A week before the aptitude test the church protector Khan took us out for a trip out to the lake outside the dungeon. The purpose of the trip was so all children get reconnected to nature, at least for a little while. Well as close as nature as they could get, because I found out that the city used to be in a forest in the past, but it grew big enough to engulf it completely.

Our activities for the day included bathing in the lake, cooking food, singing and sparring with Khan. What I most looked forward to was the singing and sparring! Terion on the other hand was more interested in the bathing, but he did not mind sparring.

"This is a familiar gate..." I comment as we pass under the gate in which Khan and Nana Weatherhorn found me at. I do not got any bad memories of it, in fact they are one of my happier ones lately.

"Hah, I heard that they found ya over here." Answers Terion in his cheery as usual tone. He carries a much heavier backpack than me. Terion insisted that he would carry some of the stuff in my backpack. He was so persistent I just gave in. Next time I won't give in though!

We walk into the sparse pine woods next to the lake and Khan then starts talking.

"Little ones, this may be the first time for some of you, so heed my words." Says he loud and clear to us.

"Do not leave the pack, I do not want to look for you.

Do not enter the dungeon, little ones die in it.

Do not enter the lake without telling me first.

Last of all, have fun, joy is the greatest spice in life."

It did not take long until we arrived at the same place I grilled and ate that pig man leg. But now was my makeshift fireplace all gone, it probably got ruined by the rain during my absence. With Khan in the lead it did not take long until we had all our backpacks unpacked, and a fireplace assembled complete with cooking pots and a spinning skewer. By the time we was done the sun already started to fall down into the horizon and the clear sky changed its colors into a reddish orange.

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Me and the children started by taking a bath in the cool lake as Khan cooked up dinner for us all. It is a blessing in this heat! Me and Terion especially spent a lot of time just playing in the lake. Throwing water at each other and diving and arriving at unexpected places next to us. It is so fun!

As we started wolfing down dinner I looked at Khan and asked about something I has been curious about ever since I arrived here.

"Khan? How did you come to work for the church?" Khan takes a long look at the horizon at first, but then focuses his eyes at me.

"That is a tale, little one." He puts down his bowl and sticks his spoon in it.

"Little ones, listen closely." Everyone turns towards him and are silent in anticipation. Khan then takes a careful look at everyone and starts telling his story.

"When I was a little cub, I was found alone outside the city on the highway in just a basket.

A group of adventurers, who were on their way back from a quest, found me.

They nearly left me there, if it wasn't for one person. Nana Weatherhorn which was the parties priest, took pity upon me. Much to the anger of the others.

After a lot of arguing, Nana split off from the party. She never saw them anymore since then."

Khan looks up at the sky with a mixture of happiness and sadness in his face.

"Nana lost a lot, in order to allow me grow up, and grow strong.

Her adventuring career is just a memory now."

He then looks at all of us carefully and continues talking.

"On the other hand.

She has helped many little ones, to have a future of their own, ever since then.

It is a sacrifice, I intend to share her burden.

Just like how she shared my burden.

Nana, whom I consider to be my mother."

He blink with his eyes and a tear falls out of one of his eyes.

"I owe everything I have to Nana and the church.

Helping little ones bring me great joy.

With my axe, I protect the church and little ones."

Khan then stands and proudly puffs up his chest with his bowl still in his hand.

"And that is my tale."

A tale of compassion, sacrifice and charity. I like it! I guess my own tale won't be as bright in comparison. But there is still time for me to weave my own tale into a completely different direction than where it is going to now. My setback at the start will be overshadowed by what happens later on in my tale!

After this little story time, most of us played around or sparred with Khan. When it came to singing it was mostly us girls who joined in, but it was a lot of fun! Hahaha, make me wonder if the aptitude test have a stand for singers?

This entire trip was enjoyable and we all came back just at bedtime. With the aptitude test next week, I am both hyped and nervous at the same time. I will hope for the best.