The Night Forest

I glanced into the darkness of the forest, wary to leave the safety of the fire, even if the fire was making faces at me. Beside me, Roric was snoring and around him all his men slept peacefully. I rose to my feet, wondering if Roric had placed a guard somewhere close by. The fire opened its mouth and popped at me, the eyes seeming more insistent that I leave.

“Suppose it wouldn’t hurt to take a peek,” I muttered to myself.

I tiptoed passed the snoring men and into the darkness of the forest. I made sure not to go too far in case I got lost in the shadows, but then I had no idea what I was looking for. Stepping carefully, I peered into the dark.

“Hello?” I called, feeling foolish.

A face appeared directly in front of me, startling me enough to make me stumble back a few steps and almost cry out in alarm. I clamped my hand over my mouth and felt my back hit the rough bark of a tree. The figure that had frightened me had not moved, but was watching me curiously. In the dim light, I could barely make out its appearance. Slowly, it moved towards me and into the faint light cast by the fire.

It was a girl! She was naked, with green skin and full round breasts. Her limbs were unusually long and slender, like vines, and she had small protrusions on her shoulders and arms, but I couldn’t make out what they were. Her hair was extremely long and a deep brown with patches of white and grey that gave it the appearance of tree bark. Her eyes were large and round, but lacking any colour at all. I stared in utter shock and disbelief as she held out her arms to me. They almost appeared to be growing longer as she moved, and I was frozen to the spot as her hands reached out and stopped on either side of my head. She cocked her head suddenly as I held my breath, her eyes blinking rapidly. Then, as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone.

I exhaled sharply and sank to the ground, wondering if I had just escaped with my life. The girl hadn’t seemed dangerous, but many things in this strange world weren’t what they seemed. I felt tears in my eyes, and I wiped them angrily away. Like it or not, until I found that marsh spirit again, I was stuck here. Rising to my feet and leaning against the tree, I started to head back for the warm fire and the company of Captain Roric, when something seized me by the arm. I froze, my eyes staring straight ahead where I thought I saw the green girl watching me. She seemed almost sad as I turned my head to see who had grabbed me. A hand pressed firmly against my mouth and I found myself pinned against the tree, but staring into familiar eyes. It was the bowman! He recognized me as well, and for a split second, his astonishment registered in his brown eyes.

“My, my,” he murmured softly. “The milk maid.”

I struggled against his grip, knowing him now as part of the army that had raided this country. I wanted to cry out, but he kept his hand firmly in place.

“How is your hand?” he asked. “Still wearing the bandage I see. I let myself be fooled before, but I see my instincts had been correct. You are a Huryl spy!”

The green girl appeared in the forest shadows again, watching me with a concerned expression. I wondered if she was my ally. I shook my head, ignoring the bark rubbing in the back of my head and the leather glove against my mouth. I felt him hesitate and release me, but as quickly as I could take a breath, I felt something cold and sharp against my neck. The bowman was holding a dagger to my throat.

“I’m not a spy,” I said quietly. “I don’t know who the Huryl are!”

The man gave a short laugh. “You’re not from Dyrel, that’s for certain, and you’re saying you’re not from Huryl either? Where are you from?”

“I told you before,” I snapped angrily, losing my patience with this man in spite of the fact he held a blade at my throat. “I followed a marsh sprite and ended up here!”

The man made no movement. I could still see the green figure watching. Would she help me if I were attacked? Could I cry out to Roric and the others in time? Would this man really kill me? I swallowed hard, the blade digging into my skin and a small droplet of blood sliding down my neck.

“You can’t wander the forest alone,” the man said. “I’ll take you to my captain.”

I blinked in surprise. The man put his dagger into his belt and held out his hand for me to take. He smiled pleasantly.

“I am Aefynnelldar,” he said. “I go by Fynn. The sooner we get away from those murderous Huryl dogs, the better. Come on.”