Something dropped onto my head, and I look around the forest, heart beating in my throat.
That’s when my eyes find the pinecone. Its scales have been chewed off, and I crane my neck to peer up at the branches.
I’m greeted by the sight of a bushy red tail, and a smile forms across my face. Finally, the first sign of life I’ve seen since I entered this dreary place.
A lack of humans must mean that wildlife can flourish here, and that’s one good thing, I suppose.
However, my joy is short-lived when the squirrel drops another pinecone onto my head, and I fish it out of my hood, stretching to my feet.
It’s time I had some breakfast of my own. I gaze into my bag, my hand freezing.
My food. It’s all gone.
No apples, no bread, even my wheel of cheese has vanished. I know I went to sleep with a full bag of rations.
Panic rakes its dark talons down my spine, and I grip the hilt of my sword, wrapping my fingers around it tightly.
Who…or what…took my food?
I could hunt for food. But I haven’t hunted in a long time.
Papa used to take me out in the woods all the time when I was younger, but I didn’t have the heart to shoot a helpless animal. I’m decent enough with an arrow, and I know how to set a snare.
I shake my head. Maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me, addled by thirst and hunger.
However, when I check my bag again, I find that it’s still empty. Not even a single crumb.
Someone must have stolen my food in the middle of the night, but surely, I would have woken to find the culprit. I had a restless sleep after all, tossing and turning on the cold, hard ground.
With shaking limbs, I climb up onto Belle’s saddle, urging her forward. Maybe if I leave now, I can catch up with the thief.
A hush spreads through the forest, and I think I can hear people whispering about me. I take a deep breath, telling myself it’s not real.
A shape moves in the corner of my eye, and I repeat the mantra:It's not real, it’s not real...
Through the misty trees, I spy a glowing blue light, and it beckons to me in a voice so sweet. I try to pull Belle in that direction, but the horse refuses, carrying me away from the strange orb.
The light vanishes into the mist, and I finally understand.
A Will-o'-the-Wisp. Faeries that lure lost travellers to their deaths.
They’re mostly found by fens and boglands, and if that’s the case, then there must be water close by.
My waterskin is running dry.
Making up my mind, I tug Belle in the direction of the Will-o'-the-Wisp, yet she’s adamant that we don’t go anywhere near that floating orb.
“Belle, come along. There may be water that way.”
But the horse is persistent, taking me further and further away from the water source.
Losing my patience, I pull on Belle’s reins as gently as possible, leading her towards the water. “Don’t be ridiculous, Belle. There is nothing—”
The horse rears back suddenly, and I slip off her saddle, falling to the ground with a yelp, but before I can gather my bearings, the eerie sound of a growl freezes me in place.
I turn towards a sharp set of teeth. They float in a face as black as midnight, and all I can do is stare.
It’s a wolf, though far larger and far fouler than any I’ve ever seen. I fumble for my blade, finding my scabbard empty.
