Chapter 2: Into the Clan

     After about two minutes, I heard a shriek "Oh my god!" I saw masses of people moving towards the body, the plan had worked! I saw Chris running at me grinning immensely 

     "That was awesome! Let's hurry up though, before it gets late." We rushed off into the forest and, at first I was afraid of it, but I soon began to feel secure, and I let go of Chris's hand. We ran far across the forest as animals darted out of our path. I could just barely see the highway off in the distance. After about five minutes, I began to smell sweat, fire, food, and heard clanging of metal and talking. "We're almost there." Chis said. We were now deep into the forest, I couldn't see the roads or houses of the town anymore. We bust through an opening in a bush, and I found myself in the middle of a mini village. 

     "What is this place?" Chris look at me and smiled. 

     "We're here, this is the Yaban-Clan Camp!" I looked around me, I saw teens slaving away at a blacksmith, all with white bandannas, teens finishing what appeared to be a home in a tree, wearing red bandannas, and teens instructing a small group of young boys on how to fish with spears, no bandanna. 

     "Why are there only boys, why are they so young?" Chris's eyes darkened. 

     "The Yaban-Clan is made up of only men. We are young, because we don't live long." I suddenly regretted asking. 

     "Um, so who leads here?" his eyes suddenly brightened up and he smiled. Seriously, does he just smile and frown?

     "Me of course!" I started to laugh. 

     "Seriously?! You?!" he looked at me in a way that made me shut up.

     "Er-why do they have bandannas?" and then I thought, "Where am I staying?!" Chris pointed to a barrack type of house a few feet away. 

     "That's where you'll be staying, you'll be with Daniel and Michael. You will have no bandanna, you will be a Warrior." 

     "Why? Do I look physically capable?!" 

     "Nope." His tone changed. "But we need more warriors..." Chris paused again. Something was obviously troubling him. 

     "Please tell me-" 

     "Just be quiet for a bit! I make the decisions!" His eyes were glowing the black and gold colors again.

     "I-I'm sorry." He must have realized the change. 

     "I'm sorry, here, follow me." This was making me very uneasy, I didn't know what this 'Clan' intended to do. I began to think it was some kind of cult. I decided that I should go to my barracks.

     "Hey, Chris? Can I go put my stuff away before I follow you?" His answer shocked me. 

     "Huh? Yeah sure. When your done meet me outside." I walked over to where Chris pointed before. when I got to the tree, I stopped. I gazed up at the magnificent branches and craftsmanship. At the base, there was an elevator system up to the top. I walked into the box and was taken to the room. The room was a good size. There were three bunk beds, each with a bedside table with a lamp on them. There were two windows on either side of the house. Two dressers where on the left side, with four armor stands next to them. I walked over to the bed without clothes all over it. Setting my backpack down, I pulled out the shield I hid within it. I put my head in my hands and sat there for a while. I took the shield from a safe in my house. There were tons of better weapons, but I just couldn't take them. So I took out the shield. I hid it in the large back pocket of my backpack. The elevator came up.

     "That shield won't do you that well in a fight. You need a weapon." I looked up to see an Asian boy about 16. He had short black hair that was held up with a bandanna. He was shirtless, and wore ripped up shorts. The bandanna was white with a blue stripe across it. He was a blacksmith.   

     "Who are you? You're one of the blacksmiths, right?" He nodded.  

      "Yeah, I'm Michael. A blacksmith warrior. I can make you a weapon. I'll offer you up a gun, sword, or dagger." I thought on this. A gun is good for long range, but not for close up. Swords are good for close combat, but not long range. The dagger would be good for up close and personal.

      "I'll have a dagger, with some throwing knifes. Does that work?" I wondered about the throwing knifes. 

      "I don't normally do the knifes, but I can try. Draw me up some plans and I'll get to work on it." I nodded. Michael walked back into the elevator. "Come find me when your ready." The elevator went down. I was alone in the room again. Suddenly I remembered Chris. I got back into the elevator, and went back down. I found him sitting on a stump whittling a stick. 

      "I'm ready Chris!" He looked up at me and put the pocketknife away, and lay the stick on the stump.

      "Alright! Let's go over to the blacksmith's shop. Then we'll go to the fishing hole. After that we'll go to the campfire. Then to the training grounds, and then we'll be done." This seemed to be a good plan. We started off for the blacksmith's shop, and I noticed Michael. He had his arm around another guy, he had a purple bandanna with a blue stripe. 

      "Hey Michael!" I ran over to him and the other guy.  

      "Oh, Daniel, this is our new roommate. Jason." Daniel looked at me. He was a tall white boy. He looked about 16 or 17. He had brown, short, curly hair. He wore black glasses, a purple t-shirt and black shorts.   

      "Hi. I'm Daniel, your other roommate." Michael butted in,

      "He's also the best gatherer-warriors, right?" Daniel blushed, 

      "I don't know, there are better ones than me." Michael hugged him and they walked off together. Chris tapped me on the shoulder.

      "Come on!" I turned and we walked on. "Here you can get yourself a weapon, repairs, a shield, and to just talk. Let's go to the fishing hole!" He took my hand and we ran over to the spot where I saw the people teaching the young boys to fish. "Here is where most of our food comes from. Just kidding by the way. But here is an easy source of food." I saw fish in the pool, koi, catfish, salmon, and some others I couldn't quite name. 

      "Wow... Where did all these fish come from? This is amazing!" Chris looked at me as if to say 'You're impressed by the fish?'   

      "The fish were here long ago, before they divided up and went into other places." He paused. "Anyways, let's get onto the campfire!" Once again he took my hand and we ran over through some bushes and got to a open clearing with lots of boys in yellow bandannas cooking over small makeshift campfires, and then a huge one in the center of the clearing. They boys turned and greeted Chris, and acknowledged me. "Over here we cook, have meetings, etc."

      "So do they cook all food? Or do we store some?" I asked.

      "We cook most things, but save some for stores. Alright, finally onto the training grounds." He took my hand one last time and we ran into the woods. We kept running until we got to another clearing, and saw several training dummies, targets, and weapons laying about. "Here we teach people to fight, or you can practice. The trainers wear green bandannas, and are usually senior members, and must pass an exam to become a trainer."

      "Wow... So will I be going here often?" Chris looked like he was about to punch me.   

      "Uh, yeah! You'll report here, starting tomorrow and you'll be trained. By the way, what weapon do you have?" I felt a rush of embarrassment in my face. 

      "Oh, it's a um... I have a shield." I felt the air getting warm. Chris's eyes glowed golden, like an angry Sun.

      "You have a shield. No actual weapons. A shield. That's just great!" I had to fix this some how.

      "Um, Michael is going to make me a weapon!" He was still mad.

      "You need one by tomorrow! Ugh! Fine, stay with me tomorrow, and we'll work together, as long as you don't die. Promise?" Don't die. Why wasn't I surprised?

      "Yeah, sure." I needed to at least get some weapon, right? Maybe Chris will have a weapon for me tomorrow.

      "Okay, good. Now come on, it's almost time for dinner! I think we're having catfish, boiled in blueberry skin!" I wasn't sure if he was joking or not. I guess I'll find out soon enough. He took my hand, again, and we ran back to the 'kitchen' area.

      "Hey, uh, Chris? You know, you don't have to take my hand." I asked cautiously.

      "Yeah, I do. I just like to take people's hands. Also, I think I might loose you, and we still need you, so we can't let that happen, now can we?" We'll that answers it. We got to the kitchen area, just in time. Chris let go of me and walked over to a large rock in the center. 

      "Yaban clan members! Tonight, we have a new member! Jason Tal'ik!" All of the clan members cheered, as Chris motioned for me to come up. Tal'ik? That wasn't my last name! I was Jason Fredrick Thomson, hardly anything like Tal'ik. When I got up there, I started to get embarrassed. "Go on, say something!"

      "Oh, uh, Fellow Yaban clan members? Uh, I'm Jason Tho- er Tal'ik. I, um..." I could barely think. "I hope that you all get to know me, and I can help you and the clan? Uh, yeah!" My face was redder than the koi in the pond. I whispered into Chris's ear, "My last name isn't Tal'ik!" 

      "Yes it is!" He paused as if he realized something. "Oh yeah, come to my room, after everyone goes to the barracks." I hoped that this would clear up everything. Then again, it probably wouldn't. Chris dismissed everyone to go eat food. He then grabbed me. "Hey, your sitting with me tonight, all new clan members do."

      "Oh, uh, okay." He took my hand (I swear to God if he does that again), and lead me to a table with three seats. It was crudely made of wood, with the pattern that was on Chris's knife. There was no one in the third seat. "Who sits there?" Chris looked at the chair.

      "The leader's successor. I don't have one." His face clouded over. Thankfully, one of the members with a yellow bandanna brought Chris and me some food. Chris wasn't lying about the catfish. The large fish sat on a stone plate, it was covered in a strange dressing, that tasted delicious. Blueberries were on the side. I quickly inhaled it, and before I knew it, the fish was nothing more than a tail.

      "Wow, that was surprisingly good! Can I have more?" I asked Chris, he looked at me and laughed.

      "Seriously! I told you, right? You only get to eat one meal for the first week!" He was howling with laughter. After he stopped, he looked at me smiling. "The look on your face, priceless! For the first whole week, you get one serving, for each meal. If you even get to eat a meal that is!" I couldn't be the only one who didn't find this funny. I watched hungrily as the other guys ate as much catfish as they wanted. "Hey Jace, don't worry. You'll be able to eat breakfast." I just looked at him. Once everyone finished eating, Chris motioned to me.

      "What?" I asked.

      "Follow me? DUH!" Chris said. I sighed and, clenching my stomach, I followed him. He walked back up in front of everyone and raised his hands to either side of him. "Yaban Clan members! I ask that tonight, we indoctrinate Jason Tal'ik into our Clan! The Ceremony of Fire Paint will begin after dinner! Be prepared for that!" The boys cheered. I started sweating. 'The Ceremony of Fire Paint? What could that be? I know it involves fire, so...' I scary thought crossed my mind. What if this was to test my strength? They might force me to do something, that I can't physically do. I tugged on Chris's jacket.

      "Um... What's the Ceremony of Fire Paint?" His eyes sparkled, and I instantly regretted asking.

      "It's an indoctrination ceremony! We get a huge fire going, heat up purple paints over it, and smear it onto you! It will mark you, but don't worry! It comes off with time, and you'll forget about it soon." Great. I just love it when burning hot paints get rubbed all over my body and burn me, ya' know? "It seems like everyone's just about done, come on, take your shirt off!" 

      "What?!" I yelled, and saw some guys look at me. My face flushed red.

      "Yeah, take it off! How else are we going to put the paints on?" Oh, of course. I quickly took off my shirt, and instantly noticed the cold night air. Chris noticed how I was starting to shiver, and laughed. "You better get used to it, Jace. It can get pretty cold out here!" Now I know why he wears Winter clothes...

      "Hey, Jason!" I saw Michael run over. "You're going to want this." He handed me a small box. I opened it to find a small pill. "It's a pill that contains numbing medicines, to help you withstand the pain." 

        "Oh, uh, thanks Michael." He smiled.

        "No problem." He ran back to Daniel and the other guys at his table.

        "Hey Chris, when can I sit at my own table?" I asked after realizing that I would need to sit with other Clan members.

        "After your first week of trails. Come on, it's time!" He took my hand (for the love of GOD!) and led me over to the main fire. "YABAN CLAN MEMBERS!" He yelled out, loud enough for people in Canada to hear. "Today we will indoctrinate Jason Tal'ik into our great Clan!" The Clan all cheered. "Just as a refresher, as it has been a while since our last indoctrination, here is how we will do this." He pulled out two jars of pain from a bag at his feet, and put them next to the roaring fire. "Each of you will come up and put a stripe on his arm, chest, or back. Say something if you want, I guess, I don't really care. Now, line up, and I shall put the first stripes on." He turned to me and whispered, "Lay down, on your back." I hesitated, but did so anyways. He crouched down, and, picking up a black paint brush from the jars, started to draw on me. As soon as he touched the brush to me, I winced. I felt a great burning pain that coursed through my body. Then I remembered, I forgot to take the pill! He took the brush off, but then put it on again, and I yelled out this time. "Shh, don't worry, it will be over soon, then you can have the pill." I looked up at him, he was smiling a smile of compassion. I took a deep breath and he drew a circle on me, the most painful one yet. "There, now here-" He took out the pill and gave it to me. "Now you should be good." I swallowed it and began to feel numb. Chris walked away, and the other Clan members walked forwards. The first Clan member looked to be 15, and he drew a zigzag on my arm, and I felt barely any pain. Next up was another who looked 14, he drew a line next to the zigzag.  They kept coming, drawing lines, dots, and zigzags on my arms and chest, virtually no pain now. Then Michael came over and drew a line across the top of my chest.

        "Welcome to the Clan." He said and walked off. Next came Daniel, who drew a swirl on my shoulder, and then walked away without saying anything. Once again, more people kept coming, and I waited. Finally, the last person, a boy about 12 came up and put a dot on my upper chest. Chris walked over to me.

        "That concludes tonight's indoctrination, here." He lifted me up to my feet and gave me my shirt back. "Yaban Clan members, go to your barracks, tomorrow we will go to Battle Practice with the Hiaban Clan, be prepared for that. Get well rested, and meet up here tomorrow morning!" The Clan members started to move about and go back to their barracks. Chris pulled me to him. "Come on, you're coming to my room for a second." I was really tired, but what could I do? He pulled me over to his barrack, and I was amazed. It was made out of a giant tree, with the roots acting like an entrance, and also providing for windows. "Come on in!" We walked in together, and inside was mind blowing. It had a large carpet on the floor, a fireplace that I questioned the logic of, and many tapestries on the walls. They had various symbols, but the one that stuck out to me was the symbol that looked like the one on Chris's knife.  

        "Wow..." I said a loud.

        "Yeah, I guess it's pretty sweet." He looked at a picture on the wall of an older man, about 40. "He made it the best for every future leader of the Yaban Clan." Chris looked about ready to cry. 

        "Who is, or was, he?" I asked softly, as not to aggravate him.

        "He was my father, and the previous leader of the Yaban Clan, but then-" He stopped and looked at me. "Well, that's not important now. Here, come sit with me." He pulled up a stool for me to sit on next to his chair. "So let me answer your questions. Shoot."

        "Wait really?!" I had so many questions swirling around in my mind. "Um, okay. Who was my father to the Clan?" That stuck Chris a bit, but he nodded.

        "He was one of my father's closest friends, but he abandoned us, for your mother. She was a direct Hiaban, not from any of the offshoot Clans. He was one of the last older fighters. Most of them died in..." He trailed off, and looked about ready to cry. "N-Next question."

        "Are you sure?" I was getting worried. "Alright, what do those symbols on your knife mean?"

        "Ah, the three triangles and circle? That is the Shouljequi (Soul-jay-quwe). The symbol of power in our Clan. It is also the symbol of our leaders." Shouljequi, interesting. "It's getting late, I'll answer one more question, what is it?"

        "Okay, um... What is the Hiaban Clan?" He closed his eyes for a second before sighing and looking at me.

        "They are an opposing Clan that has a lot of technology. They have some genetic abominations too." He said pointing to a cat like, dog like, creature with quills along it's severed head. "They, similarly to our Clan, are all one gender, female. They are ruled by a queen with silver hair named Bernadette. She basically clones herself to make her children, the Clan members. They are a hive mind, but are capable of functioning individually. They are like more advanced insects." That was a lot to take in. "Well, you should probably get to bed." He put his hand on my shoulder. "See you tomorrow."

        "Thank you, see you in the morning." I said before walking back to my barrack. After getting out of the elevator, I plopped down on my bed.

        "So, how was it?" Michael asked me.

        "Huh?" I replied. I was very tired.

        "Never mind. 'Night." I didn't even respond, already half asleep.