To earn respect

“Hey Remes I took a headcount and everyone’s here. 2 trainers and 4 students. How’s everything on your end?”

“2 trainers and 4 students. Let’s advance to the next campsite.”

Since I’m the assistant head of the gathering party, it’s my job to keep the headcount the same as when we left. Thankfully I’ve never run into any problems.

“Rhea can you deliver the information to Ms. Gia and Mia for me.”

“No problem.”

We’re heading back to paradise now with fruits and herbs we found in the forest while the hunting party has plenty of moss deer in tow along with some small game. We're planning on cooking the small game for dinner tonight and getting to paradise by midday tomorrow.

“Captain, the number of people hasn’t changed the whole time.”

Great, we will be at the campsite within the hour. Do me a favor and make sure no one wanders off the trail. The shroom wolf hunt around this season so I don’t want a run-in.

One of the men from the hunting party shouted for her name Zin. He was another trainer alongside Orion.

“Hey, Gia, why don’t you celebrate a successful hunt with us men tonight? The tight ass let us bring wine this time.”

“What the hell did you say Zin!”

“Lighten up Orion, you know it’s true! Trainees or not they can handle themselves if we get a little tipsy. Plus Remus won’t be drinking so it will be fine if he’s watching over them. As a supervisor of course.”

He seized Remus and held him up like a trophy with the wind blowing his hair ever so slightly.

“I have no doubt you’re right but it wasn’t the drinks. I was concerned about that comment.”

Night came and we set up camp. While the men were prepping the campground and searching the surrounding areas for anything dangerous the gathering party began cooking dinner. Some of the girls started talking about the hunting party members which were Remes, Waine, Michal, and Jien not counting the two trainers. while the trainers finished the meal. There were 4 students at the gathering party counting me, Beth, Christine, and Hestia. With Hestia initiating the conversation.

“So who do you guys think will be cut from the hunting party after this?”

“I think everyone did pretty well except Michal. For someone as tall and cocky as him, he couldn’t even take down a shroom wolf on his own.” Christine spoke up for him like always.

“Yeah but Neither could Remes. He barely killed one.”

“If anything neither of them should make it. Everyone else did something right. If Remes didn't know as much as he did about hunting he wouldn’t even be at the top of the trainees.”

“Or the teachers see something we don’t see in both of them. Why do you think they pick who graduates and who doesn’t.”

“I guess we should switch the conversation then since Rhea was going to defend Remes anyway. By the way, how are things going between the two of you?”

“Theirs not much between us Hestia but thanks for asking. I’d much prefer it if you minded your own business though.”

“Don’t get so worked up. It’s not my business who you choose to like. Just someone with your looks belongs with someone higher on the pole like Michal or Jien. The two of them seem like more of your type.”

I didnt know what type of game she was playing at but I didn't like it. We all knew that Christine had feelings for Michal. Before I could speak up about it my mother gathered us together.

Everyone did great on this expedition. No one got hurt and we have a nice haul. Also, I'm glad that you all are getting along with the hunters too. That’s an important part of being a gatherer. Having a strong bond with them helps you in the long run in terms of production, cooperation, and safety.” Once supper was finished Hestia served it to the hunters first following tradition. Serving the biggest or most accomplished first. The order was supposed to go, Orion, Zin, Remes, Jien, Waine, then Michal but Hestia decided to do it differently this time.

“Here you are Orion and Zin.” She handed The trainers their food but skipped over Remes and gave his share to Jien.

“Hestia, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Can it wait until I finish serving? I won’t be long.” Once she finished serving she managed to serve everyone first then serve Remes last.

“Ok, what did you want to talk about? I had to finish serving first.”

“What the hell is your problem with Remes?”

“What are you talking about? All I did was pass out tonight’s supper.”

“This isn’t your first time doing this so I know you know of the serving order. I'm asking why Remes wasn’t served directly after Zin!” She started smiling like something was funny.

“Oh that. I was just doing what was assigned to me. If I could recall the serving order is dictated by accomplishment right? If memory serves right, Remes caught the least amount of food out of everyone. It’s only natural that I follow the serving order.”

She knew what she was doing and completely ignored his status as being top of the trainees. What I wanted to know was why. Before I could get to the bottom of it Remes walked away in a hurry. I was guessing he was distraught about the situation so I tried following him but Orion stopped me.

“Rhea where do you think you’re running off to?” He’s been drinking so he was a little tipsy.

“I'm going to follow Remes. I think he might be angry.”

“Don’t he just tell me that he was reassuring us if there were shroom wolf or any other predator around? If he had any other reason to go that he didn't want to tell me it means that he would like to be alone with his thoughts. I’ll be damned if I let you take that time away from him.”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious or if the liquor was talking but he was right. I sat down next to them and waited for him to return.

“Father, do you mind if I check the surrounding area again? Something doesn’t feel right.” He gave me a sharp look before answering.

“Well, Remes if you say something seems odd I'll leave it to you to find out what.”

“Excuse me then.” I hurried upwind as I walked and the smell began to grow stronger. Then I saw a small glow. Someone had created fire and was sitting around it with a cloak on. I started gathering my thoughts. Why was there someone this deep into the forest? It was too far to be any neighboring paradise and there was no way someone from ours crept out here. Before I could ask who it was, a shroom wolf approached them. I went forward to help them but the shroom wolf pounced. Their hood came off as they lunged forward and drove their knife into its eye. When their face showed it was a young girl with black hair and green eyes.

“I already know you’re there. Show yourself.” I didn't want to step out. But she already found me.

“My name is Remes, the future leader of the hunting party. What are you doing out here on our hunting grounds?” I spoke in a loud proud voice with my chest out. She was unfazed. If anything she seemed amused.

“Well, then “chief” can you tell me how you found me out here.”

“The fire you were burning used dead wood from cider trees. We were using orange wood so I smelled your smoke from the breeze.” She started laughing

“Sorry. I'm just surprised someone actually took the time to distinguish the smell of burning wood. I guess it’s not that useless though. You managed to find me after all.”

“So why are you out here? Are you looking for something?” I placed my hand on my knife. I didn't know what she was capable of after taking out that wolf with the amount of speed she used. At any time she could lunge towards me.

“I'm just looking for someone. Thankfully that person came to me.” She dashed at me with her knife in hand. I quickly tried to block the strike but the speed and strength did not correlate at all. It was like her strength came from a different source. She managed to break my stance and pin me on the ground.

“I guess you only sound like a chief because you definitely don’t fight like one.”

“Then let me go so we can go again without you getting the pounce on me!”

“Why would I do that when I already won? Your life is in my hands right now.”

“So I can teach you some damn respect.” I was angry. No matter how much I struggled she won. Then she got off of me and gave me a strange smile like she was satisfied.

“So it’s the respect you wanted. It sounds like I'm not the only one that doesn’t give it to you.”

“What the hell would you know about me? We've never even met before.” I got up and threw a punch at her. She just stepped to the side and continued speaking.

“I know that you’re part of the hunting party. I also know that your father is Orion. Other than that I only know what you tell me. So far you told me that you get no respect. I can see why.”

No matter how much I engaged her, all she did was denounce me.

“You’re short, out of shape, and you can’t even land a punch on me. I’ll admit you’re knowledgeable but that’s it. So why would I give you something you haven’t earned?” She pinned me to a tree.

“It makes no sense does it?” I stopped struggling. I stopped fighting because she was right.

“You also give up too easily. You can tell how much power someone actually has by how easy it is to strip it away from them. From what I see you don’t have any.”

“Rhea, I hope you know that not much good can come out of you worrying about him this much. Having his back all of the time will only make him dependent.”

“I wasn’t trying to”

“I wasn’t finished. I’ve constantly noticed that every time something happens you manage to find your way to his side. I won’t ask your motivations on why. I will ask however whether or not you understand the impact you have on him. He has the mindset of a king. The more you follow him the more you feed that mindset. So let me ask you this. As the person that is around him the most. Do you think he should become the head of the hunting party? Do you believe that he can take on the role of a leader?” He was jumping all over the place but he made a good point. Because Orion is so respected in the providence some of that feeling has rubbed off on Remes and dictated the way he speaks and acts.

“Yes, I think he does.”

“He thinks and acts like a leader but he has nothing to back it up. So what makes you say yes.”

“For no reason other than because he thinks like a leader.”

She threw me to the ground and walked back towards the fire. I’ve never felt so small in my life. To not only be overpowered but embarrassed with no one around felt worse than anything I’ve ever felt. As if she did all of that for her own satisfaction. She walked back towards me and sat next to me with

“You know the best quality of a leader is the ability to learn from his defeat. Not sulk in his shame. Here I thought you were a potential leader or even better.” I just sat there silently. I didn't know what she was talking about and I didnt care.

“I’ve been watching you for a while. You have little to no friends, you’re physically below average, and the only thing you know how to do is pretend to be a leader and hunt. It’s a waste of potential.”

“Why are you rubbing salt into my wounds. I already admitted you were right.”

“You disappointed me.”

“So I did? Well i'm sorry I wasn’t the person you were expecting I hope the great stranger of the forest can forgive me.”

“That's not my title. Well anyway i'm sick of seeing you like this from what I heard you had the dream of being the head of the hunting party.”

“That's not my dream.” I got up and started walking away. Maybe I could talk to Rhea and see what she would think of the situation.

“If it's not a dream then what is it? If it was up to me i dont think thats what you should be aiming for.” I turned around in frustration just to see her with a serious expression instead of a smile.

“It's my future! And who are you to tell me what I want to do.”

“It's because you want respect right? Being a provider does not earn you respect. It only makes people depend on you. That's not respecting its appreciation through obligation.”

“Then what will earn me respect! It's not like I get it here anyway! Go ahead tell me what I need to do, i'm all ears.”

“You become strong. Be someone that people see as a leader. Become an alpha that people look to as an inspiration and I know just the way to do that.” For the little time, i've seen her for this is the first time where she spoke to me like I was an equal so I listened.``

“Become a hunter in the hunting party to be stronger. Earn respect over favor and appreciation. Once you do that, come find me in about 3 years. Then I can show you the final step in gaining respect.”

“I don't even know who you are.” She started walking into the forest.

“Oh, that's an easy question. Im princess Clover of the west providence.”

What she said made me realize something. All this time I was only thinking about being a leader. It took for someone strong to make me realize how weak I really was. No matter how much I thought of being a leader I would never be one. As long as I was the same person I am now. When I got back Rhea was sitting next to my sleeping father.

“So did you find anything?” I decided not to bring up the food situation.

“No I didn't but I want to ask you something instead.” It sounded like he actually did go out to clear his mind.

“Yeah, what do you want to ask?”

“Do you see me as a leader as I am now?” It was almost the same question his dad asked me so I gave him the same answer.”

“Yeah as long as you have the mindset of a leader I see you as one”

“Then I want you to watch me. I've decided to become a true leader physically and mentally. No matter what it takes.

“And that makes 3. I finally have my royal guard. Ash, Remes, and Percy. If things go as planned i'll finally be out of paradise.