| The Sprite lads both looked up, whilst brushing the just fallen raindrops from their hair and faces. “Urh! don’t do that, Acer!” “It wasn’t me!! Probably just the wind dislodging it from the tree top.” Snapped Alnus Alder. “What wind ?! It’s so calm today even old Fraximus Ash could Wood Roam today!” Retorted Acer Maple. “OK, OK, forget it!” Alnus saw no point in arguing with Acer, no matter how hard you tried he always managed to get have the last word! Acer shook his head vigorously to release the droplet which hung from his ear tip. “So, what do you think about allocating the ‘Sustenance Searches’ to Row and Robi, then? It’s so boring! If they have to do it, we can do more exploring - maybe to find a place to use as our den - then the lasses can prepare a meal.....and we can sit on guard...then, they can fetch water...and we can listen to Row telling one of her Father’s stories...and...and...then they can tidy up, brush down our cloaks, wrap some food for next day and then........sing us to sleep!” Acer smiled triumphantly, leant back against the tree trunk and folded his arms across his chest, so pleased that some of the planning was already done - to his satisfaction if not the lasses!! A leafful of rainwater crashed onto his head, face, chest, streaming on down his tunic, puddling in his lap, with just enough drops to make it uncomfortable seeping through his trousers, down his legs and into his boots!! “So you think we two are going to be at your beck and call, do you!? Search for food, make a meal and all the rest of it! Whilst you two have fun and doss around!!!” came a familiar voice from above them. ‘Funny !’ thought Alnus ‘that’s about where the raindrops fell from...’ “I didn’t agree to it...honest!” he rushed to say. “Don’t soak me !!” “we’ll let you off, Alnus Alder...if you promise to side with us if Acer tries anything like that again” said Rowana, as she dropped down onto the bough where the lads had been waiting, to stand, pointing at him. The very wet Acer, who’d had to take his left boot off to empty the water from it, looked over at them, scowling. I promise!..... I promise !!” Alnus’ face showed relief - there was nothing worse than a soggy cloak. “Good! now that’s sorted, let’s be clear - we have to work together to do well; being a good team will make the difference between passing, credit or distinction. So think on’t !!! Rowana lowered her arm, crossed her legs at the ankles, bent her knees and sat down. “Acer, we are not going to allow you to boss us about, so forget that plan of yours! Tasks should be decided according to our strengths, both as individuals and a team. We can all collect food as we travel instead of making a big job of it. And..besides..we won’t know what ‘Venture Task’ we’ll be set until two days hence, do we?!” “She’s right, Acer” Robinia said, as she slid down a leafless twig to stand beside Acer. “What we have to do today is decide what equipment, memory cards and clothing we need to take.” Having the good grace to look both sheepish and damp, Acer mumbled an apology, put his boot back on and joined the others as meekly as he could. What Rowana had said was true of course. Spritlings were given a folded leaf-letter at dawn on the morning of their ‘Testing’. It laid down the ordeals they had to undertake, tasks to be completed and ‘treasures’ to be acquired - not real treasures mark you, but items not easily come by. During the course of their ensuing discussion, the four Spritlings drew up a list of their property and equipment, then gradually whittled it down to a more useful and realistic size. “Alnus is right though, we each should take a knife. If one of us is alone, it’s no good needing a knife when the person who does have it isn’t around” “A rope would be good, as long as it’s made of Spiders’ Thread.” “...And, if we each carry a portion of it, it’s less likely to catch in stuff, get dropped......” “Yes, right, good idea. next, what about the coat or cloak or both issue?” “Both” “Cloaks” “Coats” “Oh dear, now - we’d better think about this carefully...are we all agreed that we do need the cloaks for flight and camouflage?” “Yes!” “Yes!” “Yes! But having coats or not having coats is dependent on the weather, isn’t it.” “I spoke to Morus Mulberry yesterday; he forecast continued warmer weather and only light rain” “So we could manage without the coats?” “I think it’s worth the risk; the less to carry the better!” “Let’s vote on that. No coats ???” “OK!” “Fine!” “Yep!” They looked at each other and grinned. They had begun to feel like a team now. The excitement and anticipation was growing, beginning to prickle hotly under their skin. “Anything else?” asked Alnus, “Have we missed anything?” “Probably!” replied Rowana, “But we still have a day to mull it over. Anything crops up...we can finalise it when we meet tomorrow evening.” “Good enough!” “Good thinking!” “And.. Goodbye !!!”. Chapter 5 |
