The Ceremony

Felix and his mother silently walked the short distance into the middle of the village. As they went, the knot in Felix's stomach grew tighter and tighter. When he remembered, he made an effort to smile, and a sideways glance let him know that his mother was doing the same.
The path began to rise as they neared the square and Felix could hear the sound of many voices gradually getting louder as they approached. His mother halted. Felix turned to see her wipe her face with a large handkerchief. She sighed and began to speak very softly.
"Look, son. I best do the goodbyes here," she said, her voice barely a whisper. Felix nodded and stepped towards her. "Just make the best of whatever 'appens. Promise?" Once again he breathed her scent and found himself folded into her arms.
"Yep, I promise," his voice was clipped and stilted. After a moment he spoke again with more force. "You do the same, won't you?" At this, his mother let out a low, stifled howl, more animal than human and finally allowed the tears to fall. She squeezed Felix tighter until her sobs had eased, then moved back a little. She wiped her face once more but did not speak again. She turned and moved on toward the crowd waiting in the village square. Felix just had time to retrieve the dropped handkerchief before following her.

The noise of the crowd grew quieter as they approached. Felix took a few moments to glance around and look for clues as to where he would be sent. He saw Ward, the blacksmith, standing head and shoulders above the others. His round, red face always looked so jolly, maybe Felix could learn, could build up the muscle needed for his line of work. He looked like a nice man. Felix saw a few of the older boys, they had recently been through this and looked happy enough. If this was the case then why was Felix filled with this feeling of dread. Perhaps they had been too, before they had been placed. Hodge, the leader of the coucil, stepped up beside Felix and an expectant hush filled the air.
"Felix, my boy," began Hodge, raising his hands to ensure there would be no interrruptions. "You have now reached the age of apprenticeship. We, the council, have carefully considered all of the offers made to us, using our knowledge of the work to be carried out and what we understand of your own character and physical abilities. We are now ready to reveal our choice for you. Will you abide by our decision?" Felix had been to many of these ceremonies in his lifetime and knew the answer that he was expected to give.
"Yes, sir!" His voice rang out strong and unfaultering, much to his own surprise.
"Then it only remains for me to read out the name of your new master. He will then issue the instructions for the suitability task. Are you clear?" Hodge continued, obviously pleased with his own authority.
"Yes, sir," repeated Felix, his eyes darting around for any giveaway signs. The next few moments appeared, to Felix, to happen in a sort of slow motion way. The sound seemed indistinct, almost as if he had his head submerged in water. He wasn't entirely certain that he had heard correctly.
"Drevil, the undertaker!"