The first thing that Mortici did when we arrived at our destination was to show me what a Druid's Grove really looked like. I could see no difference between a regular group of trees and this area until we entered. Inside the trees was a meadow with a stream. In the middle of the meadow was a single tree that was gigantic and magnificent. A short distance away was a small enclosure that held a small hut and several chickens and two cows. Off to one side, was a shrine to the Goddess Malieki. Upon the shrine I saw a small silver sickle and a small amount of Mistletoe and holly leaves that well still green. Mortici showed me to the hut, showed me where to put my belongings, and where I would sleep. Out of an old chest he removed a slightly worn green robe with an unicorn's head stitched into it. "This is the robe of an initiate to the service of Malieki. You will wear this until you have learned all that I can teach you. You have the rest of this day to rest and acquaint yourself with the area. Tomorrow, we will rise with the sun and start your training in earnest. I ask that you bathe yourself in the stream before dressing in this robe. You are to start clean and new on your path through life." he said as he handed the robe to me.
I spent the rest of the day wandering around the meadow looking to see if I could recognize most of the trees and plants that Mortici had taught me about in our travels; I did recognize most of them. I also took the liberty of kneeling at the shrine and giving thanks to Malieki for her guidance and for providing me with such a good tutor as Mortici. For some reason I felt a warm "touch" upon my head when I did this. After rising, I went to the stream and stripped off all my clothes and waded in; the water was ice cold, but I washed as best as I could and then laid on the bank and let the sun dry me. When it started to get late, I walked back to the hut in just my small clothes and boots. Once inside the hut I put on the robe that Mortici had given me and went back outside to watch the sunset. About an hour later Mortici returned, from where ever he had been, with a small parcel that contained fresh wild vegetables, mushrooms, and a couple of large squirrels that he said were for supper. After supper we both went outside, I to walk in the moonlight and Mortici to kneel at the shrine. As he kneeled, it seemed that the Moon shined directly on him. I left him to his worship and walked along the stream for a little ways, then returned to the hut for the night.
I awoke just as Sol was starting to show red in the East. Mortici woke up just a few moments later. As he was getting out of his roll, I went again to the stream and washed well in the icy water, and redressed in just small clothes and the robe. Upon returning to the hut, I said "Good morning Master Mortici; I have bathed and dressed as you instructed.".
Mortici with a smile on his face replied, "Good morning Adapt Medico, for the Goddess in her wisdom has told me what you are to be known as from this day forward. You have learned well and follow instruction well. Now before we start, let us have a cup of tea and a small meal". With that said he made some motions with his hands and mumbled something, then pointed at the table and food and tea appeared.
I was astounded; I had never seen someone do anything like this before. After a few moments I joined him at the table; but before I could ask anything he said, "This is but a small spell that The Goddess allows us. You will learn this and other spells as you advance in your training. Now enjoy the bounty of The Goddess".
"I thank The Goddess and thee Master Mortici for this food and for your instructing me in the ways of the Druids" I said as I sat down to enjoy the food. My master just smiled and nodded, as he already had a mouthful of tea.
After our repast we went into the open meadow and my training started. Mortici was not kidding when said that now the real work started. I practiced for several hours with the staff. Then after a short break, he started introducing me to the trees that grew here that I had not seen during our travels. This was the routine that we had every day for a week. Then he started teaching me simple spells; these I would have to practice for hours on end until I got them right. Interspaced between the spells, the staff work, the learning of the flora and fauna, he taught me about the respect for life that all Druids must have.
After about six months of this training Mortici said it was time for my first test. I was to go alone and retrieve a single feather from an eagle, without harming the eagle, and return it to him. I had two days to accomplish this. As I was ready to leave, Mortici had me remove my scimitars; he said to only take my staff.