Lost Wonderer

He strolls into the first town he sees, not knowing what he'd find or where he was going. The town seemed small but there was a commotion near the center and he wanted to take a closer look.

Walking through the first group of ramshackle buildings he hears things knocking about and a young girl's voice cry out, "I gotta go, I'll be late. They won't choose me if I'm late." And out from a door on his right bursts out a girl in bright yellow robes and a hair so golden it seemed brighter than the robes she wore. She crashes straight into the stranger and both hit the ground.

He's the first to his feet and offers her a hand up, but she stays on the ground and grovels to the man, " I'm so sorry mister, don't tell the power lord, I need to be chosen for my family."

The first thought he had was 'how do they speak my language?' But instead he says to the girl, "I know not who this power lord is, but to report an accident seems below a gentleman. I would not fall to such a manner. Please stand damsel." And he splits his mouth in a wide grin. She finally accepts the offered hand.

"Who are you mister, I don't think I've ever met you before and I know everyone in Minst." She looks curiously up into his emerald eyes and inviting smile.

"I am Reginald Frost the third, though my friends call my Reggy or Frost. You can call me what you like dear." His smile never faded. "What is happening here?"

"You don't know!" Now the girl looked amazed, "I thought everyone would know the selection day. Every year the clan chiefs choose new members of their team by traveling the land and visiting many villages. They seek the most powerful power users and they go back to the capitol for the rage wars."

Frost knew none of what she was talking about nor why any of it would matter, but instead of showing his ignorance he chose to look into it in his own time, besides he just arrived here and didn't know how or why, so what's a few trivial facts like understanding these people.

He follows the young girl tugging at his dark clothing, she seemed urgent for both of them to be in the center of town. When they arrived most of the towns children and young adults had to be there, and all looked anxious for something to start. They all stared impatiently at a man in bright yellow robes himself sitting at the back of the stage set up in the town square. He was a rigid man, tall and straight even sitting down he seemed to tower above others. He stood and stepped to the edge of stage.

"How many here are worthy of being a clansmen, I doubt any, but we must check. Walk over to the testing area and we'll see if you have what it takes." It seemed cold but the youths there seemed relieved that they probably wouldn't be chosen.

That's when Frost noticed all the young people were wearing robes of different hues, blues, reds, yellows, greens, blacks, and grays. And the fewest any wore was yellow.

"This is why I wore yellow," the girl speaks up, Frost almost forgot she was there. "The chooser that comes will take someone who supports their own clan way more often than a rival. I know he won't pick any reds today, they oppose yellows directly." Frost looks up and counts and sure enough most was wearing red.

As if in prophecy, "Those of you wearing red, go home and show yourself again today!" The yellow robed man seemed upset, but he let those wearing red to leave. "Now for the rest of you."

Frost looked down, "Do you have a name dear? I should know who has helped me this day."

"I'm Franny, I'm a healer specialist though I haven't had much need for it out here. I mean who needs healing this far from the action, all I get to do is heal bumps and bruises kids get around town. Talk about boring and I can't make any money doing that, I need this today." Tears were almost dropping from her eyes as she brought up money, this was no surprise to Frost. He may not of know where he's from or where he's at, but he knew about money and poverty and what it caused.

"Have faith in yourself and your abilities and you can not fail." Whether the words were for Franny or not she didn't know, but it seemed to make her feel better.

"Let's go, we'll go last, it doesn't matter when you go and if you don't do well, everyone's gone so it doesn't matter. I won't be embarrassing." She whispered the last part.

Over by the front of the line, the man with the yellow placed a hand on each youth and a strange aura came about them. Different colors for different people. The size of the auras was only about an inch or so off of any given person and didn't seem to do anything. Frost watched as one after another walked up, was touched by the man, he'd shake his head, and they'd walk away, most visibly relieved that they got the shake and dismissal. Then it's Franny's turn and her aura extends out to about a foot and has a bright golden look to it. The sight sparks a voice in Frost's head, 'take silver and gold and change the world.' That was it, the whole message.

"You have enough power to join us," the yellow robe says to Franny, "you will be coming to the capital, congratulations, I think you're the first from this town."

Tears pouring down her face, Franny turns around and hugs Frost saying, "you're my luck charm, I met you and my dreams happen. I really hope you can come with me, good luck." Then steps back for Frost's turn.