He’s given me so much, and I don’t deserve it. But I think I’ve found a way at last. I met these two women last night, they’re warriors! Really. They’re Wildcats, and they said that I could take the tests to join. I’ve got to be able to run for miles at a good pace, climb hanging ropes, and stuff. I think I can do it. They say that they’ll teach me all the rest, like how to shoot and fight. I’m going to try.
They also say things like, “failure is not an option” and for me it really won’t be. I don’t think I could bear to see my dad’s face if I fail at even one more thing. This is it my last best chance to make my life something that matters.
Why is this your last chance?
Why do you want to be a warrior? Is there something going on for your to fight for?
I would assume by your comment they are an elite team of warriors. But we are from another country and have heard very little about them.
And what do they shot, as in what type of weapons?
Forgive me for the barrage of questions, but while I often hear of girls talking about running away to various exciting lives it's rarely a firm decision. And never do they consider it their only option.
I wander through the city sometimes, and watch the simple lives of those around me. We live in peace for now although there are those who would love nothing more than to destroy those lives, and take what is not theirs. I see the soldiers and the knights who come in their bright armor, they are the reason we are safe.
But I am strong too, and I love my land. If I was a boy I would gladly step into the breach to defend those I love; I just thought… well what can I do? I’m just a girl. But then I met them! Women warriors! Until I saw them, I had all but forgotten the stories I heard as a child. In my daydreams I would bind up my hair and hide in men’s armor, but I know that I would be found out. Besides without training I’d probably just get myself killed for nothing at best and at worst take others with me. No, that was just a fantasy, but this, this could be real.
The Wildcats are an elite corps made up entirely of women. The stories say that they never lose. They aren’t part of the regular army, but answer directly to the King. Whatever he asks of them, wherever he sends them they are victorious. They don’t fear death and they never give up. They usually operate in small numbers, highly mobile and highly versatile. They are said to be fierce like lions and tigers on the battlefield, that’s where the name comes from. There are even rumors that they use some type of special magic to actually transform. That really would be amazing, but I don’t think it’s true. I mean if they could then why would they need long bows and short bows, swords and armor?
[This message has been edited by Josephine Kait (edited March 29, 2011).]
I don’t usually talk to outsiders about Wildcat secrets but my Lady assures me that you are not enemy spies and has asked me to answer your questions about us. I’ve served the King for twelve years and have the scars on my hide to prove it.
EVOC, you asked if there was something going on. There are always battles to be fought, though no active wars at present. Still, it is our job to be ready in a moment if the King should call on us.
LDWriter2, you asked what we shoot. We train to use both long bows and short bows. We even have some crossbows, as we arm ourselves according to each mission. We strive always for versatility.
Natej11, you commented about Lili considering this her only option. She seems a bit overdramatic to me, but then some kits are at that age. The most trivial things are treated as life-or-death. Basic Training will calm that somewhat, I’ve seen it a hundred times. When taught to face actual life or death situations, recruits gain a sense of perspective that is often lacking in the young. Lili will benefit from that even if she fails to complete the training.
Have you ever even fought before? Hurt anybody? Killed anybody? Are you worried it might not be as glamorous a life as it seems, or is anything better than what you have now?
What happens if Lili fails to complete the training? For being so protective of Wildcat secrets, you sure seem ready to share them with very green, untested recruits.
What are you not telling this poor girl? And what's so interesting about her that makes you so willing to take her in so quickly?
[This message has been edited by Corin224 (edited April 02, 2011).]
I have known girls who married for fortune, or were married for theirs. I do not envy either. Many of my father’s acquaintances call me a foolish romantic because I would rather make my way alone than marry absent of love. Of course that all sounds grand, except that I am not doing so well at making my own way as yet.
As for fighting, I haven’t been in a real scrap since I was nine. I really hurt the boy. When it was over I was so ashamed, and my anger scared me. I haven’t lost my temper since, but I feel it stir sometimes. Whenever that happens I clamp down hard and try to find some other outlet. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I think I could. To protect what matters, I think I could.
Do I think that battle is more glamorous than it really is? Probably, but I think I can deal with it. Is it better than what I have right now? Ah… I don’t know. But that’s part of the point isn’t it, the adventure, the challenge. Am I equal to the task?
[This message has been edited by Josephine Kait (edited April 04, 2011).]
If one of those young hotshots stepped onto a real battlefield with their head full of hot air, all they would manage would be to get themselves killed. That’s a distinct possibility anyway, but we try to give them the best chance we can. Every single minute of initial training is designed to keep those kits alive in battle. Still, we lose some, and better to lose them from training than… Thank whomever you honor that you’ve never had to see one of yours broken and torn in the mud.
(shakes her head as if to clear the air)
As for secrets, I haven’t shared anything with her or you beyond what I am permitted. As to what I am not telling her, there are things that I have told her that she will not fully heed, like how difficult it will be. But we are volunteers all and proud of it, I would not stoop to trickery. She must be fully committed to this course or she will fail and all this will have been for naught.
I am not “willing to take her in so quickly”, she must first pass the trials or she will get nowhere. As to why she is interesting to us, well she approached us and that’s always a good first sign. She is also bright and strong. She burns with a fire that may yet carry her to great things.
The stories may say that we never lose, and we certainly want our enemies to believe that, but the truth is a little more complicated. We typically achieve our objective regardless of cost, but we are mortal. What we don’t do is give up. If we are forced to retreat from one angle we find another, and we are very good at finding solutions that our enemies do not expect.
OOC: The main Wildcat secret that Minerva would never tell you is that they do really shapechange into great cats. Most who have heard hushed stories of such dismiss it as fable. Some believe, but it all adds to the mystique and the more frightened the enemy the easier to rout. The changing is also incredibly risky because if they are injured severely they cannot shift back without making it much worse. They keep some trained lions and tigers and so forth to explain away the odd sister who can’t shift until she heals. Outside of the Corps, only the King knows the full truth. Even the army generals only know what they are capable of tactically, not why.
You are, as you stated, well educated, and you seem to allow yourself to become deeply wrapped up in stories of adventure and glory. What is your favorite story, either that you have read, that you have heard, or perhaps even that you have seen performed by actors or entertainers?
Are you more into the glory and heroism, or the romantic, or the fantastical and lighthearted, or possibly even tragedies?
Minerva, I'm curious about your answer, too. As pragmatic and grounded as you seem, you must enjoy entertainment in some form, when time allows.
I love best the stories of heroes, but I could no sooner choose among them than I could pick a favorite freckle on my nose. They are a part of me, I can even tell most of them, like how Tren the whirlwind held the bridge over the Windsong Canyon all alone for two days, or how Valiriel, Lady of Lightning, journeyed to the crystal isle, broke the spell and set all the unicorns free, or how King Demos’ wild daughter, Rava Lionsmane, saved the day at the battle of the King’s gates when the Ehrons almost took the King’s City. That was more than two hundred years ago, and the king was so grateful and loved Rava so much that he allowed her what she wished, to remain unmarried and found the Wildcats. Then there’s the tale of the Treesword, the legend of Diamond Falls, the one-handed knight, the laughing outlaw, Queen Jora’s cursed crown, the Gryphon’s tears, and so many more. Maybe I’ll even have stories of my own to tell someday.
(Chin in hand, she wanders off into her daydreams…)
I almost always enjoy the outcome of that question, especially in interviews.
**smiling my evil smile**
[This message has been edited by Corin224 (edited April 04, 2011).]
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OOC: I also love the "what do you read?" question. The stories we tell ourselves are (in some way) the stories we tell about ourselves.