CHAPTER TWO
Morning shone brightly, and I was awakened by the sun gleaming in through my small window, landing on my face. I opened my eyes and looked into the blinding briliance. I couldn't get Jasy's words out of my head. Would I - could I be chosen? I was only fourteen, years from being of age. I knew it was not something to dwell on, but I could scarcely forget it.
The waves still hit the shore, making soothing sounds as they did so. I loved the sound of the Great Sea. One day, I would sail on it.
Knowing of my full day ahead, I staggered out of bed and out my door. Food to replenish my tired body was all I could think about.
On Grave, we have no money. Oftentimes, we trade or barder for what we need, but as for food, everyone works together for that. As I said, Slayers keep the island of Grave alive. We tend to the natural food that grows. We eat the fruit from the many trees, as well as tend to the gardens. We do not eat meat, just herbs and fruits and vegetables. And so, if a Slayer helps to grow the food, they may eat of it.
The Morning Meal on Grave is a gathering of all that are on the island. We gather, converse, and eat the many foods we have. That is where I headed as I walked out my door. the Morning Meal at the Great Hall was just after sunrise. After breakfast, we would train until the Noon Meal. After the Noon Meal, we would train until the Evening Meal. After the Evening Meal, we would train until sunset. How then did we tend to the gardens and trees if we trained all day? The answer is simple. Two at a time, Slayers would take days off of training. Each day, two Slayers would tend to the gardens. The days off went on rotation. I have not tended the gardens since last year, but I will very soon again.
I could see several Slayers making their way to the Great Hall, as I was, for the Morning Meal. They, as I did, looked tired, but they awoke as they made their way to the center of the island, where the Great Hall was located. Grave is not a huge island, so it takes only a few minutes to walk to the center.
In the Great Hall, the Synod sits at the table in the front. There are only five chairs, and noone besides the Synod is ever permitted to sit in them. The rest of us claim the other chairs around the room. It is a great honor to sit near the Synod's table. The earlier you arrive to the Morning Meal, the closer you sit. Latecomers sit near the back.
As I walked into the Great Hall, I saw Jasy sitting to the side. There was an empty chair by her, so I made my way to it, weaving in and out of my fellow Slayers. The chairs and the tables are all made of hard wood. I hear that humans find such things to be a bit uncomfortable at times. Slayers, however, do not mind. We simply accept it as it is.
"Plesant morning," I said as I sat down. There are five chairs at each table. At my table sat me, Jasy, Brilly, Netty, and Crem. They were all much older than Jasy and I, but they were friendly enough.
"Plesant morning to you," Jasy said as I sat down.
Netty nodded to me. "Have you heard about Druller?" he asked.
I shook my head. I knew Druller quite well. He was just of age, a little younger than Jasy, and usually gave me a hard time when he fought me. Nevertheless, I still won easily. "How is he?" I asked.
Netty glanced around like he thought someone might be watching, then he lowered his voice and leaned in to the center of the table. He was addressing us all, therefore, I did not feel to guilty about not knowing about Druller's news. "He's being sent out."
Jasy gasped. "He is not," she said quietly.
Netty nodded. "He is. I heard tell of it last night. I dare say he'll be leaving soon."
I didn't know what to make of it. I knew Jasy would be upset. Druller was younger by several weeks, yet he had been picked instead of her. In my own right, I thought Jasy would be a better choice, but I knew that Druller could handle himself. Still, it plagued me to think of one of my friends leaving Grave so soon after his comming of age.
"They must have been waiting for him to reach the age," Brilly said timidly. "It is rare that they would choose someone so young. They must have sensed a great quality in him. I myself have seen his strength."
I nodded. "He is strong indeed. I have no doubt that he can do it. What is his task?" I asked.
Netty shook his head. "I did not hear. We can only hope that it will be a simple one for his first."
Crem grunted. "If they have seen a great strength, they will use that for some task much harder." He looked over to me. I could feel his eyes on me. "You will learn that all to soon, Brey."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"We all see it," Crem said. "You have more strength than any in our history. No doubt the Synod have a task for you yet. When you come of age, you will leave immediately. I do not doubt that."
I wanted to tell him that I was no stronger than Druller or Jasy. I wanted to say that I was no more special, but oftentimes, I wondered if I was. It is rare that a slayer be born more extraordinary than others. Occasionaly, one will be born who is an exceptional fighter, but under the normal circumstances, it takes years to train them into being the best. I had been the best for two years. Even when I was younger than that, I was able to fend them off well.
The rest of the Morning Meal was filled with lighter talk. I did not listen to it much. I found myself glancing about the Great Hall, searching for my friend Druller. If he was to leave soon, I wished to say goodbye. It was rare that other Slayers would know about a task before the one who is to fulfill it leaves, but I did know. If it was indeed true, I would tell him goodbye.
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