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The next morning, Claire couldn’t eat breakfast. She tried a few bites after Malcolm growled at her but it was like chewing lumps of bland, tasteless crackers and Claire pushed her plate away.
None of the others seemed to have much of an appetite either as they quickly finished. They hadn’t outright said it last night, but she knew her Triad had packed their bags in case they needed to leave quickly and Claire imagined they told her friends to do the same. That is, if the Elders gave them time to collect their bags. Desmond probably had all of them in his magic satchel that was currently hanging at his hip.
They walked through the empty village and Claire thought about the differences in walking today versus yesterday morning. Yesterday morning, Claire had been filled with cautious hope about passing the Traditio but also an incredible weight had pressed down on her with her fear of losing control.
This morning, Claire was almost certain she had failed the Traditio but also there was a part of her that had never felt lighter. She was no longer worried about losing control of her magic. It was amazing what a difference she had felt last night and this morning not only once she trusted herself and her magic but also when she trusted her family. While it would have been nice to have the additional support from the Fae, she would be able to handle whatever came their way.
The crowds were back but the Elders were not on the dais yet. Her group stopped at the outskirts of the stone arena. Now that they were back in the arena, nerves attacked Claire’s stomach. She was almost positive she had failed the Traditio but there was a small thread of hope that she maybe hadn’t failed. But she didn’t let that small thread grow.
Instead while they waited for the Elders, she thought about how they could win against the Council without the Fae. Her friends and Triad had done a ton of research over the last week with help from Kallan and Kieran’s library. Surely they had found enough pieces of information in there that they could puzzle out the ingredients of the ultimate weapon and narrow in on the Council’s key supporters. Once they had a better idea of what they were facing, maybe they could start taking first steps with the help of the Elves and whatever support Andy and Helene were able to drum up. Whatever it was, they would face it together. But if there was a sacrifice to be made, she was determined that she would be the first.
She was brought out of her thoughts by the arrival of the Elders on the dais. Their faces gave nothing away. Elder Vali beckoned her forward and Claire moved from her place with the group to stand in the middle of the arena.
Elder Milam moved to the center of the dais and raised his arms. “Greetings, my people. It is not every day that we get to experience the spectacle that was yesterday’s Traditio.”
Claire winced internally but tried to keep a straight face. The Elder’s choice of words was not a good sign for her chances and she tried not to sigh as he kept speaking. Surely, they had others in Fae history that had failed the Traditio before her?
“The last person to pass through the Traditio, Prince Erick Oreson, made the ultimate sacrifice for his people.” Elder Milam paused and bowed his head and the other Fae did the same.
Claire let a wave of grief pass over her as she bowed her head along with them. Grief for a father she would never know but also a bit of shame that she was unable to live up to his legacy threatened to buckle her knees. Desmond’s warmth followed by Malcolm and Everett’s flowed down their unobstructed bonds and poured into Claire, giving her strength.
“It is only fitting then,” Elder Milam continued, “that his daughter, Claire, should pass the Traditio in the same dramatic fashion as Prince Erick did.”
Wait, what?
She had passed?
A muffled squeal of joy came from her friends as Claire stared at them wide-eyed. Cody had a big grin splitting his face as he wrapped a hand over Bethany’s mouth. Zack and Holly gave her equally wide grins. But her favorite reactions were her Triads. They smiled, but also smug confidence radiated off of them. Of course, she passed in their eyes.
Claire could hardly believe it, but when she turned back to the Elders, Elder Milam gave her a nod and Elder Vali gave her a quick grin. The other Elders had small smiles on their faces as well. She scanned the crowd briefly. Kallan and Kieran must have been hard at work the last week spreading good news about Claire as she thought she saw a few almost grins and definitely half of them had small smiles. The other half looked mostly indifferent, which Claire was learning was just a Fae thing. She bit her lip and looked at Holly who flashed her a discreet thumbs up. Holly must be picking up on mostly positive vibes from the crowd.
Kallan and Kieran stepped up behind Holly who stiffened but ignored them as they flashed Claire warm smiles. She still barely believed it, expecting to wake up from this like it was all a dream. She was sure that by failing the magic she had failed the Traditio but she had done it, she had passed! How? She had no idea but apparently the Elders had more for her.
Elder Vali stepped up to join Elder Milam at the center of the stage. “While magic and combat skills are important, a true measure of great leadership is the justice by which they govern. Magic and power can be taught control, but a person’s heart is what is unchangeable. Through your answers and actions in your combat duels, you have shown a strong sense of justice and a stronger sense of compassion. Your answers in the Justice trial gave insight not only into your mind but also your heart. Your parents would be proud.”
Claire dipped her head and murmured her thanks. If things were different, would her parents have stood next to the Elders on the dais? Would they be showing the same reserve as most of the Fae or would they be clapping and cheering with exuberance, playfully embarrassing Claire in a way only parents can do?
Claire would never know how her parents would react, but as she took in her Triad and friends one more time with their wide grins and obvious excitement, she realized she had the family she needed right here.
Elder Milam looked around the dais at his fellow Elders. What he was looking for, Claire didn’t know but he seemed to find it. He cleared his throat and everyone grew silent again. “We’re in agreement. It’s time to make it official,” he said, spreading his hands out wide and beckoning Claire closer.
She walked towards the dais, stopping when she was only a few feet away. It’s time for what?
“Do you, Arielle Clarissa Mayfaire Oreson, accept the responsibilities that come with passing the Traditio and leading the Fae knowing that trust and respect is earned and justice rules above all?”
Claire took a deep breath and stood up taller. The Elves’ coronation ceremony took three or four days to prepare but all the Fae seemed to need was the silent approval from the Elders. And passing the Traditio.
Although she was still in shock and disbelief about passing, apparently speaking from the heart yesterday for the Justice trial had resonated with the Fae. Their confidence in her, bolstered her own confidence as she responded to the Elders.
“I, Arielle Clarissa Mayfaire Oreson, Queen of the Elves and Champion of the Realm, solemnly accept the responsibilities and the weight of leading the Fae. I understand that respect is earned and justice for all should and will rule my decisions.”
Her announcement of her other two titles caused a bigger reaction from the Fae than the announcement of her passing the Traditio. The Fae turned to each other and murmurs of shock could be heard when Claire announced her titles.
She bit back a wince as she looked at her Triad. Maybe she shouldn’t have announced all of her titles just yet. Desmond looked at her with a bemused grin while Malcolm rolled his eyes and shook his head. A small grin played at the corner of his lips though while Everett and Puck scanned the crowds like they would deliver their own swift justice to anyone who took issue with her statement.
Elder Vali didn’t look surprised at her statement but she had known about the Champion of the Realm part as she had been the one to give them permission to go meet Friednar. Claire couldn’t tell if she was surprised about the other title though. Elder Vali spoke up, quieting the noise. “How are the Elves?”
Claire smiled softly. “Good. Rebuilding and as anxious as we are to end this.”
