Naming Day: Part II

"Who…?" Shane started to turn to see who had caught him so unawares as to not even hear their approach, but whoever it was stopped him. The hand on his back was firm.

"Do not turn around, child. Stay focused. I ask again, what is your name?"

It was a woman's voice. Shane stared into the burnished steel of Kil`mannin and angled the blade so he might see the woman's reflection in it, but there was none.

The woman's voice gave an amused laugh. "Just like your father; too clever by half for your own good. We haven't all day you know, or at least you haven't. I've all the time in existence. Now tell me your name, boy."

"Shanevathallion of House Silver Rose." His voice sounded weak in his ears.

"That was the name you were Given at birth. Tell me your name, the one you use when you think of yourself."

Where was this going? He had the sinking feeling he knew to whom this voice belonged but he took a calming breath before he replied this time. "I am Shane Blackthorn."

"And so you are. That is who you are now. What of the adult you will be? What of his Name?"

And there it was. "I don't know." He waited, but there was no comment. "I don't know my Name, because I don't know what I will do with my future."

"Those of your age seldom do, Shane Blackthorn. It is a choice you must make, isn't it, whether to be a bard and follow the music in your heart, or to respond to the other thing that calls to you?"

He frowned. "Other thing? " A breeze ruffled his hair. He nearly let go of Kil`mannin with one hand to swipe his hair in place but caught himself yet again

"Yes, the other thing. You've struggled with it, but you can't deny that the way of the sword calls to you as well. You are, after all, your father's son."

He nearly lowered the blade. "It's true. I thought music was what I was born to do, but when I practice with Ashe, something in me feels freed. I can't explain it. And so I haven't chosen a Name, because I haven't chosen between the sword or music."

"Perhaps you do not need to choose. There are those who do both, knights with bardic gifts, for example." Now here voice was so close it was almost as if she was leaning closer to speak in his ear. "One does not necessarily preclude the other."

"I can't foresee a future doing both."

"You can't? Let me show you one then." Kil'mannin seemed to flare in his hands... a child's face… an angry mob running towards him…fires burning in a village square…his own hands picking out a song on a lute by a campfire as others listened…his brothers, all grown up, smiling grimly at him as they drew their swords…a woman's scream.. the song.. his family…older…dressed differently…and still over all, that song…

The light faded and with it, the vision. He caught his breath. "What was that?"

"A future. The times change, Shane Blackthorn. The old gods fade, and with them those of the elder races. A few of their blood will be left behind, to be hounded and hunted as evil, even though their only sin will be their difference from humans. They will need help, and refuge. That could be your future, if you so choose."

He frowned. "I'm not a battle mage like my father."

"You need not be. You need only defend and console those who need it. It will be a hard road. You will have only your own wit and talents to draw on in your task. I cannot give you any sudden powers or enchantments; you must use music and Kil'mannin. But I will tell you this: the dark times will not last forever, and there will be moments even within them that will be joyous. So, what say you? Is that future one worth choosing?"

Shane stared at the sword in his hands in silence for a time. Then he nodded. "I would kneel and swear an oath to you if you so wish it, Lady."

"So much like your father! No, you've given it to me in your heart already. It will be some time before you need act on it. In the meantime, continue as you are. Learn what you will need to know when the time comes." The unseen hand withdrew from his shoulder. "So, child, now tell me your Name.

And so he did.

**********

He'd thought he'd been in that small clearing all day, but it was only an hour past midday when he emerged from The Wyld and approached the small fire Ian and Ashe had built in preparation for his return. Shane moved towards them, Kil`mannin now sheathed, then came to a halt ten paces from the makeshift camp.

Ashe rose to face him acting as the oldest male of House Silver Rose. "Be welcome to my fire, stranger. May we spend this night in friendship, and part at dawn's light in peace."

Shane smiled, recalling the first time he'd met his granduncle and had said those words to him. He bowed his head as one would to an elder. "I am no stranger. I am of the blood of this House, returning to it as an adult."

"Then tell us your Name, so that we may welcome you properly as our kin."

"I am called Shanevathallion of House Silver Rose, but the Name I have Chosen is Berenvathallion."

Ashe smiled, then stepped to one side, saying the words that completed the ritual even as Shane walked forward to stand beside Ian. "Then be welcomed to our hearts!"

Ian grinned, then embraced his son.

"And be welcome to our souls, oh kinsman!"