So when Nillian first approaches the forest he has no idea what to expect. From a distance he sees a lot of green, and as he comes closer he begins to see the outlines of trees and shrubberies. He is fascinated by what he sees, the chaotic nature and still able to grow and nourish itself.
After a long walk through the forest they arrive at a large clearing, with a small stream running through it. Next to the stream they can see the remains of a fire, and three small canvas tents. Ned walks to the middle of the clearing and turns around, inspecting it. Then he walks back to Nillian and Lyxia, who are sitting on the ground, panting.
"We hae arrived. Here we are going to teach ye two how to survive in the forest. Due to the limited time it will hae to be a crash course, sae do nae expect to be taught iverything."
Ned walks over to one of the tents, and returns a few minutes later with two axes.
"First ye are going to lairn to chop wood, wi these axes. Efter that, ye are going to lairn to chop wood wi’out any axes."
And so it goes, for the whole day. Every time Ned will show them to do something, then how to do it if you have no equipment at the ready. Nillian and Lyxia learn to move through the forest, make a fire, fish, set traps (for large animals), set snares (for small animals), skin animals, and cook the meat. These last two are done with real rabbits, that Copper caught when Ned was explaining everything.
That evening they enjoy their own cooked meal, Nillian’s a bit charred but still edible. And after a hard day working they are very hungry. After dinner Ned takes them into the woods again, to show them how to hide in the dark and move silently through the woods.
Lyxia immediately takes to the lessons, and makes it look quite easy. But Nillian keeps blustering about, not exactly comfortable with the idea of sneaking. He keeps bumping into things and stepping on things, making quite a ruckus.
After a quick nights sleep they continue the following morning. This time they learn how to move through the forest in a quicker pace, and how to orient yourself so that you don't walk around in circles. On their way Ned shows them different plants, roots and herbs, some of which are edible, others that can be used to lure animals into a trap.
During they day they also learn how to create a makeshift shelter, in case they are stranded somewhere without a tent or village in the neighbourhood, and how to cover yourself in certain leaves and plants to keep warm. To which Copper mentions that fur and pelts are always preferable to leaves, but far more difficult to get.
That evening they all turn in early, having had another tiresome day ... only to be awakened again at midnight. Disoriented Nillian looks around him, and sees Ned standing over him. The tent seems to have disappeared, and when he cranes his neck he sees that he was pulled out of it.
"Time to wake up, laddie. Today ye are going to survive aa by yerself."
Nillian manages to sit up, and he sees Copper and Lyxia standing there, all clad and ready.
"She was waiting for us, already something like expecting this" Copper explains.
Both Nillian and Lyxia are taken away in different directions, Ned leading Nillian and Copper leading Lyxia. Nillian and Ned first follow a small trail, after which the forest becomes more open and they can travel without following any path. They travel for a few hours, and as the sky begins to lighten Ned stops, and gives Nillian a wave.
"That's aboot faur eneuch. Guid luck!"
And with these words he moves off, quickly disappearing behind some bushes.
Nillian looks around him, trying to get his brain up and working. During the journey here his mind went in a sort of sleep-mode, just awake enough to walk and not trip over anything, but not awake enough to really think. All around him the forest is beginning to lighten, and he hears a lone bird beginning to sing.
After several minutes of standing there Nillian manages to give himself a jump, and he starts walking. He doesn't have a destination in mind, he just wants the activity to make him feel awake. He follows something that could be a path, looking around. He has no idea where he is, and he hasn't got a clue if Ned is still around. But he feels watched all the same, so he increases his pace.
After aimlessly walking around for half an hour Nillian comes across a stream. Remembering what Ned told him about water he follows the stream, going stream upwards. The going is though, as there is a lot of growth covering the banks. A bit further on Nillian suddenly sees that the stream makes a turn, circumventing a rocky outcropping.
Nillian makes his way over, and finds a hollow, on two sides closed in by the rocks and on one side the stream.
"Perfect! I will make camp here." Nillian says to himself.
He starts looking around and soon has a large pile of wood is lying in the hollow. Nillian builds a small pyramid, with some dry leaves in the centre. He pats his pockets, trying to find anything to light the fire with. He finds a piece of twine in one of his pockets, which he uses to create a primitive bow. With the help of the bow and a lot of time he manages to start the fire, several hours later.
Suddenly he hears a strange voice behind him.
"So, what have we here?"
Nillian looks around. A very dirty figure is standing behind him, with a long dagger in his hand.
"Some rich folk out camping? That makes easy pickings. Turn around, and throw me your pouch."
Nillian considers a moment, then slowly turns around and tosses his pouch on the ground, just in front of the bandit. The bandit bends over, and in that moment Nillian grabs a stick from the ground and hits with all his strength.
Never having hit a person before, or even swung a stick, Nillian misses what he was aiming for: the head of the bandit. Instead he manages to hit the bandit on the shoulder. The bandit lets out a cry and drops the pouch, but not the dagger, as Nillian had hoped.
"You are going to pay for that!" the bandit screams, and advances to Nillian.
"Are ye now, laddie?"
Ned appears from behind one of the rocks, gun in his hand. The bandit takes one look at Ned before he turns and runs away. Ned takes one look at Nillian, seeing that he is alright, then quickly goes after the bandit. Nillian wait a while, but Ned does not return.
So Nillian spends the rest of the day miserably trying to catch a fish, without any success. At the end of the evening he manages to dig up some roots, which he eats raw, and goes to sleep with a rumbling stomach.
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