Please, let me know if you find mistakes. Keep in mind, that your cooperation may improve quality of this fiction and make bunny gods happy.

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“So, what's now?” Me and Korhal sat under a tree two hours away from my home. It’s been a week since that fateful day, when my future was decided. Mom and dad agreed to let me train under Korhal’s supervision. He left for six days and mom used that time to make me a traveling outfit. It was rather thin, but sturdy enough to prevent unfortunate scratches and minor bruises. It's not like a scratch will make me mad, but I had to wear it anyway, just to be on the safe side. I also received a backpack from redmaned tyrant’s skin. I didn’t take much with me. A tailoring tools, one single pan for cooking, spice mother uses, my book for notes and a flask of water. Anything else was deemed as unnecessary by Korhal, which returned an hour before our departure. Leaving my people behind was hard, but I could cope with that. I was offered a once in a lifetime chance and made my resolve immediately. Surprisingly, mom and dad took the blow even better than me. Seems like it’s not all that uncommon to part with your children early on. Korhal’s attempt to comfort mom by saying I’m going to return for a coming of age ceremony wasn’t a good idea, though.

“So what’s now?” I repeated.

“Well, I’m going to teach you from this very moment,” Korhal took a rope and braided two knots around my ankles. “First I’ll teach you how to walk, then how o breath, then how to run. Basic stuff that can be trained during travels.” I thought I’ve been doing exactly all that up until now.

“Stand up, we have a long way to go,” he jumped on his legs and took my backpack.

“How am I supposed to walk a long distance with ropes on my legs.I can't even make a full step. It’s so uncomfortable.”

“You’ll have to figure out that by yourself. You’ll get used to that after a week, maybe.” He turned around and went with a fast pace. I stood up and scurried after him, but fell miserably after my third step. After two hours of tries and mistakes I finally leveled with Korhal, while panting heavily. I thought I lost him at times, since discerning his smell is rather hard, but leathery smell of my backpack made it easier to follow. My steps got gradually smaller while falls rarer. I also started to use calf muscles more.

“Three days ago I spotted a camp near our borders. If things go well, they’ll pass our patrols unspotted,” he told.

“Wait..huff….. how can an infiltration of hostiles….huff….be a good thing?”

“We’ll be able to take them out ourselves, obviously. You missed a big part of education that Shanahan couldn’t possibly teach. Kids supposed to learn such things the easy way, by sparring and fighting since early childhood. You’re different though.”

“WHa….huff….you don’t expect me t….huff..to kill a man?”

“No, you won’t be able to, yet. Listen carefully, Akillah. You live in a jungle, where strong devour weak for a reason and without one. It’s neither good, nor bad, that’s just how things are. I bet you didn’t hurt a fly in your life, and that’s a problem. Do you think young cubs feel sorry for hurting their peers in small fights?” I didn’t feel like answering since panting got heavier, “They’re not, since it’s a natural thing to do,” he continued. “Scratches and bruises tend to heal, while experience you get from them stays forever. Again, you have no luxury to learn on your own mistakes. Of all beastmen, you’re the worst possible student on early stages. Let me make it clear, I'm not trying to tell, that killing left and right is right thing to do. Slavers shall perish, though, their life is not theirs the moment they'll enter our wood's shade. I'm planning to use them as an example. Any other kid would have been honored to take a life of a slaver," he made a pause ready to listen, but I had not much left in me. To make things worse, I tripped again and he had to catch me halfway to the ground. "Done, huh? It's ok, you held longer then I thought you would. Here you go," he said while fatching a flack from my bag.

"Huff......hufff....You don't....hufff......value life...huff.....at all." I said after emptying half of the flask in on go. It was hard to imagine this simpleton to comb his hair, let alone give thoughts to the concept of life.

"But I do! Maybe even more than you. Life is valuable because it's brittle and by no means eternal. No, some beings are eternal, to be frank. All of those are monsters that have no values at all."

"What kind of...huff...monsters?"

"Ancients." I frowned and tried to remember what Shanahan told me about them.

"Didn't they go crazy and degrade?"

"Yes, they did, but all of them in a different way. There are monsters that barely remind of humanoids in dungeons. They kill each other for food, they breed, they sleep and age. But further and deeper, there are also those that retained some crumbles of memories and skills. Those are real monsters. Ever hungry, ever awake. I lost many friends to those abominations," he looked rather sad. "I learned to value life even more in those tunnels. While clashing with a foe you need to be ready for both, to take a life, and to give your own. It's neither good thing, nor bed, as I said before."

"But can't you, uhm, avoid all clashes?" I told for the sake of argument.

"How?"

"I don't know. Put the law or something?"

"There is a law between our race and our neighbours that prevents slavery, authorized by both sides. Did they stop coming?"

"Ok, how about jails? We could build jails, right?"

"The sentence for slavery in our woods is death. Capturing a human alive is harder then killing him outright. You'll risk your life for what? To put a thug into the jail and feed him meat for a lifetime? I'm not even talking about ecosystem now. We live in a harmony with forest, and our harmony has no place for freeloaders. They knew what awaits them should they fail. Since capturing a beastmen alive is even more difficult, they aim for children. There is nothing wrong for an adult to parish in battle, but children shall not be touched at all times. Didn't Shanahan teach you what honour is?"

"I know what honor is, thank you," I thought to mantion, that humans could handle their criminals themselves, but dropped the idea immediately. "So, I'll kill someone too? That doesn't sit right with me."

"Hmm, wanna let others do dirty job for you? That," he strengthened his tone, "is what shall not sit right with you?"

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"I'm not avoiding anything, there is just no need."

"And that wonderful boar your mother cooked? It just happened to fall on your father's spear? Didn't your mother skin it to make you a durable clothing? Isn't that what you call "need"?" He stood up and took a flack from my hand. " Why do you even want to become warrior? Do you think warriors are all noble and adorable bunnies that eat rainbows?

"They are strong enough to protect themselves."

"So to protect yourself shedding blood is not necessary? You better drop that naivety now, while you can, child. If you ever decide to spare your foe's life, then know, he'll return stronger then ever. Scars teach humans as good as they teach us," he took a sip from my bottle. "My tongue got sore from all the talking already. Up on your feet and try not to get lost again. I had to change directions and rub your bag against bark to make you turn the right way." he turned around and left my field of vision in few seconds.

"Dammit" I swore out loud. First, I lost a track and let that grass-smelling geezer to scratch my backpack. It's not that I caught up with him, he let me do that. Second, I lost a dispute to someone I considered an idiot. I realy had to reevaluate my attitude to him. He has zero tact and no manners. His social skills are lacking. But he's not to be looked down on. Third, my legs were heavy. The thought of another two hours of this strange walk was excruciating. I got on my feet anyway.

"Wai—", while making a step in his direction I stumbled again, and couldn't react before falling on the ground like a log. "Fuchh...!" Now I had ground stuck in my nose. Just perfect. While spitting and swearing I continued to chase him.

Somewhere in the slavers’ camp

Lestard’s POV

“Boss! Our scout returned. The patrol passed two hours ago, and won’t be returning for two days at least. We may be able to sneak in, reach our destination before they return and spot our track, then evacuate through reserve route. The way is clear.”

“Good. We move out immediately. Leave two slowest men here and let them move our stash to the gathering point. Leave the tents behind, when we sell our merchandise, equipment won’t be a problem anymore. Is the scout ready to guide us?”

“No sir, he needs rest. At least two hours or so.”

“Feed him one of stamina potions. We can’t wait.”

“Yes, sir!” My lieutenant turned around and left . He was already barking orders while I was tightening all straps on my leather vest. It’s a good thing our customer provided a skilled scout, reconnaissance is crucial in our business. Last time I lost half of my men while trying to enter furballs’ territory just because my scouts had to bring whiskey with them. Idiots didn’t even drink all that much, one or two gulps to shorten the night. Had to string them up in front of survivors to make the bunch stay. They would have left anyway if this business wasn't as lucrative as it is. Four or five hostages, young or old, can buy a decade's worth of mercenary income for a whole squad. Damn, if not for my wife and three kids I would have never ventured in too. I promised her sweet life in a big house. Sometimes I see it in my dreams. Me and kids under large oak. She waves her hand to call us in for dinner, while I teach my boys swordsmanship. That dream will come true soon. Five days for operation, two turns to deliver the package, another three to reach home. It’s time to put an end to this.

“Men! Move out!” I moved to the outskirts of the camp when scout leveled with me. “Have something to say, soldier?”

“Bad premonition, sir.”

“What do you mean? You saw something?”

“No, sir, nothing at all.” I stopped in my track and looked at him. The scout refused to look me in the eye and looked to the ground timidly.

“Are you mocking me, soldier? Or are you scared to go back to woods?” He shook his head and looked at me. He was not scared, he was in panic. I saw such longing look in the eyes of broken soldiers. The eyes that beg for mercy.

“Lieutenant!” I barked at once, “what did you give him?”

“Stamina potion, sir, just as you told me.”

“Look at him. He’s in no shape to guide us. Are there any side effects you know of?”

“Hmm. We had three potions left, one older then another. He was alright ten minutes ago, sir. I bet he’ll be fine when potion wears off,” he reported.

“Damn. We have no time to wait. Send another scout ahead and keep an eye on this fool. Off you go!”

“Yes, sir!” They both left me bad taste in my mouth. Nothing ever goes according to plan. Let’s hope it was last of our surprises. Five days and five turns. Nothing will matter after that.

Akillah’s POV

I’ve been moving for another two hours before reaching the clearing where Korhal was taking a nap. It’s been only six hours since I left home, but my legs burned and ached all over. After emptying my flask, I fell on thick grass and watched clouds for some time, while still huffing. When I caught my breath some weak screeching sounds caught my attention. A horned rabbit hung on the rope, tied by its legs. Only now did I get, how hungry I was. I got up to wake up master Korhal, but noticed that there was no sword on his hip. It lied beside him, half unsheathed.

“Master Korhal, do you really think I’ll believe you’re sleeping?” He smiled without opening his eyes.

“Don’t bother me until diner is ready. And don’t take your ropes off,” he told, while scouring grass with his fingers. He found a stone, then threw it at me with his big and index finger.

"Ouch! Why did you do that?!"

"Why didn't you dodge? I didn't even try much," he replied, having his eyes still closed.

I took his sword and unsheathed it completely, went to the rabbit and cut its head off. No, rather I wanted to cut it off, but missed the target and injured it instead. Blood, that supposed to drip down, splattered on my arms and made me drop the sword in disgust. Rabbit squealed pitifully. Then, it went silent. And that was it. I wish I could deliver the blow better, though. I got a bit sad but then pain pierced my butt.

"Hey, stop that!" I yelled while ducking to avoid third stone, thrown by Korhal.

"Bravo! It took you three tries to avoid weakest throw ever. On my scale your reflexes are infinitely close to zero," he showed me "zero" gesture and I spotted another stone flung in my direction. I tried to sidestep, but tripped and ended up eating dirt again.

"Buehh..." It's going to be long and annoing journey.