Several miles away, the roadside vendors smoked fish still danced on Merryn's tongue. Off ahead the craggy peeks of Mount Denlitka' it's shadow fell over the region cutting oddly though the otherwise glaring morning light. She squinted and faced the road. This huge mountain killed off any hope of going further north.

Beyond the rest of the cities and towns were a mystery, really should have traveled more. Maybe the townsfolk would know of a way. Hope the water here is clean. Licking her lips did little to soothe the dry, cracked lips. Two pine trees marked the entrance and a cute picket fence encircled the edges of the town. The inn wasn't much further in. A tad ordinary, but clean.

A middle-aged woman stood outside, furiously sweeping the steps.

"Have any rooms free?" she said.

The middle-aged woman of sun-starved white complexion ignored her and continued sweeping, puffs of dust flew off the steps as she brushed off a large pile onto the street, each step pulled a smaller cloud of dust that clung to her feet.

The dangling pouch of coins clanked when she moved her leg.

"The last of your kind to visit daya' near set fire to my kitchen! An left grungy muddy boots on my clean sheets! No elvin. Go away," said the woman. She sniffed and went back to sweeping.

Clenching her teeth, she squeezed the pouch, then let go. Don't make it worse, try. "I'm not them."

The woman sneezed and wiped the snot on her dress. "An opal, none of the small ones ether." She held out a hand.

She's trying to rip me off! Why most rooms you can rent for a moonstone or opal fragments! Still need to get out of sight, maybe even stay out of towns. "Right." The exchange was quick, and the woman brought her to a small ground-level room.

"Breakfast is at six sharp, don' miss it, I don't make extra."

That took forever. Merryn dragged her feet inside and closed the door. The sun streamed through the thin curtains, the warm door was nice. She leaned against it until the itchy died sweat on her back remind her of the armor. Confounded armor! The top piece finally pulled free of the buckles, she threw it on the floor. Tomorrow could be better, or worse, I'll take things one hour at a time get out of here and find a port. Stay alive and find a port. Not too hard. Doable, simple. And rock snakes could fly. She wiggled under the covers and fell asleep.

During the night, a burst of rolling laughter resounded in her head. She bolted out of bed, falling on her side.

Do not fight this. You require no others, nor spirits. Your prayers to them are wasted. I will no longer be ignored.

"I—am sleeping. Wake up." A punch should do it. She punched her thigh.

Be glad I haven't taken all your energy now.

Another punch. Come on, wake up.

Are you listening to me? It shouted in her mind.

"Go away."

Your perfect world is a lie. Everything you know, everything you see, is going to shatter. I will be all. I'm what is real.

If her skin could crawl off and escape, it would.

Quiet spirit! Begone!

####

Somehow, after pacing the room, checking the windows, and washing her face, she fell back to sleep. The next morning she pulled her armor on quickly, her wound smarted, but wasn't as bad as before.

Rushing out the door, she smacked right into someone, an eye just missed smacking the hard metal emblem on his shoulder.

He grunted and rubbed his head, several strands of black hair fell loose from a leather tie. His warm brown, thin eyes scrunched as he rubbed his head again.

She blinked. "You! Thank you, if you hadn't delayed that man..." How did that go again? She stuck her arm and hand out stiffly. Mother told me to watch my manners around these humans.

His gaze traveled from her boots, to ears and then settled on her face, a flash sparked in his eyes. "You're that elvin women from before." His lips quirked as he shook her hand. "Don't try to not wilt before we meet again."

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"This flower has thorns. I'll be fine. Now, I have to leave. Good day." The old speech, it's pretty awkward.

Turning around, she walked down to the lobby and bought assorted supplies, filling her backpack, as stealing anything would grant unwanted attention. Outside a kind, cape weaver mentioned a path through the grove off to the east.

The guards and Maxwell would be here soon. The shoulder twinged, she rolled and rubbed them, the bones jutted out some. Touching the bandages, she clamped her teeth shut to avoid crying out. Her fingertips coated with the blood. Unbelievably, it still wasn't healed yet! Healing is also taking longer now. The spirit (god?) was talking far too much energy. The god seemed hungrier today, I'm getting thinner.

An hour later, he was leaning against a tree near the town's back exit. Muttering several burning curses under her breath, she stopped. Don't panic, it's probably nothing. Doubling back to the seaport might work, can't miss the boat back home. Pushing past the slog of busy people, she made it back to the main entrance.

She managed to make it out to the woods just past the front gate. Is he an assassin? He didn't act like one. She rubbed her neck.

Scanning ahead, off towards the left was a cleared area with a shack in a grove of trees. It'll be safer than sleeping outside, at least. Knocking on the door, she waited a while for an answer before pushing it open.

"Anyone here?" Clenching her fists, she stepped inside and opened them. Spiderwebs glued to her ears and face. "Ach." Nasty! The sticky stuff took forever to pull off. Everything was rotted. I'll camp outside instead. Under a pine tree near the shack, she cleared the pine needles. Mother loved camping during missions, and she always made the best hennit stew.

The fire hissed as a drop of rich fat fell into the flames from the skewered bird, soon the sun sank lower in the southern sky. Will have to watch out as he more hostile creatures will come out of their dens soon. Snuffing out the fire, she picked up the pack and headed behind the shack.

The forest became silent-not even a Harper-beetle dared wax its tune. Someone was here! It's still too soon to cast another spell, I'll just avoid them, or it. Peaking around the side of the shack, it stood.

Four curved and pointed legs stepped out of the shadows. As it continued forward, the shadows parted from its middle, a white furry body where the legs attached. It emerged skittering. Its head appeared next, with a pink nose wiggling up and down, sniffing the air. The creature's eyes were vile arachnid eyes, gleaming in the moonlight. Its ears long and fluffy, like those of a rabbit, and reached about four feet high. It inched closer to where she sat a moment before, its fangs dripping poison. Only a fool messed with them. Noiselessly, she padded away, aiming for the edge of the forest.

Easing onto her stomach, she crawled over behind a fat tree. A bear ambled about eating berries from a bush. Leave me alone...

She tucked a lock of hair that hung in front of her eyes, then peeked. The spider-nab was in the tree near and was wrapping the branches drawing them together with webbing, this hid all but the tips of its legs. She swallowed. Maybe call a spirit? No, it's too soon.

Running full tilt under the webbed tree, she scrambled behind a large boulder just past it.

Over to the tree, the bear's outline was a flat, bloodless husk. Running now would be smart. The fang holes oozed twin rivers of blood that pooled onto the grass. She gripped a dagger tight and focused on her breaths. It had to be around, eternally hungry, they always wanted more.

A clicking and hissing behind her.

With her heart damn near climbing up her throat, she faced around. To be home, home, home!

Or right, depending on your view, I have taken a portion of your energy be glad in my kindness, I didn't take it all.

Glad? Being hobbled is what you consider kindness?

Considering the alternatives, yes. It became silent again.

The spider-nab blocked her way, its mandibles rubbing both fangs together.

She dashed at the spider-nab, loping off an ear where it splattered on the ground. It screeched, turned toward her hissing. Ho boy.

The spider kicked her away and spun around full till just missing her cheek with its fangs. Rolling under its head, she lopped off a foreleg. It chattered, turned, and ran off limping.

She sprinted out of the woods. Maybe I'll stay on the path after all, some of the creatures here were more dangerous than the ones back home.

The branches ahead scraped together, she turned to eye the nearest bunch. Was it back again? I'd better keep an eye out for it. There were worse things to fear, must keep moving. She continued down the path.