I walked along the beach, looking for signs of other people.
Suddenly, another kid and I slammed into each other and fell. He got up and
moved towards me.
"Hi. I'm Celebrinor, Seal for short," he said.
"Mreow. I'm Ary. Have you seen anyone else?"
"No. You're the first since I started moving."
"Let's stick together - it's a lot safer."
"Good idea. You lead."
A few hours later, we found a large tidal pool and took a breather. While swimming, I found a large conch shell. Holding it up to the light, I could see that it was flawless.
"You know, those things make a bloody ruckus when you blow into them," Celebrinor told me.
"How?" I asked.
"Simple. Blow into it. But use your gut, not your chest." I did as he said. The noise that it created was enormously loud. You could probably hear it for miles. I continued blowing, so as to bring the other members of our group to me. We waited until it seemed as though everyone was there before starting.
Celebrinor and I went around asking questions of the members about either ideas about the island or if there was anyone else. By the time we finished, the number of people in the cove was roughly thirty. Everyone seemed to agree that we needed a leader, due to the absence of any adults. Celebrinor and I spoke with each other about the results of our census, while the rest of the group broke into an excited river of talk. Blowing on the conch shell for quiet, I proceeded with our plan. "OK, everyone. Listen up, and listen good, 'cause this'll only happen once," I declared. "As far as a leader of this island, we need to figure that one out. All in favor of following a theocracy, raise your hands and Celebrinor here will tally them up." About twenty people raised their hands, and since majority rules, the island became a theocracy. "Now, who here's an official priest or priestess," I asked. About five of the twenty raised their hands in assent. "Great. Since I was the High Priestess of my order, and am the only High Priestess here, I rule." No one contested my untrue claim, which surprised me because surely someone should have found fault with that. Celebrinor tugged on my shirt sleeve. "Ary, if we're going to live on this island, shelter is our first priority." "You're right, but right now we need food more than anything." I turned to face those who were now my people and said "How many of you know how to hunt or forage?" Seventeen people raised their hands. "Perfect," I said. "Now, how many can forage for food?" Nine of the seventeen said that they could. I put them into three groups of three and then sent them off. "The remaining eight of you will hunt. Break into two groups of four and get going."
"Hi. I'm Celebrinor, Seal for short," he said.
"Mreow. I'm Ary. Have you seen anyone else?"
"No. You're the first since I started moving."
"Let's stick together - it's a lot safer."
"Good idea. You lead."
A few hours later, we found a large tidal pool and took a breather. While swimming, I found a large conch shell. Holding it up to the light, I could see that it was flawless.
"You know, those things make a bloody ruckus when you blow into them," Celebrinor told me.
"How?" I asked.
"Simple. Blow into it. But use your gut, not your chest." I did as he said. The noise that it created was enormously loud. You could probably hear it for miles. I continued blowing, so as to bring the other members of our group to me. We waited until it seemed as though everyone was there before starting.
Celebrinor and I went around asking questions of the members about either ideas about the island or if there was anyone else. By the time we finished, the number of people in the cove was roughly thirty. Everyone seemed to agree that we needed a leader, due to the absence of any adults. Celebrinor and I spoke with each other about the results of our census, while the rest of the group broke into an excited river of talk. Blowing on the conch shell for quiet, I proceeded with our plan. "OK, everyone. Listen up, and listen good, 'cause this'll only happen once," I declared. "As far as a leader of this island, we need to figure that one out. All in favor of following a theocracy, raise your hands and Celebrinor here will tally them up." About twenty people raised their hands, and since majority rules, the island became a theocracy. "Now, who here's an official priest or priestess," I asked. About five of the twenty raised their hands in assent. "Great. Since I was the High Priestess of my order, and am the only High Priestess here, I rule." No one contested my untrue claim, which surprised me because surely someone should have found fault with that. Celebrinor tugged on my shirt sleeve. "Ary, if we're going to live on this island, shelter is our first priority." "You're right, but right now we need food more than anything." I turned to face those who were now my people and said "How many of you know how to hunt or forage?" Seventeen people raised their hands. "Perfect," I said. "Now, how many can forage for food?" Nine of the seventeen said that they could. I put them into three groups of three and then sent them off. "The remaining eight of you will hunt. Break into two groups of four and get going."