The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 18 Tales of the Wild

"In today's exercise, you will be splitting into two teams. Keepers Daaow and Lila will be your team captains."
Keeper Frederick informed us.

"Have you two made your selections?"
He questioned the captains.

"We have."
Lila responded.

"Hadassah and Nyx are with me, Newton and Emily are with Lila."
Daaow elaborated.

"Very good. Now, your mission is to be the first team to reach the ruined tower without being caught by our hunters."
Frederick motioned to the seventeen other Keepers waiting around casually.

Nothing like being outnumbered.

"Your team leaders have maps detailing the location of the tower and the terrain around it."

Kairos and I moved closer to the Daaow for a look at our map.

"Crickets! That's gotta be a five-mile walk!"
Kairos exclaimed after a moment of observation.

"Try seven."
Daaow replied.

The both of us groaned.

"Hope you wore your walking boots!"
Our leader quipped.

"You may use any means necessary to reach the tower, except that which will cause drastic permanent injury or death. Be warned, however, some of your hunters are armed with sensors that detect wielding abilities in use, as often our enemies outside of Itova have. You will want to be careful not to draw them right to you."

Well, there went my plan for flying us straight to the ruined tower and avoiding the seven miles of walking through a dense forest part. The autumn morning was brisk and a chilly breeze stung our cheeks. I hoped at least that the exercise would warm us up.

"Here are your packs, inside you will find a few useful items for the exercise, use them wisely."
Frederick said passing them out to each team.

The so-called "packs" were little more than drawstring bags. Inside ours, we discovered a water canteen (that was empty), a sliver of beef jerky, a flashlight, a compass, a watch, and a length of rope.

"Well, this ought to be an adventure."
Kairos grumbled, holding up the compass and shaking it.

I sure hoped Daaow knew how to use that thing. I vaguely recalled one time my uncle had told me something about using a compass to find true north, but that was honestly all I remembered of the lecture.

"Oh come on, it'll be fun!"
Daaow encouraged.

The Shadow Wielder and I exchanged unconvinced looks.

"You will have two and a half hours to complete your mission if neither team makes it to the ruined tower by then, you all automatically fail."

"Oh, fantastic."
I crossed my arms and huffed.

Daaow glanced between Kairos and me and shook his head.

"Perhaps picking the two sour faces wasn't the smartest choice on my part."
He stated with a wry smile.

"Too late to change it now!"
Lila teased, winking at him and patting Jasper and Vienna on the back.

"You'll have a twenty-minute head start on your hunters and I'd recommend moving out because the clock starts now."

"Well come on you two, no time to waste!"
Daaow exclaimed, taking off at a sprint.