[color=cornflowerblue] [center] [h1] Elena Lockslin [/h1] [/center] [/color]

Elena sat back at the house, rubbing her forehead with her elbows planted firmly in a wooden table. The day had been a mix of feelings, from being nervous beyond reason to being offered a place with the King’s Diviners. It was a position which was usually only offered to a portion of utmost loyal and powerful mages. However, it wasn’t uncommon that the King recruited some to take the infamous oath, in times of need. Elena supposed it was just that – times of need. She sat by herself in the empty house, looking around with a sigh. Sometimes it got lonely there, but only sometimes. She had been so used to living there on her own, that it bothered her less and less as the days went on. 

The young magi had taken the liberty of pouring her a glass of the reddest of wines, sipping from it to calm her nerves. Time passed on, and just as she was about to slip into a slumber her door was opened with quite the noise.  Into the houses stormed a middle-aged man, dressed in fine leather. His eyes darted around the room until his eyes set upon the young woman about to go into a deep slumber. He frowned slightly, shaking his head at her. Talder Cobswin approached Elena with light steps, sitting down on the only other chair in the kitchen, looking at her with folded hands.

“Well? Are you going to explain why I’ve just been informed that the King has offered you to take up the Diviners Oath?” Talder spoke with his rugged, yet noble voice. His speech did not indicate anger, but it was simply calm with a familiar mysterious undertone to it, one that always kept Elena on her toes. The girl looked up at him, letting out another sigh, which seemed to amuse Talder.

[color=cornflowerblue]“I can barely keep track of what has conspired myself. This morning I was chasing Kate Iles through the canals, and now the King wants me to join the order.” [/color]Elena rubbed her forehead, smiling a faint smile as she spoke again. [color=cornflowerblue]“I suppose I should have informed you before anything else.” [/color] The sentence caused Talder to smirk heavily, grinning afterwards. 

“I suppose I would appreciate my –apprentice- telling me about such events, indeed. Nonetheless, I cannot be mad with you. A spot within that order is more than sought after! This will certainly further your position in the world, young Lockslin!” Talder clasped his hands together with a firm nod and a broad smile. “When will the ceremony take place?” He asked, eyebrow rose with curiosity.

[color=cornflowerblue]”Tomorrow.” [/color]

Talder blinked in surprise, furrowing his brows.

“Tomorrow? They usually make the offer months in advance. It’s not a simple choice, after all. Tomorrow, you say?” Cobswin rubbed his bearded chin, pondering on the situation.

[color=cornflowerblue]“His Majesty wanted me to chase down Iles as quickly as I could.” [/color] Elena muttered, with much less excitement now. Talder had stood up, turning around and looking down at her. He eyed the girl for a bit, before nodding in understanding. “I’m sorry Elena. I know you considered her a friend. But she’s a traitor now. And anyone with her is a traitor. For the good of the kingdom you must not let your feelings deceive you.” He leaned down, looking into her eyes. “Remember what raised you and who cared for you. Not some Rebellion, but the court of the King.”

[hr] 
The following day had been a rush. Elena had found the nicest robe she had, and headed towards the Astral Hall.  Her heart was beating as a drum the closer she came to the hall. She had spent all morning doing her hair, making it into a long single braid. It was important to look the part for the day. The Astral Hall was located next to the Tower. It was a single hall (as the name might have indicated), which had been decorated with a map of the night sky carved into the celling, with beautiful rubies and other gems that made for a beautiful artwork. It was used for major meetings, important events and anything else the mages deemed fit. To add, it was the place for the Diviner ceremony. It was fairly simple. Repeat the words of the ‘sacred’ oath, and have a magical sigil almost burned into your skin. It bore the sigil of the current King, and was both a source of energy and a declaration of ones allegiance.  The sigil would normally be of a black colour, but would glow if one were to draw power from it. At least that was the official explanation.

Within the Hall a group of people awaited Elena. Prestige members of the Order, standing in a threatening circle with a spot in the middle for the newcomers. The windows had been covered dark, and candles were lit around the room. Along the floor there was lines of blue, lighting the room up in a beautiful and mesmerising sense. Elena approached with careful steps, hands folded in front of her lap. She took her place in the middle, greeting the mages with a dip of her head and a curtsey, the best she could.

A man, standing in the middle of the group returned the gesture with a nod. He held up his hands, before speaking;
“Greetings to thee, Elena Lockslin, daughter of bakers, and sorceress of Lempea.” His voice filled the entire room, almost as if it was magically enhanced. Perhaps it was?

“You stand before us, in these honourable and sacred halls. Before you, thousands of mages have stood, and where you stand, we have all stood. Before you lay a path; a path of glory and a life of service to the Crown. Do you, Elena Lockslin, accept the position you have been given, and understand, to the fullest, what will be asked of you, and what will be granted you?” The man finished, looking to Elena for an answer. It was much like when the bride at a wedding was asked to say yes. No one really expected a ‘no’, but it was a formality.

Elena took in a last breath, before answering.

[color=cornflowerblue] “I accept, both burden and gift of the Crown, the one true crown and king.” [/color]The reply was of course the one everyone gave; she had rehearsed it all morning with Cobswin. Saying a single word wrong would be an embarrassment of unimaginable magnificence.  

“Very well.” He answered. “Repeat after me.”

“I, Elena Lockslin, hereby declare my lifelong servitude to the Diviners of the Crown.” 
Carefully she repeated. [color=cornflowerblue] “I, Elena Lockslin, hereby declare my lifelong servitude… to the Diviners of the Crown.”[/color]

“Extend your hand, please.” The man demanded, blue flame lighting in his hand.
And so she did. Elena pulled up her sleeve, holding out her entire arm. The flame was brought closer, and she could feel the magical heat warming, as it got closer.

And thus a surging pain went through her, leaving as quickly as it came.