She drank the wine her mother gave her. It marked the beginning of her journey to take her grandmother’s place as matriarch of the tribe. She would be responsible for her family and her people. Her word would be second only to her grandmother's. it was a thrilling and nerve-wracking feeling. Even if it would be years before she would be ready to take the title and even longer still before her grandmother was ready to retire. 

Ayella took her seat on the cushion next to her grandmother's wicker throne. 

The current matriarch, Jian Fang, eyed her granddaughter and now successor with pride. The ritual had been a greater success than the tribe knew. She knew deep in her heart of hearts that her granddaughter had great potential not only to lead the tribe but to quell the spirits. Whose moods shifted swifter than the seasons and whose intents tend to be beyond general understanding. 

She would likely be meeting her first very soon if not at the very feast meant to celebrate her succession. She just hoped that whichever she met first would follow her granddaughter for the rest of her life. Just as the jira aial the rain spirit followed Jian Fang.

Jian Fang stood feeling her old bones creak as clouds began to gather above the feasting hall and over the fields.

"My people, today instead of mourning the passing of a child we celebrate my successor’s journey. May the spirit she bonds with bring the tribe strength and joy to our people as we grow stronger together. Now let the feast begin." She announces the people.  Ayella does her best to hold in her nervousness as a clap of thunder rings throughout the hall, her grandmother's spirit watering the fields and adding dramatics to her grandmother's speech.

All throughout the hall men and women begin to converse and eat, Music plays joyfully though the background. Ayella can barely focus on it as shadows begin to shift subtly and almost imperceptibly. She can hear the faintest of Whispers from them. As the feast progresses the whispers get louder and no one but her seems to notice.

“I’m sorry, Matriarch but I think I have to go.” Ayella whispers to her grandmother.

Jian looks at her granddaughter, who’s dark skin seems unusually ashen, and nods.

“Take care dear. Your going to meet your spirit in the next few days and official training begins tomorrow bright and early.” Her grandmother warns.

Ayella nods as she stands the many layers of skirts and fabric of her ceremonial outfit rustling softly. She leaves the hall and steps into the open air the rain just barely avoiding her as she makes her way to her bungalow. A small but sturdy building that stood around a foot of the ground and was one of the newer buildings in her village. As she entered the building the whispers grew to a cacophony and the shadows were dancing. She could barely make out the words being whispered to her as she tried to remain calm. She wanted to get out of the leather and dyed gras and rough spun fabric and back into her usual outfit or even just some sleep clothes.  She paused as the whispers came to a sudden stop at her bedroom door. The door drifted open to reveal two glowing white eyes in a pool of shadows towering over her. Then her world faded to darkness. The being swooped forward and caught the fainting woman.

The tall humanoid being chuckled as he carried the unconscious young woman to her bed.

“This is going to be fun.” It said as it slid into the shadows under Ayella’s bed.