The Path in the Forest (1)

Neferet watched as Brian and Rebeca distributed the supplies. While she stroked the hair of the new applicant who had joined them, the girl did not stop sobbing, looking askance at the remains of the boy that Brian had burned to give him the funeral honors.

With a grimace on her face, Rebeca continued, and every so often, she would throw in some other colorful description that Neferet had never encountered before.

After they both finished, Rebeca got up, saying, "I think all of you should carry two pistols, and we will divide the bullets in case you need to reload."

While carrying the small sack with her supplies on her shoulder, she said, "I will take the leftover pistols. I will put them to better use."

After firing the rifle, Brian threw it away because he believed that reloading it would be a pointless endeavor.

He took the one from the dead applicant, and then, holding up another, he said, "I'll take two then, I'll also take one of the swords. The remaining spear and shield can stay here."

And then, Brian stood up, tying the straps of his sword scabbard and his new pistol. While he said, "It is not wise to carry so many things either. I can carry two sacks of food, and each of you will carry one in case we get separated."

As she proceeded to sort the bullets into smaller groupings, Rebeca nodded her head in agreement.

The young woman who wouldn't stop hugging Neferet was perturbed by the pistols and swords that were lying around on the ground.

While Neferet stroked her hair, she said, "What we don't use, we should throw in the pond."

While she was looking at Rebeca and Brian, Neferet raised her hand and pointed to the small pond that was nearby.

While he was gently removing the sleeves of his shirt, Brian did not look at her at any point.

Considering how charred and slashed they were, it wouldn't make a difference if he wore them or not because they were in such bad shape.

"Why would we do that."

Neferet heard again how Briana's hoarse voice had a calm tone again, and despite sounding hoarse, it was nothing like how she had heard it a few moments ago when his voice seemed like the growls of a beast that imitated the human voice.

Breathing as he gently pushed the girl she had next to her aside, Neferet said, "So that if someone else wants those resources, they take a risk in the pond."

As they stood on the beach and looked out over the ocean, which appeared to be completely transparent, but as Brian had mentioned before.

The water had something intimidating, "In case the archer comes back to get his supplies, he knows that he lost more than the fight."

When Rebeca turned her head to look at Neferet, she saw that the latter was still attempting to conceal her accent by staring at the lake.

She said, "Nefy, how scared you were. I did not imagine that you were so cruel." Rebeca drew a complicit smile while she began to drag things near Brian.

Neferet turning to see her, replied, "Everyone fights how they can." After shrugging her shoulders, she looked at Brian and said, "I've never fought for myself before. But I have all my life studying the art of war."

Looking at her sideways, Brian whispered, "Art of war."

Starting to take the sacks, Brian said, "Then we fix ourselves, and what is not useful we throw in the pond. Then what do we do?"

Neferet crossed her arms under her breasts, saying, "The correct thing would be to start looking for the reconnaissance team. Going into the forest would be best. We could shorten the path if we surround the forest, but we may not find the reconnaissance team in time."

Neferet stepped over and slowly picked up one of the rifles and one of the sacks as the girls and Brian looked.

Sensing the gazes, Neferet said quietly, "The best thing would be to look for them. To confirm their kills or ally with them, since if the archer gets to them first, don't know what he could do. Attack them or seek an alliance against us after this fight. I don't think he wants to face you alone, Brian."

Neferet went to her feet and put a gentle touch on one of Bryan's arms with one of her hands.

Her palm gently landed on Brian's arm, more out of the involuntary reaction than deliberate choice, and she felt the tense muscles of his arm.

Neferet found that she was unable to suppress a gentle smile.

Rebeca imitated Neferet by lifting an eyebrow and crossing her arms in the same manner.

However, as she was describing the girl, she couldn't help but notice the disparities in her body.

Rebeca quickly lowered her hands and placed them on her waist as she said, "Well, we proceed through the forest then. But will she be able to keep up with us?"

Rebeca looked up, covering her face with her hand, and then she looked at the sun. She casually said, "It's past noon, and we can't take many breaks."

Rebeca faced Brian while she stood there, but she turned her back on him and did some little stretching and bending of her back.

Before stepping away from the girls, Brian had the uncontrollable urge to temporarily avert his gaze for a few seconds.

After a few periods of time, the wild and dangerous energy that had been emanating from Brian faded away, and it was replaced with the demeanor and behavior of a typical ashamed adolescent.