Mackenzie Flohr - The Rite of Abnegation

Edited by Lisa McNeilley and Rebecca Rue

The Rite of Abnegation

Copyright 2020 Mackenzie Flohr

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmit ted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please write to the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published by BHC Press

Library of Congress Control Number:

2018931567

ISBN: 978-1-947727-50-2 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-64397-093-6 (Softcover)

ISBN: 978-1-64397-094-3 (Ebook)

For information, write:

BHC Press

885 Penniman #5505

Plymouth, MI 48170

Visit the publisher:

www.bhcpress.com

Never stop believing in your dream.

Mine came true because of all of you .

Thank you for continuing

this journey with me.

Convosur - (Con vo sue ree)

Diplofilla explotar - (Diplo fee ha explo tar)

Doltedormira - (Dol te door mee rah)

Draciolamus - (Drac see o la moose)

Emaculavi el curpas y mehartis

(Eh ma coo la vee L coor pas ee meh har tees)

Klaocala - (Claou ca la)

Obrate combriando - (O bra te com bree on doe)

Palavarso - (Pal ah vah ree so)

Petrosani pan war - (Petro sauny pan war)

Scamos lias - (Scamos lee as)

Sine - (See ne)

Tofria - (Tea o free ah)

Ventin mortales - (Bentin mortales)

Vorbllion - (Vol bee jon)

Wapakoneta - (WA-pa con eta)

Ah = I

Ahd = Id

Ahm = I am

Ahve = I have

ain = way

ay = of

dinnae = dont

eywis = these

fi = from

fir = for

gen up = really?

git = get

goat = got

hame = home

hudnae = had not

huv = have

intae = into

ma = my

mair = more

n = and

nae = not

oan = on

oor = our

tae = to

thair = their

thir = there

thit = that

whit = what

wi = with

wid = would

wis = was

yir = youre

yis = you

Magic is a dream come true,

a prayer answered, a hope realized.

Magic is many things, but above all,

magic is an act of creation.

~ Migene Gonzlez-Wippler ~

THE KINGDOM OF ARACELLY
1220 CE

T ell me about the Rite of Wands, the young boy uttered under his breath.

Not this again. Gearoid, will you please get on with it before our son gives me a headache? Winifred McKinnon complained.

Gearoid McKinnon stared across the carriage at his twelve-year-old son nervously shuffling his feet. The noise of the horses hooves overpowered any other sound.

Mortain, Gearoid began, addressing his son with a bit of a warning. We have already discussed this. I have informed you of everything I am permitted to.

Yes, I know, Mortain said, apologetically, wiping his brown bangs out of his eyes. But, I wish to hear it again! It wont be much longer till weve reached Draconiera Mountain, and I must be prepared for the ceremony. Please, tell me the story of Lord Kaeto?

Mortain was so distracted by thinking about what was coming that he didnt even look around at the town. He barely noticed when the small, cosy cottages gave way to the close, tightly packed shops of midtown. The many townsfolk busily going about their daily tasks were nothing but ghosts beyond the carriage windows.

Very well, Gearoid said, sighing heavily. The Rite of Wands ceremony dates back to ancient times before witches and warlocks existed in Iverna. Plague had swept the land with no cure in sight. Only when all hope seemed to be lost, an invisible gateway to the Neamh Coelum opened.

The gateway wasnt really invisible, was it? Mortain interrupted, curious.

Yes, well, um? Gearoid stuttered as he searched his mind for the proper answer. Truth be told, I dont know; Ive never seen it in my travels.

Oh, Mortain said, disappointed.

Gearoid continued, Lord Kaeto, originating from a magnificent breed of legendary and omniscient telepathic dragons, chose to enter the gate, bringing a cure to save the people of Ivernaalong with the secret of magic, which was transmitted onto the survivors residing in the kingdom of Aracelly.

And thats how magic came to the kingdom! Mortain grinned.

Yes, Gearoid said, a bit annoyed. Magic was a part of Lord Kaeto and thus now a part of the kingdom of Aracelly. However, it could not merely pass from mother and father to child the way curly hair or the ability to run quickly might. First, a child had to be born in the kingdom of Aracelly for the potential for magic to be in them. Being born anywhere else in Iverna, regardless of who their parents are, would exclude them from inheriting the ability to perform magic. Second, that child would have to face an examination of the soul to prove he or she had more than simply the strength to perform magic.

The Rite of Wands ceremony, Mortain uttered.

Thats correct, Gearoid said. Lord Kaeto decreed that starting on the twelfth birthday, each was invited to participate. The goal is to be welcomed into the magical community as a full-fledged member. They would see a glimpse into their futures with the right to earn their wands and magical powers if their souls faced the ultimate analysis. How each person endured would determine their destiny. Some participants have gone mad during the Rite of Wands ceremony and thus failed.

But what if I choose not to be a warlock? What happens then? Mortain interrupted.

You most certainly will be a warlock if you dont desire to be declared an outcast the rest of your life! his mother scolded.

Now, now, dear. He meant naught from it, Gearoid said, attempting to calm his wife.

Nonsense! If he wants to bring shame to our family, then so be it. I declare now such a foolish idea would never come from my side of the family. I swear, I sometimes question why my father fancied to marry me to someone of your background so eagerly.

Gearoid sighed, exasperated.

It seemed whenever his wife would become displeased, she used the opportunity to toss insults about his family. She always felt that she had married beneath her station in life and wasnt afraid of reminding him. He turned his attention to his son and smiled at him.