S.T.A.G.S. Before the End

Chapter 2

Gemma Delaney

Huntin', Shootin', Fishin'.

You are invited to spend Justitium at Longcross Hall, Cumberland.

Choaches departing Stags at 5 p.m. Friday,

RSVP

That's what the letter in my trembling hand says. "Who is it from?" I ask Barbie. For the first time in ever she looks at me, clearly intruged by the letter. "Come on, you really don't know?" I do know, I just can't believe it. Why would Henry de Warlencourt send me a letter? And why the hell would he invite me to his home? "You have to go!!" Barbie screams. With bleeding ears I stuttering ask, "W-why?" Barbie dramaticly roles her eyes. "Look, the Medievals are in their final year. I think they are inviting you to make you the new Medieval. It's likely that you aren't the only one invited." With big eyes and pale skin, I read the letter again. It surely isn't a misunderstanding, 'cause my name is written in that graceful handwriting. "Doesn't it say huntin', shootin' and fishin'? Those are bloodsports. They likely want to test of you're fit to be a Medieval." Okay, now she is just overselling it. Why, in Heavens name, would Henry want me as the new Medieval. He never even spoke a word to me! However, it is true that the Medievals are in their final year at Stags, so it is a possibility that they started searching for replacements. But I seriously doubt they would choose me. It's more likely they don't want to be lonely for Justitium, so they are just inviting people over. "So, are you going?" I look up, straight in those clear blue eyes of Barbie. Sure, I can use some company, besides, what could be the harm in having some extra activity? "Yes, I think I am."

As a result, I'm standing outside, in November, waiting for my ride to arrive. Snow is slowly falling down om my hair, steam clouds form themselves out of my mouth and the ground is starting to freeze. In short, it's bloody cold. At a small distance, two other studends are standing in the cold, waiting for our taxi's to arrive. I believe their names are James Jackson and Willow Rogers, both studends from my class. Shivering, I shoot a glance at my watch. 5 PM, they should be here. The thought didn't even enter my mind when I heard the front gates groan open. Three green Land-Rovers come driving up the driveway. The spinning weels shoot the gravel all over the place. Each of the cars stops in front of a student. My eyes widen when the drivers open their doors at the exact same time. Without saying a woord, some bold guy grabs my suitcase and lifts it in the trunk. Then he opens the door for me, waiting untill i've stept inside to close it again.

Awkwardly, I look at the man sitting behind the steering weel. We've been driving for about half an hour, and he asn't said a singel woord. "So, it's cold ouside, isn't it?" Straight after the woords left my mouth, I wanted to slap myself. The man only nods, still refusing to say anyting. With a low sigh, my eyes drift to the window. We must be driving into a forest, because the green smear next to me just won't stop comming. With only the headlights of the Land-Rovers, the trees look dead and spooky. After starig out of the window of about twenty minutes, the car slows down. The forest becomes an open field and sudenly the car starts shaking under the gravel of yet another driveway. We stop in frot of a big stone stairwell. The driver opens my door and I step out of the car.

Just so you know, I've never seen such a big house in my life. The big stone walls made me feel like an ant, espacially with the six people looking down on me from the big stairwell. The person in the middel takes a step foreward and says, "Welkome, to Longcross."