Spirit Shepherd

Kamaen raised his eyes to sky full of sapphire fire. The heaven above him split open and a great cloud of mist enveloped him, hiding him from the view of the thousands of onlookers.

He could see nothing through the thick, unearthly haze. The mist brushed over his bare chest and arms making him shiver. It was surprisingly cool.

"Spirit Shepherd," called a voice from inside the brilliant blue cloud. Kamaen immediately fell to prostrate with his arms spread out and his palms facing upward. The voice that called him was the very one of Elsha'ai.

"Lord Elsha'ai, you servant is here," Kamaen replied. His voice wavered with awe.

"My previous servant, Jereice, has now left Shalohm. Do you understand that I have chosen you to take his place?"

"I understand, master," Kamaen replied.

"Are you ready to guide the Drachen people?"

Kamaen paused a moment. Deep in his heart he still mourned his teacher and wished to have just a little longer to learn from him. But he knew Elsha'ai well. "My heart wishes to have had a little longer to learn from my predecessor yet I know and honor that you, my Lord, would not have taken Jereice if you did not know I was ready."

The prince raised his head but did not look up. "Therefore I will not trust my own feelings but will trust your judgment, you who have woven my life into the present just as you will."

"Spirit Shepherd, rise," Elsha'ai said. Kamaen slowly got to his feet and dared to look up. The mist around him had turned into an infinite realm of beautiful sprites of light. "I made you, Spirit shepherd, to guide my people back to me and to guide them through the coming storm. I have seen that you have grown strong in heart and mind so that now you are ready to take on this mission."

"Then with your light I will light the way," Kamaen said.

"I am with you, Kamaen. I am with you always."

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A shortened and small snippet from my novel. This scene is when Kamaen is inducted as Oracle by Elsha'ai (the deity of the story) himself. The real scene is quite a bit longer but this is just a taste. Kamaen has been tattooed (not permanent...more like henna) with the sacred colors of the Drachens as his only ornamentation for the ceremony.

Kamaen is co-leader of the Drachen Empire in my story. He is the eldest son of Emperor Tynan and is brother of the Emperor Apparent, Draikairion.

Characters, Story, and Art copyright to Sarah Elder 2011, Draikairion. you may not copy, use or reproduce this or the art or the story in any way.

~D