Rising From the Ashes: The Chronicles of Caymin by Caren J. Werlinger

Author:Caren J. Werlinger [Werlinger, Caren J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Children's Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, Fantasy, Epic, Sword & Sorcery, Children's eBooks, Science Fiction; Fantasy & Scary Stories
ISBN: 9780996036832
Amazon: B01APWFEC6
Publisher: Corgyn Publishing, LLC
Published: 2016-02-01T16:00:00+00:00

The younger apprentices sat huddled around a fire with Niall and Una, warming themselves against the frosty cold of the morning.

For days, their talk had centered around why Timmin had left so unexpectedly. Caymin sat silently, not participating in the speculation, since only she knew the reason. Neela had returned late that day, assuring Enat that Timmin had crossed the boundary of the forest.

“I think he went after the invaders,” whispered Daina now. “Followed them north to their land to make sure they don’t come back.”

The others looked suitably awestruck at this suggestion. Without meaning to, Caymin snorted impatiently.

“Well, where do you think he is, then?”

Diarmit eyed her as she felt her cheeks burn.

“I do not know,” she said, thinking quickly. “But I doubt he is strong enough yet to travel across the sea and take on the invaders single-handedly.”

Gai looked toward the meetinghouse with its closed door. “What do you think they’re doing in there?”

Fergus, Méav and Ronan had been summoned to meet with the elders.

“They’re soon to be tested,” said Una.

Diarmit looked up. “For what?”

“To see if they’re ready.”

“Ready for what?” Caymin’s curiosity was piqued.

“Their final test in the forest.” Cíana lowered her voice. “The healer in our village told me a little. When we’ve learned enough as apprentices, we go into the forest at Samhain, the night when the veil between worlds thins, when we can pass between worlds. She couldn’t tell me what happens that night. All who undergo the test are sworn to secrecy, but she said, if the forest deems us worthy, we leave as mages, with our staff. Only then, can we come and go from the forest freely.”

“What if they aren’t deemed worthy?” Daina asked.

“They may return to us for more training or they can choose to leave with what they have,” Niall said. “There are many with some magical training, and they live as healers. Not all become full mages.” He glanced toward the meetinghouse. “But if they win their staffs, they’ll leave the forest and we likely won’t see them again.”

Caymin watched the meetinghouse with renewed curiosity. She half-listened as the others began speaking of their traditions for Samhain – bringing the cattle and sheep in from summer pastures and slaughtering those that would feed their village through the winter. Caymin remembered watching the villagers participate in these rituals, relighting their doused fires from a central bonfire. But she had never heard of the passage from one world to another.

“My da swears he saw his da’s da on Samhain,” Diarmit said solemnly. “Talked to him, he did, though he’d been dead a score or more summers.”

Caymin looked up at that. “You can see and speak to the dead on Samhain?”

Diarmit shrugged. “Some can.”

Gai scoffed. “Tales for children and simpletons.”

“No.” Niall shook his head. “I saw my mam, one Samhain when I was ten winters, and she died when my younger sister was born, some five winters before. She looked just as I remembered her. We talked. ’Twas she who told me she’d had magic and had passed it to me, and that I’d be coming here.

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