The race was scheduled to begin during the full moon, allowing the participants to properly prepare. The teens were allowed to enter in groups of three. Melena was the only female entering. The other boys scorned her and Avian and Sannen, taunted about they would lose with a girl on their team. They even went to say that they were cursed because of Melena. Avian tried to shield Melena, reassuring her they were just jealous. Sannen seemed to take the taunting to heart, causing a strain on Sannen and Avian's relationship.
"We never should have agreed to let her join us. You should never have agreed to let her join us." Sannen paced around their tent. Avian sat on the floor, organizing their supplies.
"Don't be so harsh on her Sannen. She has every right to race. There are no laws against it." Avian replied without looking up at his friend.
"Well…well there should be!" Sannen retorted angrily. He sat down next to Avian and began to help pack supplies. An angry silence descended upon them. Melena walked in, and could feel the uneasiness pressing down upon them and she knew who they had been discussing.
"They have called all participants down." she said quietly. Avian and Sannen stood and Avian handed Melena a bag. Catching Sannen's eye he grinned and Sannen grinned back, their quarrel momentarily forgotten in the face of great adventure.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Sannen smiled and all three friends left the tent together.
All the groups were positioned around the main tent when Avian, Melena and Sannen arrived. Fieran smiled and motioned for them to sit. Then he cleared his throat dramatically and smiled down at the eager teens.
"So begins the great contest. You will be given a moon and a half to complete your task. You will each be given a specific task and shall be watched closely, to prevent any problems. Those who succeed shall be inducted into the Blaenor, as you all already know. Good luck to all of you. Report to your tents where you will receive your task. Everyone is to begin in the morning.
The youths rose, whispering excited among themselves. Ilando, a young male approached Sannen and Avian.
"You'll never make it," he hissed, "Not with her with you." He motioned towards Melena and laughed. He retreated back to his group who all sneered at them.
Melena heard Ilando's comment and slowed down, turning towards Sannen and Avian. "Maybe I should just stay," she began a look of concern and hurt upon her face. "Who knows, maybe I really will curse you guys." She held the bag the Avian had handed her. Avian pushed it back into her hands.
"No," he said matter-of-factly. "I don't care what anyone says. You are coming with us." He cast a sideways glance at Sannen, who refused to meet him in the eye. "Now let's stop wasting time and go get our task."
They trudged back to their tent in an uncomfortable silence. Fieran greeted them as they entered their tent.
"Here is your task." Avian, Sannen and Melena sat in front of Fieran, listening carefully. "You are to find the Fox Tribe and deliver this message." Fieran handed Avian a piece of rolled up parchment. "This is much more difficult than it sounds. The Fox Tribe is very elusive and has resisted much of our efforts to befriend and ally with them. While this is part of your task, it is also something that is very important and must go through." Fieran rose and began to leave, the tent flap pushed part way open. "I need to caution you as well. The Raven Tribe, who constantly plagues innocent tribes, is rumored to camp near by to the Fox Tribe. I shall leave now. I suggest you sleep well tonight and begin early tomorrow morning. Best of luck to you." Fieran smiled softly and exited the tent.
Avian, Sannen and Melena exchanged confused looks. Avian looked at the parchment in his hand. Slowly, like in a trance, Avian placed it among their supplies, and the three of them bedded down for the night.
