“Are you nervous?”

The elder shaman reaches out for a knife in his pocket. It’s jagged edges give it away that it is made of stone, with a blade filled with runic symbols that glimmers in bronze. He sits on the sandy floor, legs crossed in front of a young girl sitting on her knees, waiting for him eagerly. Between them is an old stone tablet laying on the sand.

“No, Elder.” The girl said.

He reached out for the girl’s hand and points his blade gently against her wrist, “Your hand seems cold.”

“It’s always been that way, Elder.” the girl answered as she rests her hand upon the shaman’s grip.

“You do trust me, correct?”

“I do, Elder..”

The shaman raised his dark eyebrows and proceeds to cut a vertical line through her wrist, slowly and deeply with his blunt stone knife, with shaking hands he created a red zigzag line in the middle of her pale light skin. She showed no sign of pain as her cut started to bleed and drip around her wrist, her blood touches the stone tablet and suddenly it glows into a bright white drop. The shaman’s eyes widened. He lets more of her blood drip onto the tablet until it creates a puddle of glowing white. Then quickly, he lets go of her hand and kneel on the floor, with his chest and face leaning closer to the ground, examining the puddle that’s being absorbed in the stone.

“Fascinating!” the word escaped the elder’s mouth.

The shaman carefully dipped his shaking fingers on the puddle. Breathing deeply as he uses all ten of his fingers to draw a series of wide lines across his chest. The lines then slowly transformed into white runes as it begins to dry on his dark skin.

“Do you know what this means young Asterion?” He exclaimed, voice shaking. “This much power… It truly is astounding.”

Aster looked up to him with curious eyes. “I’m afraid not, Elder. What do you mean?”

“My child, with this blood you can heal almost everyone in our village… or use it to increase one’s spiritual prowess... there’s no one from our kin who has such power before. I, for one, am not even sure if I’m fit to try this.”

“But Elder, you are the best shaman in our village. We all look up to you when it comes to soulcrafting, I'm sure you can make it work.”

The shaman sighed, and rubbed his forehead in difficulty. “This is beyond conventional soulcrafting, young child… and you know how weak I am, there's no need for such courtesy.”, he said.

Aster nodded and went silent.

“I have known you since my father found you in a straw basket near the tombs. All these years I have observed your skills grow exponentially. Far greater than anyone expected for a seemingly feeble child, even your combat and hunting skills are already unmatched here in our village.” the shaman peered over his window and watched the snowy mountains sitting still in the dusk.

Aster watched her blood as it dried on the slab in front of her.

“I know you will to continue to find more ways in helping our community,” the shaman turned his gaze towards the child, “but tell me Aster... do you have any more plans for yourself?”

“I haven’t thought about it yet, Elder.” Aster replied. “Perhaps, stay and teach the young ones how to soulcraft properly?”

The shaman smirked, but Aster proceeded deadpan. “We should increase our harvest since winter’s about to come. There’s also a chance that we can forage and hunt for more food to prepare us this year.”, Aster slowly rise up to her feet, brushing the sand off her skirt.

The shaman bursts in laughter, “Your abilities are as astounding as how much naivete you still possess dear child, we have enough rice and crops to provide for us in a lifetime! The best in the realm!” the shaman walked towards the door and opens it. The cold gust of winter engulfed him, and he braced it proudly.

“Tell you what, you should deliver our finest grains to Sentralia and see for yourself. There’s no other person fit for the job. My men will escort you and see to it that you personally hand it to our king.”

“Elder, isn’t this all too sudden? I think I will be more of help if--”

“Nonsense!”, he exclaimed. Aster sighed and nodded reluctantly.

“Young child, this will bring more honor to our village, I know you will not fail me.”

“It will be done, Elder. I will inform the others imme--”

“There is no need to inform the villagers. Gather your things, you will deliver our grains before the sun comes up.”

“Understood, Elder.” she said and promptly walks out of the shaman’s hut and closes the door.

The shaman stared outside the window until Aster is out of sight and immediately calls for one of his servants and whispered, “Inform the king that the gift will be on its way to the main city, and I have made it clear that it will be presented to him personally.” He grinned widely as the servant nodded and bolted it’s way to the distance.

---

“Calm down, I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Aster said with increasing concern, “You know how the Elder is, Aurora. I’m doing this for our village.” She went through her sling bag and closed its wooden clasp, tying the knots tight.

“It’s Sentralia! That’s miles away from here and it’s already winter… there’s no assurance that you’ll be back here on time.” Aurora scowled with a worrisome expression on her face.

Aster felt a pang of guilt but managed to look at Aurora with a smile, “You’re capable more than you know, you’ll be fine. I have all our training routine in this parchment. It should keep you in track while I’m away.” Aster places a small scroll on Aurora’s hand.

“Make sure to write as soon as you can.” Aurora embraced her best friend. “ You’ll have plenty of time during the journey.”

“Look after everyone.” Aster embraced her back tightly.

“Of course, I will.”

“I will miss you, Aurora.”

“Of course, you will.” and both of them giggled as they hold hands.

Aster tied her bags to a stallion standing nearby and mounts onto him. She gives a stern glance to Aurora, “I’ll be back before you know it.”, she said before bolting towards the gate of the village to join her two escorts. Aurora waves as she watch her friend on the horizon.

“I wish you safe travels, Aster.”