Mael

As I crouched behind a spikenard thorn bush, I took a large lungful of the jungle air. I smelled the hints of the morning dew evaporating into the air, the fresh lilabarries hanging in the canopies above, and the intoxicating blood red flowers surrounding the jungle floor. The smell of the forest reminded me of the life surrounding me and bringing with it a sense of home.

The thought of sleeping in my own bed suddenly flooded my mind, and I was eager to get back. Tracking an Empire platoon these last few months had not been a pleasant experience. I had to sleep on the dirty forest floor, and it always made me feel like Amina's filthy ape was hanging on to me. Waking up in mud was something I will never get used to, I hated being dirty. Just the thought of it caused a shudder to run through me.

A twig snapped to the right of my head, dragging me out of my thoughts. I surveyed the trees to the right and saw caught the sharp tips of antlers and a mustard patch of fur. The elk that I had sensed earlier finally waltzed into the clearing I was watching.

My lips curved into a smile, I could already taste the succulent meat Poppy, and I would be eating for dinner. Reaching behind my back, I grabbed one of my arrows and knocked it into my bow. As I lifted the bow in front of me, I pulled my arm back and pulled the string to my cheek. Taking a slow breathe my body relaxed as I readied myself to release the arrow.

Just as I let go, I noticed a sound behind me, My body immediately tensed, causing my arrow to veer to the right on release. It struck a tree to the right of the Elk's head, causing it to run off. Between one breath and the next, I dropped my bow and spun as I reached for the knife at my belt.

But, before I could withdraw it, a cloaked figure hit me with the hilt of their sword. I fell to the ground, my vision slowly going dark.

I hate this stupid jungle….