1st 5 Pages May Workshop - Griffin

Kelly Griffin
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Title: The Reckoner

Chapter 1

The white invitation was glaring in the warm sunlight, the edges starting to wear from the touch of skin. The paper felt smooth underneath her fingertips, the imprinted design and words bringing life to the document. The filigree inlay dressed up the words, but the invitation was plainly written. She folded up the document again after studying it for a moment, the words pouring over in her mind. She tucked it away neatly in her bag, sliding it into a pocket. She was going to need it; it was her ticket after all.

“Evie!” a voice called out, though the sound seemed to slow as it reached the reader’s ears. She was surrounded by a bubble, the outside world kept at bay as she thought. But a few more calls seemed to burst its skin, sending her senses back into reality.

“Yes!” Evie cried, standing up from the bench. She fumbled a moment to maintain her footing, though the boat was gliding serenely across the water. The young woman who was calling for her was hanging from the vessel, a daredevil in her own right. She was dressed in colorful vestments, a patchwork dress and purple short coat. Her hair was a curly mess because of the wind, but Evie could still make out the mischievous golden eyes beneath it. Her worn boots clung to the ship in desperation, but the woman cared very little for their plight. “Adelaide, you’re going to get yourself killed!”

“I highly doubt that,” Adelaide responded. She spun around to jump back down onto the deck, her steps springy and light. She grinned wildly, the hoop earrings jangling around her face. “I’ve got you and luck on my side.”

“I’m not sure I should be your fall back plan,” Evie said, crossing her arms. She was a little taller in stature and her long blonde hair fell below her shoulders. Her white jacket and skirt had seen better days since she was given them in Revilian, but memories couldn’t tear her from them. It had been over a year to the day since she left that city behind, following her hopes and dreams into the great unknown.

The sails billowed and rustled in the moving wind, pushing the boat quickly over the rough surf. The water crashed against the sides loudly, the white caps fighting for a taste of the deck. “I think you’re a lot more powerful than you think you are. I mean, you’re a maritara, or really the very specifically powerful one. Why else would the Order ask for you to come to Nevvara ?”

Evie smiled at her warmly, looking out at the horizon. Small dots of green had appeared, growing in size as the vessel approached the direction of the Southern Islands. “I think if they thought me to be a master of my craft they wouldn’t have invited me to be a guest student,” she said simply.

“What did I say to you the day you saved my life?” Adelaide asked her, putting a hand on Evie’s shoulder. Her fingers were clad in jeweled rings, all of different stones.

“You mean the day you tried to steal from me?” Evie laughed, shaking her head. “You said that I was capable of great things.”

“I think this voyage to Nevvara is just the beginning. Adventure is beckoning to us, leading us into the fray,” Adelaide mused, dropping her hand to move back towards the front of the boat.

“Adventure seems to be the way of life for me these days. I haven’t really gotten used to it after all the years I spent stationary in Revilian. Maybe I’ll find a home away from home. And maybe I’ll live up to my reputation,” Evie told Adelaide, though her thoughts were mostly for herself. She was full of self-doubt and couldn’t hide from her abilities anymore. She was growing more and more powerful every day, and without training she was just a ticking time bomb.

“Not so fast, we’re not even there yet. You don’t want to get your hopes up Evie,” Adelaide responded, spinning on her toes. She was vibrant and vivacious, her entire life was moving. She was a Wanderer, one of the lost people. They didn’t consider themselves lost though, that was a colloquial term for them. Instead they were what the name suggested, a nomadic people that was always on the move, no place to call home.

“Fair point. I guess we’ll just see how it goes!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. She laughed afterward, an infectious smile spreading from ear to ear. She returned to her bench, sitting down next to her pack. The wind blew her beautiful hair out of her face, her eyes squinting against its strong current. The islands were coming into view, growing from green specs to defined masses. She took in a deep breath, the air laced with promise. Her nervousness lay in wait in her stomach, hiding for the moment as the awe of it all took over. She was full of emotion, just waiting to burst.

The boat slid over the water with ease, the water parting as though it was sliced in half. The crisp sea air penetrated everything, leaving a salty smell behind. Evie dreamed of possibilities, of the things she would find in Nevvara , the capital city of the Southern elhuman Islands. Her thoughts ran back to the small dreams that she kept always. She wanted to be stronger, to reach the hopes her parents had for her, the ones the world had. But she needed help, and help was offered. She was determined to make her stay in Nevvara worth her time. There was no greater honor than to be a student of the Order, it was the ultimate nod of respect for a young user. They had asked for her, no one else. She wasn’t about to let anyone down, that was her resolve.

Only a few more hours passed before they reached the shore, the boat brought into harbor by a small dingy. They docked and made their preparations to leave, gathering their scanty belongings. They traveled light at all times, Evie and Adelaide had grown used to living without much to their name.

Adelaide was quick to jump off the deck onto the wooden platform, with Evie in careful tow. She gave a wistful look back at the sea, a look back at the mainland she had come to know. Resolving herself she breathed in deeply, checking to make sure the invitation still sat in her pocket.

The short walk led to a single individual, a man dressed in long white robes with a single circular pendant hanging from his neck. He nodded as Evie and Adelaide approached, a sign of respect. The girls nodded in return, though an awkwardness was pervasive. They came to a halt after descending down the stairs, waiting for some kind of direction.

The man bowed towards Evie, which Evie assumed was because she was expected. “Evelyn Zarn, you honor us with your presence. I am Ricard. Please, I have come to escort you to the temple where the High Priest awaits your arrival,” he said with reverence, his voice steady and calming.