“What’s gotten into you?” Seth asked.
“You look very handsome in those clothes love.” Sara stated beckoning towards his outfit. “You look very important as well.” She added.
“You think so?” Seth asked raising one eyebrow.
“Yes I do, I just hope none of the other girls at the ceremony notice.” Sara said smiling slyly.
“No matter if they do Sara, I will never want any other than you.” Seth said honestly.
Sara smiled proudly knowing he was being honest, and happy with the knowledge that though she might not deserve him, he was hers and no other’s. Seth rose from the bed and pulled Sara into his arms. Today he knew would be a life changing day. Today was the choosing. It was a day he was sure he would never forget, and he hoped now that he would be making good memories this day. If it did not go well however, he would return here to the inn to meet Sara and they would run together to somewhere the Kingdom would not care to look for them. The plan was made, the day had come, now all there was to do was see how it played out. The ceremony was scheduled to start two hours after sunrise, and sunrise was upon them.
Gathering their belongings Seth removed the small black tome from beneath the bed and placed it within his shirt, tucking it firmly at his waist. Then without a look back he and Sara left the room and headed to the dining hall.
Garret and Ashton both awoke feeling renewed and well rested. They both were excited about the coming ceremony. Both of them fairly certain what it held in store for them. They rushed to dress and gathered their things before leaving their room. Taking the stairs two at a time and skipping the last few all together they made their way to the first floor and down the hall to the dining area. Rounding the corner they were amazed to see the room full of people. They had hardly even been aware of any other guests up until now, however the dining hall was filled nearly to capacity this morning and it took Garret a moment to scan the dozens of faces who looked up at him as he entered the room. Looking from table to table Garret located his brother and Sara and led Ashton across the room to join them. It was not their normal table they attended this morning, instead having to sit at one against the wall. They all greeted one another as Garret and Ashton sat themselves with their companions. Looking around Garret noticed that nearly all the people here this morning were their own age. Most of the people in the hall were already eating, or empty plates stood upon their tables having already finished their meals. Each of the companions anxious for their own reasons, waited impatiently for Felix to arrive.
After some time Felix did arrive, accompanied by a young woman. They each carried large trays filled with plates of food which they delivered to several different tables. The meals delivered, the young woman and Felix then gathered empty plates from those guests that were finished, and too from tables that now were deserted. Having gathered everything there was to gather, Felix sent the woman back to the kitchen her arms heavily burdened with plates and bowls before turning to approach the four’s table.
“It appears you are a busy man this morning.” Seth said to Felix as he came beside the table.
“Indeed I am Master Seth.” Felix replied. “And good morning to you all.” He added.
They each in turn greeted Felix, and when he asked what they would be having for breakfast he was not surprised when Sara spoke for the group.
“Felix, you should well know by now that you can prepare for us anything of your choosing, as no one I am sure has better taste in food than you.” Sara said all the while beaming a giant smile at the man.
“Thank you for your kindness all of you.” Felix said, looking to each of them one by one. “It is a shame your stay could not be longer, I truly hope to see each of you again.” He added in earnest.
Each of the companions responded thanking Felix for his delicious meals and friendly conversation. Each too promised they would return as soon as they could assuring the man nothing could keep them away from his cooking. Felix left their table giving them a smile and a wink before he left. As he crossed the room the companions watched him go his limp more prevalent than it had been in days past.
As the group waited patiently for Felix’s return, they spoke briefly about the ceremony that awaited them in less than two hours time. Both Garret and Ashton spoke boisterously, unable to restrain their excitement. Seth and Sara tried to sound as excited as their companions, but neither of them was able to quite mimic the others’ mood.
Before long Felix returned, carrying a tray of food and mugs for the four companions. He placed a plate and mug before each of them and wished them an enjoyable meal before he left to see to other customers.
Upon each plate stood a large muffin, larger than any muffin any of them had seen before. The top of the muffin had been cut away and hollowed out to hold a pool of thick syrup blended with raspberries. The entire muffin was also drizzled with melting frosting crisscrossing the top of the muffin in milky white lines that ran down their sides and formed small pools of sticky sweetness upon the plates. To accompany the muffin Felix had brought each of them a large mug filled with milk blended with orange juice. It was a simple meal, but even so Felix had seen to it that it was a delicious meal. Each of them ate quickly, knowing that time was growing short, and they still had to walk the distance to the castle which would take nearly half an hour. They finished eating in record time and instead of waiting for Felix to return they decided to leave the inn. Pushing back from the table the four of them rose, and grabbing their belongings, they headed to the street.
Entering the street they were amazed to find that like the inn the street was bustling with people unlike they had ever seen before. Hundreds of people of all ages crowded the street all moving in the direction of the castle. Merging into the crowd the four headed like everyone else toward the castle in the center of the city. Garret and Seth walked side by side down the street. Opposite of Garret, Sara walked beside Seth their hands entwined tightly, each of them afraid of what might lay ahead. Ashton walked on the opposite side of Garret that Seth walked, and he knew today he would follow in the footsteps of both his mother and his older brother. Nothing could please him more. Garret too walked more quickly than was usual. Being almost guaranteed that he would be joining the ranks of the elite knights of Valdadore, Garret rushed on to his future, a future he was happy to embrace, a future sure to be filled with honor and glory. Seth and Sara on the other hand walked quickly just to keep up with their companions. Neither of them really wanted to attend the ceremony, both of them fairly certain it would turn out badly. Sara did not care for what she would be chosen, it mattered not at all so long as she would be able to stay with Seth. This she knew was unlikely. If Garret was to be chosen for the Knighthood, then so too was Seth likely to be chosen. Sara doubted that there were any women in the knighthood. Even though they had planned for a possible separation, Sara was afraid.
Seth on the other hand was not afraid. He had already made plans with Sara in the event they should be separated, and that being done he was comfortable in the fact that they had foreseen the possibility and planned accordingly. Seth was also not afraid of the ceremony itself. It was true he knew it was likely he, like his brother could be chosen for one portion of the army or another. Though this was in no way what he wanted, it did not scare him. Seth had no energy for fear now, instead it now seemed as if the ceremony really held no relevance to him, with the recent revelations Seth was almost certain his path would lead to one predetermined point no matter what was to happen today. All that mattered is that Seth pay attention, watch for signs, gather information and knowledge in his plan to regain control of his fate and untangle himself from the Goddess’s schemes.