"Never stop moving. Even if you feel you are not getting anywhere, the mind is pushing forward." His fingers and thumb hold my chin and turn my face to his, tilting it so that I look into his eyes and away from the glowing blue tracery on the floor. Bleys looks more serious than I have ever seen him.
"I will not stop." I whisper my promise.
After a moment he nods then frowns slightly as my lips twitch and the corners rise. His slight frown is replaced with an exasperated quirk of his mouth and a shake of his head at my sudden grin. "Akira, I'm serious-"
"Sorry sir." I quickly compose myself into the model of decorum; terrified he might forbid my taking of the Pattern this day – it had taken months of constant persuasion before Fiona and Bleys finally agreed to let me attempt it. When he nods again, I only just manage to stifle a sigh of relief.
Releasing me Bleys turns back to the Pattern, a flash of amusement in his eyes quickly concealed. But I wonder if he wanted me to see it and I cannot help but smile. My excitement makes me bold and he knows it. Glances over his shoulder he gives me another frown for good measure, and I have to chew my lip to stop the giggle I feel building inside of me escaping. The moment of my initiation is so close now; only five paces away and I will have the freedom to travel wherever I choose. Soon, soon.
"I will call out instruction to you," Fiona's voice comes from behind, her footsteps slightly muffled by soft boots as she passes me and joins Bleys at the start of my heritage. "Listen carefully," her expression softens as she speaks to me, "you have learned fast and well, you will do fine. Now come." She holds out her hand and I move forward to take it in mine, smiling when she squeezes gently. It is comforting they are both with me for this final test of all I have learned so far. I need no urging to step forward and stand with my toes at the edge of the shimmering blue line.
This is just the beginning! The thought whirls through my mind and I can't keep the foolish grin off my face any longer. My fingers twist the smooth cotton of my dark burgundy trousers, the raised gold lattice rough against my skin. I'd donned clothes suitable for travelling, even thrown on a warm cloak over my soft, silk tan shirt. I picked the cloak up when shopping with Fiona in Baranda – a medieval style world with winter clothes to die for. The material is incredibly durable and most suitable for where I wanted to go once I reached the centre, and I just couldn't resist the russet brown colour with diamond-patterned twill.
I let go of my aunt's hand and take the first step, ready now for the Pattern to read my history, take it from me and put it back, show me the joys and sorrows, pains and pleasures of my life. I lift my right foot and lower it onto the glowing path. The whispered words of advice stay with me, but as the sparks rise higher and the memories sweep through me, my focus centres almost entirely on the task ahead of me.
Things I had forgotten, tears I did not remember shedding now streamed down my face. I missed my father. So many years growing up without him, only fleeting visits. My mother. I smile as her face fills my inner vision and I have to force my mind to concentrate on the path at my feet. Waves of exhaustion beat at me as I strain to move, the barriers stronger each time. Keep moving, even if it is just the thought of movement. And I do.
Passing through years of training in the smithy and furniture making with the best crafts men in the city, I endure and exult in my achievements again. Sparks fly from my hair, auburn strands rising from my head as static courses through my body. Dancing and laughing. Frustration at not understanding how something works. All the emotions and experiences of my life flow from me and into the Pattern, including my determination. I look up and see the end. It is so close but I seem frozen in time. My limbs jerk as currents run through them. I grit my teeth against the discomfort.
An eternity passes and I'm there! I stand at the centre, my arms around my trembling body. My breath comes in short sharp gasps and nothing is in focus. I blink several times and see Bleys and Fiona still standing at the beginning of the Pattern. I straighten as best I can. The sensation is like nothing else. I am free to go anywhere I choose! Study anything I want...the possibilities are overwhelming.
"There are dangers going to a place you have never seen," Bleys' voice carries across the glowing blue tracery. "Where will you go?" he asks.
I grin weakly and shout back, "Where you would least expect to find me." I vaguely made out his eyebrows rise in surprise – or perhaps I imagine this is what he would do – but his smile is clear and is enough to give me the courage to command the Pattern...