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Chapter 12: Teresa
Something was wrong in the atmosphere. I could feel the tension just coming from the village. After the seer had come to see me last week, we sought out the warrior counsel and discussed what the both of us had been feeling. Marc and a number of the other warriors believed that we were going crazy to think that an attack was going to be placed anytime soon. Nevertheless, the threat was there and was immediately acted upon. Security was heightened as the warriors kept an even stricter watch out. Marc and I sped up the training a little as well. The village was slowly getting ready for battle mode… But not soon enough.
One afternoon, Marc had left training early to go check on the rest of the warriors on patrol and see if he could help. Left alone with the trainees, I went over the emergency drills with them once more. Today's lesson was being held a ways off from the village, on the farthest field of my master's property. The family had gone on another trip but had agreed to let me stay behind to help protect the village. Instead, they had taken Kim and a few of the apprentice training warriors who had been excelling in the class to accompany them. My heart was lightened by the knowledge that they would not be around to witness whatever was coming our way, but at the same time, I missed their company.
I drew my mind back on the situation in front of me. Deep down, I knew something was wrong. I looked toward the village and from where we stood, everything looked fine. I signaled for my students to be quiet and they obeyed. I strained to hear anything from the village. It was too quiet. Quickly, I beckoned for the children to go back to the village and help if they could by way of the river. The village would need all the help it could get once the battle began.
Then the terror began. Screaming was heard in the direction of the village and I knew that the enemy had arrived. Quickly, the trainees went off to help. I called back one child though. He looked to be around Kim's age. "Jimmy," I said, as I took something out of my talisman pouch.
"Yes teacher?"
"You know Kim, right?" He nodded. "Good. I have a special mission for you. I need you to go track her and give this to her. It's important that she get it." I handed him the bracelet that we had made a long time ago.
"But-" I could see the uncertainty in his eyes.
"Please."
That was all it took as we looked into each other's eyes then. "I will do as you say."
"Thank you." I said and gave him a quick hug. Soon, he was off and running in the direction Kim had taken only a few days before and I was left behind to protect the house. There was no way I was going to let anyone get near. I knew that this would be their main target and I was determined to fight the enemy off. I went to my post at the beginning of the path leading to the house and waited.