Prabh soared high above the dense forest, his newly mastered wings cutting through the air with practiced ease. Each night spent in Htrae had given him confidence and skill, and now he glided effortlessly, his crow-like eyes scanning the ground below for any signs of life or danger. He had been traveling south for three days, hoping to find someone—or something—worthwhile. But this strange land had yielded nothing so far. The landscape below was covered with trees, with occasional clearings and water streams. Those woods housed terrors he had no wish to face, so he kept his distance. But it seemed they had a different wish.
Without warning, something slammed into him from above, sending him into a dizzying spin. He flapped his wings frantically, trying to regain control, but it was no use. He plummeted toward the forest floor, crashing through branches and landing hard on the ground. Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to his feet, his eyes searching for his attacker.
A snake with wings, its scales shimmering bright green in the dappled sunlight, circled above him. It was as large as a human, its body as thick as Prabh's leg, and its eyes like sapphires. The creature lunged at him, its fangs bared and ready to strike.
Prabh dodged to the side, barely avoiding the snake's deadly bite. He swiped at it with his claws, but the snake was too quick, its wings carrying it out of reach. It struck again, this time catching Prabh on the shoulder. He cried out in pain as the fangs sank into his flesh. It did not fly back this time, coiling around Prabh's torso, catching his right arm in the coil. Prabh tried to pull its head with his left hand, but its fangs were like anchors, refusing to budge. The pain was unbearable, agony doubling every second.
'Is this how it ends?' he thought, panic rising in his chest. 'No, I can't die here. Not by a damn worm.'
Just when he thought he couldn't hold on any longer, an arrow whistled through the air and struck the snake in its eye. The creature let out a shrill scream, thrashing wildly as it crashed to the ground, the arrow lodged deep in its skull.
Seizing the opportunity, Prabh lunged forward and drove his claws into the snake's exposed underbelly. The creature writhed and convulsed, but its movements grew weaker. Prabh felt the drenching sensation again, and his wound closed, leaving his feathers drenched in his blood.
Panting, he stood over the dead snake, his mind reeling from the battle. A figure emerged from the trees, moving with fluid grace. It had a bow in hand, arrow nocked. It stopped at some distance, looking at the snake, and then turned its head to look at Prabh.
Prabh gasped internally. It was another animal in a human body. At the center of the face was a sleek, fur-covered snout and above it, expressive, almond-shaped eyes. Its whiskers twitched with curiosity, and its rounded ears perked attentively. The fur was a rich, pale brown, getting darker on the lower body. An otter. It was wearing reddish-brown leather armor, with a sword hanging from its hip.
"Thanks for helping," Prabh said cautiously.
"I was just curious which idiot is flying through Peuchen territory." Its voice sounded quite regular, though a little androgynous.
"I didn't know it was Peuchen territory," Prabh said defensively.
"No need to prove your stupidity; it is oozing from you," the otter replied, voice laced with a sneer.
"I didn't know! Do you expect people to know every damn corner and danger of the world?"
"I expect anyone stupid enough to come this far north to have at least a basic understanding of the dangers here. How are you alive is a wonder in itself. How did you even end up here?"
"I didn't know, okay? I know nothing of any of this. I just escaped from a mad guy's basement." Prabh lied smoothly, trying to keep his voice sincere.
Upon hearing this, the otter relaxed a bit and lowered their voice to almost politeness.
"So, you are a runaway subject of a Souldrinker," the otter said while nodding their head. "Okay, have a good day," they said as they turned away to leave.
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if, you, um, are going to a city, you might take me with you please? I don't know where I am or which way I am supposed to go."
"You are flying in the right direction. Keep going south and you will reach Solstice in a few days."
"Please, I will do as you say, just help me to a nearby town or even a village."
The otter's voice grew hard. "I don't have rations to share, and you don't seem the type to be able to hunt. You have no food, armor, or weapon."
"I can manage my own food, and I will scout the area for you from above. I can catch birds for you if you want."
"Flying? In Peuchen territory? You seem to forget things too easily."
"Peuchen territory cannot possibly extend all the way down. When we are out of their area, then I will scout," Prabh said desperately.
The otter stared silently at Prabh for a few seconds. "Can you lift me and fly?"
"Yes, yes I can." Finally, hope ignited in Prabh.
"I will help you, but you will do exactly what I tell you to do, understand? And you will give me a bird every day after we leave Peuchen territory."
"Okay, deal. Just get me to a city."
They finally lowered their bow and walked up to the Peuchen to retrieve their arrow.
"My name is Prabh, and you?"
"I am Zinovia."
After that, they silently started skinning the snake and removing other valuable parts. Prabh stood watch as Zinovia worked, slow and steady.
He couldn't help but think about how bizarre this day had been. From a quiet flight to a deadly encounter and now a strange alliance with an otter warrior. What kind of world had he flown into?