The Chase

 


The chase was long and silent. The ranger had no idea what he was following. It was not a beast or a garg. It was something else. Something as wily as a fox and as big as a man.

The blood trail had vanished a day ago, so the creature was hardy enough to have endured a spear in the shoulder - if the rattled hunter could be believed.

"I swear it was as tall as a horse," the man had said, a quaver in his voice.

"And it went on two legs? Maybe a bear?"

"Nay. Not a bear. I'm sure," the hunter had replied with annoyance. "I been in these woods all my life." His eyes kept scanning the edge of the forest as if the thing was going to burst out any moment.

So the ranger had been on the hunt for a day and, now, a night, seeking some unknown creature. The trail had been progressivly more difficult to follow as the light failed, so the ranger was ready to turn back.

A twig snapped behind him.

He whirled, his senses tingling, sword out, heart racing.

Nothing was there.

He waited, using his peripheral vision to squeeze a little more light from the surrounding darkness.

A twig snapped behind him. Again, he spun, his heart doubling its gallop.

Nothing was there.

A twig snapped behind him. Closer.

He ground his teeth, unwilling to turn, blood pounding in his ears. What devilry was this?

His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, and with a deep breath, he steadied himself and slowly turned, his eyes scanning the darkness. Moonlight filtered through the thick canopy above, casting eerie shadows that played tricks on his vision. His ears strained for any sound, any clue as to what could be stalking him.

Suddenly, a low growl pierced the silence, sending a shiver down his spine. It was a sound unlike anything he had heard before—a primal, menacing growl that seemed to reverberate through the very air around him.

There, amidst the shadows, a pair of gleaming eyes met his gaze—a faint, eerie glow in the darkness.

The ranger tensed, muscles coiled like a spring. He knew he had to act swiftly, but he also sensed a strange, almost hypnotic allure emanating from those eyes. They seemed to draw him in, despite the danger they represented.

A rustle of movement broke the spell, and the creature stepped forward into the moonlight. It was large, with a furrowed brow and a troubled expression.  One arm hung limp at its side.

"Who are you?" the ranger demanded, his voice edged with caution.

The figure hesitated, then spoke in a voice tinged with both fear and urgency. "I am no threat to you, man-kin. I seek only the man-kin who killed my youngling.  You do not have his smell."

But before the figure could answer, a distant dog howl pierced the night, followed by two more from other directions.

"We must go," the figure growled. "There is no time to explain, but I can lead you to my people. We will be safe."

Some instinct told him that this mysterious figure was truthful even as another part of his mind shreiked to attack.

Sheathing his sword, he motioned for the figure to lead the way.

Together, they plunged deeper into the forest, navigating through the tangled undergrowth. Behind them, the howls grew louder.

As they ran, the ranger couldn't shake the feeling that their meeting was not mere chance.  Fate had intertwined their paths for a reason yet unknown. The forest closed in around them, enveloping them in its dark embrace.


///

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