by Gunhus, Jeff
“Her name was Hester. She died helping me escape Ren Lucre,” I said, fingering the intricate lines on the circle of metal. “I think this medallion has saved my life more than once.”
“I’m sorry,” Xavier said. We jogged along silently for a few moments but Xavier finally couldn’t contain himself. “They’re really rare, you know. Do you think I could see it?” he asked.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to take it off,” I said. “The most powerful Creach would be able to sense me.” I shuddered remembering how it had felt when I had used my mind to go out looking for the Creach Lords. Their more powerful minds had smashed into mine and had almost destroyed me.
“Of course,” Xavier said, embarrassed. “I was just thinking that if I could understand how it worked, I could replicate it. Just imagine if all the hunters had cloaking devices.”
“It doesn’t make you really invisible,” I said. “It just shields you from a Creach sensing your presence. They can still hear you, see you and smell you. All the regular stuff.”
“I know. I know,” Xavier said, hardly able to contain himself. “But that would still make an enormous difference. If I could figure out how to do that, then I would have made a huge difference. When we have more time, can I examine it? With you wearing it still, of course.”
“If you think it might help, then sure,” I said. “But isn’t it some kind of magic or something?”
“Bah, there is no such thing as magic,” Xavier said. “Where science shines a light, the shadows of superstition shrink away. My Dad told me that.”
We jogged around a group of hunters running around the perimeter of the wall in the opposite direction then joined back up.
“Sounds like a smart man,” I said. “Just let me know when and I’m all yours.”
“That’s great,” Xavier said. “Really great.”
“I’ve appreciated your questions about Tiberon and the wolves too. You really seem like you want to understand them. Most people here only want to know how to kill them,” I said.
“Look at me. With my size, I’m never going to have the strength to be a hunter like Daniel. Or like you. So I have to use this,” he tapped his head. “Information is more important than anything. Without it, you can’t make good decisions, you can’t create strategy. Well, you can, but they will just likely be the wrong decisions and the wrong strategy.”
“Like believing Tiberon is evil,” I said.
“Exactly. Bad information leads to bad decisions leads to bad results. Can we slow down?” Xavier said, wheezing a little.
I pulled up and fell into a slower pace. “Asthma?” I asked.
“It’s not bad. Don’t tell anyone, OK?” Xavier said. “They’d make me a Ratling for sure then.”
“Would that be so bad?” I asked, thinking of how happy T-Rex was in the role.
“No one becomes a Ratling on purpose,” Xavier said. “Could be injury, a failure at the trials. Sometimes kids just can’t hack it after they learn about all the scary things out there. They’d prefer to make oatmeal than chase zombies. Not me, though. I’ll do anything to become a hunter.”
On the far side of the training grounds, I saw Aquinas climb onto a horse, surrounded by three armed hunters also on horseback. As a group, they trotted to the main gate that opened as they neared.
“Come on,” I said, breaking into a hard run toward the horses. “Hey!” I called. “Master Aquinas. Where are you going?”
But she was either too far away to hear or she was ignoring me. As the horses reached the gates, all four riders broke into a gallop down the road and away from the Academy.
I ran all the way to the gate and went to the hunters standing guard there. I recognized Midge from the night when I had snuck into the Templar Tree.
“Where is she going?”
“An’ ‘ow am I s’pposed to know?” Midge asked. “An’ if I knew, what’s to say I’d tell you?”
“Do you know how long she’ll be gone?” I asked.
“No idea. She comes. She goes. I’m not ‘er keeper, now am I?” Midge said. I heard Xavier run up behind me. “Aint you two s’pposed to be on a run or somethin’?”
I heard Xavier’s wheezing behind me. The sprint had made it much worse.
“Sounds like you needs the run, Xavier,” Midge said. “You’re not gonna pass out, are ya?”
I guided Xavier quickly away from the gate so Midge wouldn’t realize the young hunter was more than just tired. Even though I wanted to pepper Xavier with questions about Aquinas leaving, I knew I had to get his breathing under control first. “No more talking. We need to get your air back before we rejoin the group.” Xavier nodded and we plodded along in silence, our boots kicking through the thick snow on the ground.
As we neared the group, Xavier’s wheezing was still loud and hoarse. “Just tell the instructor I went to the bathroom, OK?” Xavier asked between labored breaths. “You won’t tell anyone about this, right?”
“Of course not. You can trust me.”
Xavier nodded and turned to the building where the nearest bathrooms were located. I returned to the group and made his excuse for him. Ten minutes later, he returned, his breathing back to normal. “Thanks,” he whispered.
I nodded, impressed by the little guy’s backbone. I looked at the rest of the group. All young faces, not one over the age of sixteen, and hardly any real experience fighting monsters between them. A sinking pit formed in my stomach as it dawned on me that, if Aquinas was right, the lives of everyone here were in my hands.
“All right, losers, listen up!”
I groaned. It was the last voice in the world I wanted to hear right now. Daniel.
He walked in front of our group and our instructor stepped aside deferentially.
“I’m here to announce that we will have a trial tomorrow. There are no degree requirements so anyone can participate. Good luck to all of you,” Daniel said.
“Do you know where Master Aquinas has gone? Or when she’ll be back?” I shouted out.
Daniel smiled as he spotted me in the group. “Sure, Smith. She’s out on business and she’ll be back when she returns. You’ll be happy to know she conferred leadership of the Academy to me in her absence. So for now, I’m in charge.”
“I’m sure we’ll all sleep better knowing that,” I said.
The rest of the group was silent as Daniel and I faced one another. “Are you putting your name in for the trial, Smith?” Daniel asked. “You could put all the rumors about you to rest. One way or the other.”
“The name’s Templar. And you can bet on it.”
Daniel grinned. “Good luck to you, then.”
I watched as Daniel stomped over to the next group to make the same announcement. As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to Xavier. “So…what did I just agree to?”
The lunch bell rang. “Come on, I’ll explain over lunch.”
“A trial is a one-on-one competition between a student and an instructor,” Xavier explained through a mouthful of food. Will perked up at this bit of information. “If you can defeat an instructor, you will graduate as a second degree hunter.”
“It’s like testing up a grade at school,” Will said.
“Only this is a lot more painful,” Xavier said. “Not to mention that’s it’s kind of impossible.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“They’re instructors. Third degree and above. No novice has even come close to winning,” Xavier explained.
“Then what’s the point?” I asked.
“It’s fun. I mean, fun to watch anyway. Sometimes it’s just one-on-one combat, but other times the instructors create interesting contests. A few months ago, they put a marker on top of the mountain behind us and the contest was who could get to it first. No ropes.”
“And the instructor won?” I asked.
“By like an hour. Like I said, not even close. It’s not like these are fights to the death. Worse that happens is a bloody nose, maybe a broken bone
or two. Even if you lose, it’s considered an honor for the challenger.”
“Takes courage,” Will said.
“Or just a high pain tolerance,” Xavier said. He pointed across the field. “Here it comes.”
I looked over to see Daniel carrying a leather pouch. Behind him, Midge and Darter carried a handful of spears. Everyone in the lunch area stopped and watched as Daniel strode to the front and held out the pouch.
“We will have a trial tomorrow. If you possess the courage to try your hand, put your name in the pouch. Placing another’s name in the pouch is the highest dishonor and will result in being removed from camp. Am I clear?”
Heads nodded among the group. Behind Daniel, Midge and Darter stabbed five spears into the ground at an angle so that they crossed together near the top, forming a natural bowl.
“Good; finish your lunch. This afternoon we train hard.”
The lunch area erupted in excited babble as Daniel left.
I turned to Xavier. “Have you ever put your name in?” I asked.
“Are you nuts?” Xavier laughed. “I told you, I’m more of an intellectual. I’ll leave the brute fighting to others.”
“I’ll do it,” Will said. He looked me in the eye. “I’m going to do it.”
“Easy tiger,” I said. “It’s not going to do you any good to walk around with a broken arm or leg.”
Will turned to Xavier. “Which one will I go up against? Which instructor?”
“That’s the thing, you won’t know until you’re chosen,” Xavier explained. “But you should go into it thinking it’s going to be whoever would be the worst person for you to face. Because once you’re chosen, there’s no going back.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“It means what it means. You don’t get to look all brave by putting your name in, only to back out if you’re selected. If you do, you become a Ratling or you’re kicked out of the Academy.”
“I’m doing it,” Will repeated.
“Come on, Will,” I said. “We just got here. Better to sit this one out to see how it goes. Get the lay of the land.”
“I just heard you tell Daniel that you were going to put your name in,” Will said.
“That’s before I knew what it was,” I replied. “I’m not doing it. You have my word.”
“But it’s a chance to stand out,” Will said.
“It’s a chance to get seriously hurt,” I said. “We have more important things to think about. More important things to prepare for.”
“But—”
“There’s no time for games. This isn’t about you.”
“No, it’s about you, right?” Will muttered. “Like always.”
“Will, come on,” I said.
“No, it’s fine.” He let out a heavy breath and nodded. “You’re right. I get it. It was a stupid idea anyway. Hey, I’ve got to get to class. I’ll see you guys later.”
He stood up and left. I knew he was frustrated but it was the right decision. If he were seriously hurt, it would set back his training by weeks. Better to leave the games to others.
Seconds later, a massive cheer rose from the tables around us. We spun around and looked at the pouch held up by the spears. Will was there, a piece of paper in hand, grinning at the assembled hunters. He reached in, opened the pouch and slid his piece of paper inside.
The crowd erupted with excitement. Will pumped his fist in the air, causing an even louder uproar.
“Didn’t he say it was a stupid idea?” Xavier asked.
I shook my head. “That’s never stopped him before.”
The bell rang and the hunters got up to go to class. Will didn’t even make eye contact with me. He just left with the others and went to class.
The rest of the day passed slowly, every minute of it in the expectation that Aquinas would return so I could get the information I needed. There were still so many unanswered questions. What had my dad known about the location of the Jerusalem Stones? What lead had he been tracking down when he was captured? How much time did we have before Ren Lucre started his war against mankind?
Every time the front gates opened to let someone in, my heart beat faster in my chest. But as the sun set, there was still no Aquinas.
Meanwhile, the trial loomed first in everyone’s mind. The day and night were punctuated with cheers as more hunters put their name into contention. Will had given me a half-baked apology for the way he submitted his name into the contest. It was clear he wasn’t apologizing for volunteering himself, just for the way he did it. I could never stay mad at Will for long and I understood his desire to prove to the others in the camp that he deserved to be here. Eva seemed more concerned. The next morning, she walked alongside of me at breakfast.
“There are twelve entries for the trial,” she whispered. “Will has a one in twelve chance of being chosen. Is he ready for this?
“It’s Will,” I whispered back. “He’s sure he’ll be the first to ever beat an instructor. Do you know who he will go up against?”
Eva shook her head. “Either none of the instructors know or they aren’t talking. It may not be revealed until after the challenger is selected.”
“Any word about Aquinas?” I asked.
“None,” Eva said. “But it’s not unusual for her to leave a week or two at a time.”
“A week or two!” I said.
Eva shrugged. “Got to go. Tell Will good luck for me.”
I joined Will and Xavier at our table. T-Rex came over and sat down with us. The hunters around us glared at him, but didn’t say anything. Will looked on edge and kept glancing over to the leather pouch.
“It’s not going anywhere, Will,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “They’re still doing the draw at lunch.”
Will pushed away his uneaten food. “I think I’m gonna puke.”
T-Rex covered his food with one hand. “Well, don’t do it over here,” he said.
I patted Will on the back. “You’ll be fine.”
“No, I’m serious. I think I’m gonna throw up,” Will said, sliding out from his chair and running toward the bathroom.
T-Rex, Xavier and I watched him go. “Do you think he’s OK?” T-Rex asked.
“Sure, just nerves is all.”
“That he’ll get picked?” Xavier asked.
“No, he’s nervous that he won’t be,” I replied.
The morning classes might as well have been called off since no one paid any attention. Instead, everyone whispered about the upcoming trial, trying to piece together who had put their name in the pouch, and which instructor was likely to fight.
By lunchtime, the Academy was buzzing with excitement. As we went through the lunch line, more than a dozen people came up and wished Will luck.
Halfway through lunch, Daniel rose and walked to the front of the group. Everyone fell silent.
“Twelve hunters put their names forward for trial, but only one will be chosen. As is tradition, we will not read the names of those who have submitted. They know who they are and that is honor enough. I will now choose the name.”
Daniel reached in and felt around inside the pouch, stringing out the tension for as long as possible. Finally, he ceremoniously pulled out a single piece of paper and opened it. He turned the paper to face out to the group.
I felt my stomach sink.
It wasn’t Will’s name.
It was mine.
Daniel turned to me and pointed. “You have submitted your name and have been selected. Do you accept?”
I turned and saw Will glaring at me, his face burning red with anger. “You just couldn’t let me have this, could you?” he whispered.
“I didn’t put my name in, I swear,” I whispered back. “Someone set this up.”
“Why would anyone do that?” Will asked.
Daniel walked up to me. “Do you accept the trial?”
I stood up. The air was deathly quiet. Every eye was trained on me. “Uh…I…there’s been a mistake. I did
n’t put my name in.”
A rumble of conversation rolled through the hunters. I could hear snippets of conversation.
“Chickened out.”
“Coward.”
“Some nerve that guy has.”
Daniel barely suppressed a grin. Suddenly, with perfect clarity, I realized Daniel had set this up. I remembered Midge talking to Darter under the Templar Tree. First time Master ‘quinas goes on one ‘uv ‘er trips, he’s got a somethin’ real good going for ‘im, he had said about Daniel. And here I was walking right into his trap.
“Wait…wait, everyone,” Daniel said. “This is a serious accusation. Are you accusing another hunter of breaking the rules? Do you have proof?”
Heads swiveled my direction.
“No, I have no proof, other than to tell you I didn’t put my name in there,” I said. A chorus of catcalls came from the group. “Think about it. No one saw me do it so it’s not like I was trying to look brave and hope I didn’t get chosen. So, why would I possibly put my name in if I didn’t want the attention? It makes no sense.” I noticed this argument was reaching some in the crowd. The tenor of the conversation changed from outrage to debate.
I spotted Eva standing outside the group. I looked to her for help but she only gave me a barely discernible shake of the head. I was on my own with this one.
“I’m a fair person,” Daniel said. “We will put it to a vote to your peers. Who here believes Jack Smith should be allowed to withdraw from the trial?” Only Will and Xavier raised their hands. “And who believes he should be held accountable and forced to compete, or face the consequences any other hunter would have if he were to withdraw?” A roar of approval came from the group. Daniel smiled, no longer bothering to hide how much he was enjoying this public spectacle. “Well?”
I knew I should still decline. I knew that this entire circus was only a distraction from my goal to find my father. But reason was long gone. I was being called out by the school bully and how I handled it would mark me forever.
“Let me help you,” Daniel said, producing a bag from his side. “This contains the names of every instructor here. Let’s find out who you would face.”
He wiggled his hands through the bag dramatically before pulling out a piece of paper and holding it up for the group. Scrawled on it was a single word.
