Loyalty Part One: Breaking the Rules

The wind blew through the trees as the girl of fifteen summers, Rae, stood outside her mother's abandoned hut. Clutching a handful of flowers, Rae stood silently, remembering the last days of her mother's life. Her mother had been the former instructor of the performing arts at Amazon Academy. Now, a year later, Rae held that position that was passed down from her mother. Rae sat down in front of the hut. It looked peaceful, as always. The warm sun made Rae lie down, and the smell of the forest lulled her to sleep. And she dreamed…

"Come on Rae, we're gonna be late to the Academy!" shouted a voice. Rae snapped to attention. The voice was coming from outside her hut. Rae got her sword, and walked outside into the bright sunlight. "I've lived for fourteen summers, and I will never get used to this," muttered Rae. "What are you talking about?" Rae adjusted her eyes. Her best friend, Loa, was standing there, hands on hips, looking very impatient. "Nothing. I hate waking up to go to the Academy." "Oh come on. This is the last year that we are required to go. I'm actually thinking of continuing on though." "I've thought of it too, but I really want to do something else." "Like what?" "Um…" "Yeah that's what I thought." Then they both laughed as they made their way through the forest. They passed Jade's (Rae's mother's) hut. "Mother's probably at the academy already," said Rae, as they walked past the hut. "Hello earth to Rae!" "What?" "You're mother, like most of our tribe, is out fighting the barbarians on another island! Where have you been?" "Oh yeah…sorry I'm still half asleep." Loa rolled her eyes. The tribe had been fighting the barbarians for a week already. Rae was in outer space, as usual. Rae's talking brought her back to attention. "You know, I haven't been able to concentrate lately…maybe I don't get enough sleep…" "Maybe you need to see Ashana. You might be sick." "I don't feel sick. I'm just worried about my mother. I hate it when everyone has to go off and fight, yet I know that I might have to go off and fight soon." Loa put an arm around her. "You'll be ok. Think about it; you're a good fighter, and you know it." Rae sighed. Loa's words were true. They finally arrived at the academy. "We're not late! I'll see you later Rae, and don't fall asleep in arithmetic class!" yelled Loa. "Don't worry I won't fall asleep. See you later Loa!"

Rae sat in arithmetic class with her scroll open. The teacher was talking about some number stuff that made no sense to her. Rae doodled in her scroll. Arithmetic = the most boring class at the academy. I am so bored! She thought. Rae's mind began to wander. First she thought about her mother. I hope she's ok! Then she thought about her favorite subject, fine arts. She loved singing and acting, and she was pretty good at tribal dances too. Rae was so lost in thought that she didn't notice her teacher standing over her. "Rae!" Rae jumped. "Yes ma'am!" "You're daydreaming again! That's the third time this week, and what's this?" Before Rae could stop her, the teacher took her scroll. "Young lady where are your notes? And what is this? 'Arithmetic = the most boring class at the academy?' That does it! You, young lady, are going to see the headmistress! Now get up!" Rae stood. I am so stupid! Why did I drift off again!? "Get out of my class, and go straight to the headmistress. NOW!" Rae almost ran out of the class. She thought of just going home, but then she thought of all the trouble she'd be in. I might as well just get this over with. I'm in enough hot water already… She knocked on the door. "Come in." Rae peeked her head in the door, and looked in. The headmistress, Larclette, was sitting at her desk. "Um hi." Larclette sighed. "Rae. Don't just stand there. Come in and sit down." Rae obeyed. Just as she sat, the door burst open. Her arithmetic teacher stood there with her scroll. Larclette looked at Rae. "What is this all about?" Before Rae could speak, the arithmetic teacher jumped in. "This girl cannot stay alert, or sometimes awake in my class. Then I catch her writing notes about arithmetic in her scroll. She's a troublemaker, I tell you!" "Enough!" said Larclette. "Rae is all of this true." Rae looked at the ground. "Yes." "All right, Rae stay here, and you go back to your class." The arithmetic teacher left. "How long has this been going on, Rae?" "I don't know. To tell you the truth, I hate arithmetic, and I hardly pay attention." "Then how do you pass the class?" "Loa helps me." "Rae, I am going to send you home now. This is a warning. Do it again, and the consequences will be more severe." "Ok." "That will be all. We'll see you tomorrow morning."

Rae walked out of the academy. This is really bad. What will my mother think? Oh gods what will everyone else think of my mother? I hope they don't feel that she's guiding me down the wrong path… Rae decided to go to the Java Hut and study. At least she wouldn't fall behind with her work. "Hey Rae," said Corde as she entered the hut. "Shouldn't you be at the academy?" Rae almost smiled. "No, I got sent home." "Really? What did you do, oh yeah, can I get you something to drink?" "I just need some water, nothing special for me today. I daydreamed in arithmetic class one time too many, so I got sent home with a warning." Corde handed her the glass of water. "That's not so bad…oh yeah, Saran has the latest news about the battle with the barbarians." "What's going on?" "Well the battle is going well. We're winning, I think." "That's great!" Suddenly Saran burst into the hut. "I've got the latest battle news. The tables have turned, and the barbarians are getting stronger. The Enforcer sent word to the queen, and I think she's going to send more people to fight. Oh gods Rae, I didn't even notice you were here. I have some news for you. Your mother is lost on the island. Nobody can find her. They think she might be wounded, or even dead!" Rae spat out her water. "What! I've gotta go. I'll talk to you guys later!" and she ran out of the hut.

Finally the classes at the academy were over. Rae almost ran into Loa when she came out. "Rae what's wrong?" "Come on, I need to tell you in private." The girls ran to the forest. "All right now what's up?" "My mother is missing!" "Oh gods, Rae that's horrible." "I am going to go find her." "You're kidding." "No I'm not. I'm going tonight. I have to bring her back here. Please come with me tonight." "Me? You're crazy, Rae. I heard what happened to you today. We'll miss our classes, and we'll be in more than deep trouble." "Please Loa! You're my best friend, and this is my mother that we're talking about. I'll do anything. Remember the skirt of mine that you loved." "Yeah…" "It's yours. Just please come with me!" "I'll come with you Rae, and you don't have to give me the skirt. After all that's what friends are for." Rae gave Loa a big hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Meet me down at the beach tonight, and we'll go."

That night Loa met Rae near the beach. Rae had the small boat that she and her mother owned with her. She was wearing a hooded cape, and her sword was in its sheath by her side. Loa had worn a hooded cape as well, and she carried her daggers. "At least there's a full moon tonight," commented Loa. "I don't know if it's good or bad. We might be able to find our way to the island easier, but the barbarians might have look outs, and we'll be easier to see in the moonlight," said Rae. The girls dragged the boat into the water, got in, and were off.

Part 2