Chapter 4 – Almost a Very Good Day
One morning, some days later, before Papa went to work, he called me to him and had the ‘big talk’ with me. Papa told me about responsibilities as a man, honor, loyalty, protection of the weak and the innocent, humbleness, how and when to use our mind powers and that we must keep these powers secret. The very serious and ominous tone that he used to deliver these words almost frightened me. But he also seemed to be distracted, like he was unable to fully concentrate.
For the afternoon of the 17th of Vermilla, Momma had arranged a celebration for my affirmation. She had invited lots of my friends and our family’s closest friends to our home. There was Edburga’s family and ours. There were several of my friends, Paxi and Tycon the red-headed brothers and Lianna a friend of Edburga’s that talked a lot. Jakki was the biggest friend I had, and very quiet. Torva ‘the tree boy’ could climb a tree faster that anyone I knew. Lojer and Jahn were childhood sweethearts that Edburga and I were fast friends with. Valdine and I became friends after she accidentally pushed me into a puddle of mud one rainy day. And of course one or both parents for each. I could smell the still warm bread and seasoned bluefish steaks. Momma had even preserved some jolly-berries to make two-finger sweet loaves for the occasion.
Everyone began showing up an hour or two after midday. While all the adults were in the house talking, Edburga, my friends and I were in the yard enjoying a game of kubbs. But, after the opposing team won the third set, I was getting very frustrated. So much so that Papa ordered me to bring everyone inside.
Each person had a setting just for them and the food was arranged down the center of each table. Papa made a little speech about becoming an honorable and humble man. Then he talked about family honor and loyalty. But he did not mention the carving. My head tingled when Papa sat down, he looked so very tired. Then I could feel something as each person came near me. For most it was a warm tingle near my ears and for a few it was a coolness above and between my eyes. It was as if the carving had an opinion or ‘sense’ about each person. What’s happening? Papa never said anything about this.
Then everything began to spin and blackness swallowed me.