I looked up dazedly at the forest trees stood high in the sky oozing majesty, their deep green leaves swaying gently in the morning breeze. Green moss and thick vines, the size of my forearm hugged tightly their brown trunks. Thick green underbrush with occasional flowers peeked out, bringing a splash of colour to the different arrays of green covered the forest floor, The only place that left without this thick underbrush was a tiny dirt road left for carriages and people to cross.
I took a deep breath and walked in, not along the path but into the thick bush. I constantly pushed leaves and vines out of my way with my hands, occasionally I ended up walking into large thin spider webs that clung to my skin. I really regretted not asking Liz to lend me some more money to get a dagger or two because I was completely unarmed, I had the scythe but it might be too dangerous to use it, out of fear of my identity being exposed.
I scanned the ground for any the Seascotches while flipping through the book of plants. Along the way I had found some herbs that matched the descriptions in the book and shoved them into my bag I had also borrowed from Liz; free.
Along the way I felt a tad lonely, so I called out to the mysterious voice, hoping to start a conversation. "Hey you,"
'...'
"I'm talking to you, I know you can hear me," I called again
'Stop calling me you' after a few seconds his deep voice sounded with an annoyed sigh.
"You're the one who won't tell me your name," I said spitefully.
'.....' a few minutes passed by 'Call me Al'
"Is your actual name Al?" I didn't believe he would tell me his actual name, I should know, I have two aliases already, Indi and Aster.
'Does it matter?'
"So it's a no then," I gave a low laugh "Hey back then Al, you said you would train me does that offer still stand?" I flicked off a small bug that landed on my shoulder while throwing Al that question.
'You're not that dumb after all' My lip twitched. This man was as infuriating as it gets, with him insulting me with his indifferent, arrogant voice!
"Ahh Seascotch!" I stopped my movements and looked down at the green plant with a light blotchy blue at the tips of its leaves. I dug it out from the roots and gently placed it in my bag. In that bundle alone there were about three individual seascotches. By this time my bag filled with a variety of herbs only had three seascotches, which angered me a tad bit. By midday I finally had ten seascotches and was slowly making my way back home.
'Come out at night again and then I'll help train you' I gave Al a quick reply and continued on my way. In the distance an earth-shattering roar rumbled, shaking the ground, followed by many screams filled with pure terror. I turned to look to my left where I heard the commotion. Footsteps quickly rushed in my direction, no longer wanting to stay there I immediately bolted in the opposite direction moving my legs as fast as they could carry me.
I panted as I quickly jumped over protruding roots and enormous boulders, flicking the vines and spiderwebs out my face, maneuvering through the thick forest with ease. I wasn't stupid; I was unarmed and whatever that thing was, seemed to be savage, I couldn't deal with it in my current state so I left it to the people being chased. So then can someone please tell me why those same people are chasing me?!
I glanced over my shoulder again, glimpsing at the two men and one woman who were being relentlessly pursued by a four meter tall gray wolf. It's yellow teeth dripping red blood. His hot, rotten breath like a summer day permeated the air to where I was. Although he was huge, he moved at a daunting pace each of his strides covering more distance than five of my big ones. He was unhindered by the large tightly packed trees not because of precise maneuvering but because he smashed each tree blocking his path like it was a pebble on the roadside.
"Hey! WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME!!?" I screamed through pants at the people behind me, although I had a hunch they wanted to use me as bait for the monster, however, what they probably didn't expect that I would be so fast to keep a huge gap between us as they struggled to dodge the wolf's occasional lunge and paw swipe. The wind swept my hair back, brushing against my skin. It whistled loudly beside my ears like a high-pitched squeal.
"PLEASE HELP US!!!" One man screamed to me, his words almost making me choke on my saliva at the sheer ridiculousness of his request. 'How did they expect me to help them!?' Spotting a long hanging vine I place my bets on it hoping it won't snap under my weight. 'God please help me!' I closed my eyes for a moment praying even though I didn't believe in such things.
Taking a deep breath, I used my momentum as I reached for the vine that was high overhead, too high. My fingers grazed over it. I bit my lip, reaching with my free hand, barely grasping it in my palms. I swung to the right, several snaps echoing from the vine as I held on to dear life. 'God don't break now!' wind whistled beside my ear, I looked up, my eyesight blurred by the whirling wind. Another snap echoed, and just before it snapped I let go falling to the ground before taking off running again.
I absolutely refused to be bait while they go running home, tail between their legs. I looked back again and seeing they were no longer behind me; I stopped. I fell to the ground with a huge plop, trying to catch my breath.
'Go back' Two words fell, I nervously licked my dry lips hoping I heard wrong.
"Um... Al, what did you just say?" I gave a weak smile, sweat running down my face.
"I said go back' The colour instantly drained from my face and I was at a loss for words.
"Um... why! Do you want me to die!?"
'You won't die, it's for practice. Go back, let them run and fight it'