Chapter 4
It had been six weeks since the accident at the Great Vein. During this time Marissa had the traditional difficulties adjusting to life at the orphanage. As expected she was still sad and depressed, but she was no longer mournful. While she appreciated the attention of Arience, she found herself to be quite different from the other orphans. She had a hard time relating to them and had not yet made any true friends.
The other children entrusted to the Church ran from ages four to thirteen. Most of them were unlike little Marissa, and almost all came from families that had given them up willingly. Families who could not afford to care for their children, and children that were not wanted were the primary residents of the orphanage. They also were from the areas in and surrounding Ducann, and as such were more familiar with the dilapidated town's atmosphere.
Marissa surely was not.
She was used to the dry sandy desert and its scorching heat. Desert dwellers had to stay together in packs in order to survive the desolation, and so she was accustomed to intimately knowing each and every one of her neighbors. They had been friendly, courteous, and they had always looked out for one another.
The populace of Ducann was most certainly not like this. A strong sense of individualism flowed through the town. The people were very protective and usually kept to themselves. This lifestyle flowed down to children, whom were often reserved and unfriendly. Of course, not everyone in the orphanage was like this.
Marissa had noticed on a few occasions when a couple of the other girls had tried to play with her. Marissa just wasn't ready yet. The once open girl had turned inward, becoming shy and fearful. Arience often tried to break the orphaned girl out of her shell, usually with little effect.
Today the children were in a classroom filled with the younger half of the orphans. The lessons were being taught by a senior abbess named Carrian. Today's session dealt with the different positions that could be held within the Church. Carrian had already been lecturing the children for the better part of an hour.
The abbess continued her speech. "... and it takes several years for a person to become a junior clergy member. Of course, to even begin on this path you must have prior lineage in the profession, and sadly none of you in this class are eligible for these types of jobs.
"Opportunities available beneath the lower clergy fall into three distinct paths. For those that show favor in strength, agility, and dexterity there is the path of the fighter. You will be the base forces for our Holy Protectorate." Several of the younger boys flexed and made threatening poses. They apparently had already decided to become fighters. A blond haired boy squeezed his upper bicep with his left hand as he flexed.
"Those showing great intelligence, strategy, and concentration will follow a path dealing with the world of magic and its many uses. This path is a specialty of this institution, and is only available to a select few. Research is a major part of this role within the Church, and it takes many years for one to become even somewhat familiar with the art." No one in the room motioned or made any kind of response to this path. Apparently none of the children showed interest in being a mage, as it appeared to be too tough and boring.
"The remaining path includes the rest of the duties within the Church. Cooks, stable hands, craft makers, or even teachers in this orphanage are just some of the many simpler jobs that fall under this path. These day-to-day manual labor jobs provide a solid backbone for the Church." Simple was a key word and the rest of the orphans thought they would probably fit well into these roles. To be a cook or something like it didn't sound to be a hard job at all.
Marissa didn't quite know where she might fit, nor did she really care.
"For those of you who have not yet been tested, we will be holding our testing session to see which path each of you is destined to follow. Because you have been left to our care, it is ordained by a mandate of the law that you serve the Church when you are of age. It is as a penance for our services that you must do so."
Marissa had heard rumors that she would have to serve the Church from the other children, but never from one of the sisters. Having it spoken to her directly from a superior clergy member reinforced that the majority of her life was going to be dictated to her. The ever present depression within her grew.
The young girl was unfamiliar with most of the ideals and laws of the Church. When her family was still alive, they had rarely attended any Church sessions. The main abbey in Takait was very far from her desert home. That wasn't to say that she didn't follow the beliefs of the religion, it was just that its principles weren't as intertwined into her daily life like those who live in the cities.
The idea of a series of tests frightened young Marissa. "What did they involve? What if I got hurt? What if I fail?"
Continue reading onto Chapter 5
The other children entrusted to the Church ran from ages four to thirteen. Most of them were unlike little Marissa, and almost all came from families that had given them up willingly. Families who could not afford to care for their children, and children that were not wanted were the primary residents of the orphanage. They also were from the areas in and surrounding Ducann, and as such were more familiar with the dilapidated town's atmosphere.
Marissa surely was not.
She was used to the dry sandy desert and its scorching heat. Desert dwellers had to stay together in packs in order to survive the desolation, and so she was accustomed to intimately knowing each and every one of her neighbors. They had been friendly, courteous, and they had always looked out for one another.
The populace of Ducann was most certainly not like this. A strong sense of individualism flowed through the town. The people were very protective and usually kept to themselves. This lifestyle flowed down to children, whom were often reserved and unfriendly. Of course, not everyone in the orphanage was like this.
Marissa had noticed on a few occasions when a couple of the other girls had tried to play with her. Marissa just wasn't ready yet. The once open girl had turned inward, becoming shy and fearful. Arience often tried to break the orphaned girl out of her shell, usually with little effect.
Today the children were in a classroom filled with the younger half of the orphans. The lessons were being taught by a senior abbess named Carrian. Today's session dealt with the different positions that could be held within the Church. Carrian had already been lecturing the children for the better part of an hour.
The abbess continued her speech. "... and it takes several years for a person to become a junior clergy member. Of course, to even begin on this path you must have prior lineage in the profession, and sadly none of you in this class are eligible for these types of jobs.
"Opportunities available beneath the lower clergy fall into three distinct paths. For those that show favor in strength, agility, and dexterity there is the path of the fighter. You will be the base forces for our Holy Protectorate." Several of the younger boys flexed and made threatening poses. They apparently had already decided to become fighters. A blond haired boy squeezed his upper bicep with his left hand as he flexed.
"Those showing great intelligence, strategy, and concentration will follow a path dealing with the world of magic and its many uses. This path is a specialty of this institution, and is only available to a select few. Research is a major part of this role within the Church, and it takes many years for one to become even somewhat familiar with the art." No one in the room motioned or made any kind of response to this path. Apparently none of the children showed interest in being a mage, as it appeared to be too tough and boring.
"The remaining path includes the rest of the duties within the Church. Cooks, stable hands, craft makers, or even teachers in this orphanage are just some of the many simpler jobs that fall under this path. These day-to-day manual labor jobs provide a solid backbone for the Church." Simple was a key word and the rest of the orphans thought they would probably fit well into these roles. To be a cook or something like it didn't sound to be a hard job at all.
Marissa didn't quite know where she might fit, nor did she really care.
"For those of you who have not yet been tested, we will be holding our testing session to see which path each of you is destined to follow. Because you have been left to our care, it is ordained by a mandate of the law that you serve the Church when you are of age. It is as a penance for our services that you must do so."
Marissa had heard rumors that she would have to serve the Church from the other children, but never from one of the sisters. Having it spoken to her directly from a superior clergy member reinforced that the majority of her life was going to be dictated to her. The ever present depression within her grew.
The young girl was unfamiliar with most of the ideals and laws of the Church. When her family was still alive, they had rarely attended any Church sessions. The main abbey in Takait was very far from her desert home. That wasn't to say that she didn't follow the beliefs of the religion, it was just that its principles weren't as intertwined into her daily life like those who live in the cities.
The idea of a series of tests frightened young Marissa. "What did they involve? What if I got hurt? What if I fail?"
Continue reading onto Chapter 5
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