Heros Journey - Stage 3 Comp - The Refusal - Chapter 2.pdf

STAGE 3 Unit focus: A Hero’s Journey Text focus: Narrative Chapter 2 - The Refusal “I can’t join the army!” Pendril tried to reason with the soldier at the table, but he had already...

STAGE 3 Unit focus: A Hero’s Journey Text focus: Narrative Chapter 2 - The Refusal “I can’t join the army!” Pendril tried to reason with the soldier at the table, but he had already turned to the next person. Maybe there would be somebody to complain to inside the castle. At least then she could explain that it was all a big mistake. Pendril had never been inside the castle before. Most people in Handel weren’t allowed in. The emperor ruled from the main hall deep inside, and nobody ever saw him. She had to admit that she was curious to see what it was like inside. She followed the rest of the chosen people through the small wooden door and into a long tunnel. It was dimly lit by several torches nestling in crevices in the walls. None of the glorious sunlight reached inside here. Somebody had set up a series of trestle tables along one wall. Each one was piled with different pieces of soldiers’ equipment. The first table was being tended to by a young man who looked like he’d rather have been anywhere else. He had flushed skin and the beginnings of a patchy moustache. It looked as though his face had been busy morphing from boy to adult and was then frozen unexpectedly. Pendril tried hard not to giggle at his awkwardness. “Tabard,” he muttered when she stepped closer. He threw her a green tabard. “Listen,” she began, but the man at the next table was already calling her over. “Helmet,” he said in a deep but friendly voice. “You look about a medium. Too bad we’ve only got large.” Pendril caught the helmet and tried it on. It was heavy and cumbersome, but snug all the same. Her ears had never felt so warm. She dreaded to think what it would be like to wear out in the heat. “Listen, I shouldn’t be here.” She tried to make it clear to the man that she was the last person anybody would want fighting alongside them. “I don’t want to join the army.” “Why did you sign up then?” he asked. His kind eyes narrowing. “I didn’t!” Pendril cried. The rest of the new recruits stopped what they were doing to stare at her. “I was just looking at what was going on at the table. The next thing I know, the man’s sent me in here.” “Those men are the finest soldiers in the land. They wouldn’t send you in here unless you signed up.” The man didn’t seem angry, but he did seem to think Pendril might be lying. all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com “I promise,” she said, trying to prove him wrong. “I don’t want to go and fight a dragon. I just want to go home. I’m not cut out for an adventure.” “Everyone wants adventure!” “Sure, if it means exploring the great chasms or picking mushrooms in the fungal forest. I don’t want to die though!” “It happens to us all, I’m afraid.” Now, the man seemed happier than ever. “What better way to do it than battling a fire-breathing dragon!” “It breathes fire?” “Probably! Who knows? Anyway, you’re holding up the soldiers who do want to die for the cause. Isn’t that right?” he turned to another young soldier. He looked as terrified as Pendril and only managed a small squeak as an answer. Pendril turned at the sound of another girl speaking to her. “I’ll help you,” the young girl said. “I’m Jesmin. I don’t want to be here, either.” “Jesmin, the emperor’s daughter?” Pendril asked, not sure whether to curtsy or run away. “Why are you here?” “My dad said I need to learn how to fight. You’ll be safe with me. They won’t let me get killed by a dragon, will they!” Reluctantly, Pendril accepted her new friend’s offer. Whether she liked it or not, it appeared that she was heading off on a quest. VOCABULARY FOCUS 1. Which word in the first paragraph means that Pendril tried to get the soldier to see her point of view? 2. Find a word that tells the reader Pendril was interested in finding out about something. 3. What are “crevices” in the wall? 4. Write a definition for the word “curtsy”. VIPERS QUESTIONS R Who ruled over Handel? R Where did they rule from? I Why was Pendril tempted to giggle at the soldier? R What size helmet was Pendril given? I What evidence is there that suggests the soldier in the line behind Pendril was also terrified? all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com