They had gathered under the shield of the steel castle. The sun was already high above them all and the band still practiced in the rising heat. The section leaders and some other interested members were waiting for the Great Ones to reveal the purpose of their meeting. They sat down on the dried grass, catching up on what was lost. Cornett removed his cap and rubbed his disheveled hair. Tru had come along, Val still managing the section. He sat next to her and sighed. "Battle…I can't believe it."
"No one here remembers the last," Reid said, dropping down next to his old friend. Liggy shyly sat across from Cornett, keeping her eyes low. "I don't remember the last."
"Who wants to remember," Eufo bitterly replied. "It's the first day and I'm already losing hope."
"You can't lose hope," Q said, his charming smile always causing another to arrive. "It's impossible." Reid slowly began to grin. Sou passed around a canteen.
"Everyone have some; it's too hot." They all took a sip. "Here comes the Great Ones." They all rose, Cornett fighting an attention position.
"Thank you for taking time out of your warm-up for seeing us," the Head greeted. "We are all grateful for your full hearts for the battle. Usually, in these situations, we let you the band handle it. We've already passed out the drill sheets and music. If you don't already know, we perform; compete individually, and in sections. It's how it's always been." A few seniors nodded. "Our strongest sections right now are the Trumpets and Tubas. Clarinets, you're not far behind, and Trombones, only because you're smaller." Gliss blinked and glanced down.
"Sir, the Trumpets and I volunteer to compete first, sir." The Head nodded and raised a hand to show he understood.
"Thank you, Cornett, but that won't be necessary. Things are going to change this year for practicing, and I need everyone into the Band Hall."
"Band Hall?" Bell said. "It hasn't been used in years." A few glanced over to the old building behind the castle. It was dusty, dark, and boarded up. Gliss made a face.
"We're using it now. The Shadows are using the field today." They broke into whispers and complaints.
"The Shadows!"
"You're letting them practice on our field!"
"Sir, how could you!" The Head One cleared his throat and it ceased.
"This is going to be a fair competition. I suggest you move the marchers inside before the Shadows arrive. We want to keep this clean." The Head bowed and left without another word. Eufo, Sou, and Treff immediately headed back onto the field.
"I don't remember this at all. It's a trick," Reid mumbled. "My father would have told me." Liggy placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's no trick," Sal said, appearing from behind the metal pillars. "It's a setup. The guard invited the Shadows to practice on our field. They suggested that we each have equal time on it." Cornett scowled and turned, stomping off to his drilling section. The rest of the section leaders parted slowly.
"Why?" Liggy asked, rubbing her own forehead as Reid began to pace. "Why would the guard pull such a dangerous stunt?"
"This is how instruments are stolen," Cork mumbled.
"We do what the Great Ones ask us," Sal sternly ordered. The sounds of wood ripping from the Band Hall's door broke the tension. The members were beginning to file into the old practice room. "Let's go—we need to stick to the plan." Liggy, Bell, and Cork slowly walked away. Trill, fearful and trembling, slinked into view.
"Sal, are we going to be OK? Are we going to play OK?" Sal sighed and tapped her nose. She immediately smiled again and giggled.
"We're going to be fine. Hurry and get the rest of the Flutelings, and don't forget your new cases." Trill happily skipped off. "Reid," Sal said, catching his arm. "Reid, if you want, you can stay and meet the Shadow Drum Majors." Reid, still stunned and angry, looked away.
"I don't know. I don't appreciate this…this formalness, this friendliness. These are the total opposite of what we stand for, and we're letting them walk all over us." Sal shook his head sadly and placed his arm around the neck of his best confident.
"We're just trying to keep things nice. We're hoping it will save lives."
"We? Who is 'we'?" Reid demanded. Sal kept him walking, changing his tone.
"The drum majors, the Great Ones…we are all one. Always, we're all one." He wasn't convincing Reid. "Come on, just come with us. It will say a lot for the band." Reid hesitantly gave in.
"I'll do it for you, Kee," Reid replied, using the precious nickname. "I'll do it for the band." Sal stopped, looking off towards the darker side of the Brass Mountain chain.
"Good; here they come."