The Wands

End of the Second Age

“Enter,” said the young princess Kassadea in reply to a knock that came at the door to her rooms.

The door opened to admit Maylin, Kassadea’s maid. “Stoutius has arrived, and your mother sent me to see you to the Hall of Roses for the announcement,” stated Maylin.

“Thank you Maylin,” said Kassadea with a smile as she stood up to go, “I should not like to keep them waiting. Let us venture to the throne room”.

Kassadea was glad that today had come at last; Stoutius was the Mage to the King and Queen of Volerum or Royal Mage as titles went and he was here to present his children to the king and queen and raise them from apprentices to full mages. He was also here to announce the appointment of his successor to follow him as the next Royal Mage.

She hoped that it would be Moira who was appointed. Kassadea and Moira were good friends and were about the same age. Oh she was friends with Moira’s brother Jedin as well, but there were things that she could talk to Moira about that she just didn’t feel right discussing with her brother. Besides though Jedin was funny and could make Kassadea laugh, Moira had always been the more talented of the siblings.

After walking for some time they made it to a small door that was carved with roses marking it as the back entrance to the Hall of Roses, the throne room of the Palace of Laya.

Kassadea entered the throne room and stepped between her mother and father’s thrones.

“Ah Kassadea, you’re here,” said King Rune as he took his daughter’s head in his hands and kissed her cheek, “Let the ceremony begin, then.”

The main entrance doors were opened, and three black-clad figures entered the throne room and approached the king and queen.

“Who are these that you bring before us, our mage?” said King Rune.

“I bring you my apprentices of the magical arts,” replied Stoutius. Kassadea could have recited the lines herself as she had been required to memorize many of the court’s ceremonies.

“For what cause have you brought them before us?” the king said as his next line.

“To be raised to the Order of the Mage,” was the reply.

“Those who have been found worthy of this honor, step forward,” commanded King Rune.

Jedin and Moira both stepped forward and knelt before the king and queen. The king then withdrew a wand from a sash on his side—the Wand of Inheritance, the symbol of the ruler of Volerum. Rune touched Jedin’s head with the end of the wand and gestured for him to arise.

“Jedin you have been found worthy of the Order of the Mage. I therefore give you the token of your office, the Sacred Flame,” said the king as he pressed a ring that bore the image of a sinuous flame into Jedin’s hand.

Then the king placed the Wand of Inheritance atop Moira’s head and gestured for her to arise.

“Moira you have been found worthy of the Order of the Mage. I therefore give you the token of your office, the Sacred Flame,” repeated the king as he placed a ring of the same image in Moira’s hands.

“Stoutius, for what cause have you come before us,” Kassadea’s father had moved on to the next ceremony.

“To make the appointment of my successor as Mage to the King and Queen, for this cause have I come before you,” said Stoutius in rote.

“Which of all the Mages have you chosen to be your successor?” replied the king.

“Jedin, a mage who stands before you, has proven worthy to serve,” said Stoutius with a smile.

Why does Jedin have to look so smug! Thought Kassadea as a smile came to Jedin’s face and he knelt again before her father.

“Jedin do you swear to serve your king, queen, and kingdom in all your endeavors?” asked the king.

“I so swear,” said Jedin as he gave his word.

Poor Moira, she looks crushed. She would have been a good Royal Mage. The thought came to Kassadea as Moira tried to repress her obvious disappointment.

“Then take this pin as the symbol of your appointment.” King Rune took Jedin’s ear in one hand, and with the other pinned Volerum’s Three Rose Crest on Jedin’s collar—as was the custom—and then commanded him to rise.

Jedin stood and turned to face his father wearing that silly smug grin as it seemed to Kassadea. The ceremony was finished.

Moira wiped a tear from her eye and looked up to the king and queen, “If it pleases your majesties I would like to be excused,” she stated doing her best to hold her composure.

“You’re dismissed fair Moira,” said King Rune with some sympathy.

“Thank you,” said Moira as she bowed and left the throne room.

“Will she be quite alright?” asked Queen Alanna.

“Ah, she’s disappointed she didn’t receive the appointment, but she’ll be fine,” said Stoutius.