That night as Matron tended to his bruises and scrapes after his fight
with Jack Hunter was thinking about the Choosing Day. He wanted to be a Guerir
just like his father was but he knew that Jack had a far better chance than him
to be accepted into the Battleschool at Castle Montcalm where Sir Robert taught
his students.
How could he ever get
into Battleschool? He wasn't bulky, he wasn't strong and he wasn't tall. He was
just a small lanky kid. The exact opposite of what the Battleschool wanted. He
thought of the other options he had in the future. He really wanted to become a
Guerir but it was unlikely. He was the worst in his class at writing other than
Jack so it was impossible become an Acca and teach people as a scholar. And then there was the Jaeger who no one really
cared about.
Not many people knew
what business they did. Everyone respected them, but they didn't know what they
actually did. They were few discussions about the Jaeger even though the
Jaeger, alongside the Acca and the Guerir were the most highly respected
placements in all of Konquelore. No other jobs seemed to be of importance to
him. Hunter wanted to be a hero, not a lousy farmer hoeing in the sun all day
or a plump cook, always in the galleys of a ship caught in the churning waves.
It was that night that
Hunter continued to whisper to himself “I will become a Guerir. I will fight
for Castle Montcalm. I will prevail.” Thoughts of his father cheering on the
battlefield raising his sword in victory deepened his beliefs that he would
follow in his father’s footsteps and become a great warrior. But there were
also thoughts of failure and the rest of his life being an outcast and begging
for 1 or 2 pieces of copper from the people who already were broke from King
Mordon’s taxes. He eventually fell asleep, wondering what fate God had bestowed
upon him.
The next day, Hunter
was out of bed before any of the other woke up, even before Matron. In the
morning, none of the kids could find Hunter inside his cot or the breakfast
table. Finally Matron screamed “HUNTER!!!” and Hunter ran in the front door sweating
like a pig.
“Yes, Matron?” he asked, panting for breath.
“Why are you outside in the morning with beads of perspiration running
down your face when you’re supposed to be eating breakfast?” Matron demanded.
“Sorry Matron, I was training for the Choosing Day.”
“Very well, you may come inside for breakfast now Hunter.” Matron
walked back inside with Hunter trailing her to the breakfast table where
everyone sat. Many kids were surprised that Matron’s face wasn't red from anger
and Hunter eyes weren't brimming with tears. Of all the people Jack was the
only one seething as Matron and Hunter both knew that no people were allowed
outside the ward before the morning bell rang.
Even so, no one dared to question Matron’s decision to let Hunter go on
this occasion. Hunter received many questioning looks at the breakfast table
until he couldn't stand it anymore. “Is there a reason you guys are all staring
at me like that?” he asked to all of them.
“Well, let’s see. You weren't inside the Ward in the morning, which is
against the rules. Then you talk to Matron and come out unscathed after
breaking a very straightforward rule at the Ward.” answered Melody.
Hunter didn't know how
to respond to Melody’s answer so he backed off and returned his gaze to his bowl
of slimy oatmeal and slice of stale bread. Whenever Hunter had spare time for
the next two days, he was to be found training outside for who knows what. He
kept to himself and talked to no one when not required.
Jack consistently
jeered at him for his strange behavior until once Matron taught him while he
was taunted him for his lack of strength. Jack scowled at him, know very well
that Matron could see and hear him he said “Next time, weakling.” As she called
him inside and hiding his face from view, Hunter let a grin spread across his
face.
