Gift

Someone jumped on me and hugged me the second I stepped into the hut.

" Where were you ?" said a panicked Vaela.

"I slept at the lake. You don't need to worry so much because I didn't sleep at egghead." I was feeling a bit annoyed and touched. On one side, I didn't want always to have someone on my back who would watch my every move. But on another side, it's refreshing to know you're important to someone. However, as I looked at the relieved expression of the other kids, I thought something was wrong. 'I might have misunderstood.'

" What happened ?" I asked.

" An enemy scoot was sighted near the village yesterday evening. And as you didn't come back, we believed something happened to you," answered Ushha.

A chill ran down my spine. ' I was lucky yesterday !' I can't help but imagine what would have happened if crossed him.

" I'm alright !"

" Well, from now on, you must be careful when heading out. There will be more and more orcs coming. I expect the war to start in a year. The bear tribe leader is careful and will not start the war before he knows all the parameters." Said Vaela.

" You can't defend yourself against tattoo warriors. They are on a whole different level, so if you see one, hide or flee as fast as possible. Alright ?"

We all nodded.

I looked at Zala. She must have felt my gaze as she looked back at me. Zala and I were close enough to talk with our eyes. We have been doing this for years. It sometimes annoys Vae as she can't understand what we are saying.

I was telling Zala that we should ask baruba to teach us how to fight with tattoos. Of course, we had our tattoo skills, but I doubt it would be enough. There is still much we don't know.

She agreed with me. I mentally note the task in my head. Then I went to Uzu, who returned to playing with Noa after listening to Vaela.

" Hey, Uzu, I have something for you !"

She looked at me with a hopeful and excited expression.

" Did you finish my mask !"

" I have !"

She suddenly became wary and carefully asked.

" It's not the same as the last one you gave me ?"

" No, of course not. This one was just for training. But I just made a true and beautiful mask. Do you want it ?"

" Yes !"

I showed her the mask I was hiding behind my back. As soon as her eyes laid on it, I knew she would cherish it.

" It's so beautiful !" She said while carefully grabbing.

She admired it for a second before putting it on her head.

The mask was entirely black and covered the whole face. The tiger was roaring, showing its teeth. It was funny seeing Uzu wearing it.

"Wow," She exclaims.

She looked at me with bright eyes.

" I can see better !"

" It's because the mask enhances your senses."

"Really!" She said before jumping in my arm.

" Thank you very much Yal ! You are the best !"

" I always hold my promises. The mask is called Bagheera !"

She took off the mask and looked at it repeating its name.

" And me ?" Said Nao feeling neglected.

" I promised to give my first mask to Uzu, and as I promised you, you'll get my second. Can you wait ?"

"Yes," gently said Noa.

' Noa is more of the calm type, while Uzu is a hyperactive girl.'

Now that she received her mask, I could get back at making masks, but I will go through all the steps this time.

...

In the following months, I worked hard on creating new intents to make a mask sturdier. I also design different masks for Noa. I was greatly inspired by the games the girls were bringing back.

I finally decided to use a colibec as a model for Noa's mask. I will need a lot of time before I'm able to make it.

Winter was quickly closing.

There was no movement from the enemy tribe for now. It will be soon Yurim and the boys' turn to pass the ceremony.

Baruba became increasingly quiet. He would only come once a month to train us. It was strange. But my guesses were that he was reaching a crucial point in his research.

'I may have less time with Baruba than I thought.'

Shafu, Fusha, Burny, and Vorl also found their personal teacher in the meantime.

Burny discovered a new passion for long-range weapons when he witnessed one of the training of the few bowmen of the tribe. Long-range weapons weren't popular among orcs, but it didn't prevent some from learning how to use them. Burny found a senior bowman who was more than willing to teach him.

As for Vorl, we don't know many things about his teacher apart from that he is the oldest orc of the tribe. He doesn't talk much about what he is learning.

Then there were the girls who didn't share it with us, saying it would be a surprise.

And like this, time passed very quickly.

...

"Arg"

Bam Pan

I was behind egghead hut with the other orphans. We were watching Yurim and Vaela fighting. A bit further, it was Wolfteeth and Rorm fighting.

It was two very different combat. The girl was competing with their speed. I was impressed by the progressed Yurim made. We discovered a year ago that Yurim was far better with a short weapon than with a spear. Vaela and I thought of a weapon that would be easy to make in the wilderness. A short weapon is a disadvantage when facing an opponent with a spear. However, it's perfect for sneak attacks. Besides, it doesn't ..... when moving around or doing complex movements. And that's what she was currently doing. Yurim was constantly spinning and dodging all Vaela's strikes. She was holding a stack in each hand. She could now fight with Zala without losing. She even holds a light advantage. But it would be different if Zala could use her tattoo skill.

On the other hand, the boys used different combat styles. Wolfteeth was furiously attacking Rorm, who was countering each of his strikes. From an outside perspective, you might think Wolfteeth was the reckless one attacking without worrying about the defense. But you would change, but you would change your mind if you observed Rorm's expression. He was madly smiling at his opponent. Rorm is a fighting maniac. When he starts, it's difficult to stop him. We all experienced how dangerous he was in that state. Wolfteeth was relentlessly attacking, not to give him the space he needed. Wolfteeth knew he was weaker than Rorm, so he gave his all from the very beginning.

The combats were very interesting, and we were all cheering for them. There were only two days left before the ceremony. So it was their last training before the ceremony.

Yurim has received a lot of proposals in the last month, but she rejected them all.

Boom

Rorm found an opening and stroke at Wolteeth, ending the fight. The girls also stopped. The young orcs were harboring a determined face. They were ready !

...

Two days later, the ceremony started.