“I escaped because I wanted to be like Jingfay,” I blurt, realizing this is the truth.
Wreck gives me an astounded look. The roamers begin whispering something, but I can hear only one word, “Jingfay… Jingfay…”
“Silence!” Tartis orders. “Don’t you know that Jingfay is just a silly legend?”
“I believe in her,” I say.
“Did you hear her?!” Wreck shouts, turning toward the crowd. “She’s like Jingfay! We must let her stay! She’s a perfect warrior!”
“Death to the stranger!” Ace yells.
Part of the crowd begins demanding I stay, while others call for my head. I feel sick, fighting back a growing desire to scream. I can’t stand being in this place any longer. Who are they to decide my fate? How can anybody else decide my fate?
“All new rangers must have a mentor,” Tartis says after he subdues the crowd. “Before I can allow you to join us, one of our warriors must agree to mentor you. So who is ready to become the outsider’s mentor?”
Nobody volunteers.
“You see?” he laughs. “Nobody wants to mentor you, girl. So I can’t allow you to join us.”
“I’ll be her mentor,” says Wreck.
“That is against the rules,” Tartis scowls. “You’re too young for the role, boy. Only mature soldiers can become mentors.”
“Seriously?” Wreck grins. “I’m the best fighter here. If anybody believes differently, I’m willing to take him on right now.” He faces the crowd again. “Anybody else believes he’s a better fighter than me?”
Silence.
“Then I’ll be her mentor,” he repeats. “You know you have to agree to that, Tartis.”
“Master Tartis,” he corrects, but Wreck doesn’t react. “Fine then,” Tartis states finally. “But she must pass our traditional test.”
“What test?” I ask.
Tartis smiles. “You must kill a chimera and deliver its head to me. This test will reveal whether you truly deserve to become a ranger or not. I’ll give you two full days to accomplish the task. Your mentor will follow you to make sure you don’t escape. According to tradition, he must kill you should you fail.” He glances at Wreck. “That’s a direct order, Kris. You must deliver her head should she fail to deliver the head of a chimera.”
“I get it,” Wreck nods. “I respect tradition. This girl will bring a chimera’s head or I’ll be bringing hers.”
I can’t tell whether he’s lying or not.
CHAPTER 25
Back in the cabin I curl my hands into fists, step toward Wreck and yell, “Why didn’t you warn me about the test?!”
“Whoa, easy now.” He takes a step back. “It’s no big deal. You’ll be all right.”
I suppress a strong urge to punch or kick him. Wreck isn’t the type of guy you really want to pick a fight with.
“I need to see Tanya,” I demand.
“We can’t right now,” he says, taking an axe and a pack from behind a pile of books. “Tartis has a squad of rangers guarding the prisoner shack. They won’t let us in.”
“I need to see her,” I repeat.
“Don’t worry about your friend. Nobody will hurt her. I promise.” He motions toward the door. “We’d better get going. Tartis gave us only two days, so we don’t have time to waste.”
“May I take your handgun at least?” I ask.
“You could,” he smirks, “but I have no ammo for it. Sorry. And according to tradition, you must kill the chimera with a blade anyway.”
He exits the shack and I follow. What choice do I really have?
Outside, the sky is still overcast and everything looks gray and gloomy. We leave the village behind and head into the woods. I look over at Wreck and for a moment, I can picture myself lying on my back, hands pinned to the ground. I can almost feel the sharp cold metal of his knife pressing against the skin on my neck. Would he really kill me if I fail? I don’t know. He seemed very determined when he was speaking to Tartis. I swallow hard and wrap my hand around the handle of my knife. I envision stabbing him but then recall how easily he disarmed Ace. A knife wouldn’t provide enough advantage against this guy.
The desire to run almost overwhelms me. I know I’m faster, but I can’t escape because they still hold Tanya hostage. I can’t leave my friend behind.
Wreck begins murmuring a song, obviously unaware of my growing frustration.
“Remember when I told you that we would have lots of fun together?” he asks. “Well… the fun starts right now! We’re going on a great adventure.”
I don’t answer. I don’t want to go on any kind of adventure. I don’t want to become a ranger or to be stuck in these woods with this guy.
But what do I want? I ask myself. I have no answer. I used to dream of Central Settlement, but nothing good came of that. We were heading toward Bastion without even knowing what kind of place it really is. I no longer have a dream or a purpose. I believe I’m completely lost.
“Why are you being so serious?” Wreck asks. “Cheer up. Sing with me.”
“I have no desire to sing with my likely killer,” I answer flatly.
He gives me a surprised look. “Did you really believe all that crap I fed Tartis?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “Don’t you respect your precious traditions?”
He rolls his eyes. “Nobody in our village gives a hoot about tradition. Come on, you don’t really think all the wannabe rangers kill the chimeras on their own, do you? The mentors usually help them out during a test. And all this talk about killing… Well, I guess that was just for dramatic effect.”
