Chapter 44: A new day

The sun was only shyly showing its rays on the mountain peaks, the inhabitants of the temporary camp were already preparing their day. Nobody knew of the night stroll of the black haired girl. All they knew is that they have two more days to survive in this valley.

Although no one knew of the events that night happened before, the girl was behaving quite strangely that the old couple took notice of. The pair of elders took their grandchild for a talk on the side.

The rest of the group didn't mind it much, thinking it's a family matter. So while waiting for their member, they started to do some warm up for the upcoming intensive exercises that they will be doing. Harvey took the lead, while Ms. Rebecca supervised them.

It took a while before Leila joined them. And her arrival brought an illusion of winter with how clouded the three people looked. Curiosity filled the children's faces, but sensibly didn't ask(more like getting scared with the fierceness in the elders' eyes).

Having enough with the warm up, Harvey started introducing various forms of martial arts he knew. He showed some boxing, Tai Chi, swordsmanship, Taekwondo, and Arnis. Saying that each person has their own matching martial style, so the most he can teach are basic foundational exercises. He also recommends them to continue the exercises even if they don't need to do them after the activities.

The rest didn't have much problem with it. Though even if they don't want to form a habit, they might as well just make it. The green eyed boy said that it's beneficial and they can see that with the vitality that the boy shows in his miniscule movements.

Although the teaching was not really systematic enough for everyone to follow, it fulfilled what they need for now.

Rebecca was nodding in approval with his approach in teaching. This way the rest of the group who still didn't have an art that suits them will have the best foundation to practice when they found them.

The teacher remembered plenty of wasted potential of many students who blindly practiced an art that did not fit them. Correcting them as a pain as everything was already integrated by the kid. Not to mention some can't accept the fact that they weren't fated with their chosen arts making them withdrawn and hard to deal with as they will try to prove her wrong. A few succeed, but many fail. Creating a vicious reputation to the teacher's being in the eyes of the students.

For their future combat styles, the teacher made plans for them. Her trip is considered more than fulfilling with the first hand data she gathered in the period she's with them. If she returns to her former class subject, the information she has at the moment will be more than handy to guide them.

After spending some time doing martial art exercises(more like a one-sided trashing courtesy to Khelly's provocation. Most of them did some rolling and extreme movements that are sure to hurt like hell when their body demands payment). The team was exhausted and was not in the right condition to make their breakfast. Thankfully there were some leftovers from the night before that were thoughtfully heated by the elderly. Else they might just have to spend more time on matters outside their schedule.

"Thankies Granny!" Khelly said as she devoured a piece of meat. Her current appearance was really not consistent with what she normally appeared. Her blond hair was sticking out in odd places with her face smudged by various sorts of dirt. Adding her fierce way of eating, she is like a man who hasn't eaten for so long.

The rest of the group was not really far from the blond's appearance. Harvey at least looked presentable enough. But due to him being besieged by two people the least, he also had some "wounds" as evidence of the previous mayhem. Ryan looked very sorry with some tears on his clothes and various dirt and leaves sticking at him. Sophie looked good enough as she had foresight to prepare herself for both expected and unexpected situations.

Only Leila remained who looked relatively fine. First her skill is well known to be scary enough not to drag her in their ramble. And second is that she doesn't look in a fine enough mood to go along with them. Last time they had seen her like that was not a good memory, especially when her patience was thoroughly spent. This resulted with her being the most flawless one among their group.

"You're welcome dear." Grandma Rodleo said with a smile as she took a glance over the group's messy appearance. Her heart swells in the lively sight of them fighting to get more food on their plate. It reminded her of her children once upon a time….A past that is unlikely to ever happen again.

"Ma'am would you like to join us?" Ryan asked the elderly woman when she seemed to space out. With the manners taught by his mother he said. "It's not quite right that you keep serving us food when you yourself are not eating too. So please join us."

The old woman was amused with the invitation and only shook her head. Saying that, don't mind her and fill their tummies with enough for their next activities. She'll eat in a while, following her usual schedule of meals not to upset her stomach.

The boy insisted for a little while. And after seeing that the old woman will keep refusing him, he tactifully retreated and focused on his food. Which by the way was being stolen little by little by their resident blond. Seeing all that, the boy ate as fast as he could.

"Well you who among you guys will be out today?" Grandpa Rodleo asked.

"Me, Leila and Sophie sir." Harvey said as he pointed at the after named people.

"After you finish your food, get me in our tent before we set out. We have some precautions to do before we set out today." The old man said with vigilant eyes. Piercing and fierce in a way the group was taken aback with the seriousness he carried.

The hunting party for today nodded at the instructions given to them. Seeing that the old man went to the tent as he had said.

The children continued their meal and cleaned their messes systematically. Afterwards the children were once again divided into two groups. One group went to the adult women and the other went to the tent as they were told.

Leila stumped her boots three times at the small wooden plate laid upon entrance of the tent a little heavier to indicate their arrival. Hearing that the old man came out with a small bag he wasn't with a while ago. He then brought them away from the camp.

"Harvey and Sophie right?" Grandpa Rodleo asked to be sure if he got their names correct. He kept messing the names of Khelly and Ryan yesterday, so today he is determined to not repeat the same thing again.

The two nodded to indicate that their names are indeed correct.

"Our trip for today is a little special because of the things yesterday." The old man started. He led them to the lake instead of the route yesterday. "Special matters require special means to be accomplished. From what I saw the two of you are stronger than the two yesterday. So I adjusted the range prey your party will hunt for today. Both for the experience you seek and to teach some things along the way."

"Why so suddenly sir? If you don't mind me asking," Sophie asked as she didn't hear about the old man teaching the previous group something specific.

"There were some mishaps yesterday that I hope not to repeat." The old man answered. "You heard about the eagle right? That was the variable I wanted to prepare you guys in case of emergency."

"That eagle was not supposed to be there?" Sophie asked puzzledly.

"Yes, it's not supposed to be there." Leila answered that for her. "It should be at Lake Lola, but it appeared here. It was alarming enough that that bird was only a juvenile, imagine if its parents would appear in front of us. Things will be very complicated and not to mention dangerous. Grandpa wants to make arrangements in case something like that will happen."

The two tried to imagine the scenario and felt shivers in their spines. A thorough preparation is a must. They are still too young to die with many dreams yet fulfilled.

"What should we do sir?" Sophie asked politely with a hint of urgency in her voice. " Do we need to learn camouflage or something like that?"

"Perhaps battle strategies?" Harvey added his inputs.

"Not necessarily." The old man shook his head at the words he was hearing. "Although what you guys are saying are indeed useful, what you need the most for now is adaptation and learning how to escape for your lives. Cowardly as it sounds, it matters not if you're the strongest if you are dead. So I'm teaching you how to run."

With potential dangers looming, they carefully learned under the tutelage of the old man.