Blindness Training: The last trial

Hama felt a nudge upon her side as she slumbered. She grumbled and woke up and glared in the direction of the nudge.

"Well if your gonna glare you can go back to sleep." She heard the bemused voice of Newt tease her. "Come on time to go do your last bit of training. Forest training." He said.

"Why must you insist on waking me every time? Why can you not wait until I wake?" She grumbled and stood up shaking off sleep. She looked at Newt and laid her head on him as he lead her along.

"Because I need it to be light enough out I can still see you of course. The fireflies only give so much light my dear Hama." He chuckled. He nuzzled her and lead her along to the place he had picked. It was hilly rocky and full of trees. A perfect test of mettle for the older-looking Stryx. "Remember you can take this slow. Don't overwhelm yourself. You're brave and strong." He smiled.

Hama nodded and took a deep breath. She took a step onto the course Newt had set up for her clicking her beak a bit to see what lay before her. She nodded to Newt. "Is there an endpoint?" She asked.

"Yes. This path I chose leads back to the meadow. Just take your time. I'll be above you in the trees. That way you aren't alone. Good luck Hama." He said giving her a final nuzzle before flying up into the trees.

Hama took a deep breath again. The cold forest air made her shiver a bit. She looked around even though she couldn't see then began. Her heart raced with both nerves and excitement. She tapped her claws on the ground and slowly descended. She slid a little on the steep slope but found a rock to catch onto. She felt along and found there were more rocks and slowly used those to climb down. She took her time but finally made it to the bottom of the slope where she felt rock below her feet. 

She walked along the path of rocks and found it was blocked by bigger more intimidating rocks now. She felt along with her head and beak gently finding a step up. She climbed the rocks taking care not to misstep as that could lead to a serious injury. She stopped when she sensed the end of the rocks. She took a calculated risk and jumped gliding down to the bottom and feeling the soft grass below her feet. A wave of relief swept over her. She clicked her beak hearing the trees were closer together now. This was the weaving test. She took a deep breath of fresh forest air again to steel her nerves and began running.

She clicked her beak as she ran to avoid the trees. Her heart raced with the thrill of running through the trees. She jumped over roots step-sided when she sensed a tree. She ran free and happy as she weaved through the trees. Who knew she'd actually have fun doing this. She ducked under a thorny bush and carefully walked this time to not get pricked by the thorns. Once she was through the bush she took off again running smelling the sweet flowers of the meadow.

She leaped over rocks and roots free as could be. She stopped at the entrance to the meadow looking back behind her. She had done it. She completed the course. She took a step into the meadow and took a breath of the sweet flowers there. "I did it." She said.

"Yes, you did," Newt said landing beside her and nuzzling her. "You did wonderfully. And now we can go rest before we eat again. After all Dainty won't wake for another hour. I did leave some berries if you are still wanting something before we rest." He said.

"No, I think sleep would be a good idea. I am worn out from all of that." She said yawning.

Newt chuckled and lead her over to their shared nest. "Then let us rest eh? Sleep well Hama." He said curling around her.

Hama gave a tired yawn and curled into him herself. She slept contently knowing she had done well.