My First NaNoWriMo

Chapter Two: Tor

I get up early in the morning. I'm careful to not wake up my family as I move to the back of the house to change into my practice clothing. I sling my bow over my back with my quiver and I grab my handmade practice scim.

I go outside and start warming up. It's cold out but the wind has died down, which will be good for me. My breath is very visible in the air as I warm up. As I move, I warm up and soon I'm not chilly at all.

I'm careful not to overdo it. We don't know what the Tests will hold. They change each year and they're a secret until the day and time of the trial. I feel very sure that I am prepared for anything they can throw at me.

I will get into a warrior academy today. I will become a guard. I will change things so that everyone is treated like equals. I will succeed.

My family is up by the time I return from my warm up and Mami tries to get me to eat but I know that if I do I'll probably just throw it up with nerves. I watch the clock a bit nervously. Time is moving too slow.

"Tor, you don't have to do this," Papi says suddenly.

"What?" I ask as I'm snapped out of my trance.

"You don't have to do this," he repeats

"No one is forcing me to do this," I say. "This is what I want to do and I'm going to do it."

Papi looks at Mami and says, "I told you he isn't changing his mind. I tried."

"No you didn't," Mami replies. "If you tried like that when we were dating we wouldn't be here."

"He's not changing his mind," Papi says. "I know that. There's no point to try because it won't do anything."

"He is right here," I hop in as I stand. "I'm headed out, are you guys coming later?"

"Of course," Papi says.

"No," Mami says at the same time and they glare at each other.

"I'll see you later," I say with a smile and head out.

I'm the second eldest child, my older brother has a very secure job at the docks, my younger sisters are doing their thing. I'm not sure what they do with their time. Maybe that makes me a bad brother. I try to be a good brother.

I head to the gathering area with my weapons. I'm one of five, it's still a bit early. I recognize the other five kids but I don't know them personally and their names are just escaping my memory.

In the time until the Tests officially begin only one more person appears. I don't recognize him. He's not from around the village, he could be one of those families that live on the very outskirts of the village. I study each of the other Testers, in case we end up having to fight each other.

A crowd is beginning to gather around us. I try not to fidget, but it's also freezing so I'm trying not to shiver as well. Show no weaknesses.

There's the sound of the gong and silence falls across the gathered crowd. The crowd parts from the North and we watch as five soldiers move through the crowd. They lash out at a couple people in the crowd that don't move fast enough out of their way.

I straighten more and watch as they reach the circle and they space out in a semi-circle around us. The middle person is obviously the one in charge. She's in metal armor that shines harshly in the winter light. It's a pale pink, more of a salmon, and it's not the lighting. The others are in normal silver armor.

"Only six?" She asks. I'm not sure if she is surprised or not. "I guess I should give you Zeros more credit. You realize how pointless these Tests are. You won't survive. Honestly, the only reason this is taking place if because it makes you Zeros feel better. My men will have fun today," she says with a smirk.