Secrets of the Starrs

Chapter 3

Elody remained in a bad mood right up until we were sent to bed. She only left for the girls barrack after the General had been in to yell at her twice. Sam and I undressed in a rather dour silence, both too engrossed in our own thoughts. Only after we were both lying in bed did he speak to me.
"Max?"he said, rather feebly. "Max?"
"Yeah?"I replied, thinking I knew what he was going to ask.
"Is Elody mad at us?"
I laughed. "Not at us. More at Master Konrad and the General I think. For promoting us at not her."
"She's too young though,"pointed out Sam. "Even Jet Evans, the best warrior our tribe ever saw, didn't graduate until he was nearly eighteen."
I nodded. He had a good point. "Very true. I don't see why Elody is mad, personally."
"Oh really?"came Elody's voice.
I jumped. Elody had somehow managed to climb up the tower and into the our room via the window. She was now standing just in front of the window, masked in shadows caused by the moonlight, sword strapped to her pyjamas and her eyes flashing angrily.
I fought to keep my cool. I couldn't let Elody see me vulnerable. "Yes. You know warriors are promoted at sixteen, Els. You're not sixteen till next year. You'll get your chance."
Elody has seemed not to hear a word I'd said. "Max, what were the last words our mother spoke to you?"
I winced. Thinking about my mother was painful. Excruciatingly so.
Elody showed no sign that this topic may be painful. "Max,"she said, almost as a warning.
"Look after your brother and little sister, Max."
Elody's eyes glittered dangerously. "Exactly. You swore to take care of me, Max Starr. You should learn to keep your swears."
I felt outraged at this statement. "I am looking after you Elody! I'm the reason you're still alive."
Elody spat a swear word at me. Something inside me just snapped at that second. "Elody, you're a good warrior. You will get to take part in a war against the daemons, but for now you've got to train for another year yet. Keep at it."
Elody left. She clearly couldn't stand the truth.
I sat down on my bed, feeling bitterly angry. Sam proceeded towards me and placed a hand on my shoulder. Both his hand and my shoulder were visibly shaking.
"Max?"he said quietly. "You all right?"
I arranged my face into a calm and carefree expression, despite the fact I was still trembling. "Course. Come on, let's get to bed before the General comes in here and rips us."