Chapter Five: the new General
I awoke the next day just before sunrise because I wanted to make a good impression. I didn't know who would be training me. I got to the hall about half an hour before anyone else had arrived.
"Well, were here early Alexandria!"
I turned and saw Jason's father.
"Oh! I didn't know you were taking the training." I said.
"Well I won't be going easy on you and Jason's taking this class as well. But if you slack in this class you will be out! I don't take any nonsense do you have a sword yet?"
I nodded and took my sword out.
"Very good. Did Gabriel test you yet?" he asked.
"He did. If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"
"It's Andrew and I'm glad he tested you that will save a bit of time. Just sit and wait for the rest of the class."
I nodded, sat down, and waited. Jason appeared shortly after I sat.
"Hey Lex! I didn't know you were in my class." he said.
"I didn't know you were taking classes either Jason."
His father interrupted and had Jason pick out a sword. Jason's father tested him. Unfortunately he failed miserably.
"You need a lot of training son. Now Alexandria if you don't mind would you step forward and show the rest how its done."
I nodded. By this time the rest of the class had arrived. I stepped up and drew my sword. We clashed swords in salute and started to circle. By this time the class had formed a circle around us. Andrew went in for the kill. I managed to block him. I did my signature move that my dad taught me. I caught his sword the people around us cheered.
"Well it seems as if we have a novice in our midst. This training will interesting."
He addressed the class.
"This class is not just sword fighting. It's about your fitness and endurance. I will push you to your limits! This will be the most difficult thing that you will do in your life. But, if you stick with it, you will be rewarded" he turned to me.
"May I have my sword back Alexandria?" He smiled at me.
"Yes, here you go. You can call me Lex" I said as I handed back his sword.
"We'll start off with fitness. I want you all round the assault course now outside all of you."
We all went outside in single file except Jason who walked beside me.
"I had no idea you were so good with a sword where did you learn?"
"I was made to learn when I was in the shadow raiders palace. I didn't want to say anything because I knew it was against your laws and I didn't want to upset Gabriel and the council.", I said.
We went to the assault course. It was huge. Swings over muddy ponds, rope nets, tiers, everything that one could think of. It looked very difficult.
"There's no way I'm going to be able to do this." I said.
Jason said, "Don't worry, you will. You'll get over your uncertainties, Lex."
"Have you ever been over it?", I asked.
He shook his head. We all lined up in a row.
"Now, this is just the warm up. The real challenge will come after this. Now as this is your first time there will be no time limit, but in your final exams you only get three minutes to complete the course."
He must have been joking! There was no way he'd get me round that in under three minutes.
"Now, on the count of three I want you to start. No one is to help Lex, regardless of what happens."
Everyone nodded. He counted to three and we all ran! It was the net rope that was first. It was over ten feet tall and you had to get over to the other side and down. I stated to climb. I got tangled a few times but managed to untangle my self. It was on the way down that I had a little bit of difficultly. My foot kept on getting stuck when I got down most of the way I just dropped it was about a four foot drop but I didn't hurt myself. I ran over the tires. I suppose doing this sort of thing at school helped a little. I got round the rest of the course with little difficulty. When I reached the finish line Andrew was a little surprised to see me.
"Lex are you finished?"
"I think so, why?" I asked trying to catch my breath.
"Have you ever done this course before?" Andrew asked.
I shook my head. "Do you know how long you were?"
Again I shook my head.
"Three minutes! No one has ever done that on first try before, not even Gabriel."
I was stunned! "Are you sure Andrew?"
He nodded. I had to wait for the rest of the class to get over the course. It took the rest of the class about half an hour getting over it. They were all embarrassed that they'd been beaten by a female.
"Now, would you all follow me please? I have today's challenge for you to try and solve."
We all followed him. He took us to a clearing that had a very large wooden pole. It must have been over twenty feet high. Andrew took a bow (I hadn't even noticed he was carrying one) loaded it with an arrow and shot at the top of the pole.
"Now, today's challenge is this. Retrieve the arrow! I'm going to leave you, and don't even try and get back to the castle! The guards have been instructed not to let you in unless you have the arrow, and its marked so you can't try and get in with another one. The only thing that I will leave you is this." He opened a large wooden box and revealed two very heavy medals that had gold ribbon round the top of them. "Now, good luck."
With that he left us in the middle of the forest. The tallest guy spoke first. "How the hell are we going to get the arrow? Please bear in mind we don't get back in 'till we have the arrow. Ideas anyone?"
Everyone started talking amongst themselves. I walked round the pole and looked at the medals.
"Tell me, who's the lightest here?"
The guy that spoke first answered me, "Why, do you have an idea?"
"Yeh, but we need the lightest person to do it. Other wise it won't work."
Everyone talked amongst them selves.
"We think that you're the lightest here because you're the thinnest. What do you need?"
I told them what I needed, but Jason objected. "What if this doesn't work Lex?"
"At least I've tried something and haven't just sat around feeling sorry for my self. Don't you get it Jason? This is what this exercise is about! To solve a problem you have to try different solutions and not just to sit. It's about using your head and your brains."
I stormed off from him. I got the tallest guy to give me boost up. I stood on his shoulders and took the medals which, for the record, were very heavy. I put my arms round the pole and tied the medals together and wrapped the ribbon round my wrist. I gave the signal that I was ready for the guy below me to walk away. As he did, I slid the medals up then pulled myself up. My plan was working. It was very slow but I was moving up the pole. After what seemed like hours I reached the top. I was just in reach of the arrow. I grabbed the ribbon with one hand reached up grabbed the arrow and started to climb down the pole. I was absolutely exhausted. I pretty much just slid down the pole. When I neared the ground the tallest guy told me to jump, and that he'd catch me. I jumped and he caught me and stood me on the ground.
"Now do you see what happens with a bit of team work and perseverance Jason?"
Jason just nodded. We left to make our way back to the castle. I felt a familiar twinge again. It was like a film in my head. I saw my father and his council ambush us and if we weren't prepared for it we would die.
