Valkyrie

Chapter 3: Trial One

Early the next morning all the girls gathered in front of the Bifrost with satchels on their backs. Hilda and a handful of Valkyrie stood in front of the girls as they were about to depart.

Hilda: "Alright ladies today's the big day! In your satchels are food, water, flint stones, fire wood, a dagger and a wooden shield! Try not to eat and drink all your water, you might die without it... Okay! Your objective today will be to travel through the forest of woe and slay a an infant cockatrice! In addition to us senior Valkyrie we have recruited the help of light elves to patrol the forest for any dangers that would prove to much for you! Lastly from now on you will be in groups of three, meaning that I hope you like your roommates because your going to be stuck with them until you die! LETS GO LADIES!"

Everyone: "HA!"

The girls follow the Valkyrie through the Bifrost. To Illya's surprise, they came out right in front of the forest instead of that mountain that she was on with Fran. Once they make it into the forest Hilda stops and speaks to them one last time.

Hilda: "Okay listen up, cockatrice are tricky and move their nest every season! We've already slain the parents so you don't have to worry about that! Remember this isn't about who finishes first, there are no winners here! As future Valkyrie you are all comrades so if you find the nest I expect you to make a fire letting everyone know! Alright get going ladies!"

The girls spread out as they ran through the forest. First they formed five large groups then spread more to cover more ground the deeper they went into the forest. Eventually they broke down to groups of six and stayed that way knowing another group was near by.

After while Illya and her group stopped to rest. They didn't want to use all of their water, so they stopped at a pond to drink from it. They decided to leave markings in the trees near by for anyone who was looking for a pond as well. Anira was jogging in place as everyone re-hydrated themselves.

Anira: "Come on guys we gotta get move on it!"

Syta: "She said it's not a race so I really don't see why your so excited to go."

Anira: "Because I know how to find it!"

Tic: "You do? How, do you have a map or something?"

Anira: "No I used to hunt baby cockatrice all the time before I was found by the Valkyrie. We have to find a cave, that's where they like to leave their eggs and the young don't leave until their old enough to fly. Besides if it's the wrong cave at least we'll have a place of shelter at night."

Illya: "Well your right about that part and you're the only one with experience in this so point the way my pointy eared friend."

Anira: "Will do!"

The six girls finished drinking at the pond and ran off behind Anira. After a few hours of no luck the sun set and the girls set up camp.

Toe: "We didn't find any cockatrice or caves, this sucks."

Syta: "Well they knew we wouldn't which is why they gave us enough materials to last us a week out here. Don't feel bad there's always tomorrow."

Anira: "I'm the one who should feel bad, you guys were betting on me after all."

Illya: "No one should feel bad okay? No body got hurt, no food or water was wasted, as far as I'm concerned this was a job well done team."

Syta: "Yea what Illya said you guys!"

Illya: "Now set up camp everybody I'll cook some of our food with the fire so we don't starve to death."