Stop clapping. I don't want this. Just leave me alone.
I do not speak those words, but I feel them just the same.
I manage a very weak smile, and the clapping eventually disappears. I get in line for food. It is a soup filled with many different vegetables. Tomatoes, and onions, and potatoes, and celery. I take my food to the head table and sit down.
Chaff looks very unhappy that I survived. At least something good came from the trials. I was able to steal that evil grin from his face. Maybe being leader won't be so bad if I can do that every day.
I set my bowl and spoon down on the table, and just as I am about to sit down, Helm stops me.
"People of the Crag," he starts, and everyone quiets down immediately. "Sam is the new Leader of the Hunt, both chosen by Lagan before the attack, and made solid on the clover fields of battle. Sam has survived the trials, and made a fool out of Mast in the process."
Mast looks unhappy to hear those words, but the people of the Crag laugh. Mast stands up.
"Without Sam, many of us would have died in a field, burned to the ground by a dragon. For that, I am glad that we have Sam as our leader. Many good hunts to you, Sam," says Mast.
The crowd claps again. This time I am able to make a real smile, because I'm glad that I could help save people's lives. I am glad that many of us did return from facing the dragon. And I am glad that the Sky Gods protected us, and brought us home.
I am also surprised that after what Mast put me through, and what I put him through, that he would say good words about me. Maybe he is not a bad person. Maybe he is just doing what he feels is necessary to keep the hunters and the Crag safe. Maybe Mast is a better person than I realize.
I am now very glad that I did not kill him during the trials. I am even more glad that he did not kill me.
I sit down and eat my soup. It tastes very, very good. I finish it quickly. I am so hungry that I lift my bowl to my mouth to get the last few drops from the bottom of it.
I stand up and walk over to Ebb. I see that she has also finished her soup.
"Ebb, will you protect me as I walk back to my room?" I ask.
"Is that a command?" she asks.
"No, just a question," I say.
"It would be my honor," says Ebb.
I put a hand out to help her up from her seat, even though I know that she needs no help. We leave the feast chamber together.
Once we are a few steps away from the sound of others, Ebb turns to me and hugs me. It is a strong, warm hug, unlike any I have felt before. It surprises me, and it takes me a moment to hug her back. We stand there, holding each other for a while. Eventually, slowly, we pull away.
"Sam, I'm so glad you survived," says Ebb.
"Me too, actually," I say.
"What were the trials? What did they make you do?" asks Ebb.
"The first one wasn't very bad. They put glowing sticks under many buckets. One of them was on fire. They moved the buckets around very quickly, and I lost track of which one was still on fire."
"How did you figure out which one it was?"
"I waited until I was sure none of them were on fire," I say.
"Wait, how did the fire go out?" asks Ebb.
"I believe that fire has a breath of its own. If you steal its breath, then it dies, just like a person," I say.
"That's very clever."
My cheeks feel warm, because I'm a little embarrassed. "The next trial, Mast tried to kill me. I was able to beat him, but I would not kill him."
"I would have loved to have seen that," says Ebb, smiling.
"The last trial, I had to choose who I would give poison to, Flot or Jet," I say.
The smile disappears.
"Who did you choose? Did one of them die? I didn't notice them at the feast! Sam, did you kill one of your brothers?" asks Ebb, panicking.
"No, I drank the poison."
"You... drank the poison? How are you still alive?"
"The poison was never real," I explain.
"Did you know that it wasn't real?"
"No. I was sure it was real."
Ebb looks very sad for a moment. I think she realizes now that I value Flot and Jet's lives above all else. But her look of sadness changes.
"Sam, I am proud of you. Proud that you were willing to risk your life to save the people you love," says Ebb.
"I always will," I say, smiling at her.
She walks me back to my room then stands guard, protecting us as we sleep.
22
The next morning, I wake up and I see that both Flot and Jet are already awake. It looks like they have made eggs, and have left enough for me to eat.
"Thank you both for the breakfast," I say.
"It was Flot's idea, but he made me cook it," says Jet.
"Well, thank you both anyway. But thank you less, Flot, for not really helping," I say.
Flot laughs.
"So what are you going to train us on today?" asks Flot.
"What do you mean?" I say.
"Well, Lagan would train us on something every day, so that we would be better hunters," says Flot.
"Oh, right," I say.
My mind races. I realize that I am not prepared at all to be the Leader of the Hunt. There is a lot more to it than I had thought. I guess I was so busy trying to stay alive, that I forgot to look ahead to see what needed doing.
I think about it for a while. I start to wonder what type of leader I want to be. Lagan was all about keeping the peace, and keeping people happy, so that they wouldn't kill each other.
Lagan wasn't able to teach the hunters more than a few basic things about weapons, and he didn't have much of a grasp of strategy. He let people do what they wanted, so that everyone was happy, and again, so that no one died.
I don't want to be that kind of leader. I want people to learn how to hunt better, how to think better, how to use their weapons better. I don't want the trainings to be a waste. But if I do this, I really will need to have protection. I'm going to change things, and some people won't like it.
It makes sense to be true to what I think a good leader is. People already want to kill me for slaying a dragon and being the 'Sky Child', so what difference does it make if I change how we hunt? The same people that want to kill me want to kill me more? Dead is dead, so I may as well use what life I have left for doing what I believe in.
"Okay Flot, ask me again what I'm going to teach the hunters," I say.
"What are you going to teach the hunters?" asks Flot.
"How to be hunters."
"But they already are hunters."
"No, not really. None of them are really trying very hard, because they are all worried about being killed by each other. I have to change that," I say.
"How do you plan to do that?" asks Flot.
"I'm not sure. I guess we will both find out today during training," I say.
After putting on our armor, we go outside before anyone else arrives for the training. The sun isn't high enough in the sky for people to be out yet. It isn't raining, but I can't really make out the sun, as its edges have been blurred by the clouds. I can still see the bright spot where it hangs, though.
I look down at my armor and realize that I still look like one of the lead hunters. Hopefully Anchor, Jib and Stanchion can finish the new armor quickly.
I help Flot and Jet work on their sky spear throwing. With a few suggestions, both of them are throwing their spears far, and fairly straight. After tossing the spears for a while, I show them both how to use a sling.
Neither of them can make their rocks go where they want them to, but that is normal. It can take a while to get a feel for when to release it. I try to show them how to do it slowly, so they can see what it should look like when you do it right. I can tell that they are improving, but they still aren't throwing the rocks far enough.
As we sling rocks away from the Crag, some of the other hunters start appearing. It is good to see that people are still willing to come out
for training after what happened a few days ago. I think a lot of them are coming just to see what things will be like without Lagan, and whether I will be worth following.
I can understand that. Lagan was nearly a gray one, and I am still young. I don't have the amount of experience that some of the lead hunters have. Honestly, if I didn't have to be the Leader of the Hunt, I would think either Mast or Helm would make a better leader. Both are strong, brave, true-of-heart, and are good hunters. They won't need very much training.
Mast and Helm come to the front of the crowd and stand by my side. Once everyone has arrived, I talk to the crowd.
"Hunters, as you know, Lagan had a way of doing things. That ends now, because under Lagan we were not getting any better at hunting. We can be better. Lagan held back his knowledge on purpose to keep the peace, so that jealousy wouldn't lead to murder among us. I am telling you now that a hunter's life will not be threatened because they are better at something than you."
The hunters look around at each other, not knowing yet how to react, or what this means.
"If you attack another hunter out of jealousy, you attack us all. If you try to put a hunter to death, we will stop you, and put you to death. You will not go free. You will not be left alone. If I have to see to it myself, you will die by my hands. If you have a problem with this, come see me and my guards, for we will end your worries with the tips of our spears."
I hear whispers in the crowd. I see faces with many different reactions. Most of the hunters look relieved by my words. But I look for those faces that hold anger and rage in them, because those are the ones I will need to deal with.
I turn to Helm, and I can tell that he is surprised by my words. I even see a bit of a smile on his face. I whisper to him the people who I think may cause problems. A few of the names I do not know, but he helps me with those. I ask him and Mast to remember those people, so that we can protect ourselves from them.
"So, now that you have had a moment to think," I say, "are there any of you that would like to fight me and my guards right now? Would you like a spear in your heart? A stone in your head?"
I look across the crowd again. Most of the faces that I saw rage in have calmed down. Apparently no one is dumb enough to try to fight us. That is a good place to start.
"Also know that these rules protect you from those that are not hunters. If you see another hunter being attacked, it is now your duty to protect them. If you are murdered, the hunters will do their best to find and put your killer to death. You should not live in fear anymore. None of us should."
Smiles appear on most hunter's faces.
"As you may already know, one of Lagan's protectors, Port, was killed in battle. I have already chosen someone to replace her. Ebb, please step forward."
I watch as Ebb makes her way from the back of the crowd to where we are standing. The hunters move to let her pass. She carries her helmet under one arm, and her spear in the other.
She smiles at me as she approaches, but I can tell that she is worried. She wasn't even a lead hunter before this, and there is always the concern that one of the hunters might hurt her because of it. I have to hope that I am not making a bad decision, and that my threat about what I will do to murderers will be believed.
Ebb takes her place next to Mast.
"Hunters, I have chosen Ebb because she has shown great bravery by protecting me. Ebb has already proven herself worthy of this honor, and I ask that you show your loyalty to her," I say.
I turn and face Ebb then place my right fist over my heart and slide it downward. I watch out of the corner of my eye as the other hunters do the same to Ebb. A few hesitate, but eventually join in with everyone else. Ebb returns the gesture.
"I would also like to thank Mast and Helm for protecting me as they had protected Lagan. I will keep them as protectors, for they have also shown loyalty and bravery."
This draws some cheers from the crowd, as Mast and Helm are both well liked and well known by the hunters.
"I will be changing more things, making more rules, but I believe you have seen enough change today. We will not be hunting tonight, as you all deserve to spend some time with your families. Go to them, enjoy the feast tonight, and pay honor to the Sky Gods as you see fit," I say.
The crowd seems happy that I have cancelled the hunt for the evening. I thought it would help the hunters deal with the loss of Lagan better, and it might give them time to let the new rules sink in. It could also give some of them a better chance to plan my murder, but I will be staying close to my protectors tonight.
"Mast, Helm and Ebb, would you mind staying behind a moment?" I ask.
Each of them waits with me as the rest of the hunters return to the Crag.
"That was rather brave of you to do, Sam, threatening the hunters like that. Or very stupid," says Helm.
"Maybe both," I say. "I suppose we will find out if it works. The hunters who would be angry by my changes already want to kill me, so I don't really believe this does much. It may make them think that if they were to kill one of us, the rest of us would put them to death. I hope no one tests my new rules, because I really don't want to take another person's life. That kind of justice is for the Sky Gods to worry about. But if it comes down to it, I will put a murderer in the ground to prevent more deaths," I say.
"Then it wasn't just a threat. Good. There are some that believe you aren't strong enough to lead, that you will say one thing, but when you are pushed you will do another," says Helm.
"I won't be that kind of leader, even if it puts me in the ground," I say. "We have more than that to worry about right now. Tonight, there is a good chance that someone will try to kill either me or Ebb. Helm and Mast, I think you are probably safer than us, since things haven't changed for you, and people still think of you as Lagan's protectors. I am sure many would like to see me dead so that one of you would lead instead."
"Then why do you trust us, even after I tried to kill you in the trials?" asks Mast.
"I trust you because you didn't kill me when you had other chances. I trust you because so far you have proven yourselves trustworthy. But more than that, you seem like good people when you aren't being hunters. You both have families and new ones. Your wives seem to care whether you live or die. I saw the happiness in their faces when we came back from facing the dragon. If you had died in battle, it would have hurt them. It is sad, but the same cannot be said for Cannon. I spoke with Cannon's wife, and she told me that he was a monster. There were no tears, just worry over how they would survive now that Cannon was dead," I say.
I can tell that both Mast and Helm are glad that I took notice of how they got along with their families. There are few things more important to people than their families, and it says much about people that do not treat their wives and husbands, sons and daughters well.
"So what is your plan then, Sam?" asks Mast.
"I think tonight will be just as dangerous as the last few nights were, maybe even more. At least for tonight, Ebb should stay with me and my brothers. There is more than enough room for her there. Mast and Helm, I ask for your help in protecting us. Will you take turns tonight, standing outside our door?" I ask.
"Of course," says Helm.
"Thank you. Ebb and I will also take turns protecting the room with you. That way we all can get some rest tonight, but we will still be well-guarded," I say. "Until then, Mast, can you watch over Ebb as she rests? She has not had much sleep. Helm, can you stay with me as my protector until this evening?"
Both Helm and Mast agree to their duties.
"Sam?" says Ebb.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for making me your protector. I will give my life for you, if need be," she says.
"And I will do my best to protect your life in return," I say.
Ebb turns and walks away with Mast.
23
"So what is your plan?" asks Helm.
"To make the hunters as good as they can be, and stay alive," I say.
"Oh. Well, I haven't talked to Crook and Vault yet. Since they are also leaders, they may be willing to share some wisdom on how to lead. Maybe they have ideas on how to deal with Chaff," I say. "Who do you think we should visit first?"
"Probably Crook, since she is almost always outside, and it will be easier to talk to her in the daylight."
"Then let's talk to Crook."
It doesn't take us long to find her. I follow Helm to the door where the chickens are kept. He opens it up and looks inside, but then steps back, closing the door.
"Not there?" I ask.
"No. No one in there but the chickens," says Helm.
"Should we check the sheep?"
"I think she is probably tending to the goats. They take more work."
Helm and I walk side-by-side until we reach the goat pen. I open the door this time and look in. I can see Crook inside, fighting with a goat over someone's shirt. Helm and I go inside, shutting the door behind us.
"Crook?" I say.
Crook turns around and finally notices us. She is taller than me, which fits her strong personality well. She has her long red hair tied back so that it doesn't get in the way of her work.
"Hello Sam. It is good to finally talk to you. What brings you to the pens?" asks Crook.
"You do, actually. I was hoping to talk to you, maybe get some advice. Find out how to be a leader," I say.
"What is the advice you need?"
"I want to know how to handle Chaff. How to avoid him as much as possible."
"Well, the only advice I can give you is try to stay on his good side if you can. If he feels like he can't control you, he will bury you. There is no use in trying to avoid him, because then he will come to you, and he will be even more of a monster to you. Chaff is lazy and predictable, but also manipulative and dangerous," says Crook.
"How have you gotten along with him for so long?" I ask.
"I don't know that we get along, but I will say that I've had to bribe him in order to get what I need from him. He loves being bribed. It not only makes him feel powerful, but he feels like he's stolen something important from you. He always makes a big deal about whatever it is you've bribed him with. So what I do is I always have extra of anything he could possibly want, so that it never actually affects me."
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