First Step by Laurel Symonds

Chapter One- The Announcement

Linian sat in front of the fireplace of the study in the northern fief of McEdwards, lost in a book, where she often was. She loved reading and being in the north, it was a wonderful way to spend long winter evenings.

Linian dropped her book as her parents walked into the room and shyly looked up at the two people in front of her. Marielle and Joseph of McEdwards, her parents, looked worried, with wrinkles creasing in their foreheads.

"Linian, we need to talk." Said her Father as they sat down. "Linian, my sweet, we are sending you to Oxford Church Ministry. There, you will spend the next eight years studying as an Ofalent."

"What? Mama?" Asked Linian in complete disgusted and shock. "Mama?" She asked again.

"Linian, I am sorry but it is true what your Father says." Linian couldn’t believe it. It took all of her willpower to prevent herself from crying.

"Father, why must I go?"

"Linian, let me tell you some history. Thousands of years ago, when the church was first created, many people willingly joined and dedicated their life to the church and our Gods. As the years have pasted, it has changed very much. Every year less people joined and the numbers of the church steadily decreased. Eight years ago, King Francis made a proclamation saying that each family must send one child to serve the Kingdom of Harren through the church."

"Why me? I do not want to go!" She cried, for Linian was only a child, at the age of thirteen.

"We have to send one of our children." Said Marielle and sighed deeply. She did not want to see her young daughter go away for eight long years.

"Can’t Nolan go?" Nolan was Linian’s annoying little brother.

"No," Said Joseph. "Nolan wants to serve Harren and become a knight."

"What about Ulee?" Asked Linian, quite desperate to get out of this undesirable fate.

"Ulee is betrothed." Said her mother.

"Linian, you will set out to Oxfords in two days." Said Joseph as he left the room.

"Why me?" Asked Linian to her Mother and she burst into tears.

"Hush, hush." Said Marielle, as she placed Linian’s face onto her shoulder. "Everything will be alright. You needn’t worry. I know things are going to be different. And hard. But it won’t be so bad, baby. You’ll learn new things. And meet new people."

"I wish you were right, Mama, but I can’t think of going there. It’s so dreadful and dreary and it won’t be any fun! I never will be happy there!"

"You have to try Linian. Promise me you’ll try."

"I will try Mama." Said Linian sadly.