With quiet steps, I approached the creature and I noticed that it had what looked like a saddle on it. Suddenly wary of intruders I ducked below the snow and scanned my surroundings. There was a lack of additional tracks and the big creature was probably used to cover up any smaller signs. I hadn’t breached the tree line yet, but I stilled backed away to give myself more cover. It wasn’t certain that someone was here, but I don’t like risks. I kicked my instincts up a notch and took to the large pines. After a few minutes of scanning the area, I felt like facepalming, absolutely no one. Of course, there was no one, this place is locked down better than a siege fortress, I would be immediately alerted to any activity. Not to mention my own abilities that even outrank that of my detection wards.

It seems like I’m even more paranoid than normal. I turned back to the animal at hand, probably a stead of some sort. And despite its strange additional set of human arms, it possessed no magical capabilities. I didn’t want to go around killing people's rides so I let loose my presence and watched in amusement as it barreled through the forest in fear. Later I snatched a couple of shrews that were hiding under the snow and came back to the shack only to see the girl standing weakly in the doorway. I took a second to transform and made my way towards her. She’s up sooner than I expected.

POV shift---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up in a cold sweat, something was wrong, I could feel it. Out of desperation, I tried to sit up and could only just barely do it. The man that usually was nearby was gone and from looking out a window I could see heavy snow. My heart raced and my breathing was shaky, my instincts were screaming at me that something was approaching. My eyes darted around for the man, I had to warn him. He was nice enough to take me in and heal me, I couldn’t repay him by letting him die. Not thinking I tried to swing my legs off the cot I was on, causing me to slip off. The short drop felt like a long fall, and the cold wood of the floor was massively different than the warm cot. I tried to roll over, but the breath was knocked out of my lungs.

With a massive effort, I was able to push myself up onto my knees and grab the medicine man’s walking stick that was resting by his chair. He had to be outside. With great panic, I was able to get myself up onto on wobbly legs. I could feel whatever was out there getting closer, I need to hurry. With small steps, I was able to shuffle my way to a wall so I could use it to support my weight. With gradual more confident steps I made it to the door and threw it open. A flood of deathly cold air made me shudder but that was not what I was worried about. I scanned the small deck and but saw he wasn’t here either. I tried calling out but found that I could only produce a quite raspy scream.

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I was about to give up and take cover myself when I spotted a giant shadow approaching. I could feel its gaze burrowing intensely into my soul. My legs almost collapsed beneath me there and then. I tried to back away but almost tripped, twisting my ankle. Panic welled within me; I know there’s no escape. As I despaired, I found that my feeling of dread was lessening. I opened my tightly shut eyes to see that the large shadow was slowly becoming defined. It was the medicine man; relief washed over me and began to wave him over as fast as I could. Even if the feeling is gone that doesn’t mean the danger has passed.

The next few minutes were a blur, I must have overexerted myself. I came to my senses when the medicine man placed a bowel of some sort of hot liquid on my lips and forced me to drink. It was bitter and tasted a bit like blood mixed with dirt, but my mind cleared up instantly. The pain that racked my body from my small fall and frantic exertion had dulled into a slight ache. I felt like hiding my face under the covers, why had I reacted so stupidly like that? What was that feeling about? I don’t ever remember feeling like that before. I looked up at the man in appreciation before letting my body relax.

I woke up to my stomach twisting in knots over the smell of food. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was, but now that I think about it, I haven’t eaten since that small bowl of soup the bastards used to poison me. I tried to sit up and found it remarkably easier than before. I tried to get up further and found that I could finally stand up on my own. Ecstatic I began to slowly take my first unadded steps and I carefully made my way to the open door where I smelled something delicious. It was dark out but the light of a blazing campfire lit things up enough for me to see my host sitting on a tree stump and what looked like two rabbit-sized rats.

I carefully made my way down the old rickety stairs and made my way over. There was snow on the ground but thanks to the fire most of it was melted away. I took a seat on a log that sat closer to the fire than the man’s. My mouth was watering at the sight of delicious meat, but I was careful to get the permission of my host. Not thinking I went to ask aloud only to find my voice was back. I saw the man look at me strangely for a second before gesturing go ahead. So I jumped up and went to grab one.