They had found a clearing at the top of a hill. Running around the north and eastern sides was a river. It was ten feet wide with churning rapids. They weren't sure how deep it was and they weren't keen on finding out.
Leo had the idea of starting a fire before night fell, but the idea was instantly shunned: "The smoke would draw attention to us!" Clarisse grumbled. "Idiot!"
"Don't get your spear in a twist, snots." Leo retorted.
"Enough!" Louisa demanded. They all looked at her. "I'm tryin' ta work out the night watch 'n' rations, but I can't if ya all bickerin' like lil' kids! Sit." She said firmly, speaking with a tone full of authority. Surprisingly, they all obeyed. "Sean, how's ya shoulder?"
"Not as bad, thanks."
"Leo, ya ankle?" Leo nodded, smiling. "Right." She looked at the packs at her feet. There were four first aid kits, three bundles of rope, six metal flasks (all empty), a simple cooking pan, a 1KG bag of rice, five flashlights and two spare packs of batteries. Their weapons stock consisted of daggers and knives, coils of wire, four swords, and three bows with three quivers of arrows, two shields, a spear and a spiky metal, weighted ball on a chain on a thick, leather wrapped stick. Clarisse could have that.
"What are we doing for food?" Jack asked. Louisa picked up the bag of rice. For all of them, it would last two, maybe three days with small portions.
"I can hunt for food." Louisa decided. "I've done it before. If I can get three or four rabbits, we should be fine tonight."
"Yeah, but no fires, remember?" Leo pointed out.
"Mm…" Louisa hummed, studying the supplies at her feet. "We need distractions. If we can get fires goin' in five, maybe six different places away from here…" She looked at Leo. "Ya said you were good with fire. Take Clarisse 'n' Sean 'n' get goin'." They scrambled for weapons- Clarisse took the spear and a sword, Leo grabbed two knives and some wire and Sean took a bow and a quiver along with a dagger as back up. They left, discussing where to place the fires and how to stop them spreading. Leo seemed most vocal, as if he had had practise with this sort of thing- that was worrying and slightly reassuring at the same time.
"What about the other teams?" Jason asked.
"We'll sort those out in the mornin'. Start gettin' firewood 'n' leaves 'n' stuff."