Believers
In the center of the Tyler homestead stood a training grounds. On first glance one would think it was nothing more than an homage to medieval knighthood. A canvas tent stood to the side, bales of hay were stacked up like walls of a fort around it. The spot had been cleared of any trees, though occasionally wild brush or cactus grew up. Three training dummies stuffed with straw stood in the center of a small ring off to the left. Archery targets hung over the chest, the bullseye over the heart.
To the right stood a mini obstacle course that any boot camp would be proud of. Just beyond was a prairie forest for “Real Time” practice, it had minor booby traps and trip wires strewn within. It was where they played “Lazer Tag” and “Paintball” as adults. They built it similar to the playground in the camp grounds at Lake Hope.
Buddy Tyler, Archie Findstetter, Matt O’ran, and Juan Escobar all lived and worked on the Tyler Ranch. Tyler Ranch was owned by Buddy’s older brother “Bubba”.
Both Tyler boys were nicknamed by their mother after she had an “Extreme distaste” for the names their father gave them. This happened on the eve of their 5th anniversary. Trouble had been stirring in the household, as it always does to the newly wed. When differing ideas and ideals clash and are forced together to make one family. When their father stood up with an elaborate toast to perfection of his children instead of any mention of his lovely wife… Reginald became Bubba, and Carson became Buddy. The refined Tyler family, was now the “Good ‘Ol Boys” family.
It was the saving of their marriage and a credit to the town. Bubba became a brother to all who knew him. He grew a kind and generous heart, always willing to help out with a smile and laugh. (Then afterwards maybe you’d want to come down to the creek and have a nice cold beer. Just one maybe two, after all, we have work tomorrow.) He married his high school sweetheart Cara Anne, the homecoming queen. Together they had two children, Alice who was only two and Jack who just barely six months. Life for Bubba and Cara Anne was blessed in every aspect.
Archie was general manger of the Tyler Ranch.
Buddy and the rest were the ranch hands. Buddy was there mainly just to help out. He owned the farm next door, a fully automated state of the art farm. Til it broke down, and it did on occasion break down. Then you could see Buddy out there working away on machinery. While the ranch workers, and entire church body of the Hamches Methodist Church tended the crops. However it was very beneficial to the church youth, who would otherwise not be allowed on a farm. Sparking many interests in farming, and occasional backyard gardens.
Max had first volunteered on the farm at age six, now he worked there full time summers with Rodney and Evan. This summer the whole Clan Eileen was working there at half wages, so that they could train after work.
Buddy walked out of the tent carrying what looked like a black metal beam. It was a little under a foot long and several inches thick. He stood in front of the Clan and then pressed something at the end.
A quick clicking and the beam changed shape. The top moved forward and made the beam longer and thinner. Two pieces from the side straightened out tightening the string, as it formed a bow. Then a solid final click as the trigger fell and it locked in place.
He held the crossbow up for them to see.
The group Oo’ed and Aahhed.
“Mack Ryder made this special for me. He worked on it for over two years in the back of his dad’s machine shop. It’s guaranteed never to break. This is for Mandy” Buddy handed it to her. “Your mother forbade me to let you use a compact bow. You remember what happened to your…”
“Uncle Louie.” Mandy murmured in unison with Buddy as she took it.
He handed her a can of twenty crossbow bolts. “These are just for practice, I have the real ones at the house.”
Buddy went back and held open the flap of the tent, “The rest of you get compact bows, which probably will break. Over time, and wear and tear.”
After everyone had a weapon they took turns on the practice dummies.
Evan and Mandy came out the strong shooters with almost hitting the bullseye two out of four. Aaron and Jeremy were the weakest so Buddy decided to try them out on padded bo staffs.
Aaron smiled wickedly at Jeremy, as if he’d been waiting his whole life for this very moment.
Jeremy drew in a breath and took a defensive stance.
The archers quit practicing to watch.
Aaron shook his long black hair out of the way. Since Aaron was five his Uncle Paul had been teaching him martial arts. He particularly liked the staff fighting. So every autumn Aaron would go visit his uncle’s farm for harvest to help out. Every evening before bed they would practice.
He lunged as if he was going for Jeremy’s waist. Quickly he moved past the waist and dropped down to the crook of the knee. Whoosh. In a single jab Jeremy fell forward to his knees.
The archers remained silent, as they knew now Jeremy would be mad.
Aaron readied himself for the onslaught of brute force.
After Jeremy’s first blow, it seemed Aaron would loose. But the blocking continued until Jeremy began to weaken.
Then again in a flash Aaron pulled the same move, only in the opposite leg.
“Enough!” Buddy held up his hands. “Aaron you’ll have to train alone. I have some additional training dummies in the barn we’ll have to get them out. Jeremy you rest a while. The rest of you back to work.”