Prologue part 2

It had been this way for at least 100 years now, ever since that sickness came. It had not quite gone to the high-end mountainous areas yet. Those in the mountainous ranges had basic ceremonial rituals in place hoping for match ups due to their traditional ways. Thanks to little interference from the outside world, most of the prized traditions had not been lost to the new world. All those traditions are what kept most of the mountain villages going stronger than anything the people in the cities had going on. Keeping their beliefs in the goddess Inari and Jizzo going strong. Cedren, from the clan of Taliesian had already gone through the pairing ritual with several other clans for the mating ceremony, but none so far were her match. At this point it had already been three years' worth of pairing rituals that had ended in failure. Though her and her parents remained hopeful that they would find her match-up soon. Cedren' s next match up was set to take place on the following evening with the son of the village chief to the west. Nuvaro of the clan Hact would hopefully be the link up their families were hoping for as he had gone through several of his own parings that ended in failure. As Cedren was preparing for their arrival, she was hopeful this time that the ritual would work. She spent the whole night before preparing herself in the traditional manor her mother had taught her.

It consisted of a minor fasting, followed by prayer to the mountain spirit, Inari. The last step would be soaking in the hot spring at the stream entrance at the edge of the village. Her mother always told her it would be a rejuvenating factor that would help clear her mind. And she could not believe how right her mom was. The next evening would be the first day of the full moon, the best time for the ritual to take place. The neighboring village's chief and son showed up with a few warriors as planned the following morning. Preparations were made by the sham-men throughout the day. There would be two of them, one each to represent their own village. As evening approached, the sham-men's got things going. Reciting the starting incantations that would begin to activate the blood alter after placing the sigil stone. Asking everyone to gather around the ritual shrine, they had Cedren and Nuvaro stand in front of the alter. The ritual would continue with the sham-ems of each village standing before the alter once again, they recited the secondary incantations that lit up the alter placements the rest of the way. Following a small cut on each of our hands, we then placed a few droplets of blood on the alter. That action was the finishing touch to the transmutation circles used for the process.

As we both stood in front of the alter holding out our cut palms together as the other hand was placed on the alter. If all were successful, our bodies would lightly heat up and the scent of flowers, berries, or a mix of both should engulf us with a matching marking raising on the skin. The pattern did not matter, just so long as they matched. All that remained was for us was to finish with the ritual. Excitement, disappointment, fear, a range of emotions seemed to go through us both as we completed each step. Then finally, while the sham-men were reciting the repeating incantation, the moment happened, our bodies heated up, making our eyes shine brightly revealing our fluxes. The overwhelming scent of lavender mixed with raspberry filled the air with a strong aroma that was almost overpowering. Upon our right forearms a matching set of scared looking rose blossoms showed, proof of our soul's connection. It was the most beautiful white rose I had ever seen, and it was on us both. My excitement was getting so much harder to contain.

The sham-ems came up to us inspecting our arms and still glowing eyes; and with cheerful expressions, they declared our paring a complete success. Our parents were all clearly happy as they bowed and hugged each other; their excitement was almost as bad as Cedren and Nuvaro's. After which a festival was set into full motion before we knew what was going down. His father clearly spearheading the event as my parents joined in, clearly working off the excitement of the ceremony. The ritual was both the verification and wedding ceremony most times. It was most of the villages way of bypassing the need of a second ceremony. Though some villages still stuck with having two. Regardless, everyone enjoyed themselves for the remainder of the evening. Cedren was then set to move to the neighboring village as the next supporting leaders' mate. Such a monumental time for us both, and both villages. A successful pairing only seemed to happen like this once every twenty years. So, the excitement was leaking from us both like a contagion. The villages harmony rested on us both now. With the goddess Inari's help, we should do out families proud.

Cedren: "I am so happy right now, I never thought I would find my mate. I was in fear of having failed attempts for several decades to come to be honest."

Nuvaro: "I'm also overjoyed. I had several failed ceremonies before you myself."

Cedren: (I started giggling loudly, despite how hard I tried to suppress.) "I know what you mean. My last four years' worth were failures. I just don't know how to contain my happiness right now."

Nuvaro: "I share your feeling on that as well. Although I never thought my mark would come out looking like an actual flower. I pictured something plainer, I guess I don't know what I was picturing."

Cedren: (I started giggling even harder, no matter how hard I tried to stop.) "Well I personally think it's the most beautiful looking white rose design I have ever seen. I could not be happier about the design. Plus, the lavender mixed with raspberry smells just wonderful to me. It's ours and ours alone."

Nuvaro: (Chuckling with his shoulders slightly shaking, he could hardly suppress himself either.) "You're right. I did not even think of it in such a way. They are ours and ours alone. I will definitely always be able to find you with such a unique blend."

Cedren: "I for one am overjoyed with how it came out. My mother and father only had one scent. I was always told that was usually how it came out. It's rare that a blend occurs like ours has."

Nuvaro: "I have never asked my parents about it, so I never did think about it. But you are right, it is a unique thing."

We looked at each other smiling, as we sat cradled in each other's arms looking down at the matching rose blossoms. The soft scent of lavender and raspberries filled the air around us. Knowing that was ours and ours alone. The full moon was high in the air as we all reverted to our animal forms for a hunt as part of the celebration. We ran side by side as we went on our hunt as a newfound couple. At this point, it did not really matter if we caught anything, it was mainly a marking of our official mating. The first hunt was a tradition shared by most mountain tribes, so it was never left out. We ran late into the evening, enjoying every moment as we ran the woods surrounding my village. The next morning, my new mate helped me to gather up my belongings; and shortly after we set off to the village to the west after saying goodbyes to my family. The one I would miss the most would most certainly be my twin brother. We had a deeper connection than most, and we were not sure why. Maybe it was only something that could be understood between siblings that were twins.

I would be leaving Magna Feline to move to his village of Magna Genus was going to be a big leap for me. I had never been out of my village before. We took the extended mountain passes through the day and arrived at his home by dusk. His father was so excited about it all, he pushed the driver hard to get back to their home. All I could do the entire time was get over excited by the new areas we passed through. Standing beside Nuvo, his father, and Nuvaro, I took the hand that was offered to me as we got out of the small wagon. We were then greeted by the entire town, full of congratulations for us both. The loud cheers of the villagers pounded in my ears so hard it almost hurt, but you could hear the excitement in them. I was so embarrassed that I had my head lowered down partially just trying to hide my flaming red cheeks. (So damned embarrassed. I wondered if it was always like this with big occasions in his village. I guess I would have a lifetime to find out.) We headed toward the main town hall as we prepared for the presentation ceremony to welcome me to their family home fully. I was so excited, new people, new village, new everything, I was having an extremely hard time containing myself. I was as hyper as a child to all the new things around me. Nuvaro just looked at me happily, chuckling to himself as he did.