Sorensen - Worlds of Wonder

Table of Contents

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Rite of Passage

J aeda waved her arms in frustration. Yards of fabric billowed as her aunt attempted to pin back two enormous sleeves.

I hate ceremonial robes, Jaeda muttered.

Stop moving while Im trying to fix this, Aunt Shaena murmured, her mouth full of pins. Aha! Got it! She stood back and beamed. Dont you look beautiful?

Jaeda frowned at the wavy reflection in her aunts best mirror. Beautiful wasnt the first word she would use to describe herself, not when she was covered with sunburn and freckles. The ceremonial robes, which were way too big, didnt help either.

These were your mothers robes, you know, Aunt Shaena said proudly, spinning Jaeda around to get a full view of her. You look lovely. Just as she did before her Passage.

Jaeda avoided her aunts eyes. Talk about her parents made her uncomfortable. It had been a year since their parents died in a boating accident, a year since she and Kaedin had come to live with Aunt Shaena, whom theyd never liked. And now here they were, their Rite of Passage next month, with no parents to dress them for it.

Hey, Auntie, are you done yet? A sunburned, freckled boy pushed his face through the tent opening. His eyes fell on his twin sister, and he chortled. Boy, does that look bad on you...

Out! Out! Aunt Shaena made shooing motions at him. Your fittings next!

Not today, its not, Kaedin smirked. Laeran and I are sailing. Coming, Jaeda?

You bet! Jaeda yanked the ceremonial gown over her head and dumped it on the ground. Her aunt gasped in horror and snatched it up.

Jaeda brushed off the boy clothes she always wore, pulled on her sandals, and stuck her tongue out at her brother.

Dont you dare leave! Aunt Shaena cried. We havent finished our fitting yet!

Jaeda turned back, trying to look innocent. But, Aunt, she said, where Kaedin goes, I go. Everyone knows that.

Aunt Shaena was still sputtering as she and Kaedin ran to the boat.

It was supposedly forbidden to go to the Isle before your Rite of Passage, but everyone did it anyway. The twins had gone particularly often in the past year, since theyd needed a place to escape from Aunt Shaena. Adults rarely came here.

What do you think will happen when we go in? Jaeda wondered aloud, running a finger along one of the carvings on the stone door. The carvings looked like writing, but no one could read it. What talents do you think well get?

Youll probably become a dress-mage, like Aunt Shaena, Kaedin smirked.

Jaeda chucked a pebble at him. He ducked, laughing.

Maybe youll get magic, Laeran offered. No ones gotten that in decades.

Id love magic! Kaedin cried.

Yeah, that would be practical, Jaeda snorted. Youre too lazy already.

Hey, were shoo-ins, Kaedin persisted. The last people who got magic were twins, werent they?

Identical twins, Jaeda shot back. Were not. Kaedin stared at her with wide eyes. Since when?

Are you saying I look like a boy? Jaeda asked indignantly.

Maybe he thinks he looks like a girl, Laeran hissed.

Hey! Kaedin cried.

Jaeda rolled the pebble around in her fingers.

I cant help worrying, though... She swallowed. I mean, no one ever remembers what happens there. And some people never come back. So suppose...?

Were not going to die, Kaedin scoffed. Well come back with magic.

But they say it always takes the brightest and best doesnt that worry you?

Why should it? Its not like weve lost anybody we know.

It took my brother, Laeran said quietly. Six years ago. Remember?

Kaedin blinked.

I, uh... I forgot about that, he said.

Laeran grinned slightly. Well, I wouldnt worry. You two are hardly brightest or best.

Kaedin made a face at him.

Lets go, Jaeda said, standing. I ought to finish that fitting before Aunt Shaena complains to somebody.

Kaedin looked relieved. Okay. Good idea.

Laeran nodded and got up, silently.

Its freezing, Jaeda hissed to her brother, shivering in her oversized robes. Aunt Shaena had refused to resize them, insisting that would be a waste of fabric. Do we really have to go this early in the morning?

We were born this early in the morning, Kaedin said gloomily, trudging towards the boat beside her. His robes made him look like a bulky sack.

I think I hate tradition, Jaeda muttered.

Welcome, Jaeda and Kaedin, the village leader intoned, holding out his hands as they neared the boat. His robes fit perfectly. Your twelfth birthday has come. The day of your Rite of Passage has begun. I shall show you the way to the Isle.

Doesnt he know weve been there dozens of times before? Jaeda hissed.

I think he assumes people will obey rules, Kaedin whispered back.

The village leader rowed them to the Isle mind-numbingly slowly. Jaeda tried to grab the oars once, but the man smacked her hands away. Just trying to help, Jaeda muttered, slouching against her side of the boat.

They made it to the Isle, then to the stone door against the cliff.

Place your hands on the sealed door, the village leader instructed. It will recognize you as the proper age and permit you entrance.

Exchanging a glance, Jaeda and Kaedin pressed their hands on the door. They jumped back, startled, as the thick stone vanished.

Magic, Kaedin breathed, looking excited.

You must now enter, the village leader intoned. I shall wait until the rise of the next sun. If you have not returned by then, a boat will be left in case of return later.

Both twins nodded. Jaedas mouth felt dry.

The village leader stood there, staring at them meaningfully. It took several seconds for Jaeda to realize he was waiting for them. Kaedin reached out and grabbed her arm.

His hand was clammy. It was a relief to know he was scared, too.

Together, they stepped into the darkness.

At first there was nothing. Then came a blinding flash of light, and then

White.

Everything walls, ceilings, floors white.

It kind of glows, look, Kaedin whispered, tapping one of the walls. There was a hollow sound. This is weird.

Jaeda glanced back at the entrance, and yelped to see it was gone. Everything was solid, smooth, white wall now.

Welcome!

She spun, her heart pounding, and scooted closer to her brother as a stranger strode towards them. There was a dark doorway on the other end of the room that had not been there a second ago.

Wh-who are you? Kaedin demanded.

The man stopped about ten feet from them.

My name is Railan, he said. He looked them up and down. Are you twins?

Jaeda nodded nervously.

The man laughed. Excellent! I havent seen twins in years. What are your names?

Jaeda? Jaeda said uncertainly.

Kaedin, Kaedin declared.

Good. Youre not as frightened as some. Thats a good sign. May I show you something?

Jaeda and Kaedin glanced at each other. Nodded.