Page 2 of Cruel As A Tree

Another howl sounded on the other side of me, closer.

The first howl called back, tense and excited. They were talking to each other, pinpointing my location.

"You could have told me about the hounds before I made it over the wall!" I said, breaking out into a jog as my head turned on swivel to look around the empty landscape. I couldn't see anything, no shapes. "They will eat you too!"

I'm too spicy,she said.Nothing will eat me.

Another howl sounded, closer, and my panic picked up.

I'd managed to steal an axe to take with me, because I wasn't going to go tromping around in some unknown wilderness without food, water, and an axe, but I was in an exposed open area. There was nothing I could put my back to. If these hounds were anything like wolves, all they had to do was surround me and one of them would be able to hamstring me from behind.

"You don't know that!" I said. "You've been in the magic realm the same amount of time as I have! You don't know what is here. Maybe there is something out there that loves spicy little spritekin. At the very least, at the first settlement you come across, they are going to pick you up and put you in a cage and never pet you or feed you treats. If I'm around, I can protect you and make sure you get the best treats."

What kind of treats?she asked.

"New ones you've never tasted before," I said. "The best of the best so you can find your favorite and I can get that for you forever."

That does sound nice,she mused.You will also never order me around ever again.

"When have I ever ordered you around?" I gasped, my mouth drying out as I inhaled rapidly to keep pace with my run. I needed water, but I couldn't take the time to get it out of my backpack. "You know what, never mind. I agree. I'll give you all the treats and never order you around ever again."

You will also do whatever I say,she said.

"Whatever you say!" I said. "I'm the familiar now!"

I accept the bargain, except for the familiar part. I'm not letting you drain my energy.She said as she lifted one claw off my chest and pointed off to my right.Go in there.

"In where?" I asked, even as I shifted my weight, angling my run in the exact direction that she pointed.

I heard an excited yip and I glanced over my shoulder.

Now I could see them.

They were the size of large ponies, with skin that was blackened and cracked with flame, like there was lava running underneath the surface of their mottled skin. They ran on all fours, and had faces that could be mistaken for a serpent or a canine depending on what angle you were looking. I caught one glimpse of sharp teeth and sped up, fear overtaking me.

"WHERE?" I screamed, seeing nothing but empty landscape.

Then I tripped and fell forward into purple.

Chapter

Two

LORTHION

There was an intruder in my woods.

The trees shivered as something crashed through my barrier, whispering through the leaves as they carried the message to my meadow. It wasn't one of the flame hounds or the other beasts that roamed the wasteland around the Order Academy, searching for escaping prey. Those couldn't make it through the magical barrier that protected my ever-growing act of defiance. Whatever had careened into my land had come from the direction of the school, so it had to be one of two things - a scout, or a student.

Either one posed a danger that I would eliminate.

I rose from my bed of moss, stretching my arms up as the sunlight trickled through the purple leaves of the canopy. A small bell flower sang out its sweet song as I brushed against it in my journey to my feet. Whatever had come into my domain would have fresh blood to water the flowers. Blood was rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, containing micronutrients that would support another push outwards, lushnew growth that would help me expand the borders, taking over even more of the landscape.

I wanted to completely surround the school before they discovered my intrusion.

Fresh blood would help me do it.

I rotated my neck and shoulders, feeling into my body as I inspected the various movements of my joints. I always stretched after a long sleep, making sure my body felt well rested and ready to face the day's work with vivacity. As I moved, I whispered my instructions to the trees, letting the full scope of my land carry my intent.

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