First, it was dark, and then, a blinding light.
Cassian snapped his eyes open. He stared at the ceiling, his eyes darting left to right. The walls around him were unfamiliar, the softness beneath his palm too.
He was sure he didn't know the door in front of him.
He pushed himself up, but a ringing in his head pulled him back down.
His memories came back to him in jagged flashes.
From Cain, to the red haired girl. And the purple circle to the burning pain.
And then the mark.
He raised his hand up, and there it was etched in black, engraved in his flesh. It seemed almost alive, now that he actually looked at it.
The door opened, and a woman walked in. She had a tray in her hands.
She looked at Cassian and paused. Her eyes went wide, and then her mouth. She backed out of the room without a word, without turning around, without shutting the door behind her—like something would take her if she looked away from him for even a second.
Was he not supposed to be awake?
He didn't fight the grin that crawled onto his face.
He had a mark now, nothing she did could faze him.
"Finally" he blurted "Finally"
The door opened again. This time the nurse came back with two men. They looked like guards. One bulky, the other lanky. Complete opposites.
He'd never seen them at the temple before.
"Cassian Reinhert, the Archon has called for you" The lanky soldier spoke
The Archon? Why would he want to see him?
He'd never heard of this being a part of the procedure
Then again he'd never seen a mark like his before and he knew every one there was.
"Can you walk?" The bulky soldier asked
"Yes" Cassian got down from the bed and followed them out. The nurse stood in the corner, she still looked like she'd seen a ghost.
Like something was wrong with him. She'd probably collapse if he waved.
The soldiers led him through the halls to the Archon's tower.
The tallest building in these walls. At its peak stood a gong. The Archon was the only one allowed near it, and he was never late. Not even when he was sick. There were people outside, shop owners closing up, children wrapping up their plays.
They kept looking in their direction. The large guard had an intimidating build. He would stare too if he saw him.
But Cassian had eyes, and he could see that they were, all of them, looking at him.
Did something happen before he passed out? Or maybe after. There were too many holes in his memories. He couldn't ask these men. They probably wouldn't respond.
He hoped the Archon had answers.
The Archon was seated, back turned to the door. He waved at the guards, signalling for them to leave as he turned around.
He stood there, staring at Cassian for a while before smiling and walking towards him.
He was in his all white tunic. So he didn't just wear it for appearances.
"What is your name, boy?" He asked walking closer
"Cassian" he responded
"Cassian. May I see your hand Cassian?"
Cassian stretched out his left hand, what other hand could he possibly mean
The Archon's hand was cold pressing gently against Cassian's skin. He observed it for a while. His expression was blank. No emotions behind his copper brown eyes.
"We haven't seen this mark in years"
Cassian smiled. It seemed like a compliment
The back of his hand itched ever so slightly.
The Archon let go of his hand and was Cassian imagining the slight tremble? The twitching in his lip?
"You will be sent to a different temple. To train," the Archon started pacing around. The same way he did when he gave his speeches. The ones before he had people killed.
"We do not have the facilities to train you here"
"When sir" Cassian mumbled. He felt panicked. Maybe because the man before him could have him killed and no one would care. Maybe because he hated the feeling. The fact that any person, a human such as himself, could hold power over his life in any way.
"Be prepared Tomorrow" the priest spoke. He turned around and smiled at Cassian
"Don't worry boy, there's nothing to fear. You are chosen, blessed by our lord Korvus. Take pride in this"
"Now, I'll leave you to get ready. You leave early tomorrow. There is a very big day ahead"
Cassian couldn't stop thinking about his mark as he walked back to the dorm. There was a jump to his stride, like a giddy child with a new toy. His eyes drifted down every time his left hand went up.
This was the first time he would leave Norrath in six years. Maybe he would go south to Solmere, or to temples he'd only ever read about.
He was grinning, ear to ear.
Blessed by Korvus
The Archon's words gave him strength. So he didn't mind anything; not the funny stares the adults gave him as he pranced, or the way they dragged their children away.
He would too if he were in their shoes.He probably looked like a crazed man. And in a way, he was. He was mad with joy.
They were at his door early. Earlier than the gong for morning devotions, but Cassian was prepared. He had his satchel packed. Stuffed with the little he had. Tunics, robes and some books. He kept his pocket watch with him, placed carefully in his pocket. He opened his door, eyes still groggy and saw the lanky guard from yesterday.
He walked, and Cassian followed. They exchanged no words as they walked past the door in the halls. Cassian paused as he walked past Cain's door. He wanted to knock, to tell him one last goodbye, but he didn't. They would meet again, they would.
No words were said when they walked past the Archon's tower. The guard only spoke finally, when they got to the square. There was a wagon, horse drawn, in front of the statue of the Archon.
There was a man already inside, armed to the teeth.
The lanky guard gestured for him to walk in.
He sat down, hemmed in by two men on either side.
There was another man opposite them, the bulky guard. Cassian didn't expect he would fit. The guard kept staring at him.
The carriage started moving. They made their way outside the gates.
"Sorry to bother, sir, but where exactly are we headed"
None of the men responded, then the lanky guard spoke
"The journey is long boy, but don't worry, we'll guide you there"
Long journey meant he could sleep. He just hoped the road wasn't too bumpy. He closed his eyes and let the gentle trotting of the horse lull him to sleep.
Cassian felt a nudge and opened his eyes. He saw the doors open as the men got down. He stepped out, following after them. The sun was only just starting to rear its head, painting everything in shades of orange.There were only trees, and more trees on the horizon. No buildings in sight. Nothing like Solmere. The weather still felt like Norrath.
"Why have we stopped?" He asked one of the men.
"Stay here" his voice had an edge.
He walked forward to join the other men. The coach had joined them now. All four gathered close, speaking in hushes.
Cassian stood, watching. He looked to the trees and the birds were just taking flight. Getting ready for the day at hand.
He couldn't really make out their colors, or their breed. But the sharp, ugly caw behind him was unmistakable. He turned. A lone crow perched on a low branch, watching him with a dark, glassy eye. A straggler from the migration. It felt entirely alone. And looking at the four men ahead of him, Cassian realized he was too.