On Stained Shores

The earth beneath the beach remained spread between the soft sandy shores or the sharp and roughness of rock. The rock may have represented strength; it was the sand that was slippery enough to conceal a potential trap or slip hazard; amplified even more so by the water's caress of the shore to advance the threat.

Water rippled and nipped at the shore of the beach, stripping away at the sand, while simultaneously making the terrain into a little-thought-about hazard. Like the threat concealed by the sandy terrain, the waters appeared calm when they met the strength of the shoreline. It was at their deepest that they lured fools to their demise.

The sea breeze nearest the shoreline carried an intoxicating warm caress and an enchanting odor with it. It was a quiet Siren's Song for many a beach goer to feel the warmth and connection of the sea breeze at their backs and shoulders. Who was to know what the sea breeze could do at sea...?

The burning campfire would have appeared the most threatening by logic. Its heat provided a welcome warmth; but it was a manmade concoction on nature's beach. An untended and ignored campfire could clearly mean something disastrous for those nearby. The heat could provide warmth, comfort, and solitude; the flame itself could cause loss, pain, and destruction.

Only two people did stand any place nearby the beach fire's light. There was a pilgrimage to be observed. My mentor knew of the most logical choice for me; this was a decision for me to choose for myself this fateful night of my sixteenth year...

I stood barefoot upon the beach with my back to the fire and the wind at my back. I had already spent my time in the shallowest water. I tried to deliberately keep my back to my mentor's face and he tried to keep the sense of judgment and predisposition out of his voice. As a prince of royalty, I was born to be an Elemental, like so many in the bloodline before me. My choices remained to serve good or evil; to utilize my talents out of justice for a community or out of self-serving anger; and, the final decision, if I would choose my mastery to be over Earth, Water, Fire, or even something as simple as the Wind.

The strength of the Earthly rock.

The conniving fluidity and raw power of the sea.

The immovable and always revolving wind.

The raw heat and power of the fire.

"...Aran of Lithespark!" the sharp grating voice sounded.

For the briefest moment, panic and confusion disrupted my countenance. My mentor and I were to be alone; just us two! Then who had...?

The sharp diction finally registered as belonging to Ibroc, my mentor. I pivoted in the sand with motions of staunch steadfastness. My mentor had fire in his eyes and I expected the harshest countenance. Instead, he remained fluid and calculating.

"...You have at least chosen the path that you will follow, if not an Element to command?" he demanded.

"Yes." I answered, resolutely. "I stand behind..."

"...Your actions will be more memorable and lasting than a mere speech." Ibroc retorted with a dismissive wave of his hand.

That wave of his hand brought on a crack of thunder; did Ibroc command the clouds through his wind power too?

"So you have chosen a course for your conscience; that is well and good." he maintained. "What of your elemental?"

I knew of my own choice; as mine to make and to reveal in the proper time. My father before me, and grandfather before him, had both chosen the earth and all of its natural strength. My mother, and my mentor as well, each elected the wind. My sister had chosen fire just before walking away from her own elected path of justice and righteousness now that she packed fire in her veins. I glanced out over the waters caressing the shores as the breeze blew. For the briefest moment, I seemed to levitate on the wind. Then, I stood upon the waters as though they were solid. I even held a stone in my right hand and seemed to hold a searing flame (without so much as a burn) in my left. My blue eyes seemed to glisten even brighter than usual as I spoke again.

"I know which I choose." I declared. "I pick the one that can most easily counteract my sister's fire..."

...Besides, what could my element do if I lost my way and acted spitefully; spit rain...?

Iroc understood my choice and I was carried on the wind back to the shores. I was set down to get my feet wet.

"Then," he declared, "it is so..."