No Time for Childhood

Arinelle sat on the edge of her small bed, tiny legs swinging back and forth restlessly. Every once in a while, her skin would catch the light of a candle and glitter just a bit, like she’d crawled through gold dust.
 
“You mustn't run off like that, Arinelle,” a young woman admonished gently. She wore the white gown of an Acolyte of the Church of Loreali, marking her as part of the Order of Life and Mercy.
 
“By why?” her small, childish voice asked. “I just wanted to play with the other children.” Pupiless topaz eyes stared up earnestly at the woman.
 
“You’ve no time for play,” she responded. “Your training takes precedence.” Her tone implied that they had had this conversation before, yet it remained gentle even if slightly vexed. Attempting to impress the weight of responsibility upon a five year old often required repeated reminders.
 
“Not even on feast days?” she wheedled.
 
“Even on feast days, one must be prepared. Destiny does not wait, nor does it conform to our choice of rest days. Your calling may come at the most inopportune of moments and you must be ready to step forward and greet it.”
 
“It didn’t, though,” she pointed out reasonably, in her tiny voice.
 
“Not this time,” the woman conceded. “That does not mean that it may not during the next feast day, festival, or fair.”
 
“How will I know?” she asked softly, her hands fidgeting in the cloth of her dress.
 
“You’ll know,” was the response, firm with conviction.
 
“What must I do?” The little voice was beginning to sound frustrated and perhaps a bit tearful.
 
“In time, light will reveal all secrets that hide in shadow.” The woman lightly touched Arinelle’s head. “I know it is difficult to be patient. I know it is difficult to have duties when other children do not. You will play a great role in this world, Arinelle. You will do great things. Your Light will be a force of truth and healing. And so you must be prepared to walk this path, and to guide others along it. Your heritage shines brightly for all to see.”
 
The little aasimar dropped her eyes to her lap, thinking for a long moment, then she nodded and looked up at the woman. “I will, Gemma. I’ll be ready, I promise. I won’t let you, or anyone else, down. I will make my goddess proud, whatever her destiny is for me.”