Departure

He pulled me in, and we were gone.

I never though my life was exciting, the most mundane of mundane. I went to school, helped my mother with the tavern, I helped get my little brother and sister washed and to bed. My days continued like this. I didn't have a lot of friends, though it didn't bother me too much.

My best friend Elise, who I knew since I was born was like a sister to me, has gone out of our home town Siren, to perform her calling.

Once we turn 18, and finish school we are required to be drafted for a calling. We never know what it may be and can only hope it'll bring us and our families wealth and happiness.

Elise's calling is to be a handmaiden for the Duchess of the land. She was given less than a day to pack her essentials and say goodbye before she was off to the capital.

That was 3 months ago, and I haven't heard a single word from Elise since then. I know her family is doing well, given a small stipend for Elise's work.

That was my only reassurance she was doing well.

I put my little brother and sister to bed and head down to the main floor to help mother clean for the night.

My mother, Evelyn, garbed in used but upkept robes, she maniacally tailors them to keep them pristine even though our family has little coin. She looks at me with her golden hazel eyes and let's out a solemn sign.

"Your calling is tomorrow, have you packed everything you'll need?"

Mother asks me quietly. She's been dreading this day, not verbally saying it, but as the days pass and my birthday comes nearer, I can see the stress build. The lines that weren't there before, the dark circles that darkened, the bandages in her hands from dropping one too many glasses.

My only hope is that my calling will help my mother and siblings live a better life, away from this land that is slowly turning into slums.

I nod my head as I continue to scrub the tables sticky from old ale and tobaccos smoke.

Mother softly puts a glass down on the bar, after polishing it perfectly to a beautiful crystal shine that refracts the candle light in beautiful shimmers.

I stare at the glass, then her

"Are you okay mother? You've become so tired lately, I can see the silver hairs taking over." I say in a joking yet serious manner.

"No.. No, I'll be fine. Leave the rest of the cleaning to me, we won't be open tomorrow anyway due to your calling. Get as much rest as you can, Elena."

Mother walks over and takes the rag from my hand and gives me a soft smile.

"Goodnight, my love."

I stare at her speechless, as the somber sadness glazes over her eyes, and I feel pin pricks on mine. 'This could be the last night I spend with my family' I thought. I lift my head to the ceiling to hold back my tears and make my way to my bedroom.

I disrobe and bathe quickly not to let the chill air from the night cool me, last thing I'd need is to become sick the night before my calling.

I click on the small heater in my room, letting the tiny blue flame wash my room from the cold and drafty air, and climb into bed.

I stare at the moons outside my window, one a vibrant orange shade and one smaller, a light blue. I watch as the blue light flickers and dies and I slowly drift to sleep.

The next morning, I awaken earlier than usual. the bone chilling cold that wrapped my face and arms that were outside the blanket, with dawn still leaking through the horizon. I turn on the heater again hopeful for some semblance of warmth before the fuel runs out. It clicks, warms the small room with magnificent warmth, only to die out seconds later. I sign and make my way to my closet to fetch my warmest jacket.

I make my way downstairs to see my mother already awake preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, mother. My heater died just this morning." I say as I pull a stool out from the bar and sit on it.

" It lasted just long enough I see. The cold year only seems to be getting worse over time." Mother states as she flips a small cake on the griddle.

I hear stomping upstairs then see my brother and sister coming down the steps wrapped thickly in several jackets looking like a puff ball.

I was about to joking tell them they looked hilarious, when there was a loud and rapping on the tavern doors.

I looked to my mother, and slightly panicked, I've never seen her to paled,her eyes were wide, the cake she had on her spatula slipped off and splattered onto the griddle. She shut off the blue light powering the stove, wiped her hands and made her way to the doors.

"We're closed." She said, in a shaky voice. Keeping the lock engaged on the door.

A voice responded in a boom "we're here to collect Elena Ashfar for her calling. We ask you open the door and do not resist."

Mother slowly and with trembling hands unlatched the lock and opened the door to see two men garbed in black and gold embroidered uniforms, weapons strapped to the large man's back and a large scroll hand.

"I thought callings were to be done only at moonrise." mother stated as she moved aside for the larger man.

He stepped in with a huff, slapping the scroll against mothers chest then stared at me. "Elena Ashfar, your calling has been chosen, and you are to be taken to the Palace immediately."

"What.." I stammered out.

Mother looking at the scroll in her hands, eyebrows creased.

"A.. A priestess?" Mother croaked out. Making a loud swallow.

I've heard of a priestess before. But we had no churches in siren, the population was too small and slowly becoming problematic with crimes. My mind couldn't wrap around it.

"Yes" the smaller man let out. He walked around the larger man with a book and quill in hand. The smaller man was heads shorter than the larger, garbed slightly different. Lacking embroidery, also his robes had a purple hue to them. "I am Joffrey, the Dean at Celeste school for mages and apostles."

Taken aback I never heard of such a school. Was it only for the wealthy with supreme callings? I watch Joffrey scoot his glasses up with his free hand then continue. "Since you are from the slums you will need to be cleaned and re-educated, that is why we are here early. Joffrey let out a grunt as he surveyed the tavern and looked at my mother. "We will be taking her now."

"W-what happened to the old priestess?" My mother asked.

"Priestess Penelope has passed away." Joffrey said as he turned to leave the tavern.

"Get your things, we leave befo-." The larger man starts but before he can finish I hear a clatter. Mother has dropped the scroll then slides to the floor.

"Mother.. mother is dead?" Mother said shakily, tears welling in her eyes. She palms her face and let's out a heart shattering wale.

The larger man stares at mother for a second then glowers at me "Go."

I hear stools fall to the floor and see my brother and sister run towards mother, holding her tightly on both sides. I wipe the tears threatening to spill from my eyes and go to the closet in my room to fetch my sack.

I didn't even get to say goodbye.

As soon as I arrived back in the tavern the tall man grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me from my home and into a carriage.

As I glanced back I heard mother screaming my name seeing her running from the tavern "Elena! Elena! I love you, Elena!" Tears streaked her face. My brother and sister on her skirt tails.

"Mother.." I said as the carriage rode off from the city.