The youngest drum major called each of the groups together. She seemed worried. Lute and Sal glanced to her in question, not hearing what the Great Ones had said. "There's a problem," Ette said softly. Jazz, the eccentric Sax leader, still swinging his glass about, chuckled and staggered forward.
"That's what I've been saying for years!" Gliss and Baritone senior Treff laughed along with him. Reid recognized the seriousness of the statement and glared at them.
"What is it, Ette," Liggy questioned.
"There seems to be…well, I mean…" They all moved in closer to hear the junior's whispers. "It's the Shadows…they're back." The group suddenly began to whisper in terror.
"The Shadows?"
"Oh, great Sousa…"
"I thought they were dead!"
"Quiet, quiet guys," Sal said, trying to calm the lot. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing major. The Great Ones said something about the Shadows, Ette?" She nodded timidly.
"They said they've risen again…and this time, they're going to battle." Gasps echoed from the crowd.
"Battle!"
"We don't have the resources!"
"Battle? A war in Bandopia!"
"BAND, TEN HUT!" Each senior snapped upright. The mass behind them began to wonder what was going on. A cold expression had spread to each of the three. Sal looked into the dull stare of each Section Leader. "Everyone, stay calm. The Great Ones will explain everything to us."
"All they do is sit up in that castle of theirs, letting us do all the work. Now we're going to pay for it," a low voice hissed. Sal sharply turned towards Jazz.
"Talk like that of the Great Ones is what turns marchers into Shadows," he whispered harshly. Jazz immediately quieted. "I expect you all keep your heads. We've had talk of war before; there's nothing to be alarmed about."
"Sir, if I may," Cornett respectfully asked.
"Yes, Cornett."
"Have you been briefed on where the Shadows have been staying?" Sal sighed, shaking his head. Ette cleared her throat.
"Actually, Sal, Lute and I were talking to the Great Brass One before we gathered." Sal frowned again, not liking it when he was so often left out.
"Relax."
"The Great Brass One and Great Marching One said that they have seen the Shadows out marching before. They've been planning for an attack for quite some time. They're good."
"Yes, but where are they? Are they in the mountains."
"No," Lute said. "They've been roaming about the uncharted parts of Bandopia."
"Are we…preparing for war, then?" Reid asked. Ette nodded gravely.
"Organize your sections, everyone," Sal said quietly. "Start preparations for your best horns and best marchers. By tomorrow, you should narrow it down to fifty of your finest, each. We'll make final selections for the warriors next practice." Each of the leaders nodded and left, the senators joining again with disturbing conclusions.
"We're not ready for war."
"Not this early in the season, at least. The show's barely been put together."
"We can do it; we just need to work hard."
"You should have seen them, Sal. It's not going to be like before."
Bell and Cork whispered quietly behind the more determined Reid. Liggy was scared at her mentor's strong stride. The Clarinets, numbering about three hundred, gathered their young and drew near. Reid's niece, an imaginative freshman named Clare, stepped forward. Many already knew her name, common as it was, for she was an exceptional player and surely following in her uncle's footsteps. "What's wrong, Uncle? I thought I saw Mellody crying?" Reid sighed, raising his arms and voice to the crowd.
"Clarinets, please. I have bad news. The Great Ones have declared war on the Shadows." The Clarinets reacted worse than the Leaders. "Please, don't loose your cool. Just get your horns ready—tomarrow is going to be a rough practice." Clare ran up to her elder's side.
"Reid, what's wrong?" she asked, rarely calling her peer by his title. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her concerned eyes.
"Clare, I know you're young, but you'll have to get ready too." Clare narrowed her eyes, not understanding.
"Ready for what? Who are the Shadows?"