Niko got up early and left the construction site before any of the humans returned to start their day. He met up with Nock, the seeker who camped near the cabin and told him what an experience he had. As the two of them hiked on to pick up Rum, the other seeker, Niko shared some of his scary over-night experience. He said that while he was laying low in one of the half finished buildings, he heard some growling. Niko said that he flew over to one of the windows and saw two large black and brown beasts.
“They where walking around and sniffing everywhere. I was scared and I was hoping that the beasts wouldn’t find me,” Niko said.
He also told Nock that the beasts had long sharp teeth, walked on four legs, and snarled at each other.
“I’m happy that I wasn’t in your shoes,” Nock said, “my night was pretty quiet.”
Just then, as the two of them walked along the river, a large eagle screeched as it flew over them. Niko and Nock ran over to a large fallen tree and ducked down by it. They watched as the eagle made a couple of passes over them, and then flew and landed at the top of a tree on the other side of the river.
“Boy, that was close,” Nock swept his blonde hair back out of his eyes.
“Now I remember why I don’t go on these outings very often anymore,” Niko put his hand on his chest, “my heart is pounding hard.”
“Yeah, there is still a lot to watch for out here,” Nock said.
Niko trained Nock and Rum to be seekers, but he was also ten years older than them. The two of them came out from behind the fallen tree and looked toward the trees where they saw the eagle go.
“I think the coast is clear for now,” Nock said.
Niko and Nock walked closer to the trees that were still standing and away from the river. The two of them headed in the direction where they would meet Rum. The plan was to meet up with Rum before going into the forest to their village. They still had most of the morning to hike before they made it that far though. So, wouldn’t it be easier to fly to their destination, you might be asking? It would, but Niko always taught his security and seekers that flying out in the open also makes it easier for a flying predator to snatch them out of the air. So, when you’re out in open spaces, Niko told them to hike.
Nock suggested to Niko that they stop once for a quick snack and a drink. The morning sun was getting hotter and they hadn’t eaten since early the night before. As the two of them rested, Nock told Niko what he heard the one man say about extending the building site west of the river. Niko was happy to hear that the humans didn’t plan on moving more north. After what he also heard from the other men yesterday, Niko felt confident that his community will still be safe and not have to move.
Back at the fairy village, Ma had already put together plans as to when and where the community would hold the life celebration for Otto. Since Otto and much of the community would be already in the school area that evening with Niko and the seekers, the females thought it would be a nice surprise for him. So, later that afternoon, Ma went down to the school area and helped Tia and a few others set up for the celebration.
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