Chapter 20

                                    

                                          
"We'll have to encircle one. Ideally we separate it from the group and then attack it together" she said with a confidence that told me that this wasn't her first hunt. 
I had my doubt about the success rate of the plan but that was solely because of me. I wouldn't be as fast as them and neither as strong. But what other option was there? 
"Guys what are you good at?" Blayze asked. 
I instantly felt bad that I only had my mediocre sword skills. And I could see people in the dark but I wasn't sure in that ability yet. I was still scared that I'd never be able to replicate it so I relied on my human body.
"I'm a vampire, so I have my fangs, speed and strength" Lilac replied first. 
"As werwolves we have our wolves of course" Juliette said. I couldn't imagine her fighting although I knew that she had to be excellent or else she wouldn't be in the second round of this tournament. On a second thought, I was here as well.
"Uhm I have this sword" I said while freeing it from the scabbard. 
I didn't want to interpret too much into their expressions but it was difficult since their smiles dropped so obviously. We were basically only three and a half men which would make this even harder.
Let alone to form a circle you'd already need five people at least, four could only form a square that would easily be evaded.
But I wanted to contribute instead of being useless. 
"How do you kill a buffalo?" I asked, watching their faces drop even further.
Was I really the only one here who didn't go hunting every weekend?
In anticipation I awaited my how-to-kill-a-buffalo-101. 
After a few awkward seconds Juliette finally composed herself enough to explain. "There are really only two points. Either go for the throat or aim a little above the front leg, that's where its heart and lungs are" she replied in a flat tone. 
That sounded easy enough. I could definitely try to get the throat with my sword or the front legs from the side. 
"Maybe just uhh... stay a little further off. You can bait it maybe, Juliette and I will kill it, right?" Blayze interrupted my thoughts. Juliette nodded in agreement while I wasn't sure how to react.
I didn't know if I should feel offended or instead grateful that I wouldn't need to do anything. 
Besides, I was still wondering how Lilac fit into the picture but we were both too intimidated to ask. In Blayze' mind everything seemed as clear as day while we were falling behind because of inexperience. At least I wasn't alone. 
"Blayze, this one's already by itself" Juliette called out, ignoring us. She pointed at a smallish buffalo that was resting on an arm of the little lake. 
"Yes, let's get this one" she agreed, for once satisfied with the smaller option. 
This was where I was coming in. Without having to be reminded of my role I closed in on the buffalo. In anxiety I watched as its sand colored tail wiggled in the air. My hands were bawled into fists to stop my body from shaking. 
 
I only had to gain its attention and run. 
When I looked back only Lilac appeared slightly uncomfortable with the situation. Blayze and Juliette had already went a little further away where they positioned themself in a fighting stance. 
Praying that I wouldn't be trampled to death or impaled by its horns I gripped a good handful of sand. From a hopefully safe distance I took a deep breath, preparing myself to run. 
I took a swing, propelling the sand and debris forward. I didn't stay long enough to watch the outcome of my throw, instead I began running for my life. 
I ran past Lilac, hearing the loud clinking of hooves on sand behind me. The ever increasing volume gave me the missing motivation to reach a pace I could've only dreamed of. 
Finally, I passed the duo as well, positioning myself behind them. For the first time, I looked behind myself where I saw that the buffalo had already passed Lilac who stood around as rigid as a wall. Lucky for her, the buffalo only had one goal, and that was me.