Everything seemed to be falling into place. There was a bit of phasing, a bit of cracked notes, and a bit of discrepancy in the beat. The drum majors were working hard to pull things together, the Great Ones giving orders as to what was to be changed. By lunch, the third day had been the hardest so far. Cornett's hat was soaked with determination. He had removed it and poured what was left in his canteen over his careless brown hair. Reid sat with his back against Bell's, the both too tired to sit up by themselves. Gliss laid on the flattened surface, trying to sleep in the intense heat. The Great Ones had retreated into their castle to prepare for the music rehearsal. Suddenly Reid looked up through hazed eyes to see a three black cloaks moving towards him. He immediately sat up, wiping his brow. It was the three leading Shadows.
"Don't get all excited," Art said, holding up a gloved hand in defense. "We come in…peace." Cornett looked up, not liking the hesitation.
"What do you want," Reid demanded, almost coldly.
"The well near the opening to Brass Mountains is dry. We need water." Reb soberly nodded, his cheeks bright and dripping. Reid sighed and looked down, a bit surprised at their nerve. His glanced to Harp, one he remembered well, whose lightened blonde hair was tied on top of her head in a messy pile. He could tell she was tired and a bit sickly looking.
"You declare war on us, and then come over here asking for a drink?" Jazz angrily said, silent until now. Cornett slowly pulled himself to his feet and handed the senior his own thermos. It was a long walk back home, and the cylinder would be his day's supply. "Cornett, don't…" Art looked from Cornett to Reid and slowly took it.
"It won't go very far, but we only have what we brought," Cornett muttered. Reid looked at his half-full container. He slowly extended it to Reb. Jazz rolled his eyes and turned, not believing what he saw. Harp was astonished. Reb took a quick sip before giving it to her. She denied it.
"You certainly can't live off this," she carefully said. "Are there no rivers?"
"Not anywhere near," Bell said, behind Reid. Harp gave the water back to the clarinet. He kept his gaze down.
"You need it," Harp said quietly. "To keep the reeds wet." Reid caught her eye.
"Thanks," he mumbled. The drum majors turned to each other before leaving the group behind. They only showed gratitude through glancing back over their shoulders.
"Those filthy animals," Jazz hissed. "Coming over here to ask for water? What do they think this is?"
"It's band," Cornett said coolly. "We're all in band."
"They're not in any band!" Gliss moaned from his extended position. "They left the band long ago. They're nothing; they're Shadows."
"They still make music, which binds us to them," Reid said quietly. Attention was brought to him. "They may be black sheep, but they're still apart of the family."