13. The Rising

It was decided amongst the angels that it was time to start the training the people.  However, because of their large numbers, the first thing that needed to be done was to decide how they would be divided.  Interus, Mei-lin, and Michael got together and tried to decide what skills they would need to fight the undead army, as they had the most fighting experience between the three of them.  They would have to  use the help of the knights to do most of the training, as the angels would have their own set of training that the mortals couldn't participate in.  4 of them would be chosen, because there were 4 main areas of training that the people would need.

The three of them walked around the monastery and interviewed most of the knights on their specialties, looking for battle experience, expertise, leadership skills, and charisma in each of them.  In the end, they found the 4 knights they felt could lead the rest of the people.  

First was Sir Caleb, a man of his early 40's who was experienced in endurance and strategy. He was well known among his colleagues for being able to find his way out of tough situations, especially one's that required quick thinking.  The others believed that this was this ability that would be needed for the soldiers.  He had slicked brown hair, with his beard and moustache kept neat, and also a larger-than-medium frame with slight muscularity.  He is quite brave.

Sir Brutus, who was slightly older, was mainly skilled in hand-to-hand combat.  With shaven white hair and a buff build, he was known for his tough-love tactics and brutal skill on the field.  However, in person, he was well respected by the former King and his family because of his rather gentle nature in times of peace, and brash honesty.  His skills were sure to be a valuable asset to the rebellion.  

Next was Sir Nicholas, who had garnered attention due to his expertise with long range weapons.  Probably the smallest of the group, it was easily seen that he wasn't built for taking on too many enemies in the field.  His experience made him an expert in anything from throwing weapons, to bows and arrows, to cross bows.  It was thought that he could best work with those people who wouldn't be very good at melee forms of combat.  He also made very good friends with Mei-lin, so it was obvious that he would also be chosen for his good natured attitude.  

And lastly was Sir Matthew, the youngest of them, had learned much about melee weaponry through his father, who had also been a knight.  His mind worked in a way so that anything he held in his hands became a powerful weapon.  With his creativity and innovation with raw material so advanced for his age and rank, this glassy-eyed wonder impressed most of the people around him.  His shoulder-length black hair, medium build with veiny muscles, and lightly tanned skin made him appear to be in his mid-twenties, but his battle experience made him seem closer to that of Sir Brutus.  All four of these men, the angels thought, would be able to teach the people the combat skills they would need to fight the zombies.

These 11 individuals, 7 angels and 4 men, came to be what would now be known as The Committee.  Together, they would not only decide on the strategies on the field, but also the survival of the people.  They all walked down into the basement of the Monastery to have their first group discussion, mostly to decide on how they were going to pull everyone together to fight against Daemus and his army.  They found an old wooden table and an old lamp, a nice comfortable setting where they could at least have a quiet conversation.

"One more person, and we would be like the Knights of the Round Table, right?" asked young Marie to Aakino, referring to the King Arthur stories she had heard when she was younger.

"No.  Only those 4 are knights." said Aakino back to her.

They all sat down at the table, with Starna lighting the lamp so that they could see.  She tore a piece of cloth from an old rag she had found, and used her ki to produce enough heat to set it on fire and light the oil-soaked wick.  She gently placed the glass cover around it, the beautiful glow of the light hitting her face, as well as that of the others around her.  Now the mood was set, and they were ready to begin their discussion.  Interus was the first to speak, as he had the most ideas of what they would need to do.

"Thank you, all, for coming to the aid of our home.  We will be known as The Committee from here on out.  Now, I just wanna stress that everything we do from this point on will be crucial to our survival.> he said as he clasped his hands together.  <We must know how each other will function at all times, and always be clear on our ideas."

Sir Brutus let out a smirk.

"If we need to be clear on something, then it would be nice to know why we have 2 kids on "The Committee" if everything we do is so crucial to our survival." he asked.

"I guarantee you that these two children have just as much smarts and experience as you four put together, if not more.  We're going to need them as much as we need you." Mei-lin stepped in.

"Yeah, I saw those two on the field." said Sir Matthew.  "They took on a bunch of those things on their own.  However old they are, I think they'll keep us alive." he said, defending Aakino and Marie.  Aakino smiled at him, happy that at least one of the knights was on his side.

"So how're we gonna shape up this resistance?  We have so little, and there's barely enough food to sustain us." pondered Sir Nicholas.

"With faith." answered Starna.  "We all survived this far, and I believe that with all of us together, we can take on those monsters.  Between the 11 of us, we have what it takes."

"Amen to that." Sir Caleb said to her.  "Look, we live right by the woods.  Food and training supplies taken care of.  We can make things like bows, arrows, staves, shields, and pells.  We can use animal hides to make slingshots too.  Plenty of stones near the river.  I'd rather have those and a little faith than nothing at all.  If nothing else, we'll have some pretty decent training with "so little" as you say."

"We'll have other supplies we can use, too.  A blacksmith's family used to stay here years ago, and he brought enough material we can use and left it in a storeroom.  We may not have enough for everybody, but we'll at least have enough for a bunch of, if we can find or train some smiths." said Michael.

"Speaking of smiths, how should we divide all those people?  There's so many." mentioned Caleb.

"I can answer that one." said Sir Brutus.  "Do what my old knight used to tell me.  Get those who don't mind fighting to fight, get the others to take care of everything else."

"I like that idea!" chimed in Marie with a smile.  Sir Brutus nodded his head at her.

"Hey, what about that one guy who was fighting during the attack?  That angel with the six wings.  Shouldn't he be here?" mentioned Sir Nicholas.

Aakino kind of shirked back, not thinking that the knights, nor the people, would be ready to know of his alternate identity.

"Uh, he'll show up when he can." stepped in Mei-lin.  "He's not one for public appearances."

"Well, sorry to interject here, but I think we've covered enough for one day.  If we're gonna survive this mess, I say we get started with everything now.  We'll go and find out exactly what we can do, then let everything else fall into place.  I say we separate the soldiers from the workers, then we start training TODAY!" said Michael.

"I agree." finished Interus.  "And with that said, meeting adjourned!"

They all got up to leave as an older gentleman with a book, a scientist, came into the room.  Everyone stopped to look at him.

"Hi, I came to tell you...I don't think I'll be very good for you on the field, but I know most of the inner workings of the Shire.  You see, I'm the map maker.  I know things that even the knights don't know about the territories." he said.

"That's true," said Sir Brutus, "He was the King's instructor for years on end.  He's probably privvy to more details of the island than most of us here."

"In that case, we'll need him." said Interus.

"However, I'll require a bit of payment." he said.  Interus' chin hit his chest in frustration.  How could he be asking for payment at a time like this?

"I'm a practicing angelologist.  I'm a scholar in many arts and subjects, you see.  All I ask is that a few of you help me with my research, and in return, I'll tell you everything you need to know!"

Aakino perked up from his chair.  "I WILL!" he said, buying The Committee valuable information.

"In that case, Aakino, he's yours.  As for the rest of us...welcome to The Committee." said Interus to the scientist.

Aakino and young Marie walked up to the man, curious as to who he was.  The man, too, had a similar interest in him.

"What's your name?" asked Marie.

"My name is Nathaniel Lourdes." he said.  "Most people just call me Lourdes."

Aakino smiled at him.  "We'll call you "the Doc".  Pao Luo Aakino!" he said, extending his hand, which Doc shook with a smile.

"And I'm Marie Aakino!  Nice to meet you!" she said as she curtsied.  Doc bowed his head in respect for the young lady.  

The members of The Committee walked outside of the Monastery, with Sir Matthew talking to young Aakino.  They had made fast friends, mostly due to their experiences despite their youth.  Sir Matthew had a small bird in a cage with him, one of his many homing pigeons that he raised in his spare time.

"Hey, is that what I think it is?" asked Aakino.  Sir Matthew carefully took the creature from its wooden cage and petted the beautiful bird, cooing to it as he did.

"It's a homing pigeon.  I help to maintain communication with the other kingdoms nearby.  This one has contact with the nearest kingdom, so I thought I'd send it out to get us some help." he said.

Aakino smiled.  "Brilliant!"

Sir Matthew took the small note he had written before the meeting and carefully tied it to the bird's foot.

"So, you're the self-proclaimed demon hunter in these parts, huh?" asked Sir Matthew, trying to make conversation.

"I'AM a demon hunter!" said Aakino pointing his thumb to his chest with a smirk.

"But I've seen no demons in the Shire before the attack." he said, looking towards Aakino in a questionable manner.

"Damn good job I did then!" Aakino retorted.

Sir Matthew let out a much needed laugh to the boys comment, sending his bird into the sky.

"Come back to us, my pretty bird!  And bring us some good news!" he screamed to it.  Aakino put his fists on his sides as he watched the pigeon fly off, with a little bit of hope that it would get them some much needed help.