Martayvia

“Thorren grab her wrist.” As Thorren approaches Isadella she kicks out at him. He just steps out of her aim. She tries again this time Thorren grabs her ankle. Isadella loses her footing and falls hitting her head hard against a tree stump. “Lady!” screams a voice. “Who is out there? Show yourself.” All is quiet as Merican turns searching for the owner of the voice. Quickly he ties both her hands together. Picking her up, he throws over his shoulder. “Let’s go,” he says taking the lead. Thorren follows looking over his shoulder. He has an uneasy feeling. The quicker they leave the forest the better. Could it have been a forest beast, he wonders. Repeat watches as the two strangers take off with Isadella unconscious. What is he to do? “Repeat follow, follow. Repeat save Lady, save Lady,” he whispers popping from one tree to another, “but Repeat not know how, not know how.” He continues to follow hoping he will think of something. Suddenly the two men stop. Repeat stops a few trees away watching to see what they do. “What is wrong?” asks Thorren. “Why are we stopping? “I thought I heard something?” says Merican placing Isadella on the ground. “Heard what?” Thorren asks scanning the area. “It was a voice coming from the trees.” “I did not hear anything.” “It was an echo. The words were repeated,” Thorren says looking at Merican strangely. Repeat sees the large golden eyes first. He cocks his little head gazing up. “Repeat not see eyes of gold before, eyes of gold before,” he says out load not thinking. “Look, up in that tree,” Merican says pointing at Repeat. “What is it?” asks Thorren. “I do not know, but it is not big enough to be any trouble. Let’s continue on,” Merican says picking up Isadella. Throwing her over his other shoulder he takes a few steps when deafening howl shrieks through the night. “The forest beasts are near. We have to get out of the forest and quickly,” says Thorren. “I am not sure it was a forest beast.” “Whatever it is I do not want to face it. Let’s go.” Suddenly darkness consumes the sky obstructing the light of the moon and stars. Merican senses danger and cautiously continues walking. Thorren panics. “Merican, what is going on?” “You tell me,” he says looking up at the darkened sky. “Keep walking and stay sharp.” Thorren withdraws his hunting knife as he catches up with Merican. The sounds of the forest keep his nerves on edge. Something darts across their path. “Did you see that?” he asks Merican. “Of course I saw it I am not blind. Go see what it is.” “You go see.” Without a sound a shadow darts across in the opposite direction. “Let’s get out of here now,” demands Thorren. “I told you we should have waited until daylight. It is not safe here at night.” “If we would have waited we would not have found the white witch. Quit complaining and start walking. If you want to be rid of this place do not stop again for anything.” Thorren gives Merican a loathing look. “Some good it will do us if we do not make it out of here alive. Maybe she is doing this with her magic.” “Thorren you are talking crazy. The girl is still unconscious. Maybe you think she can do magic in her sleep.” Thorren looks at Merican when the howl shrieks through the darkness again. The night becomes eerily silent as if the forest had died. The quietness unsettles Merican. Looking up he stares in disbelief. Thorren follows his gaze and gasps.