"I hereby finalize this Summit's choice of verdict," Stryker said, standing up. "Newbie Austin's Initiation is now finished. Now, let's go get somethin' to eat. I'm hungry."
Downstairs was already crowded by the time Austin and the overseers came down, the seats taken and the table full of food. There were potatoes, baked chicken, greens, bread rolls and cups and pitchers of water and a few cups had a strange, murky green colored liquid Austin was told was a private recipe of Caesar's — It made Austin wanna puke when he tried it — It was so strong[and disgusting, too]. Luckily, Austin didn't have anything in his stomach to puke out, so all that occurred was the triggering of his gag reflex. The experience was far from preferable.
Of the 5 long tables, Austin was pretty surprised to see that they fitted perfectly for the 70 or so Meadowers present. There was talking and rough housing all around, too. Austin saw Cleo talking to a 12 year old boy, slightly chubby with dirty blond hair, bright green eyes and a held a vibe between him and Cleo that reminded Austin of Srtyker and Reya. siblings, if Austin had to guess. His name was Zether, as Cleo would later tell him. He possessed a healing trait, too, but was slightly weaker than Cleo, capable of mending smaller wounds like cuts and scrapes.
Reya, Alyssa and Aaroon were talking with Stryker at the far end of the table. Caesar, who was still upset that Austin had been approved to be a scout — or at least into some 3-part trial where he'd succeed in becoming one, kept giving him the stank eye.
Though Austin ate like he hadn't in a long time, he could help but wonder what this 'Three Trials' was. The suspense was practically killing him inside, but he decided he'd be patient and ready to deal with whatever it is.
At some point, Austin left the Oakhouse, as per the request by Aaroon and Reya. Apparently, he should get his rest for tomorrow — for the Trials. As he walked, Reya walked him to his tent; they started conversing.
"Don't mind Caesar, he's always been that way" Reya said, as they walked, she didn't even turn to look at Austin as she spoke. "I am, however, slightly impressed. You handled the situation there pretty well. I know you told us you survived an ambush with the Bane Brothers; I suppose it has only now truly settled in just how impressive that is. That bunch… they're bad news…".
There was a silent rage in her voice, hidden in the tone but noticeable to Austin, who paid attention, all the same. Austin wondered what this group did to this girl to have her bear such hatred for them. He'd ask, but he preferred breathing air, not eating dirt. Instead he said "The you guys word these ''Bane Brothers,' I reckon there's more than the three who ambushed me? And these savages follow them?"
It took Austin a second to realized Reya had stopped walking, and, when he turned to face her, she had fixed her usual soul-reading gaze on him, studying Austin as if contemplating what to say next.
"What?" Austin found himself asking, suddenly feeling slightly uncomfortable by her aze. "What is it? Is it the jacket? Your brother gave it to me, because—."
"Of what the last person who bore the owl crest did to the meadows," Rea finished, sighing heavily. "Look, it's just you remind me a lot of her — Of Scarleteye.
As one may or may not know, people who share the same crests typically have similar traits and characteristics, such as abilities, physical features and personalities. As a Raven, we tend to be more clever than most and have higher intellect capacity — but my critical thinking skills and intellect suffered a pride wound when she did what she did, especially when I rooted for her.
"Just know that I can't immediately bring myself to like you, nor trust you right now — Not with your connection to… to her. It will take time."
Austin thought for a moment on what Reya was telling him — about how certain people with certain crests behave similar to one another slightly. How Ravens tended to be much more intelligent and clever than most. He thought about how Reya must feel about rooting for someone, only for them to betray you, despite how you obviously cared about them to some degree.
'That's gotta feel awful…,' Austin then thought of his jacket he had with the owl crest hidden in his tent. 'Hmm, I imagine that constant reminder doesn't help, either though…'.
"Hmm, I guess you didn't want any excuses," Reya said, suddenly snapping Austin from his thoughts. Austin hadn't realized he'd been staring at Reya while processing his thoughts. "Yes, you're correct; there are more than just 3 Bane Brother, though I don't necessarily know why we call them Bane Brothers, considering their not all boys and two of the siblings are, in fact, female — I imagine its because 'Bane Brothers' rolls off the tongue better than 'Bane Siblings.' They're the leaders of the Savagers — Another people with a village somewhere within the labyrinth. They're ruthless cannibals who attack anything and everything, plundering scouts of supplies while within the labyrinths and leaving them for dead when they get the chance. To walk away from ambush by them, still breathing is a feat in and of itself. Perhaps you'll make a pretty decent scout. And the fact that Aaroon is gonna be the one training you… Well, you may prove to be competent enough to earn your keep here.``
As they passed another tent, Austin spotted Caesar still glaring at him, leaning on a red tent. The anger in his eyes was loud. Austin subconsciously shifted his pace after passing the guy.
"Yeah, I don't see myself getting along with that guy. He's an ass for no reason at all," Austin said with a sigh, as they headed for his tent. "Hey, what exactly did this 'Scarleteye' do to make you and everyone here hate people who bear the Owl crest, anyways? No one's told me anything aside from she betrayed you guys. No one's told me how yet?"