


Ashtar - - - - - - - - - - - - Stefana - - - - - - - - saish
The seasons changed from the spring to summer to fall. The village just finished with their celebration of the coming of fall. Ashtar watched as his daughter slept peacefully full of the feasts food and from the newborn feast that was held latter that day. He looked at her lovingly as she slept. She was all that he had left; he knew that Saish was going to get her soon as it’s been almost a year.
He had long ago run out of simple spells, tips and other such things to teach her. He knew that this was a once in a lifetime chance for his daughter to learn from someone so great and an offer like that is not be so easily taken back. But he was afraid of the legends prophecy and what would happen to her if she truly were what he thought she was.
“I see your thoughts are troubled young one,” a familiar voice said from outside. Ashtar, startled, looks up to see Saish at his door dressed this time in a purple garb “Am I to be let, in or kept out?” her humor apparently the same.
“Please come in!” he gingerly lifted himself from the cushions, trying his best to not disturb the child. He was going to turn and get the door but he found that Saish was all ready beside him, which startled him, but it really didn’t surprise him all that much.
“Now then, is there a room where we can go so our talking won’t disturb the little one’s sleep?” Saish asked pointing to the sleeping child and returning her hand to the inside of her sleeves.
“Yes, yes there is” he went into his wife’s old room, one that he himself had not visited in quite awhile. It was kept clean by the loving child and was given fresh flowers by her every week. She did not know her mother very well but she still loved her and gave her respect in this way. Ashtar gestured for Saish to let herself be seated while he took the seat that was next to the bed.
“Now, I do believe that you know why I have come today,” Saish asked him just in case he had forgotten. “Do you believe that she is ready?”
“Yes I do, I have ran out of things to teach her without being the teacher myself. She has a good knowledge of herbs and animals that I have always taught her since she was small.”
“Yes I have seen you two before I met you, wondering the woods around Trona. I will not lie to you Ashtar; my pupils are not babied no matter their age. I will give her tasks appropriate to her age and her level of skill.”
“Yes I know many of the students that have failed you and still survived their ordeal tell horror stories about you.”
“Yes well that’s only because they did not want to push themselves any further.” She examined the flowers that were freshly picked this morning.
“My lady, I…” Ashtar started to say
“Yes child, I know your fears, your daughter will do just fine. She has a lot of potential and I believe she will become great. I am in need of a true successor and not just an apprentice. She will know all that I do in time.” She said simply.
“My lady Saish, I did not know you were going to give her such an honor.” Ashtar said in complete surprise.
“Yes, well we haven’t begun the training yet. One might have the gift but it is to naught if they have no mind to use the gift wisely.” she paused for a second “your child is awakening, go to her and have her get ready. Have her pack only a change of clothing, and change into any traveling clothes she might have, and any herbs that she wishes to take with her. She will be carrying her things herself, have her keep that in mind.” She stated and then once again returned to examining the flowers.
Ashtar hurried himself to the task of getting his precious daughter ready for an event that would surely stick into her mind for the rest of her life. She was confused that she was the only one packing for the trip, but somehow she knew what was going on as her father had hinted at her having to leave soon all year. Although she had known Trona for many years there had been times where they would go to other villages around the forest of Matra. Finally with everything that she could possibly not live without packed upon her she set off with the lady Saish into the forest of Matra.