The Storm

The plan was simple. I got Lira to give me some sleep medication to slip into Ma and Pa's food at dinner so they wouldn't realize I had left to the ceremony- if they saw my bed empty tonight it would be all too simple to piece together. Then I had already spread rumors around the village to create a buzz with how I was filling out and strengthening so no one would question my appearance here tonight, but just in case I told the town gossip Daria that I would be at the hunt ceremony tonight. Lira helped me pack a travel sack filled with food, water, and a few other essentials mixed in like rope and a hammock net too, as well as my dagger from Ja. The final piece of the plan involved persuading Pa to inform the town elder that I would be participating. Fortunately, I convinced him to communicate that I was "ready to start my journey," as in begin hunters training- with a deliberate omission of specifics to imply approval when I made my appearance at the ceremony. The town's leniency regarding those who wished to join the hunt in hopes of bolstering the king's army worked to my advantage. If Pa never said I was ready after the change in my appearance along with all the rumors, then even more suspicion would be placed upon them. Now with every detail in place, I am ready to go into the hunt ceremony.

At last, I find myself ready to take my life back from those who stole it, I feel a sense of control coursing through me for the first time in what feels like years since my discovery. The transformative journey of the past few years has sculpted my physique, filling it out in ways that echo the hard work I've invested. Days spent tending to the forge's blazing fans have fortified my core, while relentless weapons practice with Lida and under the cloak of night has left my arms taut and my sleeves snug. The constant hammering in the forge has solidified my shoulders and legs, portraying the unmistakable image of a true hunt candidate – a remarkable feat, given my petite stature a few years ago and my slightly younger age. 

As I finally reach the town square, I can't help but notice how much bigger these kids are than me- things look different when you have to determine if you could kill another person than just passing them on the street. Most of those leaving on the hunt within the outer villages are between the ages of 16 and 17, already well into puberty and hitting the peaks of their physical growth. In contrast, I feel half their size just being a head shorter. Yet, I know that the additional training I undertook and the formidable dagger gifted by Ja will even up the playing field- having a weapon is typically forbidden and even though the hunt is an exception it is still difficult to even get ones hands on one. The odds may be against me, but with every fiber of my being, I refuse to be overshadowed. 

...

Everyone has gathered around the central fire for the ceremony, I'm not fully sure what happens here as only parents passing on their children or said children themselves are allowed to come to the event. All I know is the town elder leads this thing and approves every boy that chooses to leave, at least that's what Lira told me. I wish I had more time to say goodbye to her, I know she misses Ja and she helped me so much over the past three years, but I didn't have to time to go over there without it looking suspicious. Our parting conversation and final weapons lesson yesterday will have to be enough. 

"Gather around everyone, it's time to begin. Please be silent as we perform the selection. We will now be performing the exam to determine those who are ready."

Exam? I had never heard the elder talk about the exam before, me and Lida didn't know about this. Looks like he is at least determining whether the candidates are allowed to enter the qualifying first. 

"And you Leigh? Are you sure you wish to try and qualify with your age? You still have a year or two of growth left if you want it. I know Kren has already approved your trail we talked earlier why didn't he make it out here?"

"He and Ma fell asleep early tonight and I didn't want to bother them, we already said our goodbyes- and yes I am sure elder."

"Splendid."

Whew looks like that worked at least, but now I have to worry about this exam...

...

"Alright now that we have confirmed everyone's permission and interest, it is time for the duels. We will do a series of bare fist duels to determine those of you who are ready. Only those who win at least one of their two fights will be able to go out and join the hunt, provided they pass the second portion of the exam. We need to make sure that those who leave here can hold their own in a fight if it comes down to it out there in the wild. We are not in the business of sending kids out to die you know."

A duel? I mean, I should be able to hold my own in a fight but it will really depend on who I am up against.

"We will randomly choose based off of sticks. Up here I have a barrel full of sticks of different colors, if you choose the same color as someone else that will be your first opponent. Then if you win your duel you will be removed from this process and we will repeat once more with all those who lost. If you win that match then you will also pass- however any who lose the second match will not be allowed to join the hunt this year. Now begin, come up and draw your stick."

Walking up the platform to grab my stick I want to try and see if any of these kids have weak spots I can notice, Ka'el has a weak knee it looks like and I know J'el has a bad ankle from an injury when we were kids. Wait a second, holy Freya who is that kid? This behemoth of a kid looks like he ate nothing but steak as a kid and worked out all day. What the hell? And what is with these other kids? They all look shredded, is this what happens in the hunter training here? Do they workout nonstop? With all of us up on the platform now it looks like there is 16 of us so four won't make it. Now that I can see them all clearly it looks like I am just above average at best.

I reach in and just grab the first stick I feel so I can get this over with, I pull it out- purple huh. Oh of course, it's one of those shredded hunter training kids who got purple great. At least it's not that monster I was next to, but unfortunately I don't know this guy- he looks extremally lean and I can tell he has muscles, evident by his abs and stature, but you can tell he doesn't use brute strength in his fights. He relies on speed. The one thing I don't have much of a basis for as no forge work requires speed and Lida isn't too fast herself. Just my luck.

...