First Child |
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Chapter 6 |
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| ‘Who amongst you will Choose?’ Ruston had intoned. Five had stepped forward. Til that point the ceremony had unfolded as expected. There was general applause as the fifth, Braxely, had handed his candle to Gevan, the coercer guildmaster, and taken a coercer’s token, and Rushton had once more said, ‘It is well Chosen.’ There was a short hiatus, and then the room quietened at Rushton drew breath to speak again. ‘There is one more amongst us who will Choose tonight. But before he does, I make formal welcome to our new guild. Please join me in congratulating Freya and, coming all the way from the Highlands, my brother Stephan as the... joint guilden of the Dreamers Guild.’ There was a muted applause, over which Freya was heard to shrill, ‘I must renew my objection – I am not a Dreamer!’ ‘Quiet!’ hissed Guildmistress Elspeth, and with only the slightest of sneers: ‘It is an honour for one so new to be regarded so highly.’ Doctor Seraphim slapped his leg and giggled. ‘Ahem.’ The Master of Obernewtyn cleared his throat loudly. ‘And now for the last amongst us who will Choose tonight.’ Durp's mother Evelyn, making a rare appearance for the occasion, gave Durp a slight push from behind, and he plodded forward. Eyes swiveled - an awkward moment of people trying to look without staring. Evelyn blushed, and her voice cracked slightly as she said, ‘Durpie chooses... the Dreamers guild.’ She gave a tiny sob and nudged Durp towards Freya to uncertain applause. He stumbled forward several steps, and stood, not quite facing Freya. Then he dropped his candle into a potted plant. Freya brusquely thrust the token into his hands. There was a pause as Rushton briefly closed his eyes, and then spoke. ‘It is... Chosen.’ A tiny bubble of spittle burst from the corner of Durp’s mouth and he smiled. No one knew if he was happy or not. |
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