AN: really sorry about the long wait everyone. Had a whole load of stuff on. So any way... without further ado, coffee and soul nutrition presents...
THE FIRST TASK! (part one)
After a few days of training, the brotherbands were given their first major assessment task. They assembled at the training ground after breakfast like they did every day. Usually this led to two hours of gruelling drills, but today was different. Sigurd strode out to the middle of the grounds. Twenty nine pairs of eyes followed him.
"Right! Everyone assemble in their bands!"
The boys started to wander across the field with the exeption of Zac, who chose to sprint straight across the field. The others ran after him. Sigurd looked at them in approval. Then he turned to face the others.
"10 points to the herons for been the first to arrive. As for the rest of you AT THE DOUBLE!"
The herons smiled at each other as they saw the remaining boys rush over. Hal leaned over to whisper to Zac.
"How did you know?"
Zac grinned.
"This is sigurd we're talking about."
Hal grinned back at him then they both turned to face Sigurd.
"Today's your first assessment."
There was a murmur of interest from the three bands. They were silenced with a glare from their instructor.
"its the mountain run."
Another buzz of excitment rippled through the crowd. Another glare from sigurd.
"You'll be racing on Boarshead Mountain. There are three routes up the mountain. At the end of each is a tent. In the tents are three figures. A wolf, a shark and a heron. The contest is simple."
Here he paused to hand a copy of the routes to the three skirls.
"Each route is the same length and difficulty. You run up, grab the carving and run back. We time you. The winner gets one hundred points. Second, twenty. Last, nothing. Any questions? Skirls, pick who will be running. I'll be round in a few minutes to ask you."
Hal felt a rush of panic. Who would be the best choice?