The Red Robin

Chapter 1

The first night I was told of 'The Red Robin' and 'Replacement needed' and all that stuff, technically I wasn't told. I was eavesdropping. Eavesdropping is a very special skill that all spies like me need to learn how to do without being caught, so I thought the Elder meeting was the perfect place to practise. Naturally. Don't you think so?

This time it is a meeting with all the Elders from all the tribes, so there must be a very pressing issue. I kneel outside, carefully watching the door and leaning into it to try and faintly hear what they are talking about, when suddenly, they say, "Jamie must not know'. That attracts my attention. I move closer to the door, and only stand to focus on something when a young man in his early twenties walks along the corridor and does the secret knock that only the Elders know. I knew they were recruiting to try and find older members of the tribes around us, but a man in his twenties?! They must be going mad, delirious even! I stand up as he passes me, and nod as every young spy knows she or he should do when a person passes that you do not know. To my surprise, however, the man nods back at me, then pulls his beard off his face and flings it at me. "No one saw a thing," he says in a heavily accented voice, and hurries into the room when a familiar voice says, "Enter!"

Now, I know I shouldn't say this, because it's not true, but I am the only girl in this training camp. It isn't that 'Jamie 'ere' as my 'father' calls me, (He is really everyone's father, the chief of the tribe.), is just a pretty, dolly-lover kind of girl, but most of the other girls are now so into being spies, that they've all turned into tomboys, leaving me to do the 'girly stuff '. Anyway, I was eavesdropping just because it is not classed as a 'girly thing' and I hoped that by doing it, I would earn higher respect from the rest of the girls in my dorm.

The chief yells something I can't hear, so I lean closer to the door and try to figure out what he is yelling. I can't catch it. Something about 'Jamie being a nuisance' and 'got to go'.Then I hear the young man's voice scream, "She's a child! If your job is so precious, let her do it!"

I see what he's trying to do. He's standing up for me, even though I am rarely stood up for. Maybe when he flung his beard at me, it was a sign of generosity, and I didn't even recognise it? Could that be happening?

I hear him scream again, something that spies like us are not meant to even know, let alone say. Something very, very unladylike. He swears. I scream! He and every single other Elder come rushing out, even the chief, but before I can apologise, the young man grabs me by the arm and hurries off down the corridor with me alongside him. We stop only when we have reached the woods, then he says to me, "Jamie, you are going to do it." and hurries off again.

He comes back and pushes something into my hand. I stare at it and flip it over. It has his name on it. It's quite hard to read, you have a go: Felix. Told you. Also in my hand is a note, to me, from him. I hesitate. Should I read it? I go ahead anyway, 'cos we're in the woods now, no Elders are following us. My eyes skim the page, then I read it again once my mind has cleared.

Dear Jamie

Sorry I could not be here in person to present your job to you, I have an urgent mission to attend to. Hope you understand. The job I wish to place in your hands is this: I wish for you to become the new 'Red Robin' . The old one died, and just in case you didn't hear at the Elders meeting, (I know you were eavesdropping), we need a replacement. I am sure you are very aware of this already, but just to be certain; this job is very risky. You will need to meet me in the middle of the Dark Woods at Midnight tonight, and your training will begin. You may find it hard at first, but I know with your legendary skills, you will not fail.

Yours sincerely and hopefully

Felix

PS: Please make sure to bring your contact watch as well, you shall need it during your missions.​