Robby pov
I wake up to see the metal ceiling of the dropship. The hammock was actually quite comfortable. I walk out and it's still dark outside. I realize that I should probably head to Lincoln's cave for training. I run my tired eyes and put the beanie on my head. I sneak out of the gate and tread through the woods until I reach grounder hell. The skeletons still look quite terrifying and the odor of rotting corpses is nauseating. I instinctively put my arm up over my nose in an attempt to block out the stench. I look at the trees warily then I enter the gate. I walk around and when the sun starts to rise I find a familiar cave. I step in quietly and I peak my head around the corner and see Lincoln sharpening his blade. I get out my knife just incase he tries to attack.
"Lincoln," I whisper loudly.
He instantly springs into action, but stops when he sees me. I'm holding my knife over my head.
"You actually came," he says.
I lower the knife with a sigh of relief.
"How come none of your people attacked me on the way?" I ask.
"I told them you were my doctor bringing me the medicine from your ship," he says.
"Your not injured," I say.
"Well I had to manage," he says holding out his arm
I see a gash running up his arm.
"Why?" I ask raising my eyebrows.
"Because what my people is doing to yours is wrong and I want to help you learn combat in order to defend your camp," Lincoln says.
We go outside his cave and he tells me to stay put as he goes into the woods. He comes back carrying sticks of some kind of tree.
"What are those?" I ask.
"Bamboo," he says looking at me like I had two heads.
"What's bamboo?" I ask in awe at the tree that isn't made out of wood.
He looks amused and says "it will help you train, but first lesson one,"
He grabs and throws me in the ground
I moan in pain as something digs into my back.
"Always he ready for an opponent to make their move," Lincoln instructs.
"Maybe you could've given me a warning or someth—" I say not being able to breathe.
"There are no warnings on the battlefield! It's life or death," he replies.
I'm on edge as he moves toward me again. I sidestep him, but he kicks me in the chest and I fall back. I gasp for breath as the landing knocks the wind out of me. He starts talking again, but I aim a kick right at his crotch. Lincoln grunts loudly as he backs away.
"Don't let your guard down," I say smugly getting up.
I expect him to be furious, but he looks amused
"Good your learning," he says through his pain.
"Sorry that was kind of a cheap shot," I say.
"On the battlefield there are no cheap shots, it's live or die," he says and gets back into his stance.
"Alright again," he says getting in a stance.
We train for another hour and he stops a lot to teach me certain choke holds and moves. For every punch I land, he lands five more that are much harder. I haven't seen a mirror, but I can tell my face is bruised and bloody. We take a break and sit by a stream sipping on water.
"You did well for a beginner. Your a natural," Lincoln says.
I take a long swig of water and reply in a bitter tone "seems like I learned how to get my ass kicked,"
"You didn't stop though. You never once gave in to fear or pain," Lincoln reassures me.
My left eye is starting to swell shut, but I can still see a little.
"Tomorrow I teach you our language," Lincoln says getting up.
"I thought y'all spoke english," I say in disbelief.
"Only our warriors know english," Lincoln says.
"Terrific," I say sarcastically.
"That's enough for today. No fighting for two days. Give your body time to heal," Lincoln says.
"It's nothing," I feel my bruised ribs tenderly and hiss in pain.
"Yeah nothing," Lincoln replies sarcastically.
"Your camp is most likely stirring by now. You should head back before my people sweep the lands," Lincoln says and sticks out his arm.
I clasp his forearm and thank him then I depart toward our camp.