The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 15 The Rescue Remembering

"Did you guys see you'll have your first lesson with firearms today?"
Daaow questioned us at breakfast, three days after my trail ride with Amber.

I shoveled a forkful of scrambled eggs into my mouth and shook my head no.

"I've never heard of the Keepers using guns, bombs certainly, but aren't they usually more archaic in weaponry? Leave the blasting holes through people to the guards?"
Kairos questioned.

Unbidden, my mind flashed images of the city square in Bel Rea, as gunfire rained down from the sky, painting the stone walls in red. There had been both the black masks of the Keepers and red masks of the Guards in the helicopter that day, causing the destruction of the rebels, Guards, and civilians unlucky enough to be in the way.

"We do prefer more refined weapons. It takes more skill, something our Order prides itself in. But sometimes a sword or a lance is just not as effective as a gun. We have to be well balanced in our training, be able to use whatever we have on hand. Just wait til you get to the lessons on bomb-making with Keeper Rosa."
Daaow replied.

"How many new things can we possibly learn?"
Vienna asked rhetorically with a shake of her head.

"Oh, this is only the beginning. New Keeper training generally lasts a year. Then on going education will take you a lifetime."

Us three girls groaned while Jasper only seemed intrigued.

"So after a year you can specialize in one area I would presume?"
He asked.

"Yes, any area you have a talent in."
Daaow affirmed.

"Well someone's going to be spending an awful lot of time in the computer lab."
I remarked with a laugh.

The Brainiac grinned at me.

"I'm not sure where my talents lie just yet, I suppose having a year is actually a good thing."
Vienna admitted.

"You are pretty decent with the throwing stars and daggers."
I pointed out.

"And Keeper Anu is delighted when you help in the kitchen."
Kairos reminded her.

Vienna, as we had recently discovered, was an excellent cook. Apparently, she had often made meals for her parents, who had worked long shifts at their jobs and been too tired to prepare dinner when they returned home. I didn't know if there was a job available amongst the Keepers for a chef, but it would be the perfect fit for her.

"Well, I think Hadassah shows potential as a pilot."
Daaow said, shifting the focus of the conversation onto me.

I shrugged.

"I do enjoy flying."

"Well if you ever want to get some more experience under your belt, you're welcome to co-pilot one of my reconnaissance missions with me."
Daaow offered.

I wasn't sure I loved the idea of being trapped in a cockpit for hours with the overly talkative Keeper, but I appreciated the offer.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"Hey, we'd better go. The shooting range is on the other side of the Citadel."
Kairos commented, glancing at the clock up above the archway.

"We seem to always be running late for something."
I complained, taking a last sip of my glass of orange juice.

The four of us stood and bade farewell to Daaow before following Jasper, who seemed to know the layout of the fortress best, to the shooting range.