The Elder's Path

by J. D. Caldwell

  The Elder’s Path

  J.D. Caldwell

  For Quincee, who helped to give these characters life and heart.

  The Elder’s Path

  “It’s called the Elder’s Path because it is the conduit through which my people reach recognition and maturity of purpose. It’s a rite of passage. It is an honor bestowed to few, however, and once they complete this rite they are given the title of Elder in our community.

  But it is not only within my community that we are recognized; we are acknowledged all through the land as peacekeepers, mediators, scholars, notaries, and much more. Wherever we go we are recognized as representatives of the people and our world, and treated as such. Most people call us “Druids”, though that term isn’t exactly correct; while we call the great forests in the East our home, we travel the entirety of our land. We may be the only remnants of the old magic, and our practices may indeed seem strange and pagan to the outside world, but we do not label ourselves as Druids. We call ourselves the World-Walkers.”

  -Taken from the journal of World-Walker Lyn

  Prologue

  The World-Walkers, more commonly referred to as “Druids”, have been a part of Arc for the whole of its storied history. When a young adult is chosen as a candidate, they must prepare themselves to embark upon a pilgrimage throughout the whole of Arc to familiarize themselves with its people, geography, culture, and politics. The candidate may not return home until this pilgrimage is complete, whereupon they are granted the title “Elder” in their community. Each Elder then makes a choice; to stay in their great forest or pursue the outside world further. Both during and after their pilgrimage, the Druids are recognized both socially and legally as representatives and cultural officials of state; it is considered an honor to house and assist a Druid in their journey, and the favors are not soon forgotten. More than once throughout history, Druids have risen to great political standing within Arc due to their status and the influence they cultivate on their pilgrimage. While they were never common, it was not unusual to see a Druid candidate traveling Arc every 20 years or so in pursuit of their purpose, though the method of their selection was never quite understood.

  But that was in ages past. The Elders and their people dwindled slowly until they faded into obscurity. The stories once told about the proud and enigmatic people drifted away into tales, and then into silence. For two hundred years, a candidate was not chosen to walk the Path, and despite the desperate attempts of their people no Elder traveled the world for the span of lifetimes. The Druids ceased to step outside the great forest, and their numbers diminished into near nothingness. To them, their culture and way of life was all but over…until now.

  Chapter 1

  29th day, 7th lunar cycle, 700th age of Arc

  “My name is Lyn, and I am a Druid Elder. Or at least, I will be. I am 22 now, and it is nearly time for me to embark upon the traditional journey of my people. I am the first selected for this journey in many years. The last to become an Elder was back in the 497th Age, over two hundred years ago. He did not return. No one knows why the Sage Tree ceased to speak for so long after, but now that it has selected me, there is a lot of pressure. Still, I am honored to carry on the legacy of my people. My goal is to learn, to grow, and to form new bonds in the world outside the wood. This is my destiny.”

  Lyn awoke with a start. It was the fateful day; the day where her mentor would lead her among the trees to find her companion. Every Elder bonded with a companion before their journey; not only was it a part of the established tradition, but it was also highly necessary as a physical and spiritual ground to the Great Forest from which they came. Walkers were so sheltered from the world that they faced a high likelihood to lose themselves to it once exposed so suddenly. Their companions provide guidance and offer a reminder of who they are and why they take their journey. But perhaps more importantly, the companion helps remind them why they must return. If they fail to return to the woods to share their knowledge and experience with the people and the Sage Tree, the Great Forest lessens somehow.

  Lyn did not fully understand how or why, but she knew it was imperative that she succeed. Her mission may be the most important in known Druid history; if she did not return having fulfilled her purpose, the Sage Tree may not speak to her people ever again.

  “What a horrible shame that would be,” she thought to herself. “To never hear the voice of the forest again…who could bear it? Who would want to live in that world?”

  Of course, conceptually Lyn realized that there were many people who did not understand the ways of the forest. She had been taught that the world outside was vast in comparison to the wood, and that there were countless variations in cultures and beliefs. That was one of the grand purposes of the journey, in fact; to bring knowledge of these peoples back to the wood so her people may prosper, and simultaneously share her ways with the outside so they may benefit from her experience.

  “That’s assuming I make it through today,” Lyn swallowed a dry lump in her throat. She did not doubt her connection to her people and their home, and she had clearly demonstrated some connection to the Sage Tree since she was chosen to walk the Elder’s Path, but she was not confident in her abilities to bond so wholly to something, or someone, else. Even among her highly independent and secluded people, Lyn had felt like an outsider. Not that she found the company of others to be bothersome or that her own company was so meticulous, but she had always enjoyed the idea of self-reliance and the rush of new experience and breaking from tradition. She loved her family, but she could never understand how they were content to live out their entire existence in the woods alone. Lyn had always felt life calling her from an unseen place, and she yearned to meet it.

  Perhaps that is why the Tree chose her. Perhaps her spirit matched the needs of the Path. She did not know, but she had a difficult time imagining forest creatures who felt similarly; after all they were beings of the forest itself and probably didn’t stop to think of anything outside. How could she hope to find compatibility among them, when she couldn’t find it among her own people?

  With a deep breath, Lyn reminded herself that she had to trust in herself and all the Walkers that came before her. If they could do it, so could she. She scrambled into her clothes and prepared for the day. As soon as she stepped outside her cabin, she was met by an elderly smiling face.

  “Good morning, Nana,” breathed Lyn, struggling to strap on her pack.

  The elderly woman’s smile stayed as she gently finished belting on the young Druid’s equipment. “You are late, young one,” she said quietly, her eyes twinkling. Lyn glanced her way apologetically, and leaned down to secure her bootstraps. As she stood, she inhaled again deeply to calm herself, and met the gaze of her mentor.

  “I’m sorry, Nana…I was up, I was just…” she stopped as her stomach growled fiercely.

  Lyn flushed and opened her mouth to explain that she had not had time to eat breakfast, but Nana simply chuckled slowly and procured an apple and some dried meat from her own pack.

  “I know you are nervous, today especially,” Nana said as she handed over the simple fare to a grateful Lyn, “but you needn’t worry. I have been in this forest a very long time. Its diversity will surprise you.”

  Lyn tried to protest, but Nana held up a hand. “I know, girl. I know how you feel; it is written on your whole being.” Still smiling, she motioned for Lyn to follow her.

  As they walked Nana continued, “I know you feel out of place among your own people and that your heart is torn in confusion, with love for your home and yet joy at leaving it. It is natural, after all. Perhaps we have been too secluded in our wonderful forest,” she ponderously reached out to touch the trunk of a large tree as they passed. “But t
hat is the nature of our people. We enjoy the world we have created for ourselves in these woods, around the Sage Tree. We worked hard to carve out our livelihood in Arc, and perhaps we are a little too loathe to leave it, eh?” She chuckled again in the good-natured way of the old and wise.

  Lyn relaxed slightly; Nana always seemed to know what she was thinking, even when it wasn’t something she should be. She had learned everything she knew about her people and history from Nana. Once the Sage Tree had touched her with purpose, Lyn had chosen Nana as her mentor and had been learning what it meant to be a World-Walker ever since. For not having had one in generations, Nana sure seemed to know a lot about what being a Walker meant and how to go about it.

  But even with Nana’s patient instruction, Lyn felt trapped. She experienced a pang of guilt as this thought crossed her mind; she wasn’t ungrateful for all that she had and for Nana’s expertise, but there was something deep down that told her she wouldn’t truly know herself until it was on her own terms. Still, as Nana had reminded her time and again, this journey was not just about Lyn and her wants. This was an important honor not to be taken lightly, and must be treated with the gravity and formality it deserved. Lyn sighed as the words rolled through her mind, said in the same slow and yet insistent voice Nana seemed to use for everything.

  Ensnared as she was in her own thoughts, Lyn nearly did not notice Nana had stopped, and tripped herself in an effort to avoid a collision with the elderly woman.

  “Ouch,” she winced. She got up and brushed herself off, only to notice Nana looking above wistfully. As Lyn took a moment to get her bearings, she realized they were on the edge of a large clearing. The sun was shining splendidly through the opening in the trees, and Lyn could see life teeming in the grass and flowers reaching up to meet the rays. Even though she had lived in the forest her entire life the beauty of it still took her by surprise, and she found herself holding her breath in awe of it.

  “Look,” Nana said quietly, pointing towards the edge opposite to them. Lyn peered through the bright light and saw a small group of hawks perched in the branches of the trees on the other side. “They, too, are preparing a ritual of companionship young one. Watch.”

  True to her word, the magnificent birds began to move, seemingly in unison. A wonderful pattern emerged, and the birds circled, dove, and rose in synchronization to form a rush of feathers and wing beats. Lyn felt her heart rise with them; even in watching she felt as though she would fly herself and join them in racing towards the perfect blue sky, away from the forest and her worries.

  Suddenly Lyn spied something that made her pause; across the clearing movement caught her eye. As she looked on, she realized it was a solitary hawk perched on a lone branch, watching the sky intently as the last of its fellows rode the wind above and disappeared into the heavens. Curiously drawn, Lyn took a step forward almost instinctually. Such a magnificent display was that of the hawks, why was this one bird excluded from it? What made him different?

  Catching herself, Lyn paused to look back, suddenly realizing she was already part way through the clearing. Nana was standing where she had before, but this time her mentor was watching her with an understanding and sad look in her eyes that nearly made Lyn tear up herself, though she did not know why. Nana nodded slowly, and Lyn turned back to find the solitary hawk still eyeing the clearing in the trees through which the others had flown. Drawn more insistently, Lyn moved towards him in determined stride. Upon her approach, the hawk’s gaze moved quickly to her, nearly causing Lyn to stop. She slowly turned again to see if Nana was watching her, but saw that Nana's spot was empty; Nana had slipped quietly away and left Lyn alone with the hawk, who was now watching Lyn with growing suspicion as she drew closer.

  Oddly, he did not move from his perch or appear anxious as she came to the base of his tree. As she stood looking up at him admiringly, he began preening himself as though he knew he had an audience.

  “Showoff,” Lyn scoffed. At the sound of her words the bird immediately halted and turned its great head, leering at her with one piercing eye. Lyn covered her mouth with her hand and, eyes wide, stood as still as possible. After a moment, the hawk returned his gaze to the forest clearing, having evidently dismissed her. Lyn stood for a time longer, waiting to see if she could draw his attention again but he seemed to be purposefully ignoring her. Brow tightening and jaw clenched, Lyn turned about and began to move away, refusing to even peek back to see if the lone bird was watching her leave. However, after leaving the clearing, she could no longer suppress her curiosity and she spun about quickly to see if she could spot him. Lyn was taken aback to find that the hawk had furtively followed her, and was only a few branches away from her, making no noise and pointedly looking elsewhere.

  This upset Lyn an inordinate amount. Her stress at the purpose of the day had left her shorter of temper than usual, and after having been snubbed by a bird she had found her patience for the matter wholly diminished. As such, she turned about to face the bird and stomped her foot to the ground, fists clenched.

  “Now I’m suddenly interesting again?” she cried with fervor. This time, however, the raptor showed no surprise at her voice and continued to ostensibly look at everything but her. Exasperated, Lyn turned back and continued on her way, muttering to herself, “Great, what a waste of time. I am supposed to start my journey soon, and I can’t even get out of the forest yet. What if I never leave? The embarrassment! I couldn’t live the rest of my life here with everyone knowing I failed.”

  Turning back to look over her shoulder, she saw that the bird had indeed followed her again to a nearby branch and again seemed to pay her no mind. Lyn refused to stop this time, however, and continued forward, determined not to look back again.

  But as is the case with many brash youths, she soon regretted her anger and turned to see if her erstwhile acquaintance still followed. Her heart dropped as she saw that the trees were devoid of his presence, and she felt sadness coming over her.

  “I will never be able to find someone who understands this burden,” she whispered to herself. Lyn turned forward once more, nearly yelling as she saw the hawk sitting on a branch within arm’s reach, this time looking directly at her. Surprise turned to frustration, but remembering her regret at her previous anger, she suppressed it quickly and squared her shoulders to face her avian comrade.

  “Please,” she said softly, “I am sorry about before. You live in this forest, you must know of the Sage Tree?” She sat down heavily on a nearby stump and continued to address the hawk. “I’ve been selected to take the journey and become an Elder. No one has been chosen in hundreds of years, and suddenly, it picks me. Why? I don’t even fit in around here. I know nothing! Why wouldn’t it have picked Nana when she was younger?”

  She began to cry softly, the burden of her responsibility weighing upon her. The hawk made a small noise and fluttered to a closer branch. Sidling awkwardly over, it came close to her and squawked quietly. Lyn looked up from her tears and couldn’t help but manage a small smile at the hawk.

  “Thanks,” she said, “I guess that breakdown was a little while in coming.” The hawk inched closer and sat companionably with her as she dried her tears. Calming herself, Lyn took a deep breath and looked about her. The peace of the forest brought stillness to her heart, and she felt better. She looked over to find the hawk still gazing at her. “You know,” she said in an offhand manner, “you are the first one I’ve cried in front of. Better not tell anyone else.” She winked at him and began to make her way back home once more.

  She started as a heavy weight dropped to her shoulder, and she looked to see the bird coming to rest on her. She adjusted to support him. “Decided you wanted company after all, huh?” She joked, but despite her lighthearted words, she was aflutter. What are the chances that now, of all times, she would suddenly find a potential companion when she had failed so many times before? Could this be what she was looking for?

  But Lyn resolved not to seem desperate and rui
n the moment, so she pointedly maintained her cool demeanor and strode on casually despite the load on her shoulder. Despite her intentions, her worries returned; was this what having a companion was? While she liked the bird well enough, it didn’t seem like much of a bonding in comparison to the stories of Walker and companion acting as one, sharing mind and soul. She had the overwhelming sense she was running out of time, that if she did not set out soon she wouldn’t ever. Thinking about leaving was a scary thought; after all, the forest was all she really knew. But not leaving was a worse one.

  The burden of the Sage Tree pressed upon her mind again, and she felt her heart become heavy once more.

  “I feel so young, suddenly,” she said to the bird, “unprepared to handle the world all on my own. I truly have no idea what it’s even about outside the wood. All of my life I’ve been taught about how to live with the forest, not without it. But I suppose that’s part of why the Elders had companions, right? To keep them connected to a piece of home…”

  She let the thought wander, becoming lost in her contemplations once more. Unnoticed, a tear rolled down her cheek in the silence. A small cry from the hawk shook her from her reverie and she wiped her face with her free hand, embarrassed to be caught crying twice in one day. The great raptor bumped her face gently, and she felt the smallest nudge in the corner of her mind, like a presence making itself known. It whispered to her, “Alir”.

  Chapter 2

  30th day, 7th lunar cycle, 700th age of Arc

  “Hawks…such magnificent creatures; to me they have always seemed to have a feeling of aloofness and solitude, and with good reason. Other than the occasional show like the one Nana and I witnessed, most hawks are solitary hunters who spend their time on their own terms, so above everything else both literally and figuratively. And now, much to my immense pleasure, and relief, I have the privilege of taking my journey with one. His name is Alir, and he and I have bonded as Walker and companion. Like me, he is young and an outsider in his community, and I can feel his urge to explore and taste freedom. Perhaps that is why we bonded; we feel the same deep need to move forward on our own terms and define our existence outside the one we’ve always known. But, now that I have bonded, I have taken the last step necessary before the journey. I leave tomorrow, and despite my best intent I must wonder if I am truly ready for what the world will impress upon me.”