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Chip and the Quest for the Golden Acorn. Bk 1, Chp 1, Pg 4 |
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Page 4
There was many a time in a young squirrels life that things would change very suddenly. Most thought it all happened upon their Nameday, or maybe when they reach maturity. Some believe that it takes something of great importance and great substance to change ones life forever. Thusly, it slightly happened to Chip. As he sat listening to High Councilor Nevar telling the history of their community, something built in his chest and mind that had not been there before. The years of believing everything will be different when he joined the ranks of Stephen's and Steven's came crashing down in that little instant. When the phrase: "To be found by some would-be adventurer on his way to glory, to save this place from destruction and famine" passed Nevar's lips, Chip knew, without a shadow of a doubt, things in the next few days will be quite.... different. For once, his mind was made up on the matter: He is Chip, and Chip will he stay. He turned to Gus, the squirrel absorbed in his feasting on small snack foods, and had the feeling he may never see his best friend again after two more days. He looked at Gwen, the beautiful maiden with her golden fur and shining eyes, sitting there by his side, her paw wrapped in his.... Chip felt saddened that things will not change for the better.
It was late afternoon, long after the lesson told by Nevar, and Chip was at home, looking at the painting of his father. His father had left near Chip's fifth birthday, saying he had his destiny to find. His father, a strapping squirrel with auburn fur, was a tall and swarthy gentleman, who had a grin on his face and a heroic stance as he lifted his little boy over his head in victory. The painting was only 14 years old, yet it could've been painted yesterday. He left behind two things: His old sword, Glimmer, still wrapped in the cloth his mother had placed it inside two days after his fathers departure; And a belt, his favorite belt, the only heirloom in the family that bore the design of the Golden Acorn upon the buckle. It was heavy, wide, and sturdy despite having survived for thirteen years. The belt was made to be buckled through Glimmer, for the sword was considered "special" by many, though Chip didn't know why it was special. He looked at his sleeping mother, marveling at her health. She never leaves her bed these days.... He thought sadly, touching her graying paw sorrowfully. Ever since Papa left, she's done nothing but look out the window and sleep, sometimes even singing a happy song just to keep her spirits up, forever longing for my father again... Why the Allmaker tortures her so, I may never know.... He thought sadly, kissing his mother on the brow. Her body was covered by the knit blanket his Nana had made a few years back, the once-lovely squirrel now gray instead of brown, gray robes on her body and a gray bonnet on her head. She whispered softly: "Do not cry, my beloved, for there is no sorrow in my heart. Only pride...." Her eyes didn't open, but Chip knew she was talking to him. "I promise, mother. After tomorrow, I will find our answers...." Chip whispered softly, squeezing his mothers frail hand. "I know you will, my darling boy. There is very little that you can't do. I will miss you, but we will see each other again...." His mother said softly, pressing her other hand to his face. Chip felt another's presence, but knew who it was. His Nana said nothing in the doorway as Chip crept to his bedroom, knowing he had her silent blessing and his mothers all in that night. Sleep came very slowly to him.....
He stood in a flat, gray canyon, a heavy shield on his left arm and some sword in his other, the blade shimmering green in the blazing sun from overhead. Chip knew this was a dream, because he saw his father at the end of the canyon. "P-p-papa?!" He cried, racing to his fathers open arms, but he was slowed down, the shield and armor dragging him down. Armor? He looked down, seeing a golden chain tunic under a white shirt, the sleeves and hem blazing with gold. His legs were covered in golden armor, and so were his paws. He looked at his father, seeing the squirrel lower his arms. He was just as Chip remembered: Tall, proud, wearing his simple green tunic and belt, his paws on his hips, his feet spread wide, his tail held high. A glitter of a smile gleamed in his eyes, a grin on his face. "You will see many a dark day, my son, and many of them will show you weak. But always remember: You are never alone, for wherever you go, whatever you do, I will be there, guiding your hand and helping you stand. I have made a promise to you, my son: We will see each other again, but it will not be a good day. Know that I love you, and always have. As does your mother. But know this: You are to be hunted...." His father called out, holding a paw out, something shimmering in his palm....
Chip gulped awake, his heart pounding in his ears. That.... was a strange dream.... He thought simply, and looked out the window. Oh dear.... Nameday is here.... He thought bitterly, getting out of bed hurriedly. He had packed for what he was planning to do today, placing the needed essentials in his bag and sticking his fathers items next to them. Just in case. Of his Nana there was no sign, and his mother was still sleeping as he placed the orange graduation robes on his body, racing out the door in a flash of orange, zipping down the grass-covered hill towards the Great Hall a distance away.
The Hall was packed already, filled with red and orange of those excited and anxious to graduate. Once again, like all those years ago, every square inch was packed to the full, rabbits, otters, hedgehogs, and moles all in the upper levels, having traveled from their burrows and rivers to see this auspicious event. Chip pushed his way through the throng, guided by the rather large blob of orange near the pulpit. Gwen was already there, looking marvelous in red - like she wasn't marvelous in any outfit, Chip thought - with Rose at her side, the maiden having spiced up her robes to be more "girly." Gus wore orange as well, his a bit bigger than everyone else's. "You ready?" Chip asked, feigning excitement. Gus bobbed silently, eating something out of a nervous habit that happened to be another's bushy tail. "Oy, steady on!!!" exclaimed the recipient, snatching his beloved tail from Gus's paws and patting the hairs daintily, glowering at the blushing rotund squirrel. Gwen chuckled. "Just imagine.... After this day, we'll be free!!!" She said wistfully, Rose giggling happily, skipping in place. Gus grunted. "Oh yes, free...." Chip commented, rubbing his head.
After a while, the councilors began to file onto the stage. Councilor Nevar, however, was nowhere in sight. Chip looked at Gwen, seeing the confusion and concern on her face. His second in command, however, was present. Councilor Brandt was, like most other squirrels, wiry and a simple brown color, his red robes marking him as one of the Warrior Cast. "I apologize for High Councilor Nevar's absence, youths of this Nameday. He has.... taken ill this evening, and I am to be leading this ceremony to it's end." The wily Brandt said, his voice high yet masculine. He spoke the prayer over the ceremony, intoning the usual words and phrases to bless the community. Then the picking began. Chip grew nervous as more and more of his comrades became the Stephen's and Stephenie's of this generation, walking off the stage as new squirrels. He listened carefully, then heard it: "Chip, son of Aran and Nadeen of Greenswood. Step forward." Councilor Brandt called out, holding his graduation scroll in his thin paws, smiling in a rather not-so-charming way. Chip slowly made his way forward, feeling every beasts eye on him as he stepped onto the stage, feeling his march was taking forever. "And do you, Chip of the Great Oaks, accept the patronage of Saint Stephen and Saint Stephenie and break the bonds of your old life to begin anew?" Brandt asked, his voice sounding as if he had said this a million times, which he has. There was complete silence, the world hanging on everything Chip was about to say. It felt like ages before Chip could open his mouth and speak. Speak words that have never been heard in this hall, on this day: "No, I do not." He said simply, his voice loud, filling the entire Great Hall with his proclamation.
 Lord Arimor Darkheart · Sun Nov 08, 2009 @ 05:08am · 1 Comments |
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