The sun was sensational that morning, and its rays passed through the spaces between the forest trees. Winter sat in the snow caressing the flowers that grew even in the snow. She admired them. Old habits had to die hard she guessed. Winter began to reflect on her Mother's lessons, reminiscing of every bad moments and hardly counted the good ones, they were few . She smiled to herself when she remembered the funny ones. She was younger then but now she understood each teachings and every harsh words she received from mother. Winter's mind was brought back into reality, when the raven flying above her began hovering intensely. She got up, her mood changing instantly, her eyes turning crystal blue.
*****
" General Renoe " one of his soldiers called out to him.
He looked at him waiting for what he was to say.
"foot prints" The latter said pointing downwards to the huge print beneath him. Renoe knew what they were chasing was not far away. They were carefully hunting it down to avoid being welcomed by other creatures that dwelled in Oreb. Ever since he was little, he would hear horrible stories of this grave forest and it's attacks on the villages on the outskirts of Arish since they were closer to the forest. He never guessed he would be their hunter today.
He and his men followed the path where the prints led to and took notice of the broken and fallen trees along the path. What they were after was surely big and, if things go down wrongly, they would all die. Renoe suddenly hears a noise and was on guard, he halted his men by raising his right hands. And the noise was heard again only this time louder like a growl which, puts his men in a fear frenzy and in a state of panic . They didn't know what they were about to face.
"we are getting close" he calmly said to them. "do not be afraid, they feed on fear". He knew death was inevitable if they were afraid. He charged his horse and his men followed suit.
General Renoe got down from his horse, what ever was making those noises were behind the huge rock in a reasonable distance ahead of them. He signaled some soldiers to go right and some to the left, while some stayed with him. They took along series of weapons with them, their plan was to ambush it from all sides. Renoe wanted to be careful, he didn't want to lose any man today. He wished silently for victory. " I'll be the bait, you guys will attack when I give the signal". Renoe said to the men who inturn, nodded their hands to let him know they understood.
Renoe walked further towards the huge rock until he stood on top. The creature seemed to be feeding on a goat he had gotten from one of the villages. It took shelter behind the huge rock in order to feed. Renoe got down from the rock, the creature still unaware of his presence. He moved slowly round the rock and ran into the open space so the creature would see him, and pulled out his sword. It stopped eating and rose up, stumping its feet hard on the snow ready to launch its attack on the being that dared interrupted its business. Renoe studied the beast for a while, it had a very rough skin, its hind legs were shorter than its forelegs but each were so muscular, Renoe believed one hit would send him to the other side so, he had to be careful and calculative about every move. On Its head were four sharp horns that looked as though they could cut through a rock. Renoe reached for a little bottle in a little bag hanged around his waist and waited for it to charge. The beast charged with all his might lowering its head aiming for the general. Once a step away Renoe slid below the beast coming in contact with its face and hit it hard with the bottle , allowing the content to break out on its face and the beast crashed to the trees. It tried to get up but would only Fall back to the ground, it became weak. Renoe's men came out of hiding and attacked the beast at its weakest. They speared it down and plunged their swords into Its flesh although had hard time doing it as its skin was rough and hard. Renoe ordered his men to stop. Once they did, he held the beast by its horn raising his sword, looking into Its eyes reminded him about his brother that was taken from him when growing up. His anger welled up and with all his might, plunged his sword into its head making a loud noise. Renoe felt no remorse.
" NO!... " Her scream echoed through the whole forest. The men looked back in fear to see who it was but we're stunned to see a Lady behind them. General Renoe wondered what a human would be doing in the forest of Oreb. He made advances trying to make her calm, concluding she was trapped or she had escaped the clutches of a demon.
" It's okay, everything is alright..." Renoe tried to assure her, " are you hurt?... you don't have to worry" he said calmly moving closer "the monster is dead". He looked into her eyes something was off about the way they shun so bright. They did not look scared, they looked angry and wild. She wore a black hooded cloak that had huge black feathers on it but, didn't put on the hood. Her hair white and skin as pale as the snow.
" You dare come into my home to kill my people" she looked to see the morcubis slain on the ground and then looked to the sword that pierced its head in the hands of the man standing in front of her. " you're the monsters". Winter stretched her hands towards the soldiers that stood by the creature and the ground began to shake violently and Sharp needle ice sprang up from the snow piercing Renoe's men one by one. Some managed to flee to safety. Renoe was shocked and dumbfounded, how can a mortal possess such a power. He watched as his men were being killed one by one, he swung his sword for this strange being but it got shattered into a million pieces. Winter looked at the man in front of her who dared to raise the sword against her, this infuriated her, she grabbed him by the throat and flung him away letting him hit a tree and fall to the ground. she then went for the rest of them who were still alive not sparing anyone of them. She went back for Renoe but before she could reach down for him, she was grazed by an arrow, it hurt but she didn't show it. she looked to the direction from which it was shot and saw a young lad holding up a bow and aiming at her ready to shoot at her again.
By now Winter was filled with rage, she froze him Into an ice sculpture slowly letting him feel unimaginable pain until he was just all but decoration for the forest. She turned back to kill the last one of them but saw no one, he had escaped.
Winter screamed on the top of her voice due the rage she felt, he had gotten away.