Weeks passed by. Rufus was getting thrown, punched, and kicked around. Rufus was constantly feeling like giving up but always remembered this was the way to learn. Subconsciously he was learning Pema's martial arts he just didn't know it. He was able to a few times counter and stop Pema's throws, but Pema just quickly countered with another throw.

Pema also showed different striking techniques from kicks, knees, and punches. By showing Pema just attacked Rufus. Rufus's face was someday completely swollen.

Pema had learned a little bit of human language. He wasn't good enough to hold a conversation but understood simple sentences.

Haley on the meanwhile was trying to learn to unleash her divine power. She had no luck though. She still didn't want to give meditation a chance.

Edward himself was just building muscles. He could now do a squat with over 750 kilograms and lift 500 kilograms on top of his head with his hands. He was very annoyed since he didn't have his sword.

Doreen instead was being interrogated by Tenzin on a regular basis. Doreen had told the three of them Tenzin was most curious about the political structure of the kingdom and its military structure.

They had been in the town of the Dechen tribe now for three months. The people of the village still showed eyes of hatred towards all of them. Only Tenzin's orders and the tribe's people's trust towards him kept them from killing and attacking them all.

Only Pema had warmed up to Rufus and his friends. At first, he started to use the cloths that Rufus had given him. A few days later Rufus had started to invite him into their house.

At first, Pema was hesitant to enter the house, but slowly getting to know Rufus better he started to enter the house for nights.

The three others were first a little bit hesitant about letting Pema in, but Rufus wanted to be nice to him. Soon the other three also got to know Pema and they also taught Pema the human language.

Pema had still a hard time getting to know other than Rufus. He didn't speak so well the human language yet and he was a very quiet and reserved person.

Soon Pema was also eating together with Rufus and the others. The house became a real house of outcasts and the other grey skin knew it.

~~

It was the middle of fall and winter was coming. Food was being rationed, and the hunters had gone out hunting a lot to get food for the upcoming winter.

On one day the people of the town started yelling. They all started to run inside. Amala came running out of the tribal building with a bow in hand with Tenzin.

"What the hell is going on?" Asked Rufus from Pema.

"Danger. Inside," Pema said with broken human language.

A large bird-like creature flew over the town. The bird flew too high to be seen properly. A scream was heard on the slopes of the mountains next to the town. The bird then left the town. It had taken two goats from the pastures on the mountain slopes. A goat herder had been slain by the beast also.

~~

Everyone was worried. Later a large gathering of the grey skin of the town had gathered in the tribal building. It was full of the town's inhabitants.

"We have to kill it. It will eat away our livestock. It is a pest and will call more of its kinds," said one grey skin in grey skin language.

"He is right. Food is already tight. Take away food at least from the pig skins," yelled another.

"Tenzin send out the hunters. Send in the warriors. Slay the beast before more of its kind come. They will soon start attacking the children of the town," shouted a grey skin woman.

"You can not send the hunters. If they die, we will starve over the winter!" yelled one grey skin.

Rufus and his friends entered the tribal building. All the grey skins looked very angrily at them, but Tenzin allowed them to join in.

"What are they talking about?" Rufus asked from Pema slowly.

"Monster. Problem. Hunt it," Pema explained.

"We were attacked by a predator. A predator bird named rukh. They are large monsters that will eat away at our food and people. The worst is when one finds a good spot to prey on it for long and will call in more of its kind. Soon this valley could be full of them," Amala came and explained.

"Why don't you go and kill it?" Edward asked.

"It is a smart beast. It is hard to hunt. Often the hunter has become the hunted when trying to take down that beast. We also must spare our hunters. We need them now more than ever. Winter is always tough and the hunters must fill the town with game meat before winter and try to hunt more during the winter months," Amala explained.

Tenzin stood up. He wanted everyone to vote on the issue. Rufus had an idea at that moment.

"How about we go hunting for it?!" Rufus yelled.

"You are not hunters. You would stand no chance against it. Even if you have divine power," said Tenzin.

"Yes, but we are expendable. Let us show gratitude to you for helping us and saving Edward. Tell us our idea to them and let them vote," Rufus explained.

Haley, Edward, and Doreen were all surprised. None of them were enthusiastic about it, but they also realized that if there wouldn't be enough food for the grey skins, they themselves, would be the first ones to starve.

"I will not offer that as an idea," Tenzin said to them.

"The pig skins volunteered to go ad try and kill the rukh. They either succeed or they die. We do not lose anything if they die and they can not escape from the mountains anyway," Amala yelled in grey skin language so everyone understood.

The room went into cheers. They all wanted to send the pig skins to hunt down the monster. Tenzin looked displeased at his sister. Amala just smiled back provocatively.

"I will agree to this if Amala goes with them. They are not hunters and wouldn't even know where to find it. Only Rufus is sent the rest of the humans will not leave. I still need info from them. Pema is also to accompany him," Tenzin said.

"I will accept," Amala said.