Below the Peak (Sola)

by Juliet Lili

  At the very beginning, everyone ran fast as they could, desperate to impress the captain and not be a loser. What would happen to the last person? will he punish the loser? And other scary thoughts crossed their minds as they ran. Anxiety reeked from their sweat and etched on their pulled and scrunched faces and fast movement of their feet. Each one tried to pass the other like fire was one lick away from their heels and cared even less they were making a fool of themselves to military officials watching them with amusement along the way. A handful of minutes had just passed and not a full quarter of the wall covered, the recruits started slowing down. Nara began to lag, lungs scorching in her chest with desperation for air. Sweat streamed down her face, her tunic plastered on her back like a second skin. She breathed heavily, her open mouth feeling like a small desert. Nara commanded her cramping legs to take a step as one recruit moved past her after the other as she fell behind slowly. She could hear the horse’s hooves loud, warning her he was not far off from her. Wincing from them sharp pain jabbing her ribs, Nara took a quick peek of other recruits nearby. Beaten to the core is what they appeared to be as they struggled to continue. From the drag of feet, someone was bound to faint any moment.

  “Keep up, his right behind us” A gingered boy who looked familiar whispered aloud enough as he ran past her. Nara tried to catch up to him yet breathing turned to one difficult task she had ever done. She sharply realised how she had been taking for granted the act of breathing all her life when she started coughing. Her chest felt too tight. Her face flushed red, resembling a cherry tomato. Nara halted and crouched, holding her hand to her chest, struggling to catch a breath. Black and white spots faded in and out before her eyes as a light dizziness plagued her head.

  She felt his presence before his shadow even fell on her, yet she only cared for one thing. To live. If she didn’t get water, she was going to die.

  “Water...” Nara wheezed. “Water please” she begged to anyone who heard her. No one came to her help. Really, were they not going to help her? She was astounded. Nara lifted her head, eyes teary and looked at the captain who just sat comfortably and watched her. His calmness irked her. Did he enjoy her suffering? Her body shook with coughs. Her gaze shifted over his horse, searching desperately until she found what she was looking for. Strength Nara didn’t know she had left surged through her legs and managed her to stand and reach for the leather water bag tied on his saddle. With jerky fast movements, Nara undid its rope before he captured her hand. With hands shaking, she tore its stopper and brought the hole to her mouth and took a full gulp. She coughed up the water. Still, she drank more, as some spilt down on her chin. She drank until her throat was no longer dry and itchy. However, the coughs kept on going. She tried breathing through her mouth. A hand snatched the bottle in her hand. She looked up, and it was him.

  “Close your mouth and breathee through your nose” Barra ordered. Not moving, he glanced at her impatiently. Warily, Nara shut her mouth and did what he ordered, wanting him out of her hair as soon as possible. When it felt like forever, her chest eased, and her breathing lightened.

  “Next time I recommend not to run with your mouth open” were his harsh words to her. Nara reddened in embarrassment. Barra mounted the horse and shouted. “Stop!” The recruits all halted, all too eager and turned his way. They looked pale as death.

  “Follow me and keep on walking until you can all breathe without looking like a bunch of dying fish.” He said the last words with displeasure. He turned the horse around and rode the way they came from.

  When they got back, the captain made them run again, ordering them to lift their knees up while they did it. They did nothing other than running the whole day until late afternoon when they were discharged to eat. Everyone rushed to the huge dining hall like sweaty cattle rubbing against one another to get in the barn. The room consisted of a long wooden tables and benches. Three men and two women stood at the far end with large buckets sizzling with smoke that she guessed were filled with food they were going to serve them.

  Nara joined the line, dragging her feet as the line moved painfully slow. She kept quiet as others engaged in small talks, familiarising with one another. Nara was in between the line of feeling nervous and excited about the new situation. Would she able to make friends here and not be the bullied or piss off anyone? Nara worried. She had never been among so many people before. Nara missed out the balls which were thrown every other week by the lords, often hosted for trivial matters, excuses for the rich to mingle and size each other up. Whenever her whole family was obliged to go, she often had found herself alone in the corner of the room watching her parents talk to other royalties. Most of the night Nara had ended up not talking to anyone except for Helle when she attended. Most at the banquets never bothered talking to her because they thought she was too shy. She was consciously aware a part of that is her fault because neither did she bother to talk to them. However, this time, she’d like to change even just a little. Eyes shifted to those her around her, to the short girl ahead of her. Maybe she should initiate first? She worried her bottom lip, palms feeling a little sweaty. You can do it, Nara, she told herself, mastering some courage.

  “You were quite brave to take his water pouch” someone murmured close to her. Nara twisted her head to see who it was. It was the red head boy again. So, he had seen her begging? He stared at her. She studied him. He had a friendly face, not too hard nor too soft just in between.

  “I was thirsty.” She said.

  “Weren’t we all”. Hagen stated, his lips stretching to a small grin. “I might just do what you did if he makes us run as he has done today.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Nara said cautiously.

  “You’re a probably right. Just thinking of the Captain, sends shivers down my spine.” the little shakes of shoulders made Nara find him comical. Nara glanced forward and saw she was next in line. She took the bowl and spoon from the table and moved along to receive the food. She was given a serving of potatoes, a leg of chicken and greenies. The quivering feeling arose again as she stood with a plate in hand and eyes shifting across the dining to find a place to sit. She searched for an empty table, but all the tables were occupied. There at the far end corner, sat two girls eating. She remembered seeing the girls, in the girls’ quarters when they had been shown where they would be sleeping in on recruitment day. Chewing on her bottom lip, Nara walked toward them.

  “Pardon, would you mind if I sit here?” Nara asked them, holding her breath tightly in her chest. The one with short dark hair glanced up. “No, I don’t. You can sit.” Relief washed over her as she sat next to the girl who answered. She kept silent and ate. After having a few spoons, the girl across her spoke. “I’m sure surprised and impressed. I had first thought the food choice would be terrible and taste bland.”

  “I had thought the same too,” the short haired girl said, eating another spoon of potatoes. She glanced at Nara. “What do you make of it?”

  “It does taste good” Nara replied and ate another spoon to hide her nervousness.

  “I am Isabel, what are your names?” the girl across asked.

  “My name is Risa” the girl beside Nara answered. The two girls’ eyes turned to her.

  “I’m Nara” she offered quickly.

  “Are you all from here?” Nara asked, trying to engage and be less quiet. Just then, a woman in military uniform entered the hall. The room fell silent as she strode to the front and faced them. Nara remembered her as the woman from the assembly that had commented about the captain intimidating the recruits. She had silver wolf pin too on her jacket, showing she was a member of the Elite.

  “I am Astrid captain’s Barra second in command,” the lady said, her keen eyes moving across the room. “and the one who is going to be teaching you archery in days to come.” The lady smirked when the boys looked at her with suspicious eyes as the girls eyed her with admiration. These young kids didn’t know what was in store for them. Astrid snorted
in her mind. “You are to bath and clean your rooms. We will be coming to inspect shortly” she instructed. She gave them one last glance then left.

  “Thank gods. I was wondering when they were going to let us a bath.” Risa said as she stood. “Let us go. You heard what she said about inspection” she added, motioning to Nara to start walking.

  That’s how Nara found herself trailing the two girls as they hurried to their sleeping quarters. Their bunk beds and properties they could bring were in the last wing of the three wings. Surprisingly, they were the first to get in the room when Risa opened the door. Nara had thought she would find other girls in already. Nara walked toward the polished wooden trunk beside the bed below and opened it with a key hanging on the thin gold chain hidden beneath her tunic. Nara stared at the clothes and stuff in the trunk, hesitating to pick the thick folded white linen cloth. She had never bathed with anyone. The thought of doing that, left her feeling very uncomfortable. The last time she had was when she was too young, and her stepmother cleaned her. She pinched her nose, hating how her stomach was churning. She wanted to break from her skin. This was too much.

  “Hey, why are you still dressed?” Isabel called, startling her and pulling her from her head. Nara twisted around to look at the two girls who shared a bunk bed. She blinked when she saw them wrapped in drying linens and holding long white chemises. Their uniforms folded and kept on their beds.

  “Are you that shy? It’s just us girls. Hurry up before the room is crammed” Isabel laughed. Nara swallowed and just stood there.

  “Have you never bathed in public hot springs before?” Risa’s eyes narrowed curiously.

  “You go ahead I’ll be there in a moment.” Nara managed to say.

  Isabel nodded while Risa gave her another look before walking away. Nara waited until the girls were gone then undressed quickly and wrapped the thick cloth tight around her body. She had no choice, between letting herself remain in filthy sweat and bathing among other girls, she’d rather choose the latter. Nara picked the chemise and soap, locked the trunk and wore the chain again. She took a breath and walked to the bathing area, passing other girls who were now coming in the quarters along the way. When she walked in the room, she found the two girls were chest deep in the water. She placed the chemise on a bench and faced the girls, “May you please close your eyes?” Their expression turned absurd.

  “Why?” Isabel asked as Risa jested “There is nothing you have that we don’t have or haven’t already seen.” Nara’s ears turned red but still insisted. “Please just do it.” Risa rolled her eyes then closed her eyes as did Isabel. She took off the towel, folded it, placed it on the rock neatly and took the soap. She quickly walked and sank in the water. “You can open your eyes again.”

  “You are very odd” Risa murmured as she lathered the soap in her hands.

  Nara didn’t say a thing.

  “Where are you from?” Isabel asked.

  “I am from here” Nara replied. Isabel’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

  “I heard city girls are unabashed, but you act completely different” Risa commented. “I agree. You seem quite the shy one Nara” Isabel added. Feeling uncomfortable with all the attention she asked the same question back. “Where are you two from?”

  “I am from Bonesville. It’s a small town in the north” Isabel answered.

  “That’s is a creepy name for a town” Risa made a face. Isabel shrugged. “It’s a legend or calls it a myth about the city. Men would leave to journey up far north, however only their bones would return.” Risa shuddered as she imagined corpses.

  “Were they attacked by animals or something else?” ever curious, Nara asked. Other girls walked in and joined them in the warm hot spring pool, stopping Isabel from replying. Nara concentrated on cleaning herself. The more girls came to take a bath, the more she became frustrated on how she would leave the room. “I’m done,” Risa said, standing and stepping out and wrapping herself. “Me too” Isabel followed, doing the same thing. Risa twisted her head. “Aren’t you coming, Nara?”

  She shook her head. “I am not done yet.” Risa smirked knowingly, and Isabel giggled and said, “We will be heading then.”

  Nara thought of asking one of the girls to hand her belongings but thought against when she reckoned she would still need to stand. She cracked her knuckles in frustration. She stayed in the pool until she was the last person left then got out, dried herself and wore the chemise.

  *****

  Nara’s whole body ached the next morning. She tried to wake up earlier than the other girls so she could dress and get ready for the day without having to worry about anyone seeing her body. Together with the men they had porridge in the dining hall before they were summoned to the assembly grounds. Once again, the captain stood in front of them and recited the pledge. Soon after, Barra ordered them to run once again. They did nothing the whole day apart from running only given a few minutes to rest in between the hours to catch their breaths and late lunch which they were then left to bathe. At night, they were taught the laws and responsibilities of different divisions in the military and given tea and snacks before they were discharged to sleep. A curfew was placed and anyone seen wandering around past midnight was given the tasks to wash the dishes a whole month. Days passed in the same way, there was running and more running. It was torturous in the first days, but her body was starting to get accustomed to it. She was losing weight, the greenness and fat glow she came with from home was slowly diminishing. And Nara was not the only one transforming when one looked at other recruits. In the sleeping quarters and whenever they were unsupervised, people complained of the endless running.

  “I just want to know is running the only training they we are going to be taught?” Isabel whispered. They were sitting near the door of the dining hall as they ate. “All he does is just sit on his mighty horse while we are breaking our legs” Isabel scoffed and rolled her eyes. It was true, just a day ago, a boy tripped and broke an ankle. Nara hadn’t seen or heard much of him since the incident.

  “Do tell more” he spoke. The girls froze. She watched Isabel slowly cock her head to the side, meeting his gaze and quickly dropping hers to the plate. She didn’t miss the terrified shock in the girl’s eyes. The captain lifted a brow when Isabel didn’t speak up. He stood beside the sweating Isabel for a moment which felt to be an eternity and studied the room. When others noticed him, they stopped talking and watched him warily. Wherever he went, his presence was unmistakable. His expression was stoic as usual, hard to read. Seemingly satisfied with whatever he came for, he left the hall. Everyone visibly relaxed, tension vanishing.

  “What did I do” Isabel shrunk her head in embarrassment, covering her face with her hands. “Now he knows you,” Risa quipped. “Shush! It’s not funny” Isabel grumbled. “Don’t worry, he won’t remember you” Nara tried to cheer her. He sure didn’t show he recognised her from the prior encounter. Besides, there are plenty recruit girls. Isabel just shook her head, looking as though she was doomed.

  Two days passed after the incident, and they were waiting for the assembly in the cold, wet morning and shivering when the second in command of the captain came. The lady had a bow in her hand, arrow porch strapped behind her.

  “Good morning.” Astrid smiled at them, “Today you’ll start archery training. If you turn around, you’ll see the targets have been set already.” They all turned and found several stands set with hanging strawmen marked red at the chest on them. Two soldiers were standing too, watching them. Out of nowhere, an arrow shot past her and others, nicking her ear as it flew to its target and struck one of the targets’ red mark. She clamped her ear and whirled. Nara glared at the shooter who was none other than the female soldier. The distance between her and the target was at least hundred meters. Drawing her fingers in front of her, she saw it was just a pint of blood.

  “That’s how far and quick one can be killed in a blink of an eye.” Lady Astrid stated, lowering the hand she held the bow d
own. “You are not here fool around nor are we wasting our time to teach you to do so. Everything you are being taught is to prepare you as a soldier for your own survival. Effort and hard work will only determine if you can be an exceptional one.”

  ***

  Lady Astrid paused to let them reflect on what she said, noting, the way some of the recruits’ expression changed somberly, realisation kicking in while others remained in dreamland where being a combatant was the easy way to earn wages without work. Also, just being recruits in training, they still received a small pay. There were no wars to terrify them and challenge them to be better. Wars were stopped before they reached their lands. It was one of her duties as an Elite to extinguish any threat that came in the form of assassins from opposing kingdoms and otherworldly creatures which are nearly destroyed from being hunted.

  “Get in teams and start practising.” She ordered and then added after thought, “The team who hits the target most gets a day off and do whatever you want.” She shook her head with pity as they scrambled, grabbing one another to be on each other’s team.

  ***

  “This should be easy. I used to hunt with my brother back in Bonesville. He taught me how to shoot” Isabel grinned. “You know how to shoot. Join us” a boy from nowhere grabbed Isabel’s hand. Nara watched the boy drag her to his group before she could protest.

  “Do you know how to shoot?” Risa turned to her.

  “No, I do not” she answered. Risa bit her lip, glancing at where Isabel was with a couple of recruits who looked confident of their shooting skills. “I think I’m going to ask if I can join them” her friend pointed to the group. “I really don’t want to run for another day” she bit her lip and made an apologetic face then rushed to the group. Nara stood and watched whereas others restlessly tried to find good teammates. Standing there was not helping, no one approached her to join the team. What team would accept someone with no skills? She had never explored the idea of playing with a bow and arrow. She had mostly been drawn to swords. She had two swords back home. A gift from her father. Nara’s brows furrowed, thinking how her sister and parents were doing since she left. Funny she lived in the city, not far away but she hasn’t seen or heard from them. Well, she had asked her father to let her try this without any interference despite his open dislike of the suggestion. Maybe if she won, she might go and see them. The thought had her looking at others once more. Nara braced herself and approached a group. “Excuse me, would you mind if I join?” she asked, looking at the familiar ginger boy. The boy’s eyes narrowed then widen in the realisation of who she was. “I remember you” he smiled. “Would you guys be alright if she does?” he asked. At that moment, she was incredibly thankful to him asking on her behalf. His fellows just shrugged. “You can” the ginger boy answered. “Thank you,” she said earnestly, her relief visible.