Role

Chapter 3

When Mystrillania opened her eyes, she was still atop the stump that served as
the focal point for so many of the coven's rituals. Someone had covered her
with a soft down blanket, and the symbols on her skin had been smeared in her
sleep. She could not remember anything after the spirits had approached her.
What happened? Had a spirit guide chosen her?

She got shakily to her feet and walked toward the encampment. Smells of food
cooking and the murmur of voices told her that others were just waking. She
saw Tillae standing with her arms crossed near the meat smoking hut, and
Mystrillania approached her nervously.

"Child, you wake," Tillae said simply, but not unkindly.

"Yes," Mystrillania replied. "What happened? Did one... did a spirit choose
me? Am I imbued?"

Tillae smiled. "Yes child, you are imbued. But not one spirit chose you. All
four did."

Mystrillania gaped, fumbling with the blanket around her shoulders. "Four? Is
that...? Four? Who are they?"

"I cannot say, child. In time, you will know them. They will reveal themselves
to you, when they think you are ready to learn their teachings. Each of our
powerful ancestors led lives filled with meaning, they have much to share. And
remember, when you pass from this living plane, you will join them and perhaps
imbue another. So you must learn well, child."

"Four," Mystrillania repeated. Of all the possibilities she had imagined her
whole life, this was not one of them. To be guided by one wise spirit was what
she had dreamed about. To be guided by four... she would have to consider what
this would mean. "I don't feel any different."

Tillae laughed. "Well, you are. And you will see that. In time."