This time when I opened my eyes my headache had vanished and I grinned. Only to frown when I found myself standing in the forest again, all alone once again.
Okay this is getting ridiculous. Where did everybody go?
Taking a deep breath I started to walk in a straight line, a little curious as to where I'd ended up. After walking alone something growled to my left and I turned my head to see a blue-eyed white lion walking at my heels. Another growl to my right made me turn and this time I found a brown bear, shuffling along the path beside me.
Neither animal acknowledged my presence so I just kept on walking, wondering if this was a dream. It was then I saw something sitting on a rock and the closer I got to whatever it was, the more animals joined our group until I reached the rock.
Hey that's that wolf totem I touched in class, I thought as I reached for it. As my fingers brushed it it light up, the light temporarily blinding me and I gasped as everything in the forest burst into a bright white light.
"Too bright." I mumbled and the light soon faded, allowing me to open my eyes. Finding two familiar faces standing over me I sighed, having been hoping I was back in class and that everything else had been a dream. "Oh it's you two again." I muttered, rubbing my forehead as I sat up.
"You are Beast Master." Tensay said, a smile on his face and I rolled my eyes. Then I caught myself, eyes wide as I discovered something strange. "You speak Wenja."
"Huh? How is that even possible?" I gasped, just about leaping to my feet when Tensay jumped into the air. "Warn me when you're gonna do that!" I yelled but he just laughed, dancing around in a circle.
"You are strange, not Wenja or Izila. What tribe?" Takkar asked and I thought hard about what to say. In the end I had an idea and with a grin on my face I answered the warrior.
"American." I answered and Takkar stared at me, eyebrows raised before he turned to Tensay who had quit dancing.
"Strange girl." Tensay commented and I growled, making both men laugh.
"Stop laughing. Anyway I'm a woman, not a girl for your information." I snapped, arms crossed against my chest.
"You live here." Takkar told me and I blinked as he headed for the doorway. "You follow."
"Okay I'm coming." I replied, happy to leave Tensay's hut. I quickly left as Tensay knelt beside a bowl filled with a red liquid that I hoped wasn't blood. As I kept pace with Takkar I wondered just where he was leading me. Hopefully not to anyone as weird as that shaman, I thought as we walked through the village.
We soon came across another hut and this time a dark haired woman stepped out, covered from neck to feet in animal furs. Staring at her I noticed she had a tattoo just on her hairline, a bunch of dots in a circle and a pair of boots made from animal skins.
"Who is she?" She asked, tugging at my shirt and pants laughing when I frowned at her. "Strange clothes. Offer no protection." She commented and I glared at her.
"I like these clothes. Besides I don't have clothes like yours so stop making fun of me." I snapped, hearing a deep chuckle and I spun around to see Takkar laughing. "Not you too. First it's Tensay then you two." I complained.
"This Valery, Sayla." Takkar told her and I finally nodded, not worrying even when Sayla tugged at my clothes again. "She needs animal skins."
"Okay maybe I do. Hey are you the one who hit me?" I asked suddenly and Takkar took what looked like a club from around his waist. I took a quick step back but he just handed me the club and I gripped it, noting how heavy it felt in my hand.
"Tracking Udam. You were there instead." Takkar answered as I waved the club around, noticing the dried blood covering one side. "You have hard head." He added as I handed the club back.
"I've noticed. What are the Udam and Izila?" I asked and Sayla sighed. Grabbing my hand she tugged me towards the closest hut. Wordlessly I followed and after I stepped through the animal skin door she spoke.
"Udam, flesh eaters. Izila, fire worshipers. Both attack Wenja." Sayla explained, grabbing a handful of animal skins lying in a heap on the floor. "Wear."
"Okay." I muttered, starting to unbutton my shirt until I noticed she was still present. "Could you...give me some privacy?" I asked, getting a blank stare. "I don't like being watched."
"Strange woman." Sayla said as she turned, leaving alone in the hut. Rolling my eyes towards the ceiling I returned to stripping off, picking up one of the animal skins.
Guess I have no choice if I want to fit in, I thought as I pulled it over my head. Huh it fits, that's a relief.
Dressing quickly I emerged from the hut to find Sayla standing alone. "Where is Takkar?" I asked and she pointed towards the village's entrance.
"Gone to fight Izila." Sayla answered as I looked where she was pointing.
"Izila? Okay but on his own?" I asked and she smiled, waving her hand before she returned to her hut. "That didn't answer my question. Maybe I'll go after him just to make sure he's okay." I sighed, heading towards the spot where Takkar was last seen. I had just stepped outside the entrance when Kion rushed over and I grinned, rubbing his head before we headed out together.
I soon realized that maybe going outside without a weapon may have been a bad idea...