“Why wouldn’t I be?â€? Arela teased “I can finally become a Shaman and take care of my friends!â€?

“Yes, dear, but remember you’ll be expected to use them for those whom you wouldn’t call friend, as well.â€? Dermit cautioned her genially.

“I know, I know…â€? Arela retorted with a grin. She nodded to the mayor and her uncle in farewell and continued her walk.

The High Shaman, the same man whom had tested her and found the spark of magic, was waiting for her at the entrance to the village temple. He had been a graying gentleman when she had first met him, and the decade since her training had begun had seen him gain a few more wrinkles and lose the color in the rest of his long hair. He kept his hair tied with a similar grass thong, but had it ornamented with additional leather thongs at intervals, each one decorated with an earth rune of differing metals. The metal that composed each rune charm designated his standing among the small clan of shamans who oversaw the well being and magic use of the their people.