13.  A leader emerges.

 

  Gerald walked briskly toward the meeting spot, that first battlefield.  The prospect of testing the training he had done was enticing.  The open fields to the south were starting to bloom with the flowers of late spring.  The view was highlighted by streaks of light from the late evening sun, which was starting to dip low enough for the small hills to block the light.  He stopped for a moment to admire the vibrant display.

  'Hey, stop dawdling.'  Cynthia called to him.  'You called this meeting, so get yourself going.'

  'Alright, I get it.'  He started walking again as she drew even with him.  'How did you know I called it?'

  'Your handwriting.  It looks like a girl's handwriting... a normal girl.  Nobody else in the group would make such a neat mark excepting maybe Dubrick, and he would make it with more flourishes.  He is an entertainer, after all.'

  Gerald flushed a little.  'Like a girl?  You make being neat and precise sound like a bad thing.'

  'That isn't what I meant.  You just have a distinct style of writing compared to the rest of the group.  There is nothing wrong with it, and if you throw a hissy fit I will hit you.  Hard.'

  About ready to throw her an angry retort, Gerald forced himself not to say anything.  Getting hit by Cynthia would hurt, and he had no desire to show up with a fresh black eye and Cynthia snarling.  Somebody would take it the wrong way, and that would be a huge waste of time.

  Dubrick, Imelwain, and Peter were there already waiting for them.  Dubrick was sitting casually on a chunk of log cut flat on top, but the other two were lying down.

  'You guys are early!'  Cynthia smiled and waved.

  'Yeah.'  Dubrick waved back while the other two groaned and sat up.  'We've been training here most days, so we were already coming here anyway.'

  Gerald looked at Imel and Peter, both of whom were soaked.  'Training?  It looks more like you got caught in a deluge and used these two as shelter.'

  'Oh, we trained all right.  You'll understand if we get to use it.'  Imelwain offered Peter a hand.

  'Well, whatever.'  Gerald shrugged as if to say it didn't really matter.  'I called this meeting because we have a chance to test ourselves, and whatever training we did this last month.  I am sure some of you hear about the Skelsarin in the woods.  I propose we go on a little hunt.'

  'Are you serious?'  Dubrick snarled.  'Skelsarin are dangerous beasts, devouring anything they find.  Why should we go hunting them?'

  'We will probably be facing things far more dangerous than a few Skelsarin if we follow the you know what.  This is a good chance to test our skills.'

  Peter nodded.  'We need to practice against more than just thin air.  My dad always says that it takes a few real fights for you to learn what you need to know.'

  'I'm in!  We should stop these things from terrorizing people!'  Imelwain let his usual enthusiasm show through.  Dubrick shot him a long glance, wondering just how much of that was an act.  Imelwain wasn't some overeager kid, he knew reality as well as anyone... so why did he keep acting like he didn't?

  'Fine, but you listen to me.'  Cynthia looked them each directly in the eye.  'I'm the best fighter here.  I'm also the best hunter of the group.  You will follow my lead, or I will just go and tell on you.'

  'You are all going to do this?'  Dubrick looked around at them.  'Gah!  Fine, I'll go and save your sorry hides when things get out of control.'

  'You'd better come.'  Imel glared at him.  'Otherwise that special training would be worthless.

  Cynthia put her hand on her sword.  'Do you all have weapons?'  As most of the group, everyone except Peter, shook their heads no, she sighed.  'Fine, I'll get some of the old gear out of the cellar.  You guys need to think about getting some decent armor and weapons though.  The old stuff isn't used anymore for a reason.  It's better than nothing, but it might not last very long.  If we do go and fight when you know what happens, I don't want to be the only one in decent stuff.'