Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Rose and the Council's First Test

It was quiet now in the White Hall. Everyone but Rose, Sahm, Kyrre, Trella, the Council Members, and about half a dozen Shamans had left the Hall. The Council Members had been using the rustlings of people leaving to whisper to each other quite furiously. But now they were quiet.

"Lady Rose," Fresin said, breaking the quiet, "we are certain that your fellows know, but before we continue, we want to make sure you comprehend the consequences here." He seemed reluctant to finish his statement.

Triis was not quiet about it at all. "The penalty for bringing forth a false claim of Blood under these circumstances is death. For you, and those who would speak for you."

So this was the hold up? It was no more than Rose had already suspected. She could feel the tension from Kyrre, Trella, and Sahm. She almost smiled.

"Councilmembers of Green Shade," Rose said again, "my name is Blueaecids Rose, and I have come here to request to be Heard, and my Title be bestowed upon me through trial of Blood."

A few Council Members nodded. Rose tried to remember who, since she seemed to remember Sahm had said most of them wanted Estefan to rule, now. Fresin nodded, and so did Newon at the right end. She was sure she saw someone else, as well, but it still seemed like so few.

"Well then." said Philli, the one in the middle. "Who Speaks for Lady Rose?"

"I do." said Sahm.

Philli nodded. "We appreciate that you Speak for her, then, Speaker Sahm. But she must learn to speak for herself. You are excused." he said formally. He leaned in. "You may watch the proceedings from off to the side." Philli sat back up. The female kitsune on Philli's right, Ariel, spoke next.

"Who here speaks for her Honor?" Ariel asked.

"I do. Kyrre, Den Leader of the Fifth Leaf, Kitsune Protector against Demons."

Ariel nodded. Then Fresin spoke.

"Who here speaks as her Shaman?" Fresin asked, and did not wait before adding, "If none is here for you, one of the Royal Shamans-"

Trella seemed amused; it showed in her tone as she interrupted him. "I, Trella, Shaman of the Fifth Leaf Den, do stand as her Shaman."

Fresin smiled, but Triis, on the far left end, seemed to growl lowly. He stopped at a sharp look from Philli.

"Then we shall begin the Test of Blood." Philli intoned.

It seemed relatively simple. Royal kitsune blood was apparently different in one specific way from other kitsunes. While normal male kitsunes' foxfire takes a fire form, and females' takes an earth base, Royal kitsunes' foxfire magics were reversed. Estefan had an earth-based foxfire. Rose's foxfire should be fire based. But she'd never had a chance to try it. She'd only heard Trella explain how while she was carried to Fifth Leaf Den.

In a matter of a few moments, Trella and Kyrre had to step aside, as four of the Shamans moved in closer to Rose for the test. Two stod before Rose, facing the Council, and the other two next to her. The ones in front each held one element; Rock, and Fire (on a stick). The two next to Rose were there to ensure that no ones magic but Rose's reached out to the elements. And once it did, it would either move the rock, or increase the flame. It was simple. At least, it would be for any normal kitsune. Rose, however, had never even touched her foxfire, so projecting it might be quite difficult indeed.

Rose closed her eyes as instructed, and then someone said "Proceed."

Rose searched in her gut for that strong feeling that Trella had described. A knot of magic, she had said, that would be tingly and smooth. When Rose found it, she held onto it tightly. It seemed to move in response, like a fish in a lake, and she felt like she had to fight to hold it. When she felt like she had it well enough, she projected that source forward, to try to touch the Shamans ahead of her. That was all she had to do, but she wasn't sure if she had moved the magic forward inches, feet, or millimeters. So she kept pushing.

"Triis! Stand for your eyes! You see the flame! The fire will reach the table if you do not Stand and end this!"

Rose couldn't tell which Council Member said that, and, while she wanted to smile, she knew she could not stop until they told her to. Her life was on the line!

"Lady Rose, you may stop."

Rose let go of the foxfire, and opened her eyes. The Shamans were already moving away, back to the walls.

It was quiet, and all the Council Members simply looked at her for a moment. They were all standing, which, from what Rose thought, meant that they had witnessed the proof they needed? She hoped?

"The Council of Green Shade," intoned Philli "has Seen, and hereby acknowledges that Blueaecids Rose is of Noble Kitsune Blood."

The entire Council, standing behind their table, bowed. A little surprised, Rose looked around. And found that all the Royal Shamans, Sahm, and even Kyrre and Trella were bowing. Rose blushed, but stood. So far, so good. And now they couldn't sentence her to death, so that had to be really good. Too bad she knew this wasn't all they'd require of her, or it'd be perfect!