The Race and Tug-of-War Competitions

For weeks, all we did was practice. We were hitting the training dummies, as hard as we could, locked in with the time the instructors were setting with their whistles. I was going to smash every single whistle I saw, that's how annoying they got.

We were finally starting to improve, though.

I was just glad Ingvar was even getting better, with his eyesight and all.

"Foot racing! Twenty minutes!" Sigurd yelled.

We went to our barracks, then double timed it to the Common Green.

When we got there, we found out that the course had been set while we slept.

Our team was debating who would run.

"I'll run." said Stig.

"Sorry Stig, but I think Jesper should." I replied.

"Why, because you favor him? You are biased in all of your decisions,  Cora." Stig practically shouted at me.

"Stig, back off. Leave her alone. You don't see me yelling at Missy when I don't agree with her do you?" Jesper asked in a dangerous voice as he stepped in front of me.

"Jesper's running, and no one is changing that." Hal said firmly, knowing that if I spoke, I would lose it.

Stig was mad, and continued to glare at me. I heard him and Missy having a quiet conversation about it though.

"Stig, Jesper is better in this sort of thing. He has a better chance, and we all know you're gonna wrestle for our team. You shouldn't have yelled at her like that. If she hates you, it's your own fault." Missy said quietly. Stig just sighed.

Without warning, Sigurd just yelled, "Go!"

Jesper was off that second, but he was used to moment's notice getaways. The other two were just standing there, not sure if it was a trick or not.

Then they were off. It was neck and neck, and then we lost sight of them. When they came back into sight, who ever was running for the Wolves was ahead, and there was no way Jesper could pass him now.

Jesper and Tursgud were lined up, shoulder to shoulder,  niether ahead, neither behind.

One would pull aheas, then the other would catch up.

Neither could get ahead.

Jesper, when they got close to the finish line, knew the only way he would win is if he managed to throw himself over the finish line, he just didn't have the energy. He went over the finish line,  just after Tursgud did.

He was upset that he didn't even make second.

"You did your best." said Stig.

"But it wasn't enough!" Jesper said while I was helping him up from where he had fallen trying to throw himself over the finish line.

"Of course it was. They were just a bit faster." I said as he pit an arm around my shoulders so I could help him walk. He had sprained his ankle during the race, yet he still kept running.

We slowly made our way to the mess hall, and got lunch. I took Jesper to his seat before getting his lunch as well as mine.

Then Tursgud came to talk.

"Hey Cora." he said.

"Hey Tursgud." I replied.

"So, would you like to come sit with me and my team, because I noticed that over the past month, you and Jesper haven't been getting along as well."

"We sorted it out, don't worry."

"Well you can still come sit with us."

"Tursgud, I'm sitting with my team. We are supposed to be enemies."

"We don't have to be. Anyway, can we talk by that cliff after the strength test?"

"Sure, but I'll see you later."

I walked quickly back to Jesper and handed him his lunch.

"What did Tursgud want?" he asked, eyeing the Sharks' skirl with distaste.

"He wanted me to come sit with them."

"I'm glad you said no."

Rollond came up behind me, and scared me badly when he sat down beside me.

"Tursgud is saying something about having a date with you after the strength test later. True or false?" Rollond asked.

"False. He asked if we can talk by that cliff after the test, but I never agreed to a date." I replied, rolling my eyes.  Jesper had tensed up at Rollond's words, but relaxed at mine.

"Well he's also bragging that he is going to try kissing you again. Do me a favor, give him a major concussion this time." Rollond grinned.

"Will do Rollond, will do." I laughed.

"And if she don't, I will. That and a few broken bones." Jesper muttered angrily. Onece Rollond walked away, I stood up.

"I'm going to go clarify to Tursgud what I agreed to." I told Jesper.

"Ok," he replied.

I walked over to the Sharks' table, and I got strange looks from the Wolves, that were quickly put to a stop by what I said to Tursgud.

"Um, I don't remember agreeing to date you Tursgud.  I remember agreeing to talk to you later, but you never said anything about a date." I said, stopping all strange looks.

"Sorry, I guess I misunderstood you." he replied smiling. He was trying to get on my good side. I didn't really have any problems with him, he just needed to stop torturing my friends.

Later that day, we all were getting ready for the strength test. It was to be a Tug-of-War.

By the end of the competition, we were in second plaxe, earning twenty points, with the Wolves earning a hundred,  and the Sharks none. Jesper planned this well, I just wished we wouldve won.

Ten minutes later, we were finishing our quarters. We were now just waterproofing the roof. We had the weekend off, so I had nothing to worry about. That's when the Sharks showed up.

Tursgud wanted to teach Hal a lesson for cheating. I couldn't do anything, because the Sharks had surrounded Tursgud and Hal, and I don't think I have the kind of strength that requires, so I went to get Rollond.

I was first sighted by Bjorn.

"Rollond, someone is approaching fast!" I heard him call.

"Who?" Rollond yelled back, not moving from where he was sitting.

"It's Cora!" someone else yelled.

"And she's coming fast!" added Bjorn.

By that time I had ran right up to Rollond, and was trying to catch my breath.

"Cora, what is wrong?" he asked, helping me stay standing.

"The Sharks... They're attacking Hal... Stig is tied up... Hal is fighting Tursgud... Stefen and Edvin are on the roof... The twins are fighting... Jesper and I just don't have the strength to break through the barrier they created around the fight, and Missy is trying to get Stig untied." I rambled.

"Everyone, get ready, cuz we're going to help the Herons! " Rollond shouted.

I ran back, to find the fight continuing.

I tried to force my way through the Sharks. The got a hold of my arms,  and I couldn't get free. The two of them dragged me away and towards the forest. Jesper saw them, once they got me to the edge of the forest and tied me up.

Jesper came over and asked them what the hell they were doing.

"None of your, or Tursgud's business." one replied evilly. I didn't like what they were implying. Not at all. Neither did Jesper.

"I WILL NOT LET YOU F***ING RAPE HER YOU IDIOTS!!" he yelled, punching wildly. They both were unconscious,  just as the Wolves showed up. Rollond put a quick stop to the fight. Tursgud and Hal looked like they had been in a war, and so did Jesper. The two who were unconscious looked much worse. I had marks on my arms where they had tied me up.

Rollond was saying that the Sharks were cowards. To myself I said, "And perverts."

A few hours later I was sitting on my cliff waiting for Tursgud.

When he walked up, he sat beside me.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked softly.

"First I want to ask you something. Why was Jesper so beaten up?" he questioned in response.

"Two of your men had dragged me away from the fight. They were planning on raping me while you were distracted. They thought that Jesper was too. He... Um... Lost it a bit, and I think they have pretty severe concussions." I said quietly.

"Ok, and I think I already know the answer to my next question. You won't go out with me... Will you?"

"Sorry, but no. All you do is bully my friends."

"I won't anymore! I promise I'll change! I really will, just please!" He was almost begging now. I was starting to feel really bad about turning him down, but I'd rather not lead him into believing I felt the same about him.

"I'm really sorry Tursgud, but I'd rather not have to break up with you later. Why are you nicer to me than you are my friends? They're like family to me."

"I don't know, it's all I've grown up around. I really was hoping you'd say yes."

"We can be friends as long as you stop bullying everyone."

"I guess that'll work. Bye."

Once he was gone, I breathed a sigh of relief. I mean, I didn't want to hurt him, but he seemed really hurt.

Jesper came to talk and asked if I wanted to walk through town with him.