Page 4 of Between Realms

I quicken my pace and hope it won’t trigger a predatory reaction from whoever orwhatevermight follow me.

After a half-hour passes without incident, I believe my imagination has gotten away from me once again. I haven’t even seen another traveler yet. Maybe I’m just nervous. Although the nagging sensation that I’m being watched hasn’t let up.

Taking a deep breath and scanning my surroundings, I slow back to my natural gait. Up ahead, I spot a flat boulder where I can rest and eat.

Sitting down after hours of walking, I sigh as my nerves unwind. I shake my head, thinking about how I riled myself up over nothing. Being on my own for the first time in my life is disconcerting. Playing in the meadow with the faeries, in what is essentially my yard, doesn’t count as alone time. And even when I am alone in the foundry, Merlara is only down the road at the market selling her wares.

I have never experienced independence before. Though I wonder if this is actual independence when it’s because of a summons that will probably end with my banishment.

On the wide, flat boulder, I pull out Merlara’s bread and break off a small piece as an offering to nature and any little folk in this forest, to let them know I’m a friend. Not that they will do much in order of protection, but I don’t need the unfamiliar inhabitants to harass me, either.

After taking a bite, I force a hard swallow. My skin crawls.

Again, I have the unmistakable sensation of many eyes upon me.

The forest stills and quiets. It definitely isn’t my imagination this time.

A growl rumbles behind me, among the trees.

I freeze.

How I wish I could shift to another realm right now. No matter what creature created that sound, it will not end favorably for me.

Slowly, I withdraw my dagger from my hidden skirt pocket. Even if an elf catches me with it, I will be in more troublenotusing it now.

“I mean no harm, and I’m a sanctioned human!” I announce. “Please don’t attack. I will be out of your lands shortly.”

Reasoning, I hope that will work. Often, the animals in Elfhame understand the spoken language. Although they rarely care to listen if it counters their instinct. But there are also elves blessed with the magic to control the beasts.

Another growl—this one comes from my right. It sounds different. Is it the same creature or a pack ready to pounce? Pack-mentality does not bode well.

In my peripheral vision, I see something lunge for me.

The creature soars with a growl in its throat on its way to tear out mine.

I roll off the boulder, swinging my dagger in an arc to protect my body.

The creature screeches as my blade makes contact.

I land with a thud and knock my head on the ground. Disoriented, I can only gaze up to see if my attacker is ready to pounce.

A blur of another massive animal collides with the first to attack.

Two creatures fight over my flesh.

Great, the winner gets to eat me.

Gritting my teeth, I realize there’s no place to take cover. I crawl a few strides to distance myself, hoping both attackers will limp away, injured. Though I believe my weak defense will only delay my inevitable demise.

Looking back to the boulder, I register the two kinds of creatures fighting.

The first is a ghoul. The second is a grizzly bear.

I have never seen a bear in person, and its size and speed stun me.

Although the ghoul’s poisonous claws swipe at the bear, it’s no contest. It can’t even make contact. The bear knocks each attempt away as if the ghoul were a fly and not the size of a human.

The bear’s paw strikes the ghoul’s belly, exposing its entrails to the air.

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