chirping. And I remember my disappointment. All of that work, and I didn’t feel any different. And no one seemed to care. I didn’t expect a party for succeeding in my test. I didn’t expect anyone to celebrate. What I did expect were congratulations from the others. And I did get some…from Sotto. Umaro and Mirna after my test spent the rest of their day in their tent, only coming out for dinner. And what a dinner it was. Nothing quite as nice as sitting in silence around a camp fire, no one able to bear looking at each other. I got a smile out of Sotto but indiference out of the others. I wanted to Tapp their minds, their had to be some reason they weren’t happy for my success. But the two of them seemed to radiate power, so I decided against Tapping. 'They’d know what I was trying. Then I’d be in real trouble.' So I sat in silence. Finally the dinner from hell ended and we each retired to our tents. I went into Sotto’s, I had more to talk about. “How do you feel Janelle?” I shrugged. “Better?” “I needed some rest.” I said. “I do feel better now I guess. Things are…okay…” The tent was lit by a lantern in the corner. Beside the lantern was Sotto’s bag, stuffed tight and with a single knife strapped to the side. He saw me looking at it. “When you find a warrior spirit, you’ll need a weapon as well.” Sotto said, smiling. “The spirit will choose your weapon.” I nodded. Sotto’s face was almost invisible in the dark of the tent. The golden glow seemed to grow smaller with each flicker of the flame. “I wish I could tell people about my abilities.” I said. “I mean, we’re mages too essentially. Why should we hide what makes us special?” “Because people don’t understand.” Sotto said. “Being able to read minds, to speak to the dead? This scares most people. I know full well.” He glanced away. “I told someone once.” I perked up at this. Outside the crickets were chirping. “When?” “Oh along time ago,” Sotto said. He gave a small laugh, “It was a very long time ago. During the best time of my liffe with the woman of my dreams. Her name was Devone. She reminded me of you.” “She did?” “Red hair, winning smile and a low tolerance for lies. Yeah she reminded me a lot of you.” He sighed. “But she didn’t handle the idea her boyfriend could read her mind very well. She became worried about thinking out of turn…and I regret how I reacted.” The flames in the lantern began to die, shrinking the golden halo. It left Mr. Sotto almost completely in dark. I heard nothing but his heavy breathing. “That was a long time ago. I don’t want you to ever have to go through what I did.” “Thank you sir.” I said. Sotto began to say something, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. “Sir?” “Janelle…you’re now a full Enlightened. I think it’s time I tell you about these jars…” He swallowed, “And about how I acquired the spirits inside of them.” I remember outside the crickets were chirping.
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