Youngsters give their life direction. They see a goal and have little holding them back from it. It is something mortals lose as they age because life starts to control the destination. It is why momentum is necessary because eventually, time catches up. Ironically, only when a mortal enters the twilight of their life do they regain that control. Responsibility and obligations weigh heavy on a soul, so it is best to unburden them and live free.

~Ogma, God of Eloquence and Inspiration

“Come on, Crow. Join us,” Aine called out, standing near five others, three males and two females. All of them would attend the testing tomorrow, and Aine took the effort to make sure he knew everyone that would be part of his Ovate Circle. An Ovate Circle was every member that passed the aptitude test for the first time. All seven of the younger generation standing here would become part of the same Ovate Circle. Others could test too, but they wouldn’t benefit much unless they were of the Druid bloodline. The only benefit outsiders received was the placement during the Trial of Tur Briste.

Crow rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, knowing that the others didn’t really want him tagging along. Aine wasn’t about to let him say no.

“Sure…” Crow said slowly. “Where are you headed?”

Aine had made it her purpose to look after him like an older sibling since earlier that morning. The wake-up call he’d given her had changed her attitude toward him, but it wasn’t so bad like this either.

“There is a restaurant near the templed called Night Sky.” It was the copper-headed boy that spoke. Crow already identified him as the oldest of the group, and with his broad shoulders and taunting eyes, it was apparent the others didn’t resist him either. His name was Loch.

On either side of him were two women called Cara and Orla. Both had similar features and builds, so Crow suspected they were sisters, although he couldn’t recall who their parents were. Eamonn was standing behind the group, but Crow felt he was the most dangerous of the group. It was his stone-cold eyes that disregarded everyone. Last was Brian, the boy Crow was most familiar with as he followed Aine around like a lost puppy. He was also the one Crow approved of the most because he trained hard and treated Aine sincerely.

“I know of it,” Crow said, and he’d been there a few times. Luthais took him just recently as an early birthday dinner. Said due to the festivities, they wouldn’t have time this year.

“Unless you’d rather stay and train,” Loch sneered. The big man wasn’t even close to Otto’s size but was larger than most of the younger generation, including Crow.

Crow didn’t mind Loch’s antagonism, but only because he didn’t see the man as a threat. Because of that, he ignored the older boy’s blatant provocations. No matter how big Loch was, Crow wasn’t intimidated, and because he was a clansman, Crow wouldn’t go out of his way to start anything with him. The only way to provoke a fight was if Loch crossed a line.

“Let’s go,” Crow said to Aine.

They were all spaced out and in smaller groups as they walked. Aine, and Brian, stayed near Crow, but she didn’t say much. Occasionally she’d smile at him and look at Brian, who hovered near her. She hadn’t dressed up, but she did pull her auburn hair into a warrior’s brad to expose her long, graceful neck.

“Do you think you will do well tomorrow?” She finally asked, spitting out the first thing that came to mind and looking awkward as she did so. Crow frowned at the question because it was the one thing he didn’t want to answer.

“There are a lot of geniuses in the clans. It’s hard to say.”

Loch snorted from behind him. “Golden boy is trying to be modest.”

Crow grimaced and said nothing. It was these kinds of expectations that weighed on him the most. People like Loch would rejoice, but the rest of the clan’s disappointment would eat at him. The awkward conversation led to an even more awkward silence, but neither knew how to ease the situation. They were saved by the appearance of the restaurant.

“Look,” Aine called out excitedly. “It really doesn’t have a roof; look at those garden wall dividers. This place is amazing.” Somehow, Aine’s enormous eyes grew even bigger.

The restaurant had a wooden floor and had some decking that wrapped around various trees. There were tables and benches placed in random patterns with screens made of woven vines to section off areas. The kitchen was near the front gate, and it too was open to the sky, but it had a small wall around it to prevent people from randomly wandering into the area.

A stage area at the back of the restaurant had a few older Druids with glowing Celtic tattoos. At a glance, Crow knew these were authentic Bards. It was their instruments that gave it away. Although Crow was considered a Bard, he was only considered honorary. It wasn’t until he declared his expertise or topic of study and crafted his own instrument that it became official. Those Bards held their instruments as if they were holy relics and played music so soft and melodic that it drew him in effortlessly.

Night Sky had one more unique feature, they didn’t allow any floating lanterns in the sky above it. Instead, the restaurant was lit up by candles on the tables and a few shielded lanterns on the walkways. It created an ambiance that couldn’t be found in any other restaurant within Oiche. It was also why it was a place that did not accept walk-in customers. Money did have its perks. Maddox clan had a permanent table on reserve, but even that couldn’t be used on special occasions where the entire restaurant was reserved.

“Move it, bumpkin.”

Crow immediately recognized the voice. Even though it had deepened some, it wasn’t enough to disguise it. Turning, he saw Munro Duncan. It’d only been about three months since he saw Duncan at the opening of the Hunt, but the boy had grown since then. Duncan’s long thick hair, handsome face marred with cruelty, and his dark, brooding eyes gave credence to the rumors that this guy was more dog than a man. Other rumors claimed he rutted with any female that stepped in front of him.

Standing beside him was Esme Teonet, and even she’d changed. Her body had matured and grown out, and Crow finally understood why a beauty could topple a nation. Despite his willpower, he felt his heart racing, not that he showed any of that outwardly. Around her neck, a broach bore the etching of a flame on it. It was the marking of the clan’s future heir. If nothing happened, she’d become the clan head in the future.

Impulsively, Crow stepped to her, but the words that came out of his mouth left everyone stunned.

“Esme. How is Mara?” Crow asked, realizing he missed the crazy woman, and despite her beauty, he felt nothing for his future wife.

“Trash like you dares speak to this beauty—” Munro started speaking, and Crow realized only Esme recognized him.

“Shut your mouth,” Crow barked. “You lost your ability to speak when you pissed yourself during our last fight.”

Munro’s placid expression turned hostile. However, Crow never even looked at him. His eyes remained on Esme, waiting for her answer. He could sense the growing anger, something he’d learned since he’d started learning Soul Carving was his ability to sense emotions. At his outburst, the Maddox clan all took a step back, and the shock on the Duncan clan members was not faked.

“What peasant dares talk to me—”

“Do I need to beat you to death?” Crow asked, finally turning his head to look directly into Munro’s eyes. “Once wasn’t enough for you to learn your lesson? How many bones did I break last time? Thirty? A fool like you still dares to open their mouth? Let me be clear, you put your dirty hands on my future wife, I’ll personally remove them from your body.”

Munro finally recognized who stood before him and started laughing. It was all Crow needed to know. Munro knew about his affliction, but it made sense since his cousins were there.

“We’ll see if you can keep this wife of yours after tomorrow, trash.”

Crow ignored him. “Esme, is your sister well? Why aren’t you speaking?”

“Why are you asking?”

“She’s my friend.”

“She is a tool. One that we used to harm you.” Esme’s voice held no emotion and her cold, heartless eyes bore into him, daring him to flinch.

“That may be, but from what I can tell, she is the only person in your clan with the heart of a Druid. The rest aren’t worth mentioning,” Crow told her honestly, knowing full well he was intentionally slighting her. It was only when he gave her a disappointed look that he finally felt the faintest flicker of emotion from his future wife.

“Excuse me? Maddox clan, your table is ready. Crow stared at Esme a few breaths longer and turned to go. Not expecting anything to happen, a hand clamped down on his shoulder, the grip empowered with the Source.

Reacting, Crow’s arm swung around, and his Source burst forth with power. Flames surrounding his Source slipped from his control and tore through his body like a raging wildfire. Munro was forcibly knocked back into his people, and he was unable to hide the fear in his eyes.

Crow chuckled, clamping down on the fire and hiding his pain. Aine reached out to steady Crow, who, despite all effort, still stumbled.

“You good?” She asked with a worried look, and the rest of his clan stared at him, trying to understand what just happened. Crow forced the fire back, knowing his actions were likely causing more harm.

“I’ll be fine,” Crow said through tight lips. “Go on and eat. I’ll return first.”

Munro reclaimed his feet and was laughing in a near maniacal state. Esme stared at Crow, and the complicated look she gave him wasn’t something he could parse right now. However, no one stopped him from leaving.

No one noticed the blood seeping from the corner of Crow’s mouth. Other than a few jeers from the Duncan clan, nothing else happened. After he turned down an alley and could no longer see the restaurant, he stumbled against the wall and moaned in pain. His hand clawed at his chest, his nails digging at his flesh, trying to release the pain within.

“Mother Danu?” Crow cried out and couldn’t control his emotions. His fist struck the stone wall. Again and again, the sound of flesh hitting stone echoed down the empty alley. It wasn’t until his hands were raw and bleeding that his sanity returned. “Why am I tested so? Why am I punished without end? Why!?” His hoarse voice was laced with anguish and pain.

Tears and blood dripped onto the alley floor as he leaned his forehead against the wall and breathed. The fire inside him had abated of its own volition. Crow didn’t understand what had happened to him, nor did he know why he lost control to begin with. Once more in control, he cleaned himself up but didn’t return to the Maddox manor. He decided to prowl the streets like he once did before Gavin intervened in his nightly activities.

He wandered aimlessly before coming to a shop that looked as old as some of the Maddox clan’s buildings. Outside of it, he could hear laughter and taunts, including the mention of the Maddox clan. Curious, he approached without anyone noticing him. A ring had formed around a small giant, and the boys surrounding him were all of the younger generation, clans that Crow recognized and already had an issue with.

“…hey, dummy. Is this what the Maddox clan has become? A clan of simpletons…”

“…Ha! Look at this big dummy. He’s crying…”

“…How can someone so big be such a coward and a baby…”

“Hey idiot, catch!” A Belgae boy threw mud that struck the giant’s face, and everyone could see a cut on the big guy’s face which spurt purplish blood.

Anger and repressed rage surged up into Crow like a brewing storm finally letting loose. It didn’t matter if the fire consumed him. He’d destroy any one of these sons of bitches that dared hurt Otto. Using pure strength, he waded into the crowd with fists, elbows, and legs akimbo. Every time his limb went out, another enemy went down. Finally, he arrived before the boy that had thrown the mud and empowered a fist with that burning fire inside him.

Everyone heard the sickening crunch and sizzling flesh as the kid went flying. His body tumbled across the ground a few times and didn’t move. It was unknown if the boy was alive or dead.

“Otto. I’m here, brother. Calm down, okay?”

“Look, more trash from the Maddox cl—”

Slap!

Crow had long since stopped caring who he offended. Anyone that dared offend him, his clan, or harm Otto, he’d attack without mercy.

“You dog-faced bastard! You dare touch me?”

“A Belgae bastard has the gall to call someone else a dog? Without Rulaney, your clan is garbage, so quite barking, or I’ll turn you into a pig-face like I did Munro.” Crow laughed but knew the situation wasn’t ideal. “Do you all want to leave here today, fearing to sleep, knowing the true depth of your mistakes?”

“Pfft, what nonsense are you spewing?” The clan symbol on his chest was one that Crow didn’t immediately recognize.

“You had your chance. Otto, listen up.” Crow decided to unleash the monster.

“Otto listen,” Otto straitened up, his beefy hand landed on Crow’s shoulder. A grin split the giant’s blood and mud-covered face, making him appear as an apparition out of a nightmare.

“Good,” Crow smiled at the crowd, and half of them shuddered. “We are leaving. If anyone tries to stop us, break their fucking arms.”

The blubbering giant from before had disappeared, and the more competent people in the crowd backed away. Examples were to be made today, and one day he’d look back and know that the legend of the Battle God started at this moment.

“You think we will let you go after what you did?” The largest Belgae boy stepped forward and tried to rally the others. Otto rushed him before another word was spoken and grabbed both the boy’s arms while twisting upward until his feet lifted off the ground.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Bones snapped, popping off like fireworks. Whatever the boy had been about to say, it ended in shrieks of pain mixed with Otto’s laughter. The more pure and innocent his laugh, the more others shivered. Otto tossed the boy to the side and stepped toward the crowd, which turned and fled. They all knew that laugh carried a promise of pain. Not all of them escaped without injury because Otto’s massive fists struck like lightning. He had easily injured at least a dozen more. Every strike broke bones. Every broken bone etched itself in all their minds, a reminder of their foolishness.

Only after they’d ran until their bodies couldn’t carry them further did they realize how true Crow’s words were. All of them had taunted that giant and none of them would sleep comfortably in the following days.

The spectators shuffled to the side, not wishing to impede the Maddox clan any longer. No one tried to stop them, and no one said a word about the fact that they viciously attacked their own clansmen. In the eerie silence, the only thing that could be heard was Otto’s intermittent laughter and humming.

Stepping towards the ring of fleeing people, they parted immediately, not wishing to impede the Maddox clan any longer. No one tried to stop them, and no one said a word about the fact they viciously attacked one of their own. In the eerie silence, the only sounds were Otto’s intermittent laughter and humming.

“Brother Crow?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m hungry.”

Crow started laughing.

“C’mon then. There is a food stall over there.”

“Fish. Otto want fish,” Otto demanded, and Crow smiled at this simple declaration. Otto wasn’t dumb, but only Crow understood that. His stilted speech, lack of attention, and confused emotions led people to think he was simple. After today, only fools would cause problems for Otto.

Both of them grabbed a fish and vegetable dish from the stand and ate their food in silence. Well, silent if he could ignore the giant’s slurping. The fish was light and fluffy, and they salted the vegetables just right. They were both finishing their meal and sitting on a bench, leaning against the short wall that lined the road when Aine came walking up. Loch and his women weren’t anywhere nearby, same with Eamonn.

“What happened?” Aine asked, wiping the mud and blood from Otto’s face. It wasn’t often that Crow felt respect towards those his age, but seeing Aine unhesitatingly wiped Otto’s face, he nodded in appreciation.

“Some clans were picking on him,” Crow shrugged and tossed the last piece of carrot into his mouth.

“She meant with you, at the restaurant, dumb ass,” Brian sighed. “Everyone knows about the incident with Otto already. The entire town is talking about how you charged into a crowd with your fists. Then ordered this big bastard to destroy anyone that got in your way. You attacked Belgae, Rulaney, Baird, Duncan, and a few other minor clans. That kid whose arms were shattered in a dozen places, he was slated to take first in tomorrow’s testing. You two have a massive target on your back.”

“So… nothing has changed then?” Crow laughed, and Otto slapped him on the shoulder and joined him.

“Otto like.”

“He… understands you?” Aine asked.

“Otto smart. Crow brother. Little brother. I protect.” Otto laughed again.

“Little brother, my ass. Who just saved you, fool?” Crow smiled wrapped an arm around Otto’s neck, trying to force him into submission.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” Brian asked, amazed by what he’d just seen.

Crow looked at Otto, who shrugged and then nodded.

“Guess there is no point in hiding it. Tomorrow I’ll be branded as the cripple of the Maddox clan. The rising star that burned out before his time. I’ll become a cautionary tale.”

“What!?” Aine and Brian exclaimed at the same time.

“You better tell me what is really happening,” Aine commanded. Crow frowned but did as asked, and in the telling, he felt better for admitting it.

After it was all done, Crow felt unburdened.

“I’m sorry if I’ve been an ass,” Brian said after the story was done. “I realize now that I really don’t envy you or your position. I’ve never had large aspirations except to stay by Aine’s side and do what I need to do to protect her. For what it’s worth, you have my respect. I don’t know that I could have carried on.”

“You said Munro knows? Why didn’t he force the issue at the restaurant?” Aine asked.

“Because of fear. I exhibited as much power as I could to knock him back. The last time we fought, I beat him until he couldn’t stand. He still fears me. Tomorrow, that all changes.”

“What are you going to do?” Aine looked anxiously at Brian.

Crow shrugged. “Come on, let’s head back. I want to look at the clan store,” Crow said in lieu of responding. “I’ve worked there for months but haven’t actually explored it. The upper floors should be open for clan members.”

Everyone, including Otto, appeared interested. The Sweet Onion was nearby, and they headed back toward the clan manor. None of them saw the others spying on them, but Crow knew they’d heard every word. Tomorrow, all the major clans would know his condition, and upon seeing his performance, wouldn’t doubt it.

Karma was strange, and his admission caused elders from several clans to turn their heads in his direction. None of them knew what happened, but their sensitivity toward karma told them that something significant occurred. All of them knew it was related to tomorrow’s testing. Spurred by a sense of curiosity and caution, they decided to attend. Crow had no idea his choice to admit his weaknesses to the world would create such a disturbance, but had he known, he’d have sighed and blamed it on being unfated.