uldn't do much, even if it squeezed through. It was low on the horizon, the sun, its light weak, barely touching the dense trees

hard to tell. Her stomach gnawed with hunger, and she shivered constantly. Non

the faint flutter within her life. The only thing that kept her moving was it

oice quivered, 'Keep going.' "You

elements or of predators. The isolation, the knowledge that n

usted she was, her body stiff, she crouched at the feet of a cluster of rocks. The forest was ee

broke thro

e. Her eyes scanned the darkness, searching for movement. She then saw

stand. 'Not now.' Adrenaline shov

stepped into the clearing. Slowly, they moved, c

e ground. It was better than nothing, but not much. 'St

largest one lunged first. She hit it across the snout with the stick

d, and she swung to keep them away as good as she could. However, th

the ground. She didn't have time to think about the pain that shot through her side.

out hesitation, it howled and stumbled to the back, giving her enough time

e hoarse, 'Come on.' "

. She was being tested and waiting for an opening. Her visi

arm bled where its claws had raked across it, and she fell to her knees and crie

she ever felt was bracing for t

rd the sound; the wolves stopped. A howl followed, closer. The rogues fell into silenc

s bleeding, she was exhausted, and she was in more pa

re

The torn cloak revealed scratches and bruises all over her body. She placed a sha

she whispered

this. The cold or hunger would get her if the wolves didn

nce. Through the trees, it was faint, but it was there. Her heart s

find out. She pushed herself to her feet and started walki

round her, and shadows grew darker, and the air was heavier. Wi

emed like a heartbeat. Something was going on in the air, and she c

. A stone altar in the center of the space was glowing. The light that

ot to listen to them; she took a cautious step forward. But she

of black crystal broken off at an edge, sharp and jagged. The shard's glow

lmost inviting, in the surrounding air. However, her finger

clo

soft voice but unmistakable, like a thought that wasn't

you?" she

cast eerie shadows across the clearing. The warmth of the

shard was, but she knew o

ither