Chapter 12: First Wound
"I greet the sword's honed edge that bites into my flesh, knowing that this courage was given me by my father." —Gisli, Gisli Sursson's Saga
I had awakened before dawn as usual and lay in bed thinking. My days are filled now. From sun up to sun down I learn the basic techniques that will lead to sparing. I'm also learning the path of honor. My body grows stronger and I see things differently than when I was just a pup.
I have had no threats from C'jit Breath. I do not know what Elite Trainer Ro-gn said or did to him, but so far it has worked. I still keep my eye on him but he does not even glance at me. My nights are peaceful now that I no longer have an attacker to worry about.
It is good that mating is over. Half the trainers left at the start of the season, leaving us to the mercies of the remaining half who were very short tempered. I could tell they were trying not to take anything out on us, but we walked delicately around them. Then the trainers who had left returned so that the others could join the season. The returning trainers were also on edge from cutting off their mating so soon. I do not understand what drives such lack of patience or how the trainers so easily angered each other. The scent of male dominance permeated the camp.
None of us first long-cycle students had been through this before. One of the older students came and explained it all to us. I think he was sent by the trainers. It was a relief to understand a little about what was going on. As pups, we had always been sheltered in our homes during the rut. Since our bearers were still raising us, they did not join in. It was only after we went to training that they became pregnant again.
My bearer taught me about how males impregnate females. She said that I would learn more as I matured.
My bearer has another pup growing inside her now. Sadness fills my heart. Another child has taken my place. I droop for a moment but then remember, my bearer told me that I would always be her pup. There were others before me. Others come after me, but I will always be special to her!
I get up from my furs and silently prepare for the day without waking my sleeping friends. Outside, I begin my run around and through the camp, being careful to stay within the marked perimeter. Running clears my mind and stirs my blood. It is the only time to myself during our long day.
This morning as I run by the dining hall, I see all the trainers gathered there as usual to eat before the students awaken. But the hall is strangely silent. There is not the usual drone of talk and clank of tankards. It is not my place to enter but I veer closer out of curiosity.
The trainers are all gathered together in a clump, listening to the Head Trainer. I can't make out what he is saying, but there is a serious look on everyone's face. Perhaps they are planning something important. I run on, taking in the taste and smell of the fresh morning air.
"Hit!" Commands Trainer, and the class responds. I strike the sand-filled bag with my right fist as I picture it going through to the other side.
The hit thuds solidly, making the bag swing slightly.
"Again!"
Over and over I punch the practice dummy, first with my right and then with my left. I am breathing hard, when Trainer finally calls us to halt. He speaks with each of us, praising and correcting.
"You hit well, Anu. Tomorrow you will practice blows from your feet. Go to the Healer now and let him tend to your hands."
The praise causes a shiver to run through me. I stand my tallest as Trainer speaks. Then, with a quick bow, I am on my way. At the Healer's station, there is a short line of waiting students. I scan the row, curious to see the injuries. An older female student, who I do not know, is limping on a swollen ankle. She does her best not to give any sign of pain. Behind her is an older male student. He holds a rumpled cloth covered in blood on his chest.
Must be a shallow wound, his breathing is fine.
Just ahead of me is another male, closer to my age. I have seen him at another table in the eating hall. Blood emerges between his fingers as he tries to stop the flow with a hand held to his head. He does not cry out, but his eyes betray concern as a steady stream of green thwei runs down his head and drips onto his shoulder.
There is going to be a mess on the floor soon.
Leaving my place at the end of the line, I approach the head of the line respectfully.
"May I request a cloth from the Healer so that this student's blood may be contained?"
The waiting student looks at the bleeder and then nods her permission. Soon, I am handing a clean folded cloth to the male to press against his head.
"I am honored by your assistance. I am first long-cycle student Eyar'r."
"I am honored to assist you. I am first long-cycle student Anu."
Eyar'r responds,"I have seen you in the dining hall with your class."
"I have seen you also."
There is an awkward pause as I figure out what to say next.
"Eyar'r, may I ask you a question?"
"Sei."
"How did you injure your head?"
Eyar'r averts his eyes for an instant and pulls his outer jaws tight against his face. "I…I was hoping you would not ask that."
"Forget it then. It is not my important." I smile to let him know I am not offended.
"No, you assisted me, I will tell you. Our class was sparring and I…I was thrown out of the circle to land on my head."
"Your class is sparing already?" Jealousy floods over me. Why are we only practicing hitting? We have learned to circle - now we only hit sand bags. How did his class progress so quickly? Am I…is our class…behind?
"You scent of distress, Anu."
"I am wondering why your class is already sparring and mine is not."
"I do not know, Anu. Surely you will spar soon. And…I bet you will be really good at it." His eyes seem to sparkle as he speaks.
Soon, my new friend's wound is treated and he leaves with a smile and a nod. "I will see you in the dining hall," he calls out as I enter the treatment room.
"Sit on the table," directs a Hunter that I assume is the healer. "State your name and the name of your trainer." He continues talon tapping at a com in the room, with his back to me.
A small hop with twist sits me on the table. "I am student Anu of clan Od'hroer-ir. My trainer is Honorable Uðr."
The tapping stops and the Healer turns to face me. Quickly I show respect.
"What is your injury?"
I hold up my battered hands for his quick inspection.
"Student, your record shows this is your first encounter with an injury sufficient for you to visit me. Do you know how such injuries are healed?"
"I have heard that something painful is used."
"This is true. I will inject our field medication into your arm. It will heal your hands almost instantly; however, it is extremely painful. Look at me, Anu."
I try to appear brave and not emit scent from the fear that is coursing through me.
"Fear of the unknown is completely natural. This is an important lesson to learn – to bear pain. You will visit the healer many times during your training and this lesson will be repeated. Are you ready?"
I nod and rub my tusks in dreadful anticipation.
In one move the Healer seizes my shoulder, tilts my head, and shoves a needle into my neck. It feels like fire. I shut my eyes and pray.
Paya! Cetanu! Anyone, help me! I am burning! AAAIIIIIEEEEE!
My mind screams. There is nothing but pain, blinding my consciousness to everything else.
A voice says, "Breathe, Anu, breathe. Focus on your breath. Breathe, Anu! Now!"
I become aware that I do have lungs and try to concentrate on inhaling and exhaling.
"Good! You are very brave. Keep breathing. In, out…in, out."
The voice guides me through the searing scorch and back out into the world.
"There, it is gone now. And you have survived."
I dare a look at him even as I realize that my body is coated with sweat. Tiny streams run down my face and drip from tusk and chin.
"Sei, Honorable Healer, I have survived."
C'jit. My first field medicine. I had heard stories – none of them did this pain justice. And this is the first time of how many?
"Do you have a question, Anu?"
"Sei…did I cry out?"
"You did, but not loudly. You did an excellent job of enduring your first time. There is every reason for you to be proud of yourself."
I cannot help happiness from breaking out on my face. "I am most honored to have been healed by you. May I know your name?"
"I am Healer Myn'dill, serving my rotation at this training camp. I know your Bearer, Honored Gu-lee."
"You do? I mean, of course. Uh, how is she?"
"She is well, Anu. She sends her greeting to you and her faith in your progress."
Remembering my bearer and hearing her greeting surrounds me with warmth. She thinks of me. She has faith in me! "May I ask how you know my Bearer?"
"I recently assisted her in healing from an old injury."
"My greatest respect for that, Honorable Healer Myn'dill."
"Run back to your Trainer now. Other students require my help."
After a deep bow, I obey.
Jogging back to the arena, I see that it is packed with students. All the students from the entire camp seem to be here and all the trainers are gathered at one end. I find a small empty place to sit cross-legged and join the others.
"What is going on?" I quietly ask a female not much older than me.
She whispers back, "None of us seems to know."
Further conversation is stopped by the booming of a projected voice.
"Attention, all of you! Listen as you have never listened before. Our ancient enemies, the Hish, are gathering on the edge of our claimed interplanetary space. Even now, more are massing for an attack on Yaut. Carrying out my orders with speed is essential.
"All of you, except for Chiva-bound students, will be returned to your homes until this threat has been eliminated. At home, you will continue your training under the instruction of your Bearer. Your excellence will continue! All your Bearers carry the mark of adulthood. All of them have succeeded in the training you are undergoing.
"Now let us stand and give praise to all our honorable trainers who will soon be on their way to defend our planet! Let us praise all Chiva-bound students who will join our defense effort!"
Leaping up, I shout my most ferocious growl which joins with the others into a bellow so large it shakes the hall. Then the echoes fade and the voice continues.
"All students will return to their quarters to pack belongings and await transportation. Is there anyone who does not know what to do?"
None of us say a word. My eyes, which have been growing larger and larger during the speech, now blink.
The Hish! I am going home! I don't want to leave Trainer and my friends and my learning. I will continue to progress at home. Gu-lee will train me…The Hish! The most horrible things in the universe. I must not fear. I will turn all my fear into anger. I will learn to fight and become a destroyer of Hish! May the gods keep safe all Hunters who go to war. Please Trainer, kill many and come back to me. I have much to learn...