Jaspen

The next morning, I returned to the temple dressed in shaman clothes. My mother said nothing as she saw me walk out the front door even about eating, but I saw her slim smile and I knew she thought it odd to see me dressed as I was.

I had skipped breakfast to begin the steep assent up the stairs before the sun was completely above the mountains. I never knew learning to be this exhilarating, but shaman Zeke had a way of making it interesting.

Only a few people were climbing the steps a I went which made it easier since no one was pushing past me. At the top of the steps, I found Omand clad in a similar robe. His hair was completely shaved now and he had two gold bars running through his right ear. On his right palm was a fresh bandage and he looked frail, but happy.

"Omand," I greeted.

"Jaspen," he said with a slim smile. "Come master Zeke is waiting."

Master? I thought for a moment and guessed it was because Zeke was his mentor.

In under a day, Omand seemed more like the shamans than before with his even tone and showing no emotion. If being a shaman meant not showing emotion, I would stay a blacksmith apprentice.

I followed on Omand's heel but instead of entering the temple, he started back down the stairs I had just climbed.

"How was your ascension ceremony?"

"Enlightening and very humbling."

I nodded not knowing what else to say. I was proud of him for moving up in rank among the shaman, but I missed my friend.

"Where are we heading?"

"Master Zeke asked for you to get permission to ride with us to the first ruins near Spirit Lake."

I just wished someone would have told me were were leaving the village before I climbed all those stairs for nothing.

"How long would we be gone?"

"Four days."

I hated how I was the only one asking questions and carrying the conversation. What had happened in that ceremony yesterday? Soon we were in front of my home. I opened the door to see my mother in the corner sewing. She didn't even look up at first.

"Mother?" I asked.

"Aye?" she answered looking up at me for a brief moment.

"Is it okay if I go with shaman Zeke and Omand to the ruins of the Spirit Lake?"

She thought for a moment.

"Is it wise to be in the saddle that long with broken ribs?"

I hung my head knowing she had a point, but I wanted to go so badly.

"No," I mumbled.

She sighed putting down her project.

"Go ask your father."

"Thank you!" I said already heading out the door.

"That wasn't a yes, Jaspen," she warned as I shut the door.

We walked the short distance over to the bazaar in silence. You could hear symphony of voices selling their wares as it was market day. The one day a week the northern sellers were here to barter and sell themselves giving us an opportunity to see a glimpse of how the pale ones lived and bought. The streets were crowded as we pushed and zigzagged our way through the large crowd.

He was hard at work pounding steel into shape for a heavy ax.

"Father?" I asked loudly to be heard over his forge.

"Aye?" he grunted as he pounded away at his project.

"Would it be alright if I go with shaman Zeke and Omand to the first ruins and spirit lake for four days?

He kept pounding away for a few moments before removing the steel with his tongs.

"Wouldn't the ride only irritate your ribs further, Jaspen? I need you resting, son. Not off on adventures- your time away from here isn't for vacation. It is meant for learning."

"But father-"I started.

I'd never had left tribal grounds and now that I had a chance, I wanted to go worse than ever.

"The decision is final, Jaspen," he said gruffly. "Now go, I have tons of work to catch up and do while your away from your apprenticeship."

I slunk away feeling my hopes be dashed into the sand. Omand and I walked in silence over to the stable. I watched as he walked away to talk to Zeke. Zeke handed him two books- a tattered leather bound one and one that looked new and had Omand bring them to me.

"Jaspen, I'm sorry you can't come."

I nodded not wanting him to know how much it hurt to not be going.

"He said the King's Physician would possibly be willing to teach you while we're gone. The rest of the temple left last night.

"Thank you," I said.

He handed me the books and I ran my hand gingerly over the worn cover as I watched them leave resenting the fact I wasn't going with. I didn't know the life of a shaman included journeys as well.

When they were out of sight, I headed the short way home. I knew my parent's wouldn't approve of me entering the palace again, but what if the physician could tell me more of Sari? Perhaps I could put my mind at ease about that great mystery once and for all. I was curious what had made the physician ask such a question if she wasn't my mother.

I quickly went to my room and took off the robe and tugged off the sandals replacing them with my boots. I felt more normal again wearing my own clothes that weren't constantly rubbing against my skin making it rough. If I wasn't in the temple, I had no reason to still look like a shaman.

"Your father say no as well?" asked my mother as I came back into the kitchen area.

"Aye," I grumbled.

"Did you take your medicine?" she asked gently as if trying to change the subject.

I sat down at the table and pulled the stopper out taking a quick swig. The taste was vile. My mother put a few pieces of buttered bread in front of me as well as a bowl of porridge. I ate it disheartened.

"I know you wanted to go, Jaspen, and I'll talk to your father about you going once you heal."

I wasn't going to get my hopes up. It was where Hassan had lost his right eye to bandits and my father feared what was outside these walls ever since his whole tribe had been annihilated in a war.

"Thank you."

I ate in silence wondering to myself how the trip would have went.

Once I ate, I headed towards the palace with my books Zeke had given me. I had decided not to let my parents know I was seeking out the King's Physician's help since they had already cost me getting to leave. I flipped through the worn book watching the text boggled my mind. Without meaning to, I bumped into someone causing me to lose my books.

"I'm.. I'm sorry," I spluttered bending down to retrieve my book.

"I'm impressed you can read," said the familiar voice of the prince.

My breath caught. I hadn't even got to see who I had ran into thanks to my bangs falling in my face and being preoccupied with trying to understand the symbols in the book.

"My prince-"

"It's fine," he said waving me off. "How are your ribs?"

I looked at him stunned.

"Oh...uh... mending, sire."

A small smile crossed his grim face.

"Am I really that hard to talk to?" he asked.

"No.. no, my prince... I just-"

I was making a complete mockery of myself.

"Where were you heading anyway?" he asked.

"I was heading to see the King's Physician to see if he could help me with learning..."

"He left for the Spirit Lake- most of the other shaman's did for the summer solstice."

I dropped my shoulders in disappointment.

"Oh... I see."

"My prince, your lesson?" reminded one of his guards.

"Right, right," he said waving him off. "Well I hope you find what you are looking for."

With that he left, and I snatched my books off the ground before heading back home. Neo was going to make a fine king one day.