CAMP

Sage's profile slowly came into view. She walked in to stand at the center of the aisle as she glanced around from the frail-looking children to the blood-stained floors.

'Yup! We would have to clean this mess up before we resume our journey' Sage said referring to the blood stains.

"Okay now, nice to see you all alive. Now make your way down the stairs. Orderly?!." Sage commanded the children as she stressed the last part of the sentence.

The weak-looking children slowly stood up one after the other and made their way down the stairs, with those who could not fully support themselves getting help from the other children.

The three girls just like the others were making their way toward the step. There was a bit of a slowdown due to how slow the children were moving causing Ulanni, Flint, and Sarah to get held up on the line.

Sage let her gaze scheme over the girls as it came to rest on the face of the pink-headed girl who stood out amongst the other children due to how vibrant she looked and moved like she didn't sustain any injuries after the ordeal from yesterday.

'She healed again.' Sage thought as she stared at Ulanni because she had clearly seen the fist-sized bump on her head yesterday, but right now the area around her head was as smooth and without blemish as a newborn baby.

The only signs of what happened yesterday were the blood stains on her exposed skin which was not even compared to that of the other children.

The crowded isle soon freed up and Ulanni and her two friends soon made their way down the flight of stairs and out of Sage's sight.

When the children had all cleared out Sage moved to also go down the stairs.

Ulanni who was behind the other two girls also touched down on the last step, she turned around to peep into the second compartment to find it already emptied. She then followed the rest to alight the Mussel Mobile.

The first thing that she noticed was the chattering of squirrels and the melodious voice of birds singing.

"Wow!" Ulanni was amazed at the sight in front of her. Tall thick shady trees occupied every space in sight.

She took steps forward and touched down on the earth. The leaves crunched underneath her feet and she felt the wind whistling through the trees and came to crease her hair making it flutter to its melody.

The smell of damp wood after rainfall and fragrant herbs aroma and wood filled the air.

"Such fresh air!" Sarah exclaimed as she took in the breezy air that smelt fresh and clean, definitely different from the stale air of the compartment.

"Hmmm," Ulanni hummed in reply, as she tilted her nose to the sky and took in deep breaths.

Flint flexed her toes in the sandy earth as she also took in large gulps of the fresh air, this was the same with the rest of the children.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Just then they heard clapping sounds behind them. They all turned to face where the sound came from which was the entrance of the Mobile which they had just exited from.

Sage stood there as she gave her final clap, succeeding in getting the children's attention she started her speech.

"We would be making a stop here to rest. You, you, you, you, and you, go up to the second compartment and get the goods stacked up there."

Sage ordered as she pointed at five boys who were standing in front of the crowd. On hearing her order, the boys moved to make their way back into the Mobile.

"The rest of you, follow me!" Sage ordered as she gave a small jump and landed on the dried leaves covered everywhere on the earth.

With leaves crunching beneath her feet, as she took each step, she led the children to the other side where the Mobile was packed.

The shady trees blocked the streaming rays of morning sunlight with just a few escaping. The children followed behind Sage until they made a complete turn around the Mobile.

There was a large opening that was void of towering trees which stretched onto the left far longer than they could see.

"We would camp here." Sage started and paused for some seconds before continuing.

"We need to make a fire. So Flint." Sage called out.

"Yes black!" Flint answered as she stepped forward from the crowd of children.

"You will divide them up in threes and a set would go fetch wood to start a fire. Another, to wash these food items."

Sage paused as she activated her spatial ring and poured out a generous amount of food items from within it as the children gaped in awe.

"The other set would set up the pots and blankets that those five sets of boys would bring from the Mobile."

Sage stopped and thought for some seconds, to see if she was missing any other thing.

"Okay! Now get moving people! There is a stream not far from here to my right."

Sage said as she pointed in a particular direction before moving away from where the children were and disappearing into the thick clusters of trees ahead leaving the children staring in her wake.

"Okay! You heard what Black said. Let's get started!" Flint said her voice loud and commanded respect.

"Girls I need you separated from the boy. Girls on the right and boys on the left! Let's go!!" 

Flint shouted as she scanned the children already mentally thinking of how to divide the tasks amongst them all.

In the next few minutes, Flint divided the children into various tasks. The boys would go fetch the firewood while the girls were divided into the remaining tasks.

The five boys who had been tasked with bringing the items from the Mobile had returned and the girls already got to arranging the items.