Robin is back
‘I bet we’ll be best friends by the time of your birthday!’ Natachàtët promised.
Laura fell asleep, hoping that her new friend would be right.
Five: Initiation to the Temple of the Nest
‘I want you to … study under my guidance, Miss Jefferies.’
Laura gazed up at The Robin in surprise.
‘But I’m not intending on becoming a Robin, Sir.’
The Robin laughed,
‘That’s what I said in my youth. And look where I’ve ended up.’
‘What would you have me study?’
‘First you must accept my offer, Miss Jefferies.’
Laura paused for a long time before asking,
‘Will I ever get the chance to see my family again?’
The Robin flinched and said,
‘No matter what you decide, Laura, the path to see your family shall always remain closed.’
She nodded in resignation. Her hopes had been for nothing then. If she accepted what did she have to lose? Afterall, it may actually be very exciting to learn how to become a Robin. Taking a deep breath, Laura replied,
‘Then, yes, I’ll accept your offer, sir. Thank you.’
‘Excellent, now hold out your left hand, palm facing upwards if you please.’
She did as he instructed, and he gingerly held it with utmost care.
‘As proof of the fact that you’re now an apprentice in the Temple of the Nest, I’ll have to brand your left palm.’
‘Won’t it hurt?’ Laura asked nervously, suddenly unsure whether she’d made the right decision.
‘Yes, but a little pain has never hurt anybody.’ The Robin remarked.
Out of the fire he brought a brand which resembled the four-pointed star on his letter to Kylan. Laura’s breath quickened in panic and she stepped away, shaking her head forcefully.
‘No, no,’ she muttered, terrified. Laura remembered the heat of the fire against the heels of her feet, and the minutes of panic as she struggled to escape the flames. She pulled away from The Robin’s outstretched hand, a sob rising in her throat. He sighed with distress, before clasping Laura’s hand in a vice-like grip.
‘It won’t hurt for long,’ The Robin murmured comfortingly as he pressed it onto her palm.
Laura screamed in agony as the burning brand was pressed against the smooth, clear skin.
‘Hush, now,’ The Robin said, anguish evident in his voice. However, Laura was too busy trying to wipe away the tears of pain with her right hand, before cradling her left to notice.
‘Put it in some cold water,’ she heard The Robin say.
Obeying him, Laura sniffed as the cold water did its job. Slowly the red, blistered and burnt skin began to numb. The Robin poured in some ice cubes and the water got even colder.
‘What shall you teach me?’ Laura asked after a moment, tturning her head to stare at The Robin. He hesitated before answering,
‘In the mornings you’ll have meditation, which shall be followed by lessons in how to cross the Boundaries between worlds.
‘You are my apprentice, so whenever you want to leave the Temple, my permission must be asked first. And,’ he looked at her with stern eyes, ‘there’s to be no … activity in the bedroom with any of our male residents. That is a very important rule.’
‘But I’m twelve!’ She responded, appalled, ‘I’m too young for sex, it’s wrong!’
‘I’m glad that you were raised well.’ The Robin nodded, ‘It does your mother credit.’
‘When does my first lesson start?’ Laura asked, eager to learn, now that all of the rules and regulations were over.
‘Today. Now if you wish.’
‘Oh, yes please!’
‘You’re an eager little thing, aren’t you?’ He regarded her with intelligent eyes. ‘Very well. Sit down, and I’ll teach you about the barriers between worlds.
‘There are multiple worlds, and like an invisible wire fence, there is a Barrier around each one. They protect the world from any outside threat, like invasion from another side. These barriers are almost impenetrable, unless a Robin, or someone just as skilled, can use The Way to make a Door between worlds.’
‘How can you open up a Doorway?’ Laura questioned, beginning to enjoy herself.
‘Why, by the use of song. You need to have the ability to sing in the Ancient Tongue. This skill normally takes years for an initiate of the Order to learn.
‘Once someone has gained control of the Song, and can create a Doorway between worlds, they must be able to reflect the culture and language there.
‘Any Robin must be able to blend in with the inhabitants, who, in the majority, are unaware of their otherworldly companions.’
‘How long are Robins allowed to stay in the worlds?’ Laura asked.
‘One month and no more. Otherwise they shall begin to fade, due to being in a different realm. We’re safe in the world of our birth or this one – Venetica – where fellow Robins can perform a few tricks to right any wrongs.’
He glanced at the clock,
‘My, my, look at the time. It’s three already. You can go and prepare yourself for dinner, which is at six. Please come here at ten each morning, and be prompt. Make sure you’ve had breakfast first. Thank you, that will be all Laura. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
She nodded and fled the room, running down the stairs two at a time, excited to tell Natachàtët about her first day and initiation.
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