A month before, Evie began preparing for the ritual that would begin at dawn of her 18th year.
The first daughter in four generations, Evie’s marking would be an occasion for her entire clan to celebrate. The ritual, which would take 12 months to complete, would start at midnight on her birthday, and end at midnight the day before she turned 19. Prior to the first line being laid, she had to name her guardian.
Evie already knew his name. She had known since she was six and met the first in a long line of guides. What she didn’t know, was if he would fulfill the pledge between his brethren and her family.
Evie’s great-great-grandmother, Móraí, was the last woman in her clan who had a guardian. Though she was nearly 100 years old now, she said she had never felt the full extend of her guardian’s power. Evie worried that she would take the mark for nothing. Yet, there was that small part of her heart that told her that there was already a bond between them. That the mark would only be an outward sign of their connection.
With Evie was her father Emmet, and Móraí, along with other members of her family. Joining them was Kile, great-great-grandson of Bruce, the artist who had prepared Móraí’s marking. Their two families were linked in this ritual.
As early as she could remember, she dreamed of flying, of being a large bird soaring over the lush forests of her homeland. The sensations were so vivid, that when she woke she often felt like she was still airborne. More than once she also found twigs and leaves, or tiny bits of bone, in her bed sheets, as if she had actually transformed and went on nocturnal hunts.
When it was time to name her guardian, to give him a form, Evie did not hesitate.
“He is a red hawk, and he is named, Ó Séaghda,” Evie proclaimed.
* I am attempting to complete NaNoWriMo this month. This is a short excerpt from the story I’m writing. These 331 words pushed me over the 10,000 mark, a full day ahead of schedule.
Thin spiral notebook 
Interesting glimpse into the novel in progress; I’m very curious about the rest of what’s going on here! Hope the month’s progress continues to go well for you.
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This excerpt has completely drawn me into your story, and I want MORE!
I love everything about this.
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I’m so woefully behind on NaNo, I’m starting to think I will never make it to the finish line. Sigh. Awesome that you reached 10k! I’m going through need-to-revise syndrome, which is bogging my word count down.
Your book looks amazing- I’d love to read more! Great response to the prompt.
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Somewhere between Indian guides and astral travel. I also liked the twigs and leaves.
This much slower NaNoWriMo contender came in at just below 9k yesterday (“Massanes”).
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I like thinking of her transforming and going on nocturnal hunts. I am not usually a fan of fantasy but this drew me in with the thought of her “clan” and having a guardian. I do like the images that “rituals” brings up. it’s so well written that it’s hard to not like it.
every young women hits a milestone at 18, doesn’t she? A place where she must name her “furture” and whether that comes to fruition or not it’s a very discerning year.
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What I really think? I can’t say – cannot describe – what I REALLY think. I can only talk around the edges, because my thoughts are in response to ancient instincts and heritage that we seem to share – times long ago ring in us as echoes that that take us, at times, to deep thought and melancholy that have no words – only feeling.
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This is Red Hawk!!! I can’t wait to read more…I am intrigued.
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I like the part about waking to bones and twigs in her bed, suggesting that her dreams were likely reality. I am also intrigued by the guardian – what his purpose is and why she would need/want one.
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A fellow NaNoWriMo-ian! 🙂 I passed 10K today too! Sittin’ pretty at 10,432 ^__^
This is a great excerpt! I really want to know what’s going on. Twigs and leaves in bed–what’s up with that?! It’s cool and intriguing and I have a feeling your novel is going to be great! 😀
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Congrats on 10k! I was hoping to hit that yesterday, but ugh, couldn’t (I was 900 words shy)!
Good luck on your run with NaNoWriMo! May it flow easily, and the Sickness of NaNo pass you by 😉
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