As we left off in the last chapter our heroine has just left her home at the age of 15 to head north after witnessing her family being devoured before her very eyes. A bright light saved her and a voice her to head north if she wanted to live. Having little supplies and equipped with a sword and shield our Taupe takes off into adventure or her doom? Taupe left the bounds of the town,never looking back. She kept moving forward in hopes that one day she might get revenge for her parents, but now focuses on surviving. To reach the mountains she has to leave the town, go thru the forest,a small meadow,and then will reach the mountains. The sun has fallen and the only light there is to be seen is from the moon. Our Taupe head into the woods ready with her sword and shield. As she walked already for a few hours she could hear rustling in the bushes. She raised her shield and pointed the sword ready for whatever may come at her. As she walked closer a squirrel jumped out and ran away from her up a tree. Taupe sighs with relief and just lightly chuckles to herself that she is being a bit paranoid. Taupe continues onward picking up her pace a bit but keeping alert to everything even if this does make her paranoid. Hours later she can see the end of the forest and the meadow in the clearing. The moon is drifting off while the sun is barely rising. She cleared the forest and stepped onto the meadow fields, very happy to be out of the forest she smiles to herself and continues on. Until she hears another rustling from the bush that is on the edge of the forest. " I been following you thru my forest and the thing is I'm a bit hungry for some meat. While you don't look very delicious you'll be a nice quick meal" a voice said out loud. Taupe slowly turn facing the bush, raise her shield and sword then started to walk backwards slowly. " Hehehe, you think you can escape? I enjoy a good chase but with that shield and sword it will slow you down. Go on and run, I'll just kill you when you're exhausted" the voice says. Taupe thought about it. Her weapons are weighing her down but can she really hold her ground to this enemy that stalks her? Taupe stands her ground,dropping her backpack and gets ready for a fight. "Oooh decide to fight? I accept your challenge, my meals always run, but this is different for a change." the voice says slowly lowering in volume. Quick like a bolt of lightning the figure leap out of the bush and slammed into Taupe's shield knocking her off balance. "Hahaha little girl, did you trip and fall? Hahaha" the figured said laughing. Taupe saw that what she is fighting is a werewolf that stood towering over her with sharps fangs and claws. The Wolf slashed at Taupe, but was deflected by her quick actions with her shield. The Wolf started to circle around Taupe, giving her a chance to stand back up, but kept it's eyes on her. Taupe got back to her feet and ready herself for the next assault. The Wolf darted across her aiming for her legs with it's claws, but was blocked by the shield. Taupe quickly took this chance and slash at the Wolf. The sword cut into the skin but didn’t cleave thru hard enough. "Argh" the Wolf backed up" I should stop playing around and just end this, don’t you agree little girl?" The Wolf said and went to starting to circle Taupe again, waiting for the right chance to strike at her defenses. All while Taupe watching the Wolf's movement to see when to block and strike at her predator. The Wolf charges at her and swipes at her which she blocks, but the Wolf leaps to her side and tries to claw her with its other hand. Taupe swings the sword but the Wolf blocks this time using its claws against the blade itself. The Wolf swings with the other hand that Taupe reblocks with the shield. The Wolf grins and starts to try and chop at her neck. Taupe dodges a little to the left and right in place, but knows she can't keep this up forever. She pull back her sword which the Wolf kept pressure on and cuts her shoulder with its claws, but Taupe swings with all her might at the Wolf's chest leaving a gash that is spilling out blood. The Wolf howls out loud and can see a light from the direction of the mountains. "Damn it little girl. I will find you and I will kill you next time" The Wolf said then rushes into the woods and disappears from sight. Taupe greatly exhausted collapses onto the ground gasping heavily. A couple of strangers ran over to Taupe from the mountain's direction. "Are you o.k little girl? The strangers keeping their distance noticing her sword and shield. "Yes I am surprisingly, I don't know how, but I manage to get this big Wolf from killing me" The two strangers looked at each other " you said wolf? There hasn't been a sighting of wolves here in months" Taupe looking puzzled went to show them the trail of blood on the ground, but it was gone. The blood on the sword was gone,what little that sprayed on her shield and on herself was gone completely. "Oh here look at this wound then" Taupe said. The two strangers look at it" this does resemble a wound that could have been made by something with claws. It does look fresh too." They walk off a bit and talk among themselves before returning to Taupe. "That wound needs to be treated right away, we live in the mountains and where picking some berries. We came over here when we heard the howling which was surprising to hear in this area. We can get some help from the local doctor if you want to come with us" said the stranger on the left. "Sure I would like that, but i have a few questions. What are you two? And is this place underground in the mountains?" Taupe asked. "OH I guess you haven't seen our kind before? That is a bit strange, but we're  very common in this area. We’re what you humans call halflings or hobbits  for short. Also yes the doctor and our place is underground in fact. My name is Bubbles and my friend here is Buttercup, your name is? Bubbles asked. "Taupe, my name is Taupe" "Nice to meet you Taupe, but now let us be on our way" Bubbles said. The three of them crossed thru the meadow fields and reached the mountain. After traveling a few ways the three reach a secret entrance that led underground to the town of Hidden Cove. Taupe saw the doctor that quickly cleaned and treated the wound telling her to be more careful,but didn’t ask how she got the wound. The treatment was free, but was told to help with the festival celebrating a newcomer to their fair town, so she did happily.