Well yet again another chapter. And I will start to set up a system that my editor and I worked out. She will email the revised draft to me on Saturday and I will give it one last look over before I post it on Sunday. If all goes well (it usually never does, but if it does) then a chapter will go up every week on/around Sunday. It might take a bit for this system to start working well so bare with me but hopefully we won't have two many problems. Well I hope you enjoy the chapter :D
Chapter 22
Survival Training
Even though I went to sleep late, I woke up early. I had asked Wei to wake me up if I wasn't already awake, but apparently I woke up early enough. Since I was already wide awake, I got up and got ready.
I dressed warmly since I knew the winter winds would be harsh outside the city. First I put on long grey pants and a long sleeve grey shirt. Next I put on a sleeveless white robe. On top of that was a thicker royal blue robe. As part of the training, we had to bring our own materials. We had to decide what to bring, we also had to carry our own things. I had food rations, fresh water, bowls and chop sticks. I also had some wood and spark rocks in case I needed a fire. The last thing I had was a large fur cloak which I could also use as a blanket; I decided to wear that as my last layer of clothing.
I heard a knock at my door.
"Hyriu, are you awake?" Wei asked coming in. "Oh, you're ready. Good."
We went downstairs, Hiko was sitting at the table, dozing.
"You alive Hiko?" I said as I walked in.
"Urrgah," he groaned.
"Ha ha, I'll take that as a yes," I laughed.
"I wanted to say bye before you left," he mumbled.
We ate breakfast. Hiko was going to stay at a friend's house for the week. After breakfast Wei and I got ready to leave.
"Hyriu, good luck in training," Hiko said.
"Yeah thanks, see you in a week," I said.
Wei and I walked to the training field. A group of people were already there along with Instructor Chen.
"Ah, Wei good, now we are just waiting on a few more students," Chen said.
"What students are missing?" Wei asked.
Chen gave off a list of names and at the end he said, "And Fai."
"Well I suppose we should give them a few more minutes," Wei said.
When the sky started to get lighter, the rest of the missing kids showed up, except Fai.
"We'll have to begin without him," Wei said.
"Alright trainees, line up!" Chen commanded.
We got in our lines, I saw Tekton and Huan standing by Wei and Chen, two counselors always came on the mission. Tekton saw me and flashed a quick smile. I also saw Meili, Hana's mother, standing by them. She was a Healer as one was always brought during the training incase of an emergency.
"Okay we will now inspect your belongings to see how well prepared you are," Chen said. "Just by a glance I can see some of you are well prepared, others not so much."
Wei and Huan inspected one half, Chen and Tekton inspected the other half.
"Well Hyriu, let's see how you've done," Chen said, "Clothing?"
"I am wearing three warm layers that hardly constrict my movements," I demonstrated, "Along with this thick fur cloak that can also be used as a blanket."
They checked my bags and how well organized I had packed. About half way through my inspection, Fai came in late.
"Ah, so glad you could finally make it, that will count against you," Wei said taking a note and began Fai's inspection.
"Well most of you did well on the inspection. Now we will take the land-raft down along side of the Bei River," there were cheers, "Yes you all will get to ride the legendary land-rafts. The only fast transportation on land in the Northern Water Tribe. Now stop acting like five-year-old children and follow me." Wei said.
We walked to the south western part of the city, by the large wall in front of the river guarding the city from attacks that might come from the river. We left the city behind and walked on the roots of the mountains. We crossed over a bridge that was the start of the Bei River. I looked at the large dam between two mountains. Behind it was a large lake that was the mouth of the Bei River. The dam kept the water from flowing into the city. Then I looked down at the large waterfall that fell down the cliff which was on our side of the river.
We arrived at the land-raft dock. It was just a wooden building right next to the cliff with what looked like an oversized row boat; that was the land-raft.
"Now then to move the raft requires water bending. I will bend along with the counselors and Da-Xia, Hyriu, and Taruk. Alright everybody, get comfortable," Wei said with a sarcastic smile.
On one side Huan, Da-Xia, and Taruk bended, on the other was Wei, Tekton, and me. We began water bending, slowly at first but picking up speed. Soon we were flying by right next to the cliff that was the shore of the Bei River.
"You know Hyriu," Wei said, "I had you help us water bend because you have a lot of skill that we could use."
"Okay," I said confused.
We sighed, "So use your skills, don't hold back," he ended with a smile.
"Alright if you say so," I smiled catching on.
I let lose all of my water bending skill and even some subtle air bending. Our speed increased more than twice what we were going before.
"Now that's what I'm talking about," Wei smiled.
We kept it up until noon when we stopped for a break. I was too tired to speak. After our break we continued. The Bei Shui Mountains zoomed by. I could see their end coming up and then the other major mountain range of the Northern Tribe, the Atarashi Mountains. We passed by the gap between the two ranges. Then we got to a part were it looked as if the river came to a sudden stop. Wei told us that it was an ice shelf put there by water benders long ago so enemy ships wouldn't be able to follow the river all the way to Hydronia; most people thought that it was the river's end. About five hours past noon, Wei told us to stop. I could still barely see the Bei Shui Mountains. The Atarashi Mountains were very different from the Bei Shui Mountains. They were a group of large mounds and jagged cliffs.
"Okay, this is where we will set up camp," Wei said. "So get too it, you all know who you share a tent with. Now let's see how good you all are."
Tekton, Fai, and Koluk all shared a tent with me. Tekton was in charge of our tent. He and I set up the tent while Koluk and Fai organized the supplies. When the tent was up we all set up our cots in our corners. The tent was just big enough for comfort. We had a quick and mostly silent supper and then went to sleep.
Over the next few days a routine was started. A group of four trainees were sent on a scouting mission in different places. One had to back track and fish on the shore of the Bei River. Another had to climb in the Atarashi Mountains and set up a watch. Each team had two warriors and two water benders. Also two hunters went out each day. I went hunting with a kid named Gen Li; we found a few rabbit-wolves and brought them back. Eight people were put on guard patrol. The rest of people at camp did survival exercises, like starting fires, staying warm, making weapons and things of that sort. I was on guard patrol on our sixth day there. The next day I would be going on a scouting mission with Fai, Koluk, and Taruk. I went to sleep hoping the next day would fly by.
I will start the new system this coming Sunday with Chapter 23. As always continue reading, and if you like the story follow or even favorite it. Reviews are always greatly appreciated and I just want to say that last month my story almost got 1000 views which is awesome and also I just wanted to thank whoever is still reading, you have no idea how much it means to me that you've stuck with my story this far. I know things seem kind of slow but I promise you they start to get good, and towards the end they get really good, so please just keep reading.