The Lengthening Shadow
Chapter 36: The New Verdancers

The chosen ones walked in. Samuel, Aidan, Grace, Malcolm, Bladeberry, Maria, and Glid Swiftbrush. Vi’lle met them in the great hall with a smile. “Welcome, initiates. Your training will be long, and your duties great, but you will continue on for the sake of good. That is the way.”

“You must swear by the Code of the Verdancers. Repeat after me. I swear to do only good; to have pure intentions and a clear conscience; to fight when it is needed and to make peace when I can; to live long and help others to do the same; to explore and befriend; to help Certaria; to venture far; to boldly go where nobeast has gone before; to uphold the honor of the Verdancers and Korana.”

“I swear to do only good; to have pure intentions and a clear conscience; to fight when it is needed and to make peace when I can; to live long and help others to do the same; to explore and befriend; to help Certaria; to venture far; to boldly go where nobeast has gone before; to uphold the honor of the Verdancers and Korana,” intoned the seven.

Samuel drew Suumort and looked at it solemnly. “What is this sword?”

Vi’lle came over and looked. “I know that blade. It is Suumort, Death of the Shadow, the greatest weapon made in five thousand years. This is Koranan Silver. I knew that Spera had something of immense power that he could not use. Use this sword well. Keep it safe, and it will help you always. There is nothing it cannot cleave.”

The badger unwrapped a case that was old and cracked, but still in one piece. He opened it to reveal six wands, smooth and lone, with the proper gem at the end. There were two sapphire, two emerald, and two ruby. Vi’lle passed them out to the six new wizards. Samuel joined them, and they stood still as Vi’lle swung his wand over their heads, muttering strange words. They felt a magical feeling coursing through them as they became the new Verdancers. When he finished, Vi’lle raised his wand.