Part 7

Here's the concluding part of chapter 2!

The rest of my classes were equally interesting with the exception of math. Science was a study of the four main elements, how each power would work and the way they affected other things. After learning so much about these powers I was eager to be evaluated. I secretly wanted the fire power. It was the 'offensive' power as they called it. Water was 'defensive' wind was the 'aiding' power and earth was 'protective'.

At lunch I sat with the yellow table once again, but others, including Collin, came to welcome us and introduce themselves. Overall the atmosphere was pleasant and very welcoming. I was to learn just who the Loop was talking about when he mentioned that some kids would take advantage of us 'greenies' as we were called. The last class of the day was the one I was looking forward to most: Battle training.

We had needed to walk a ways down to a field not unlike a football field. Weapons of all kind were set up at different locations. Our instructor, master Stansfield had given us a pep talk before beginning.

"New comers," he said in his British accent.

I had noticed that many of the teachers were of different nationalities.

"The first thing you must know about the use of weapons is by far the most important: We do not kill if we can help it. You are all young and to kill a human would be extremely traumatic. In battle you may find you have no choice, but defending is your first priority, not attacking needlessly. Now element workers are of course not entirely human, but since you share the same powers as the enemy, I exact you to use your powers against them. You all know of Feren?"

We murmured yes, a little cowed by this big man who had a tendency to talk louder then was necessary.

"Feren has gathered an army composed not only of Element Workers, but largely of magical beasts."

I could see the surprise on most of my colleague’s faces.

"Wyverns, salamanders and knuckers along with some basilisks. Griffins often support the opposing side as well. You'll learn all about them in your magical beast class tomorrow. Right first thing's first. Choosing the weapon that best suits you..."

He trailed off as a girl walked up to him. She wasn't from our division; she was tall and powerfully built. She said something to master Stansfield who nodded.

"Class let me introduce you to my assistant Alex."

She stood to attention with her hands behind her back and her head forward. She was most definitely not a greenie, I thought, as I looked her up and down. Her bare arms bore a number of scars I could only imagine where she had gotten them. Her deep red hair seemed to shimmer in the afternoon light, but her gaze was that of a trained soldier. She had discarded the school uniform for jeans and a heavy brown shirt that looked like a type of leather.

"Now split up, I want half of you to come with me, the other half will be working with Alex."

We all jostled around, trying to be in master Stansfield's half. I was bumped back with Alex's group. She led us over to a rack of weapons and training gear.

"Alright," she said looking us up and down.

I wished she wouldn't look so severely at us, as if judging our worth.

She put her hands on her hip "well, you're not as good as the last group I had but you'll do".

Everyone was too nervous to say anything to that.

"You're each going to try a weapon I choose for you, I'll be able to tell which one works best. Which ever I decide you will have, that's it."

She motioned a scared looking boy forward. Looking through the racks she finally decided on a short sword and handed it to him. Alex showed him how to swing it and after a little practice he tried it out on a dummy standing near by. Alex nodded and told him to step back, reminding him that it was not a real short sword but that he would receive a real one once he had learned to use it. One by one she chose weapons for the students, had them try it out then either let them try another or let them keep it.

Finally it was my turn. I had watched how Alex had treated my fellow students and wasn't sure I liked her very much. She was curt and acted like they were total idiots. When I came forward she raised her eyebrows.

"A late comer now is it?"

I didn't respond, I've always been tall for my age.

"Well I'm sure we can do something with the barbie."

Oh great, now I was categorized as a barbie! I had never considered myself as one of the high maintenance girls who end up as cheerleaders and prom queens. Sure I took care of myself, and I had often been told by my friends that I was ‘way too pretty for my own good’ but, they’re my friends, they’re supposed to say things like that. Right?
Alex returned to the rack and pulled out a long thin sword. I waved it experimentally, but we could both tell that the long sword for my tall body wasn't quite right. She handed me a curved sword but took it out of my hands before I had a change to try it, muttering. Next came a pair of silver daggers both of which I missed the target with completely.

"Why do we use such old-fashioned weapons anyway?" I asked finally as Alex searched through the rack.

She looked up at me "the art of fighting magical creatures is hundreds of years old. Your pathetic modern weaponry is no match for magic."

I still didn't understand but she didn't elaborate. Something on the rack caught my eye. It was a bow, fashioned like a traditional hunting bow but black and plastic like the rest of the weapons. I pulled it out before Alex could stop me.

"Can I try this?" I said drawing back the string experimentally.

Alex tried to take it from me "no," she said.

I held it away from her grasp, we were almost the same height.

"Why not, let me at least try it."

I had always loved watching archery during the Olympics but had never shot an arrow before.

"No, you can't use that."

I stepped away from her grabbing an arrow and pulling it back, facing a target about twenty feet away. Alex tried to stop me but I was too fast and let the arrow fly. It was an exhilarating feeling watching my arrow soar straight to the target's second ring from the middle. Everyone was silent. Alex was fuming. She stomped up to me and grabbed the bow from my hands. I was so giddy with my success that I didn't try to stop her.

"When have you done that before?" She said in a deadly whisper. "Never, I've never shot a bow before."

Alex gripped my arm hard, "liar!" She spat at me.

I twisted my arm out of her grip, something Andy had taught me, so that her arm was the worse off for it. She surveyed me with amusement.

"You think you're clever don't you?" Now I was angry, she wasn't going to make a fool out of me.

"Just cleverer then you," I shot back.

She threw the bow aside and tossed her short, red hair back. We were both still and silent. "So now your afraid?" I raised my eyebrow for emphasis. "You must have used weapons a thousand times but, you don't like it when someone uses a bow?"
I shouldn't have provoked her, but after the way she had treated us I found my self restraint weaken.

She lunged at me but I grabbed her wrist with reflexes I didn't know I had. She kicked my shins to make me release her. Now she was in her element. I tried to counter her lightning fast strikes but could barley see where she was. First she came around to my back and shoved me hard. I got back up on my feet and turned to face her, but she wasn't there anymore. She pushed my down from the other side and held me there my shoulders and back pinned to the ground. She snarled in my face,

"I'm trained in every weapon you could imagine and my skills in hand-to-hand fighting are unmatched, no one has ever beaten me in either."

She now put her arm across my neck and shoulders making it hard for me to speak. "There's always... a first time... for... everything," I gasped.

"Alex!" Master Stansfield's voice rang out. Alex released me and I got to my feet, brushing my clothes off.

"Alex how could you, taking advantage of a new student like that. I'm surprised at you!" Master Stansfield ranted at her. I could tell that Alex felt no remorse for what she had done, I had very little myself.

"And Jessica, you should know better then to engage in conflict when you know so little".

After making both me and Alex apologize, we registered our weapons and ended the lesson for the day. I was extremely proud when master Stansfield exclaimed with delight at the arrow sticking out of the target and insisting I register for bow and arrow. He also told us that hand-to-hand fighting would be taught in his class. Alex would be his co teacher. That put a damper on my exhilaration.