Orn’s cousins excitedly rushed him around the village. They would randomly stop to point at people giving their names or identifying who each house belonged to. While Gorud did most of the tour, Jomie would interject other details from time to time. Mostly Jomie noted who made a good pie, or hunted something impressive, but in the rush of names he felt those would be the tings he remembered most.

The stopped near the base of the hill looking back toward the gate. Gorud pointed at a small cottage near the wall not far from where Orn entered the village. “That is Tarn’s home. It is always near the gate.”

“Always?” Orn asked, “you say that as if the house moves.”

“Of course it does,” Jomie looked at him as if he had asked if the sky was blue, “whenever the gate moves so does the gatekeeper’s home.”

“Might change after Burick, and Gar become journeymen.” Gorud added after a moment, “We might even get another gate or two so we do not have to go all the way across the village to leave.”

“Do you leave the village a lot?” Orn looked at the older boy clearly contemplating a second gate.

“I go with dad on occasion, but soon I will be able to go by myself.” Gorud’s chest puffed out. “Soon they will let me do the trial and I will be an adult able to go in and out of the village as I want.”

“You better hope your skills grow quickly.” Jomie interjected.

Gorud hit his brother in the shoulder. “Brat.”

Jomie responded by stepping out of reach before sticking out his tongue.

“Anyway that is the village.” Gorud said glaring at his brother, before turning back to Orn. “We are going to spend time with the older boys in the field on the far side of the hill. You should come with us, they are great.”

Orn shrugged, “Sure.”

“Great!” Gorud and Jomie chorused. Then the two started running leaving Orn to catch up.

...

In the grassy field on the opposite side of the hill was a clear space with close cropped grass. As they approached Orn saw two teenage boys standing along the slope. One of the boys passed the other boy a bow. As he did this he noticed Orn and his cousins and waved.

The other boy turned as well, and smiled at the trio. While the first ran to get something out of the field below them. He returned with a ball as the boys reached them.

“This is Krem, and this is Taen.” Jomie introduced two older boys starting with the one who had just run back with a ball. “They will get to take the trial this summer.”

“So are you joining us for a game?” Krem asked holding up a battered wooden ball the size of his head.

Orn looked to his cousins who nodded, “Yes.”

“Great! Taen will show you how the game works then you can try.” Krem said walking away from the group. Once he reached the point he was comfortable with he called over to Taen. “Betra?”

“No way!” Taen yelled back.

Krem laughed while Taen turned so he faced the opposite way from Taen. Knocking an arrow he called back, “Ready.”

Krem tossed the ball underhand. The ball soared more than a dozen feet before hitting the ground. As the ball hit the ground Krem called out, “Down.”

Orn’s cousins slowly began to count, while Orn watched the ball seem to race across the grass with more speed than he thought possible. Taen kept his back turned as if waiting for a signal. The ball meanwhile seemed to have a mind of its own racing away from them, and randomly jumping or changing directions.

“…Ten.” As Orn’s cousins reached the number Taen spun. The boy drew the bow and released the arrow as he finished turning.

Orn watched the arrow race toward the ball. Then there was a loud thud the arrow struck and bounced off the ball.

“See it is easy.” Taen said turning to Orn. “At the count of ten you turn and hit the ball.”

Taen then looked at Krem, “Jenna.”

At his words Krem slowly turned red.

“Really!?” Taen yelled frozen in his tracks.

“Shut it and get the ball.” Krem yelled, back slowly turning scarlet.

The boy handed his bow to Orn before running down range to get the ball and arrow. Orn looked to his cousins, “What are they doing?”

Jomie rolled his eyes, “If you hit it you get to ask a question and the roller has to answer. They are probably trying to ask how the other likes. I get why Krem likes Jenna though, she is really nice.”

“He just thinks that because she always brings him a piece of whatever sweet she was trying to cook.” Gorud replied, “It is your turn Orn.”

Orn tentatively tested the bow and cursed internally. How heavy is this thing’s draw!? It is twice mine at least.

Taen took Krem’s place and handed him the arrow still a bit red. “Your turn.”

Orn knocked the arrow and turned his back to the field.

“Ready?” Taen called.

“Ready.” Orn called back and slowly let out his breath. He tried to relax as his cousins began their count after Tane called ‘down.’

“… Ten.”

Orn spun. The bow was too stiff to draw while turning. Once facing the correct way he leaned forward and threw everything into pulling the bow. As the feather reached his cheek, he saw the ball racing away. Pointing the arrow toward the ball, his shaking hand released the arrow.

Orn flinched, as the arrow flew down range. It is going to miss. It will be close … Orn stared dumbfounded as the ball seemed to change direction just before the arrow would land. Orn watched the arrow land in the field more than a pace from the ball. Or not…

Orn looked to the other boys. They were not impressed. Jomie recovered first. “It was your first try, watch what we do and try to copy us.”

Orn nodded and went to grab the ball.

…

Orn watched each boy take a turn. They each casually struck the ball. Orn’s turn came and went. Worse…

“No fair Krem.” Taen yelled as Krem guessed the girl he first kissed. “You get to keep asking questions because you are paired with Gorud.”

“But you have Orn and Jomie.” Krem responded, then adding a lisp, “Was she good?”

“Shut it.” Taen snatched the bow out of the other boy’s hands. “Jomie is just getting to the point he can hit the ball and Orn cannot hit anything.”

Orn resisted the urge to cringe, happy that the other boys were too busy picking on Taen to notice him. Doing his best to keep his expression flat, he took his turn after Taen.

After a few more rounds where Orn struggled to show any improvement. Orn made up an excuse to step away. “No, I need to practice with my sword anyway.”

The boys were confused, but did not press Orn, as they were too busy picking on each other.

Orn tried to not to think too much on how little they seemed to care that he left as he walked back to Aunty and Uncle’s house.