Reid pulled Clare from the different families joining together. "The Shadows are Bandopians who quit marching."
"Quit marching?" Clare said, laughing at the idea. "Impossible! It's what we were born for." Reid nodded.
"I know, it's odd, but each year, there's one that we don't see next season." Clare suddenly realized it was possible.
"I just thought they retired, you know, to start a family."
"No, they give up marching all together. They leave our band and go off with the others. We usually never see them again."
"But…why?" Clare still didn't understand. Why would anyone not want to march? It was like not breathing, or refusing to eat.
"They all have their reasons, but most because they just…don't belong."
"How are we going to battle a group of drop-out Bandopians who can't march," Clare said, chuckling again.
"Every once in a while, they pull together and manage to put up a good fight for the good lands of Bandopia."
"Sounds like an easy gig to me," Clare said, not a bit worried yet. His bright eyes flashed with dark memories as he gaped at her.
"It's not just a performance! There are many different competitions, and lots of unfair sabotages at night.
Instruments are damaged and often ruined." Clare's face soon lost its color and she looked down.
"Bandopians can't live without their instruments," she murmured. Reid, now with a great responsibility, hurried to join the other Leaders.
"Reid, wait!" He turned. "What about Mellody?" she called. Reid pulled his flat cap from his ruffled hair and bowed his head.
"Her father was in the last Shadow Battle. His French Horn was stolen." Chills filled Clare's young frame. She would have to participate in a battle in which her clarinet may not return. She disappeared into the forest, rushing home to find her mother.