Lindsay
Schopfer

By Lindsay Schopfer

Keltin waited as Grel’zi’tael lead the Loopi in their morning prayers. Standing at a respectful distance, he yawned and stretched, feeling better than he had since he had first arrived in Krendaria. A full night’s sleep and a hopeful outlook for the campaign had improved his mood considerably.

He’d spent the day before in the company of Baron Rumsfeld and the other newly appointed team captains to discuss and improve upon the ideas proposed by Keltin and his friends. Plans were made and implemented quickly, and by the afternoon the stand hunters were already positioned in a protective ring around the camp, while trappers laid their deadly snares even further into the forest.

While Keltin’s original idea had been for the stand hunters to take their positions beyond the trapper’s territory, he’d quickly changed his mind at yesterday’s meeting. Captain Morgan of the stand hunters had been offended when Keltin suggested the traps be placed between his hunters and the camp.

“You think we’d let anything get by us?” he had demanded. “You’d never have to reset a trap.”

Keltin hadn’t expected Mortan’s reaction, but Baron Rumsfeld had come to his rescue by skillfully dealing with the situation. He cooled Morgan’s temper while explaining to the rest of the captains the wisdom in placing the traps beyond the stand hunters. All present agreed on the change of strategy, and the dinnertime report of three beasts killed by traps and stand hunters confirmed their decision.

Now it was time to start sending out the mobile teams. Keltin’s team of stalkers and the tamarrin hound trainers would be first, leaving the camp in different directions to cover as much distance as possible and avoid interfering with each other.

At last, the Loopi finished their prayers and rose from their rush mats.

“Are you ready to go then?” asked Keltin as he approached them.

Bor’ve’tai looked up and nodded. Keltin was about to turn back towards the farmhouse when Grel’zi’tael placed a hand on Bor’ve’tai’s shoulder.

“I should caution you, my friend,” he said. “I feel that today you will be called upon for the first time to use those things that I have taught you.”

Bor’ve’tai‘s mouth became a hard line. “Perhaps it would be better if Shar’le’vah went with Keltin then. She is farther along than I am.”

Grel’zi’tael gave Bor’ve’tai a curious look but the younger Loopi dropped his gaze to the ground. Keltin was stunned. In the very short time he’d known Bor’ve’tai he’d never seen the Loopi show the slightest hesitancy or uncertainty. Shar’le’vah stepped forward to place a hand on Bor’ve’tai’s arm.

“I can go with Keltin,” she said to Grel’zi’tael. “I don’t mind.”