The Fire Dance had signified the end of the more dangerous roads taken by the tribe, at least in the days they had been joined thus far by five companions far from home. Their path had remained much quieter in the days following the incident with the skeeltahn, the most hazardous events being ill-practiced Fire Dances and splinters from broken sticks.

Emily had danced Cameron silly, to the point he called for a respite. She claimed later he was feining, allowing other members to dance, too. She was energetic, but managed only a small patch burned pink.

Sam tried to stay off to the side talking, but Valentina would have none of it. She pushed and pushed for him to join the dance until Bryan relented and pushed for Sam on. Literally. Valentina charged Sam with the fire, but after a while he made her switch and he danced, too. He danced into the fire more than once, but was never seriously wounded.

Bob preferred the fire by a lot, trying to keep his eyes shut, pretending not to see his partners' desire to switch, but they proved the more clever and danced their way around him until one had relieved him of his position as center. He was awkward at first, trying to avoid the fire more than dance, but he got the gist and relaxed enough to dance in rhythm. He avoided more than his lowly five run-ins with the fire, although he did sustain the worst burn of the group. Luckily for him, his partners decided to dote on him the rest of the night like a pair of nursemaids.

Julie was quite graceful in her dancing. She looked almost natural moving around the fire stick, if avoiding a flaming branch in rhythm could be called natural. She made the dance look easy; even Erika was impressed. At one point someone had claimed that her sleep was on fire, but she put it out while not breaking her stride. Even so, she seemed to be the only one to finish out the night without signs of any burns.

Karl spent his night dancing with Nichole. She was shy at first, not moving too much, and both kept their eyes open. In no time at all she had made Karl close his eyes and spin the fire faster. Although not sure due to his closed lids, Karl thought he might have burned her a time or two; she denied it vehemently. After a while, Karl made her switch and take the fire. Not only that, but he selected for her a pair of bolas to use instead of the one long stick he had held. Over her nervousness, she did, and Karl, breathing deep, had given himself to the dance. The fire clipped him twice, but he would never tell her. He felt more alive dancing now than he ever had.

Eventually the dancing subsided and the largest fire dwindled. Many fell into a quick, deep sleep. Karl had watched as Sam and Bob let with Bryan, likely on guard. After a fire like that, even if these lands were deemed safe, the night-shift sentries were more focused. Karl watched as they faded into the darkness; then he faded into sleep.

*** ***

The next days had all been easy, at least when compared to battles and sprinting. There had been more jogging and running, but only in small spurts, for shorter periods of time than before. Fleeing the skeeltahn had proven everyone in shape, and the leaders had opted for a more balanced regime.

Individual training had increased, with weapons and without. Cameron seemed to be pleased with their handling of the skeeltahn, but Bryan called for additional instruction in techniques. He himself oversaw their lessons, asking certain members of the tribe to teach skills, but did step in from time to time and lead. He always kept a calm but serious look, and even when he became flustered he kept his voice collected and cool. He was always patient and maintained his instruction that all five of his pupils-- sometimes more if a tribesman or woman asked to join-- were advancing together.

Only a few days in and Karl and his friends had all become basely comfortable with the many weapons on-hand. Emily and Julie could each wield a sword, and the boys could at least hit their targets with a bow, though Karl was the only one to ever hit the center-- the "dragon's heart" as they called it-- and even then only once.

Karl had also continued his lessons with Fae, never speaking, always listening. They had kept up with their running meditations, but only in the early hours of every day, before most of the tribe had awoken and animals still roamed about. The pair would watch the sun rise together, always in the silent way that Fae lived, the prepare breakfast for their fellow tribesfolk.

In the daylight hours, Fae had Karl working on his upper body strength-- sometimes carrying objects on the walk-- or chin ups during breaks. As much as Fae pushed for Karl to train hard, he did have a sense of fun, always letting Karl have time for his friends. More time passed and the five friends had started to think of this land as a second home. Some days still had them chatting silently of days on their own world, but more and more conversations now dealt with life on this one. Plants, fruits and berries, mushrooms and other foods. Animals, semi-sentient creatures and all the sentient races around and which ones were allies, and which were not.

The first weeks on this planet were slow, the five just walking and guessing, trying to use what little knowledge given by their former mentor, Frank. The time in the Council at Kermitha-- although supposed to be about purpose and happenings-- was more awestruck at the various beings. They had been pushed aside, deemed unimportant and put near the end of the list of speakers. Due to the attack, they never got their chance.

But their time here, with this so-called "Lost Tribe of Korakyee," five seemingly unimportant middle-teenagers from Earth had made themselves a place. They had a heard and skills that gave them a name within a lost people, a people that had surely given back. From foraging to hunting, endurance to strength, this tribe of lost souls had given these untested friends the means to survive.

Today was their chance to test themselves. It was to be only the five, with two watching their skills, and two more for support if need arose. Today, five friends were hunting.

"This one is fresh," said Malik. He had healed nicely since his encounter with the goblin and demon scouts, and had volunteered as backup for today's hunt. He was acting as guide as well, since none of the five had much training in tracking. "They can't be too far ahead now."

"Okay," Sam said, looking to his friends. "From here, we go as silently as possible. Test the wind; let's call downwind point-zero. Bob, that's where you should go. I've seen you swing that blade like a tornado so be ready.

"Karl, Emily, take left. I'd like to see you take point on this one. Emily, as soon as you have a shot, aim for the lower neck or head if you can. Karl, be ready to rush in. Keep your blade still until you have a good angle. Stay away from the legs, but if at all possible, try for a clean side swipe.

"Julie and I will go right. Julie, same thing. Aim for the neck until you get a clean headshot. I will try for the side as well."

He looked to the four tribesfolk. "Malik, stay by Julie. Watch our backs, just in case. Taz, go with Emily and Karl. Watch their backs. Stay close to Emily, but don't engage unless she tells you to. Oliver and Zadi, stay between Bob and the rest of us and judge away." He finished with a smile at his little quip. "Be careful, but trust one another. And girls? Try not to hit the rest of us." Emily replied with a light tap on his arm. Then the nine moved forward in the direction Malik indicated.

The beasts were heard before they were seen, even felt a bit as some walked. In silence the small group moved. As the beasts came into view, still a little bit ways off, the group split. Bob slowed, moving carefully forward; Emily and Karl turned left with Taz; and Sam followed Julie right with Malik right behind. Oliver and Zadi branched out on either side of Bob, far enough to see those they were grading, but close enough to jump in if the situation called.

Before them stood an animal of mass. On Earth, it could have easily been related to the hippopotamus in size and look. The tallest stood nearly eight feet at his highest, though most averaged out at five or six. Each had large, trunk-like legs supporting a massive round body, and each sported long, tapering tails that counted for half their length. Their skin looked like leather, much like that of an iguana, and was colored similar, too, ranging from a hunter green to green-gray. The heads were round, ending in short snouts that looked nothing like those of iguanas or hippopotami. Although now used to the surprises, this world could offer, Karl was amazed to be staring at what he could only liken to a hadrosaur, a dinosaur long since extinct on his own world.

Karl moved silently, carefully, staying a few feet behind Emily, Malik close behind him. The trio stopped a good distance from the herd. Looking across, he could see Sam and Julie getting into place; Taz was between but behind the pair, one eye on them and the animals, one out toward the trees, watching their backs. Bob and the two graders stood back where they had all split. Bob was slowly twirling his axe, warming up his shoulders, careful not to hit any brush and alert their prey.

Bob noded at Karl, who returned the gesture. Karl very carefully drew his sword and gave two slow circles, one with each hand, warming up his own muscles. He looked to Sam and waited. Sam held his sword in one hand and lifted the other, two fingers raised. It was their agreed signal to prepare the bows. Even as Karl watched Julie nock an arrow and draw, he knew Emily was doing the same. Sam dropped his fingers once, twice, and Julie let her arrow fly. It his a medium sized cow near the front of the herd. Julie was fitting her next arrow as Emily fired.

The hunt was on.

The cow screamed at the arrows hit home. Momentarily stunned, another two arrows were fired, then another by Emily. Her shorter hunting bow allowed her a faster reload, although Julie's longbow served for more power behind each projectile.

Five arrows protruded from the neck of the cow hadrosaur. The herd panicked and began to run every which way. The scene looked like a circular stampede, hadrosaurs running toward the middle from the edges, and toward the trees from the center. The targeted cow started toward the break between Bob and Karl, but a well-aimed shot behind her right foreleg sent her directly toward Bob.

The cow was on the move, and Karl followed. He ran nearly parallel to the great beast, allowing Emily a few more shots, before he angled toward the animal, sword up and cut a gash in her side. The beast turned away from Karl back to cross the path Sam had taken. Karl followed through on his swing, making a full circle before darting after.

Sam cut across the cow's hind leg, then tucked and rolled out of the way, coming up alongside Karl. Bob was already moving to intercept. An arrow pierced the hide just above the shoulder, deep. It was Julie who had fired, Sam and Karl blocked any line of sight from Emily.

Karl ran, but Sam was faster. He ran alongside the animal and jammed his sword into its neck, trying for a quicker death. But the beast angled its path trying to guide Sam into a tree. He pushed off the creature and rolled to the side. Bob was running with the animal now, side by side. It veered toward the next tree, but Bob was not put off. He braced one hand on the hide, and still holding his axe, ran up the trunk and landed on the back of the animal.

The dinosaur was slowing, if ever so slightly, from the run and the arrows activating and blocking nerves. It was frightened, in pain. Karl started to feel sorrowful. He hoped they could bring down the beast soon to end its misery.

Bob was able to comply. He stood up on the back of the great beast, knees bent and loose to keep his balance. Then he raised his axe high and dropped it quickly and with power, flipping his blades at the last moment and slamming the flat side of the axe against the animal's skull, crushing it. Immediately the animal pitched forward, hitting the grass and sliding to a stop. Bob was thrown off, but managed to roll into his fall and avoid any major injuries. He arose with a few small scratches but was otherwise unharmed.

The girls ran to catch up to the boys where they had gathered, breathing heavier than normal but not by much; the running every day prior helped with that. The five stood there staring at the once mighty beast before them. No words were spoken, they only stared. Karl almost started to feel guilty for their act. The law of nature was simple: kill, or be killed. Eat, or die. Berries and fruit, sap and leaves, reeds and mushrooms. These would help one stave off hunger and remain healthy, but sooner or later even the savory taste of raas would get old. And this catch, once smoked and dried, would make a healthy addition to their figurative bread baskets.

The four from the tribe had deemed it long enough to let the five celebrate-- or mourn-- their kill. They stepped up and into the vision of the five. Taz said, "That was well-done for a first time hunt. I can say I would be happy to have any of you in my party the next time I go out."

"Well that's a plus," Julie said, more short than she intended. Karl thought she, too, was upset over what happened.

Oliver decided to speak up, dismissing Julie's shortness for exhaustion. "It really was," he said. "Aside from Sam trying to mount the animal and Bob actually doing it, it was pretty quick."

"But not painless," Karl said, solemnly.

"That will come with time," Zadi said. "The girls were right on marks, and with more practice, more power behind each draw, they alone could have felled the beast."

"And you guys were all clever in your attacks," Oliver added. "You aimed at good locations to bring her down quickly and efficiently. I have seen more teams than not miss critical points and lose a target. Sam made good choices before you got close that led to a good hunt."

Malik said, "The important part is that you all worked together as a team. You built off of one another, and that will grow over time. The trust you showed in the rest of your party was outstanding. The guys rushed even as the girls were shooting, trusting they would not shoot you. You all played off each other well, picking up where another let off and switching leads without a word."

"Overall," Taz said, "it was outstanding."

"I'm glad you think so," Sam said. "Thanks."

"Any time. Now, let's cut this open and get back to camp. I'd like to see some haddy strips before nightfall, if possible."

Four sets of knives immediately took to carving the fallen animal. Karl and the others hung back, looking between themselves. The sadness at the way the hunt had happened was there but waning. The trust they had just placed in each other, the way they had worked together, was starting to replace sorrow with pride. These five, who had months ago been classmates, weeks ago been just friends, and days ago been lost, had become a team.

Hopefully, Karl thought, we are a team that can handle anything that comes our way.