Secrets of the Starrs

Chapter 10

Master Konrad woke us at dawn, or at least what he deemed to be dawn. The forest was still completely pitch black and as silent as a stone. We dressed and breakfasted quickly along with Callum and Lunah before we were sat down and drilled our duties.
"Daemon headquarters is ten miles from here,"said Master Kawan. "This may sound like a long way, but it isn't. Especially as daemons can fly. Anyway, an attack is expected, meaning you must expect it too. Don't be surprised if we wake you in the night to warn you of one and so forth.
"You are all young still, but if you weren't good enough you wouldn't be here,"he continued. "Do any of you have siblings?"he asked.
I nodded. "Yes sir. We have a younger sister called Elody. She's fifteen on Tuesday."
"Well, if we need reinforcements or someone gets killed, she will be number one priority, its tradition,"said Master Kawan. "Lunah, what about your sister?"
Lunah shrugged. "I think she's a huntress in this section of the kingdom,"she said.
I gasped. "A huntress?"
Lunah looked at me as if I'd lost my marbles. "Yeah, why?"
"Our mother is one too,"I explained. "For about five years now."
Lunah smiled and nodded, but I could tell she didn't really care.
"Anyway,"continued Master Kawan, with the faintest hint at a smile. "Today we're going to make this small forest clearing habitable for a while. We'll need a good supply of food, water and firewood, but we can't venture too far alone, especially not with daemons so close to us. We'll go in pairs."
It was clear to everyone that Master Kawan was the boss here.
"Callum, you'll go with Sam to collect some berries and things. Lunah, you'll go with Max to get water. Konrad, you and I will go and find some firewood. We'll meet back here in two hours. Take your favourite weapon, just in case."
Ten minutes later we bade each goodbye and set off along the muddy track that Master Kawan said led to the river.  Lunah walked several paces in front of me, keeping her eyes ahead of her.
"Something wrong?"I said, when she glanced behind her quickly.
She laughed, but not kindly. "Yes actually. Master Kawan had to pair me with you, didn't he?"
I clenched my hands into fists. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Lunah sniggered. "You're a dork."
"You've only known me ten seconds,"I replied back snappishly. "How can you be so certain?"
"Master Kawan told me you've only been training since you were fourteen,"Lunah said. "So?"I said.
"Well, I'm seventeen and I've been training since I was nine,"she answered. "Warriors that have only been training as much as you tend not to be very good."
"Stereotype,"I said shortly, still feeling angry. "Remember if I wasn't any good, I wouldn't be here at the moment."
Lunah shrugged. "I guess you're right."
I nodded, satisfied. "Did you have any choice in the matter?"
Lunah started. "Huh?"
"We, that is Sam and I, were forced to join after our father died,"I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.
"Oh right,"she said, sounding remorseful now.
"Yeah,"I continued. "My sister Elody trains too."
"Well in answer to your question, I joined by choice,"she said, not looking at me. "Mother thought it would be the best idea for me. She already had my sister and my younger brother to feed."
I felt an upsurge of sympathy for the girl, not knowing why. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head, her red hair cascading down her back. "It doesn't matter."
I didn't really know how to respond to this. Luckily, before I figured it out, we came to the river and together we filled several large buckets with water. We started back along the path, torches strapped to our heads.
We barely spoke on the way back to the camp, arriving to see both masters building a fire.
"Oh good, you're safe,"said Master Konrad, rushing up to us. "You didn't see anything unusual, did you?"
"No,"said Lunah.
Master Konrad heaved a sigh. "Thank goodness. The two hours were up twenty minutes ago."
"Sorry,"I apologised quickly. "Are Sam and Callum back yet?"
Master Kawan joined the group. "Not yet. We've been trying to get hold of them for the last thirty minutes."
"Shit,"said Lunah.
Master Kawan frowned at her, but then gave her a quick wry smile. "Anyway, did you get the water?"
"Enough for five days,"said Lunah as I set all the water down. "That okay?"
Master Konrad grinned. "Lovely."

Sam and Callum arrived fifteen minutes after Lunah and I. Callum was cracking his knuckles menacingly and Sam was sporting a brilliant black eye. I dashed up to him, hearing Lunah snorting quietly behind me. I chose to ignore her.
"Sam, what happened?"I asked him, grabbing his shoulders so I could get a better look at his eye.
He grinned. "Don't stress yourself, Max, It was only Callum when I stole the berry patch he was picking from."
I turned and looked at Callum, who had stalked past us and was sharing a laugh with Lunah and Master Kawan.
"He had no right to do that!"I said indignantly, staring daggers at Callum.
Sam laughed. "Don't worry, Max, really."
"I'll be watching him from now on,"I muttered through gritted teeth.
Master Konrad came up to us just as I finished speaking.
"Max, there's been a letter for you,"he said, handing me a scroll, tightly furled and bound with red silk.
"Thank you sir,"I said, nodding graciously.
As soon as he moved away to ask Lunah something, I ripped off the silk in a frenzy and hastily read through the letter, my mouth hanging open.
My dear Max,
I am so sorry I was unable to correspond with you over the last few years. I had very little access to any writing materials.
I got your letter about Elody. In answer to what you asked me, all I can say is this. No, she seemed fine while we were all at home together.
Sorry darling, I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but that's all I know.
Master Konrad wrote to me the other week and told me you were leaving to fight against the daemons. I was most pleased when I heard of your promotion but I'm so worried about you, sweetheart. I know you are eighteen now and a grown man, but despite our years apart I worried every day about you, and I still do.
Good luck with everything, Max. I'll be thinking about you. Give my love to Sam and Elody,
Love forever,
Mum xxx
Sam had been reading over my shoulder.
"It's from Mum!"he exclaimed, an ecstatic expression on his face.
"Yeah I know,"I answered, not really knowing what else to say.
I went back into the tent without looking at the others and reread Mum's letter.
It made one thing very clear. Mum had never seen Elody acting weirdly, which was the detail that surprised me most. Mum had never noticed that Elody's mental state was declining. Checking that no one else was nearby, I replied to her.
Dear Mum,
I couldn't believe it when Master Konrad handed me the letter from you. Years it's been, and I finally got a letter from you!
Sam and I are perfectly okay in this new kingdom. We're currently staying in a small forest clearing. I can't tell you where, but it's a few miles from Kare's main place of residence. I'm with Sam and two other warriors from a different tribe. They're okay.
If you could do me a small favour, I'd be grateful. Please could you write to Elody and check on her?
Please reply soon.
Love from your son,
Max xx
I sealed the scroll and hid it under my pillow. No one else needed to know.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from somewhere in the distance.