Aysel Memoria Falconne took one last look at the nursery that for the longest time she had shared with her sister Katyana. Partings were hard, and the hardest ones for the little catling had been saying good bye to her twin and to David. The three of them had cried for hours, and Aysel was not sure that her little brother understood why she was going. Aysel had tried to explain to David that this was something she had to do.

"Baby Brother, I haveta go. I wanna be strong like Aunty Iss. I wanna protect people from bad things happening like what happened to you. I want to be strong enough to never have to be afraid for you and Katy and Dom'nick, because I'll know that I can protect you when you need me. Momma can't teach me that but Aunty Iss and the Sisters can."

Eventually she had left David crying in Momma's arms, and went into the nursery with Katy to pack her things.

"I'm only taking clothes Katy, and the little swords Daddy had Wisper make for me. I'm gonna be a strong warrior and warriors don't need toys." "I know your gonna be strong Aye, but you are still gonna just be a little girl. You should take the bear Daddy gave you just in case. You can always send it home if they won't let you keep it." Katy was ever the wise and quiet sister, alway looking out for the hearts of others. "Besides you can keep secrets in bear's tummy, something to remember us all by."

Katy picked up the bear, and the little portrait that sat between their twin beds, taking the picture from the ornate frame, and setting it into the hidden pocket on the bears back. Then she handed the bear to her sister. "Take it for me if nothing else."

Aysel hugged the bear to her chest and picked up her bag, heading for the spiral stairs and down to the courtyard. She still had to say her goodbyes to Momma and Daddy before her big sister Cailet came to escort her to the sanctuary.

Antonio and Kina waited at the bottom of the stairs, there were lots of hugs and kisses, some tears and a few whispered prayers exchanged between the three.

The last hug was for Kina. Aysel hung on her neck for several moments whispering "Thank you Momma, you know this means a lot to me." Kina cried when she let her daughter go moving into her husband's arms for what little comfort they could give each other. They had decided it would be easiest on all of them if Cailet took Aysel to the sisters.

Cailet looked down at her little sister "Ready to go kitten?"

"Yes I'm Ready"

It took a day of hard walking to reach the place Cailet wanted to show Aysel. During that time the sisters talked about everything. Aysel told Cailet everything she knew about the sisters at the sanctuary, and about why she wanted to join them. Finally the arrived at their destination just before sunset.

That place was a small clearing with a tiny cave, beside a very still pool. "This is my pool of memory Aysel. When I was even smaller than you were my brother and I were taken from our mother. Our first winter away from her, Tobi almost died of a fever. The only thing that helped him was bathing in this pool. Every time we bathed in this pool, the waters caught and held a memory. Some of them are happy, some of them are sad, but each one helped shape Tobi and I into the people we are today."

Aysel moved to the edge of the pool and knelt down. "How does it work big sister?"

"Just hold the memory in your heart as you walk into the water, and when you are clean, leave the pool. The water will hold your memory in its depths. Then whenever someone needs that memory all they have to do is drink the water from the pool, and the memory will play on the surface." Cai sat beside her sister at the waters edge and scooped some up in her cupped palms, letting Aysel take a taste before taking one herself.

The memory that played across the surface of the pool was the memory of the first time Cailet had seen Aysel and Katyana. The two were just toddlers running around the halls of Gryphons Eyrie. They were chasing a butterfly and laughing and singing. The Cailet in the memory stayed well back in the shadows simply watching the children play. "Cailet' Can I leave a memory here" One for Katy and David?" Aysel looked up from the pool with tears in her eyes as she asked.

"Of course Kitten. That is why I brought you here."

It was only a few moments before a black-robed Isuelt opened the heavy double doors to the Sanctuary. Her dark hair was down, falling well past her shoulders, the soft fabric of her robes camoflagued her warrior's build. The Scathachian looked down to the visitors first to Cailet, the eldest. Then her gaze moved knowingly to the smaller Falconne, Aysel. She nodded at the girl as her eyes appraised the would-be Scathachian. A quick, "Welcome, ladies. Please..." as she stepped back to gesture Kina's daughters into the receiving hall.

"We've heard that you wish to be trained in the ways of the Goddess, Scathach," she was addressing Aysel now. Most young women and girls who were pledged to the Island of Shadow did so of their own accord; it was now time to ask this very young girl if she understood the seriousness of such a vow and that it was truly what she wanted. "Do you know what it means to be a Priestess of Scathach?" Illea had now ushered them in the first of two rooms off of the main hallway and had steered them toward a couch that sat before a darkened fireplace. Those dark eyes watched Cailet for a moment, but for the most part stayed fixed on the young Aysel.

"It means, kiddo, that you'll be living on an Island where you will be training. And there are no visits from anyone. Not even your family." She paused and studied the young Falconne. Isuelt had been young herself when she had gone to the Island, but she had also had no real issues with being separated from family. She had been orphaned shortly before, with the nearest of her mother's relatives living more than a month's journey away. She knew that separation was difficult, especially for younger girls. This was why most new initiates were at least ten years of age.

"You'll be back, if you choose, of course. Though some women prefer to stay on the Island and become instructors. There's nothing that says you cannot visit your family after your initiation, Aysel. But that's a little ways off," she glanced to Cailet, then back to Aysel, "About ten years for most girls." Another pause, she needed the child to understand what she was undertaking. "We will give you a new home. You'll be living in a small building with other girls about your age and ability levels. You will attend classes with them, and services in the Temple." The hardened Scathachian smiled then, "There will be meals and of course festivals and competitions. You and the other n??osachs will do most everything together. I think you will enjoy your time there. I did. Now, if you have any questions for me, I will answer as best I can. Otherwise, if you still wish to go, you will stay here for the night. Rhiannon will come to fetch you in the morning."

Illea let the corners of her mouth sweep up into a warmed smile for the girl. She did remind the Scathachian of all the other young ladies that came to the Island; each of them searching for something different, whether it was a way to save the world, independence, respect, or a family (like herself).

She placed a strong hand lightly around Aysel's tiny shoulders, "Of course, this way little Falconne." She offered a nod to Cailet as she turned her younger sister away from her, "You, of course, are welcomed to stay for the evening meal if you so choose. Aysel will be met in the morning by Rhiannon and will depart from the docks. In the meantime, I will show your sister to her room."

Aysel's lodging for the night was just off of the main entrance hall, past one of the training rooms. It was sparse, but very clean. Fresh sheets were upon the mattress, and clean towels, as well as cool water were awaiting Aysel on the dresser. "If you need to get cleaned up before our meal, you may do so. I will come to fetch you in a quarter of an hour." Isuelt raised her brows only slightly as she appraised the young girl. "You okay?" Isuelt was aware that this step was not only an immense one, but a frightening one as well.