Marked by Pedro Urvi Read Free Book Online Page B

hand, and with her soft but firm voice addressed the audience.
    “Bikia, Norriel, one and all.”
    At once the cacophony of overlapping conversations came to an abrupt halt and everyone present listened in silence to the words of their leader.
    “I welcome you yet another year to the Ceremony of the Bear on this very distinguished day in the history of our people. As is tradition, we thirty Norriel tribes celebrate today our young warriors’ passage from youth to maturity and welcome them to take their place as members of the tribe with full rights.” She took a few steps forward and, looking out over her people united there, reached out her arms. “Thanks be to Iram, the Goddess Mother Earth; our tribe, the Bikia, grows strong and powerful. Under her protection and divine shelter we will continue on as a free, honorable, and proud people in the years to come. Today is a day of joy and celebration; let us all enjoy these great festivities and give honor to Iram so that she might continue to wisely guide our destiny as we are her people. And may we enjoy this event in peace and liberty in the years to come.”
    Raising the ancestral scepter, she struck the ground three times. At the top of her voice, radiating fortitude and resolution, she announced:
    “I hereby declare the commencement of the Ceremony of the Bear!”
    The entire square broke into cheers of joy. Full of excitement, each and every Norriel shouted jubilantly.
    “Come forth, youth of the tribe who this year will reach or who have reached nineteen springs, and position yourselves around the sacred circle!”
    From the great House of Council, where they had been waiting impatiently, the young men and women began to file out toward the village square amidst the applause and elated acclamations of the crowd. Komir, his nerves running high, advanced to the sacred circle and looked at the threatening face of the bear etched on the ground. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. When he reopened them he saw each of his peers from Udag as well as many others from nearby towns he did not recognize—all expectant and uneasy.
    Auburu turned to the young warriors.
    “Today, young Norriel, you will be transformed into full members of the tribe in your own right. When you attained seventeen springs you became Wolves, acquiring the right to bear arms for your tribe as young warriors, fighting in packs to keep our people safe. That is what tradition dictates and that is how it should be. Wolves will today be transformed into powerful Bears, wild and proud. You are becoming young defenders of the tribe, Norriel in blood by right of birth. This is a great honor but, at the same time, it binds you with a responsibility for life. Your destiny becomes tied to that of the tribe until the end of your days. Our myths and legends tell us that, before the first men arrived in Tremia, the Norriel already populated the highlands. Our beliefs, passed on from fathers to children since the beginnings of time, place us on these mountains before the Era of Men; so rooted is our tribe in this land, so great is the honor of belonging to her. Because of this, you are required to always venerate her as sacred land for which you are responsible. You shall unwaveringly obey the commands of your leader and Matriarch.” She authoritatively struck the ground with her great scepter, then showed it to the young Wolves. A solemn silence fell over the entire square. “Today you have the opportunity to become members of this tribe, obeying all its laws and traditions. Or, you may set forth on another path, moving away from here, renouncing the tribe and following your own solitary destiny. The choice is yours. Once made, it shall not be changed. Consider it carefully... and decide.”
    Auburu gestured to Gudin who indicated to his assistants that they should proceed. A heavy metal brazier was placed in the center of the sacred circle. The brazier, on the side of which was etched the head of a bear,