Departure - Chapter 5

The ceremony ended with the elder’s final words, his blessing rolling over the chapel like a tide that touched each of us in turn. Children clutched the hands of their parents, smiling through relief or pride, some already whispering excitedly about their potential futures. I should have been smiling, too. Instead, I felt every eye on me, like they’d stuck pins into the back of my neck. When I glanced up, it wasn’t my imagination. The men and women looked my way with mixed expressions: curiosity, awe, and even unease. It was a blur. I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to walk calmly outside.

The crisp evening air greeted me, cool against my flushed face. The lanterns were already being lit along the square, and the golden light spilled into the deepening blue of the sky. I let out a breath, trying to ground myself in the moment.

“Chloe!”

Lance jogged to my side, his grin broad as ever. Steps full of energy. He looked proud, prouder than I’d ever seen him. “See, I did it,” he said, puffing his chest slightly. “Protector. That’s what they said. It means…I’ve got the path of a warrior. Maybe even a knight.” His eyes gleamed, reflecting the lantern fire. I blinked at him, my heart softening despite my nerves being a wreck. “That’s incredible, Lance…You must be happy.” He nodded his head happily. “I am.” His grin faltered slightly as his gaze shifted to me. “But yours…yours was something I’d never heard of before. What is appraisal anyway? “

I hesitated, twisting my fingers together. “It’s…an ability to discern worth. Value rather. I can see things about items and materials. Not just the surface things we can see, but the truth of it underneath. At least…that’s what I understand of it.”. He let out a low whistle. “Sounds…rare.” I turned to him, facing him directly as we stopped walking. “Dangerous, rather.” I corrected softly, my throat tightening as the words left my mouth. “Everyone was staring. Like I was something strange, something…wrong.” The memory of their eyes burned against my skin. Memories of the past slowly faded into memory, seeing the eyes of the coworkers who watched me and didn’t say a word.

Lance’s expression softened, and he shook his head firmly. “No. Not wrong. Different, maybe. But not wrong. Don’t let them drown you with their looks, Chloe. You’ve got something special—and if it makes people whisper, then let them whisper. You’re still you at the end of the day.” his words caused me to blink quickly. Heat pricked at the corner of my eyes, breaking me out of my head. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear someone say that until he did.

But before I could answer, a voice cut through the square.

“You there, girl.”

I froze. The elder from the chapel stood just beyond the steps, his presence as steady and heavy as the sea itself. His hands folded neatly behind his back, his gaze sharp but not unkind. Still, it pinned me in place. “Appraisal,” he said, tilting his head ever so slightly. “That is a gift I have not seen in decades. Not in this town. Not in these shores.” His eyes narrowed faintly. “Tell me, child—what family do you hail from?” My lips parted, but no words came; I could only grip my hands tighter at my sides, with my heartbeat quickening.

"Elder."