Owen sat on a bench in his family’s garden, running his fingers over long, thin rosemary leaves and savoring their fragrance. The garden was one of Owen’s favorite places. Most people only had a tiny plot large enough for a few herbs and vegetables. But since his father was the shaman, he had the right to claim a much larger space. Herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables made the space smell fresh and aromatic year round. As a child, Owen had learned the different plants by shape, texture, and scent, and by the time he was 12 he also knew their properties and how to combine them for healing. 

Because of its size, the garden was also an unusually private place in their small village. Most of their neighbors knew each other’s business because the moment they stepped outside they were in public space. Not here. The shaman commanded great respect because of his skill, and with it the right to greater privacy. Footsteps approached, and a moment later his sister sat down next to him. 

“It’s a lot to take in,” she said, running a hand from his shoulder down to his elbow. 

Owen nodded, a gesture his sister had taught him years ago. “Most of it hasn’t really sunk in yet.” He followed his sister’s touch until he found her fingers. 

“I don’t know what surprises me more,” she said. “Kaz’s entire story or your role in everything.” 

“Yeah,” said Owen. “I’m glad she told us. But now I feel - I don’t know - like something fundamental has changed. Like if the mountains crumbled around us or as if I could suddenly not hear anything.” 

“I know what you mean,” said Jess. “I know we’re more tuned in to the structure of the empire than most in Yavapay, but it still didn’t really seem, well, real. I mean, important people doing grand and important things very far away. What’s that got to do with us? As long as we pay our taxes every year, they leave us alone. The empire’s problems aren’t supposed to show up here of all places.” 

“That’s all true,” said Owen, “but I think it’s more than that. From what Dad said, the balance of the elements is at stake. That’s not supposed to impact us here either.” 

Jess squeezed his hand and they sat in silence for a moment. The wind sighed through the valley, rustling branches throughout the garden. A bird twittered and the rushing of its small wings traced an arc from one end of the garden to the other. 

“What about you, Owen?” said Jess, and she spoke with the extreme quiet she used when she meant only him to hear her words. “How are you doing with, you know, your element. And-”

“The prophecy?” Owen finished. Jess squeezed his hand again in assent. Owen shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s still so strange to me that I was chosen by Ch’usaj. It’s supposed to be a curse, some sort of punishment. But Jess, she said she had to fight the other elements for me. Do you think that’s why it took so long for me to be chosen?” 

“I don’t know. Maybe? I’m not sure how the choosing process works. Maybe Dad will know more.” 

“Yeah, I’ll ask him,” said Owen. He fell into silence again, fingering the rosemary. But he didn’t really feel the leaves or smell their fragrance. He was thinking about the tingling emptiness in his chest, and Ch’usaj’s words: You, I think, will be my champion. 

“Is that really what’s on your mind?” asked Jess. 

“No,” admitted Owen. “I’m scared, Jess. All of a sudden, I’m Ch’usaj’s champion? I’ve got some sort of void power that I don’t understand. And on top of it all, I’m supposed to be some sort of warrior? I can’t even see, Jess! It’s never bothered me before now. But how am I supposed to fight if I can’t see? And how am I supposed to act at all if I don’t understand what I’m fighting for? This is all so much bigger than I know how to handle.”

“Maybe you don’t need to know how to handle it. Maybe you just need to trust the elements. It’s what papa always says to do.” 

Owen bowed his head and squeezed Jess’s hand. “I know,” he said. “I guess I don’t know how to trust Ch’usaj.” 

“Yet,” said Jess, and Owen smiled in spite of himself. “It’s been less than a day, and you’ve been handed a lot of responsibility. Trust will come, I’m sure. But give yourself time. I mean, you’re amazing and all, but even you aren’t perfect.”

Owen laughed and pushed his sister lightly on the shoulder. She pushed him back. “You’ll get there. You always do.” Owen sucked in a deep breath, unaware until now that he’d been holding it. His sister was right about that. He did always get there in the end. 

“You’re right, Jess,” he said. “I think I’ll wait to ask Dad, and then maybe I’ll find more clarity in the sweat ceremony.” 

“That’s the spirit,” said Jess, and hugged him. Owen hugged her back, fiercely, suddenly very grateful for his little sister’s kindness and insight.

Next Chapter: 9: Kaz - Trouble