First Days of Training

The next morning, while eating breakfast, our trainer came over saying we were to get any personal weapons we had and report to the training grounds.

We all went home to gather what we had, then reported to the training area. Missy and I were the first ones back.

Missy had a small sword that she liked to use, that was of Nihon-Jan make.

I had a sword, similar to the ones use in Arulen, but made of Nihon-Jan steel to make it stronger. I also had an Arulen longbow, and I knew how to use it. I surprised the archers that Arulen had in place here by being better than them. All the boys arrived at the same time. Hal had a small crossbow, Stig had a sword, Ulf and Wulf had throwing axes, Ingvar had a club that looked like it came from a rather large tree, Edvin and Stefan had daggers, and Jesper had a small battle axe.

One by one, we had to prove we could use our weapons.

First came Jesper. He just swung it a lot,  aiming and hitting his targets dead on.

Second were Edvin and Stefan. They threw their daggers and hit dead center every time.

Next were Ulf and Wulf. In unison, they picked up their axes. In unison they drew their arms back. In unison they threw, and, in unison, they missed. I was trying hard not to laugh.

After them was Stig. That sword was too small for him though.

Once he was done, it was Hal's turn. He's deadly accurate,  there is just no one here to help him with it.

Last of the boys was Ingvar. I knew he could lift that club of his, but no one else would.

After him was Missy. She could use that sword of hers very well. The instructor was impressed, and I could tell that Stig was too.

Last, but not least was me. First, I showed him how well I could use a sword, then I used the bow, shocking everybody there, even Missy. I had been keeping my training a secret.

Stig, Ingvar, Jesper, Ulf, and Wulf were given battle axes. Hal, Edvin, and Stefan were given swords. Missy and I just used our own.

We were training to swing as hard as we could, with enough force to kill.

Hal asked the instructor if it was possible for us to use the Heron as our ship in the competition. We got a yes, and I was glad, because we already knew how to use it.

When we got back to our shelter, we all made sure our weapons were spotless and sharp.

An hour later, Hal was going around inspecting them.

"Jesper, your axe still has a bit of rust still." he said gently.

"I'll take care of it later." Jesper replied uncaringly.

"Ok, if you sa-" Hal started.

"Jesper, wouldn't it be easier for you to just take care of it now, just in case you forget?" I asked.

"No," Jesper said, as if he thought I was on warmweed.

"Jesper, please just take care of it. I'd rather not lose points, or look stupid in front of the others." I said.

"You can't tell me what to do! You're just a girl! Men are superior, and the only reason you care what the others think is because you're trying to impress Tursgud and Rollond! You don't care if we lose, you care about being here and that's it! You shouldn't even be here, you won't make it!" Jesper exclaimed, fed up with me.

"Fine, if that's how you feel, I'll just leave, and you'll never have to worry about me, and I won't have to deal with you!!!" I yelled.

"See if I care." he said.

That was it. After that I snapped. I threw his bag at him, and it hit him in the side of the head. Once it collided with his head, I saw the look on his face, and knew he had just realized what he had done, but I didn't care. He said I could leave, and that's what I did.

"Cora, wait!" he called after me. I did not stop. I had no reason to. The others just looked at us while we fought, and nobody said anything when I said I would leave, so they must not care.

I went and sat on a cliff looking over the sea.

What the others didn't know was that I was actually friends with Rollond. He kept an eye out for me, like if Tursgud talks about me strangely, he would tell me.

Rollond walked up behind me and sat beside me.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I don't know,  Rollond."

"What happened?"

"Jesper said I shouldn't even be here, that he didn't care if I left, that I'm trying to impress you and Tursgud. He probably hates me now, and he's going to have a huge knot on his head from me throwing his bag at his head."

"He probably deserved it,  and if you two are as good of friends as you let on, you'll figure it out."

"Thanks Rollond. I really do appreciate it."

"Your welcome. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Once he walked away, I just sat there for another two hours. I didn't feel like going back quite yet.

For the first time in my memory, I cried. I sat there and cried for two hours, because I probably just lost my best friend.

When I did go back, I did not even check to see if anyone was awake. I didn't feel like talking, so I went straight to bed, and silently cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up before everyone else, so I grabbed my kit and went to breakfast alone.

I was the first one there, not even the instructors were there. I got my food and just sat down in the corner of the room, away from where everyone else sat.

The rest of the Heron brotherband didn't notice me, and neither did the Sharks. The Wolves, on the other hand, came to sit with me for a while.

"Cora, how much sleep did you get last night?" Rollond asked. I must look terrible if someone asked me that, because I have been known to stay up all night, and no one will notice.

"About an hour, because I kept thinking about the fight." I said softly.

"Would you like us to just leave you alone?" he asked.

"Please."

"By the way, Jesper's head has a huge knot on the side, and it's black and blue. He says it doesn't hurt, and that he doesn't notice it, but I have a feeling he only said that because he knew I would tell you, and he didn't want you to feel bad."

After that, the Wolves went to sit where they normally do. About ten minutes, we all went to the training area. When we lined up, I made sure I ws not standing by Jesper, who stood on the other end of the line. When our weapons were inspected, the instructor only paused in front of Jesper.

"There is still rust on this. This means demerits." said the instructor, walking away.

Everyone started to glare at Jesper. Hal grabbed my arm and we stood in front of the others.

"We aren't going to win this by blaming it on one person. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for not checking before going to bed. If you want to win this, we are going to have to work as a team. That means listening to Cora and I. Got it?" said Hal.

"Yes," mumbled the others.

Jesper was staring at me the whole time. I didn't want to meet his gaze, but I did anyway. He had an apologetic look, also one of sadness. He knew I was still upset with him, and that it would just take time.

Later that day while we were practicing, Dad came to talk to me.

"You ok, Cora?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"A young man by the name of Rollond told me you had a fight with Jesper. I thought I'd come check on you."

"He said he didn't care if I left,  that I shouldn't be there."

"You'll get through this."

"I know, but I don't have to like it when we fight."

"No you don't, but he definitely looks sorry about something."

Then he just WALKED AWAY!