The Calling

Ande was first to arrive back to the large, scary woman...again. Ande hopped down from the tree, absorbing the impact of her landing by squatting when her feet hit the ground. She stood up, finding herself eye-to-eye with the woman, who by the way is named Tera. Tera stared at at her as Ande pulled the arrow from her belt and tossed it to her. Tera studied it , making sure that it wasn't a fraud while Ande pulled her hair back into a ponytail for what seemed like the hundreth time today. Tera nodded her head in approval. Ande was the winner...again! She took a seat and waited for the others to return.

Just as Ande sat down, Erica walked out of the forest. She trotted over to Ande and plopped down beside her. ~Sigh~ " I don't get it. I always beat you to training, but never in training." She laughed, and soon, Ande was laughing with her. After about 10 minutes, everyone was gathered, once again, at the foot of the forest. With a flick of her hand, the woman dismissed the girls.
Ande got up and was just about to leave with Erica when Tera reached out and gripped Ande's shoulder with man-like hands. Ande shuddered. " Go on Erica. Ande will catch up with you later." Erica nodded with a smile and procceded down the path.
Ande turned to face Tera. She put on a fake smile while thinking to herself. Man, that woman is like part man or something. What kinda woman has a grip like that?! Tera looked at Ande with a half happy, but half serious face. "Ande, the elders have been discussing this for a while and decided that you're ready."
Ande stared blankly at the woman, slightly tilting her head. "Ready...for what?"
Tera laughed. "Well, they've decided that you're ready to become a warrior!"
Ande could feel an uncontrolable grin stretching across her face. She was just about to scream and run to Erica with joy when again, Tera grabbed her shoulder. "Before you go, I should tell you that you will be leaving to train with other new Amazon and Arazon warriors soon. The Arazons will first come to our village, and then you'll go to theirs. It's a new way of learning and getting used to the idea of our colonies being in an alliance." Ande calmly shook her head, but as soon as she turned around, glided down the dirt path with overwhelming joy.
"You get to be a warrior? Good for you!' Erica smiled at her friend.
Ande's face was still beaming. She couldn't believe that she was finally going to become a warrior...but wait, who are the others? She gave Erica a confused look. "Erica, who else is going? I mean, do you know?"
Erica's smile faded. "Well, uh, I think you're thefirst one. I don't know of anyone else, but I hope that I'm picked..."
Ande's eyes filled with concern. "Don't get sad...I'm certain you'll get chosen."
That night, Ande couldn't sleep. She was constantly awakened by her own thoughts. What if Erica doesn't get picked?I definately don't want to go anywhere without my best friend... Finally, Ande fell fast asleep, but the comforting rest didn't last long.
As usual, Erica was pounding on the door, like she does EVERY morning, shouting Ande's name over and over...ugg... "ANDE! GET YOUR LAZY BUTT OUT OF BED!!!" Then she'll suddenly stop for a couple seconds. Ande lies there and thinks to herself. Ok, she'll begin shouting again in 3...2...1... "FINE! I'M LEAVING!" ...then Ande gets up...laughing her butt off!
Ande laughed the whole time it took her to get dressed. The way Amazons dressed was very practical, but kinda cool. It was mostly made of leather and fur, sometimes having a bead or two, and it never had too much or too little covering, making te perfect hunting and fighting suit. The most valuable thing that Ande wore was her mother's sword. She never left home without it because...it was a gift from her mother...before she died... Before she knew it, Ande was ready, so she bucked up and walked out the door.